VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
we have volunteer opportunities in our programmes.AFEDAR welcomes open-minded, motivated individuals eager to learn from and contribute to small-scale, community-based development initiatives. Placements are available within a range of programs and activities of AFEDAR in Bungoma, western Kenya. Working with AFEDAR offers international volunteers a chance to work closely with the communities of western Kenya. In addition to the work experience we offer, there is the life experience you gain by living and working in Kenya. AFEDAR volunteers live in a community setting offering them a chance to experience African way of life setting in the heart of Africa, all representing actual way of life. Volunteers gain insight into complex development issues that you would hardly get in classroom, boardroom, or book. Here you will learn first hand experience about life, environment and development in Kenya. You will also be amazed at how much you can learn about the way of life in this part of the world. Opportunities are available in all of our programmes. Volunteers work with AFEDAR staff to identify tasks and projects that utilizes their skills and talents, while contributing to the overall objectives of AFEDAR. Volunteers always work under the direction of a local staff member. We rely heavily on volunteers to enable continuation of our programmes. We welcome people from all over the world, , who can offer help through their experiences, skills and hard work. Although there are specific roles that need filling, we also encourage individuals who have alternative project ideas (as long as they fit in with AFEDAR aims and objectives) to contact us. We want you to get as much out of your experience as you make a difference in the lives of the communities you are working in.
o HOW TO START
First, you need to believe that AFEDAR is the right organization for you. Learn about us: our programs, our goals, and our activities. Read through our volunteer section. You will likely find that many (hopefully most) of your questions will be answered here.
Now, if you are comfortable with AFEDAR and wish to come to Kenya, continue with the following steps:
Ensure that you are interested in volunteering in the organizations programmes. Once you decide which program(s) you wish to be involved in, and then contact us. We will also put you in touch with the Director(s) of the program(s) you are interested in. Let us know when you are thinking of coming to Kenya. Then we can ensure there is a vacancy during that time. Once we are sure there will be space, you can look into flights, insurance, visa and passport details. Once you book a flight, let us know exactly when you are coming so we can make arrangements for your arrival. If you wish to apply to volunteer with us, email us at
jackanyuro@afedar.org or
ellisonr@gmail.com. Your application will be reviewed and get back to you as soon as possible. Finalize your flight itinerary and do communicate with us to make sure we have space available for you during the time you wish to come before you purchase your flight. Make sure your documents are in order (valid passport, Kenya visa, etc). See a travel doctor and have all required immunizations. AFEDAR advises all volunteers to check with local vaccination centres for the latest updates regarding vaccination (at least 6 weeks before departure).
When applying, please submit the following details:
• Full names
• Address and email
• Telephone and mobile phone numbers.
• Age
• Sex
• Country of origin/birth
• Country of residence
• Type of work interested
• Qualification/Profession/Studying
• Length of time available and when you want to start
• Religion (to know when to give you time for church/Mosque).
WHO CAN VOLUNTEER?
Volunteers, researchers, interns, experts and other professionals in agro forestry, water, environmental conservation, education, energy, micro-enterprise development, water harvesting and solar water treatment technologies, community development, energy and other fields related to environment and community development are encouraged to come and work with AFEDAR in achieving its objectives.
HOW WILL I SPENT MY FREE TIME?
We give our volunteers a break on request to tour our country, which is rich in wildlife and beautiful green landscapes. We link our volunteers to a tour company that offers affordable rates. Kenya Coast, Mt Elgon, Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Samburu and Mt. Kenya are some of the places that our past volunteers have liked. Close to AFEDAR centre you can freely travel around to other communities nearby. The Kakamega Rainforest is only 1hour 45 minute away. Kisumu, the third largest city in Kenya, is only two hours away. Most volunteers get their souvenirs from hare, since it is a lot cheaper than in Nairobi. There are also some great hikes close to the AFEDAR compound. When you are not volunteering, you will probably spend some time in Bungoma running errands (i.e. sending email, buying chocolate, etc.). Spending time with people on the homestead is a great way to learn more about the culture, the family, and people’s perspective on life and also it’s a chance for them to learn more about other ways of life. Since the farm is off the main road, running on the dirt roads can be a fun activity, and in most cases a bunch of little barefoot kids will find it fun running with you. For those that enjoy beer, there is a small bar near the home that welcomes volunteers. There is also live music in Bungoma, which makes for a fun evening. Most volunteers also take a weekend trip to go white water rafting on the Nile River in Jinja, Uganda (which is only about 3 hours away from Bungoma). We recommend that volunteers visit the website for Adrift Rafting Company (
http://www.surfthesource.com/home.htm).
WHAT IS THE DURATION OF VOLUNTEERING WITH AFEDAR?
We do not strictly prohibit shorter stays but we do request that our volunteers are able to offer at least one month of voluntary services. Things in Kenya happen at a very different pace than in the Western world. It can take some time for a volunteer to travel to AFEDAR centre, settle in, become accustomed to the lifestyle, learn their schedule, and understand their role. If a volunteer stays for only two weeks, most of their time will be spent getting settled in and little time will be left during which they can make a contribution. We want every volunteer to feel that their time in Kenya was put to good use and that they had adequate time to make an impact. We appreciate and understand that volunteering with us is a big commitment in trying to make an impact and it is therefore of utmost importance that everyone feels that they have accomplished this desire. The preferred length of trip for a volunteer’s first visit is 6-8 weeks
occasionally, we will allow for a shorter stay than one month, but this is handled on a case by case basis.
HOW MUCH IS THE VOLUNTEER FEES AND WHAT DO THEY INCLUDE?
The Volunteers will live with host family and have a chance of experiencing African way of life in the heart of Africa. Fees for a week is US$70 (US$280 per month) and is paid directly to the family you are placed with, Volunteers receive three meals a day, seven days a week centre. In addition, volunteers are also required to make a minimum donation {program fee of US$670} to AFEDAR account; this is to be used in covering administration, salaries for workers and to keep our projects running.
People wishing to extend their stay past one month may do so at the following weekly rates room and board $ 70 ($280) and programme fee of $ 440.
Not included in this fee are airplane tickets, bus ticket from Nairobi to Bungoma ($14USD), safari fees, leisure travel, souvenirs, and food/drink outside of the home stay.
We do not charge our volunteers nor pay them to participate in our activities, but we encourage them to come and participate in organizations activities alongside having an experience of African way of life in Kenya. Volunteers can work with us for any length of time up to a period of 2 years. The mode of communication is English and Kiswahili.
Local volunteers are at hand to assist and work together with the international volunteers. Besides, volunteers will need approximately 300 USD per month for personal expenses (transport, internet and drinks). We have clean and safe underground pumped water and our past volunteers have never experienced any problem with it. We have over 10 ATM’S machines in Bungoma, which accept VISA electron cards. We always organize and pick up volunteers who wish to be picked up from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or Kisumu or Eldoret airports, which are closer to Bungoma town. Your fee not only pays for the obvious needs of a volunteer but is also used to help create economic sustainability, environmental conservation and community development projects that will work towards improving the quality of life for all the community. By volunteering your fees goes directly to each community you work with.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON A TYPICAL DAY?
The day’s event will vary. Events like the launching of education awareness presentations can sometimes extend throughout the day. At the moment we don’t have our own vehicle to move you around in time and at times it might take long to get to our programme destinations. The outline below is very general and meant to give an idea of what to expect without being a strict daily itinerary. There are times when you will have half or even whole days off and you can choose what you want to do with your free time.
o Wake up between 6-9am
o Go on morning run (or sleep longer)
o Shower
o Have breakfast (bread, butter, jam, peanuts, chai(tea))
o Leave the compound and head to programmes, either school for an environmental Education/health presentation or visit communities and check on the projects on the ground
o Eat lunch at the farm , at the school, or eat a picnic lunch that you pack in the morning
o Continue your volunteer program activities
o Take tea between 4-6pm when you return home from the day's work
o Hang out, chat, relax, write in journal, run, go to the market, etc.
o Eat dinner around 8pm
o Hang out, chat, relax, write in journal, etc.
WHAT TYPE OF VISA DO I NEED?
If you may need some type of service or non-tourist visa, it’s advisable to check with the Kenyan Embassy in DC and the Kenyan High Commission in Ottawa. Please contact Immigration in Nairobi to confirm this (The Principal Immigration Officer, Department of Immigration, PO Box 30191, Nairobi: Tel. 254 2 222022). Let us all know if you receive a different advice.
Contacts for USA, Canada, and the UK are below.
Embassy of the Republic of Kenya
2249 R Street N.W.
Washington, DC
20008
Tel: 202 387 6101
E-mail:
info@kenyaembassy.com
Kenya High Commission
415 Laurier Ave. East
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 6R4
Tel: 613 563 1773/1776/1778
E-mail:
kenrep@on.aibn.com
Kenya High Commission
45 Portland Place
London, England
United Kingdom
W1N 4AS
Tel: 0870 162 0849
A single entry visa for Kenya will allow you to re-enter Kenya from Uganda or Tanzania without paying any extra fees. If you are planning on traveling to any other countries while in Africa, with the intent of coming back into Kenya, you should consider getting a multiple entry visa. US citizens can get 6-month visas for Kenya. However, the entry stamp needs to be updated after three months. Canadian citizens can only get 3-month visas so if you are planning to stay longer, you will need to extend your visa (and update the stamp) in Nairobi or Kisumu. Try Kisumu as it is closer to AFEDAR compound in Kabula, Bungoma. Although Visa applications are most often processed and returned in 7-10 days, it might be a good idea to deal with this sooner rather than later, just in case there are complications and/or delays of any kind. Send in your application as soon as you book a flight. However, for those of you planning to have an extended trip, keep in mind that the visa is good from date of issue so if you apply a month before you leave, you will have one less month in Kenya during which your visa will be valid.
