Conservation and Ecology Project
Volunteer in Kenya and stay at the Mt. Kenya B&B
Volunteering is a great way to give back to the local country when traveling.
Volunteer Options:
- Community Reforestation Project
- Organic Community Farming
- Teaching at local schools
Location:
- Naro Muro Village on the slopes of Mt. Kenya north of Nairobi
Lodging:
- Mt. Kenya Hostel
- Mt. Kenya B&B
Project Overview
This is an incredible volunteer opportunity. You will live, interact, learn and experience the lifestyle and culture of the Mt. Kenya people. You will work along side community members who desperately need help to restore their ancestral land by planting trees to prevent further land degradation. Your volunteer work within the communities themselves will alleviate the negative impact on the environment in the area. It will also improve socio-economic development, food security and sustainable livelihoods.
Deforestation is a big problem in Kenya and has most drastically taken place in the reserved forests. Fires, illegal logging and the increased population of Kenya have encroached into the reserved forest causing dramatic deforestation in Kenya. The deforestation has severely affected the local communities, livestock and wildlife. The climate has changed and therefore there is considerably less rainfall, which has affected the local farming and livestock, as well as the wildlife in the area.
Another issue is that the communities around Mt Kenya have watched year after year as the glaciers of Mt Kenya shrink. The cold ice streams at the equator are melting away. The streams off Mount Kenya ran very high some years back but are now growing thin. There are prolonged droughts, less food and the stability of food is at risk.
General tasks for volunteers
Volunteers are needed to assist with a variety of tasks such as weed control, watering plants, tree planting, tree nursery work and general maintenance. There is also an opportunity of educating other communities & school children about the importance of planting trees to promote fauna and flora.
Child Education and Special Education Project
Project Overview
There is also no question that the Naro Moru community has great needs for volunteers to help the less fortunate children of the community. The Naro Moru community is great to be involved with because everybody is very friendly, hospitable and appreciative. Many people in the Naro Moru community speak English and are open to visiting and meeting with visitors. The people of Mt Kenya have a clear understanding of the importance of cross-cultural experiences and are always looking forward to working with people from all walks of life. The community will do everything in its power to ensure you have a great experience. The local volunteers work alongside you and are eager to socialize, including arranging a soccer tournament or a game of volleyball.
Volunteers can work with children in the most destitute schools around Mt Kenya and other Naro Moru community social facilities. Volunteers will support the teachers, help students with their homework, teach conversational English, plan arts and crafts projects, and bring new perspectives to the students. You can also get involved with children and young adults through extra activities like outdoor recreation and sports. The children of Naro Moru benefit dramatically from the one-on-one attention and care that the volunteers bring.
Special education
There is an extraordinary opportunity in Naro Moru to assist the special education teachers with students who have special needs. There are many challenges facing special education in Africa but, considerable progress has been made in recent years and the issue of the special education needs are beginning to be addressed in Kenya. Volunteers with experience in special education can also bring their skills and initiative to help create lesson plans and activities for the classroom. There are very few organizations, schools and resources for special education in Kenya. Your compassion and presence will help students develop their self- esteem and also your support and work will be vital to the success of special need students in Kenya.
General tasks for volunteers
Assist teachers and Special education teachers with students with learning challenges, communication and other developmental disabilities.
Help organize activities and educational games and sport activities. Volunteers with experience in special education can also bring their skills and initiative to help create lesson plans and activities for the students.
Community Development Volunteer Project
Project Overview
This is an ideal volunteer work project that will allow you to use your skills and do something meaningful for the underprivileged communities. You will get to experience the local culture while living and working in some of the most beautiful parts of Kenya.
The project is dedicated to trying to improve the lives of rural communities around Mt Kenya. The community is not short of labor! Lack of resources affects the availability of facilities needed for the community. The volunteers work alongside villagers on community-initiated building projects like building schools and renovating classrooms, and working to bring clean water to areas where there is no water available. Projects include building a community water tank.
General tasks for volunteers
Construction, repairs, engineering, and alternative energy similar to solar and wind projects. These volunteer projects will be closely connected to the needs and demands of the Naro Moru community at the time of your volunteer project. Volunteers will assist on construction in schools, working on projects in an orphanage, restoring a community church, repairing a local family’s home, painting and renovating a classroom, engineering, and utilizing alternative energy projects that will bring.
Building for Underprivileged Community Members
Project Overview
This is a community run project that focuses on needy families in the community. The community members will decide where to prioritize the volunteer projects at the time. The project will be based on available funds for the project, the number of volunteers in the project and the community members available to work.
There is always a need to build shelters for people living in Naro Moru. The needy families include single parents or grandparents caring for their orphaned grandchildren. This project depends on the goodwill and donations from the local community and sponsors. This is a great opportunity to interact, socialize and work alongside Kenyan people to help them build a home and ensure a more prosperous future.
General tasks for volunteers
Construction, repairs, and engineering skills are important in this project. Volunteers will work alongside the needy family who will benefit from the project as well local volunteer community members.
