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WHY we need you in Kenya
- Approx one-third of Kenya's population lives on less than US$1.90 p/day. Your volunteer fees are directly benefiting the local people of this region.
- School Children in this region rarely have the opportunity to interact with foreigners who speak English. Promoting these skills can have a profound impact on the children's future career prospects.
- Approx 42% of Kenya's population are below the poverty line, especially in the rural areas where this project is located.
- Volunteering in this region creates employment opportunities for the local coordinators & supplements the farmers enabling competitive opportunities for the farms involved.
HOW can you help?
- You will be volunteering in Gatanga village, in schools with children in special needs classes and assisting local teachers.
- Bring along your energy, enthusiasm, effort and skills to assist the local teachers and help to educate these students and increase their confidence.
- You will be working with kids from different age groups and different levels of ability, teaching and engaging in fun and educational activities.
- Bring along your caring and understanding nature, to help the children develop and grow to be as independant as possible.
WHAT you can do?
- Ensure a fun and engaging learning experience for children with special needs
- Assist local teachers and help to meet the educational needs of students
- Play fun games and creative activities, such as ball games and arts and crafts
- Show a loving and kind nature, being paient with the children
Why Involvement Volunteers International?
- Non Profit Organisation & Charity
- Over 30 Years Expertise Globally
- Low Program Fees - From US$295
- Excellent Safety Record, In-Country 24/7 Support & Emergency Assistance
- 1 Application Fee - Multiple Countries
PROJECT NAME: SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHING
LOCATION: GATANGA VILLAGE, KENYA
START DATES: WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)
ACCOMMODATION: VOLUNTEER HOUSE (SHARED ROOMS)
MIN DURATION: ONE WEEK
MIN AGE: 16+
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: N/A
Overview
Assist local teachers and help children of special needs with their social interaction, confidence and abilities. Engage with them through various creative and educational activities. You will have the chance to engage with children of different ages and levels of ability, who will touch your heart with their genuine kindness and big smiles! This is a truly rewarding and unforgettable experience.
As the school’s resources are limited, please feel free to bring anything you like that can enhance the children’s learning experience. This will be much appreciated by the grateful teachers and staff.
Location
Gatanga Village, located about 1.5 hours by car from Nairobi is your new home while on this placement.This is a quiet village setting which is very safe and accommodating. You’ll find the locals will welcome you with open arms. Here, you will have an incredible opportunity to experience the authentic, rural Kenya. Thika town is located only 20-30 minutes drive away and here there are many restaurants, banks, supermarkets etc. In this region you’ll also find the famous Fourteen Falls, a powerful set of waterfalls and stunning natural beauty.
Project Tasks
- Ensure a fun and engaging learning experience for children with special needs
- Assist local teachers and help to meet the educational needs of students
- Interact with the children to expand their social interaction skills and confidence
Food & Accommodation
Your new home will be at the volunteer guest in Gatanga Village, Kenya. The accommodation is very simple but comfortable and with all the necessities such as lockable rooms, bed linen, hot shower, western style toilets, fresh clean drinking water, laundry facilities (at a small fee) and WiFI in common areas. (Although most volunteers will purchase a pre-paid SIM at Nairobi to use with their personal device. The rooms sleep between 2-4 persons per room with a shared bathroom.
Daily meals consist of mainly Kenyan cuisine, which includes vegetables, potatoes, eggs, bread, pancakes (commonly known as ‘chapati’ and fruits such as avocado, organge & banana. Traditional kenyan meals are often based on corn, potatoes and beans. A staple and popular dish is Ugali, a porridge made out of maize. Irio, is a blend of corn, potatoes and beans dipped into meat or vegetable stews.
You will be provided 3 meals per day on the weekdays, and 2 meals per day on weekends.
Standard
Projects
- English Teaching - Nakuru
- Childcare Support - Nakuru
- Women's Empowerment - Nakuru
- *Environmental Conservation - Nakuru
- *Medical & Nursing - Nakuru
- *Construction - Nakuru
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1 Week - $465
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2 Weeks - $520
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3 Weeks - $685
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1 Month - $930
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2 Months - $1695
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3 Months - $2895
- Private rooms cost additional $150 p/week
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals
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Airport Pickup
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Local Transportation
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1 Day Orientation
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24/7 In-Country Support
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Project Materials & Equipment
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Pre-departure Expert Advice
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Preperation Tools & Checklists
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Certificate of Completion
- Application fee is one off per person (unlimited placements)
- Click Here to convert the below prices to your local currency
- Discounts may apply if travelling in a pair or group!
- All credit card /international fees included in below pricing! 🙂
Testimonials...
FAQ
This project would suit those with a gentle and caring nature and who have a genuine love for working with children. Special needs teaching requires patience and an understanding of each child’s abilities and needs and to be encouraging in the children’s everyday tasks.
If you’re empathetic, understanding, caring and creative then this projects for you!
- Accommodation
- 3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
- Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
- Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
- 1 day orientation
- Daily transportation to project
- In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
- Fundraising support
- University course credits (where applicable)
- Certificate of Completion
- Airfares
- Travel Insurance
- Tours, Souvenirs & spending money
Included in the program fees is a 1 day orientation which starts every Monday in Gatanga. This is an important day to help you become familiar with your surroundings, as well as learning about the local customs, culture and surroundings. Your volunteer program will then commence from Tuesday and throughout the rest of the week.
Typical Orientation Day Includes:
- Introduction meeting, General/ house rules, Setting Expectations, Advice on Health and Safety and handling of documents.
- Kenyan Do’s and Don’ts,
- Introduction to Kenyan culture & history and Swahili Language Lessons.
- Tour of house, local area and where you can find nearby shops. This is where you can buy a local SIM card if required.
- Lunch
- Tour to a Coffee Factory
- Hike to a local Waterfall
Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.
A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). You must arrive at the meeting point by 13.00 on Saturday or Sunday. If arriving during the pickup times on the Saturday, we charge US$50 for the extra night’s accommodation.
If arriving outside the pickup times on Sunday, you can book a private transfer for US$50.
If arriving during the week, or on Saturday outside of pickup times, we charge US$50 for any extra night’s accommodation before your program, and another US$50 fee for a private transfer.
Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).
The school is open from 8am to 3pm and you will be volunteering for around 4-6 hours each day. You will be placed in classes that are according to your skills and knowledge. You will be preparing daily lesson plans, interacting with and engaging the children in various activities and assisting teachers with educational methods to improve the quality of education. You can bring along your creative side, and think of fun, educational games to play with the children.
During your free time after hours and on weekends, there are many places to explore in the surrounding areas.
For example, you can visit the Fourteen Falls in Thika, go trekking up to Mount Kenya (a stunning snow-capped peak), visit the amazing Mombasa beach or head out on a weekend of sightseeing in Nakura or Nairobi and explore national parks rich with native African wildlife.
See the below ‘Weekends & extra tours’ slider for more info on things to do in the area.
Required
- Casual but conservative dress is required. Please note that no see-through clothing, bare shoulders, low cut tops or shorts/skirts/dresses above the knee are permitted.
Optional
- Clothing/ Books/ Toys you may want to donate to the community
- Teaching resources or materials (stationary, writing books, paper, picture cards, etc)
- Balls, games or other fun things for the kids to enjoy
- Posters, pictures, music tapes and so on can really brighten up lessons
Kenya is a stunning country, featuring almost every terrain and climate from desert, beach, cities and forests.
There is something for every traveler here, particularly for wildlife lovers. It has over 40 National parks throughout the country and holds the some of the world’s most loved and endangered animals. Here you will find lions, leopards, elephants, hippos and so much more! Kenya is famous for its incredible safaris, which are the countries main source of tourism.
Also well known is the semi nomadic Maasai tribe- a hugely symbolic tribe known for its colourful adornments and traditional clothing. Kenya is a nature lovers paradise, with a visit to the Great Rift Valley being a must. For those who enjoy a gentler pace then Kenya also offers some beautiful beaches, its coast stretching almost 80,000 kilometres.
The beach is also sunny for most of the year! The capital, Nairobi is the fifth largest city in Africa, with unique vibes and a vibrant nightlife. This bustling and cosmopolitan city will throw you into Kenyan way of life and be an interesting eye opener.
Kenya is a huge country with its climate changing from tropical along the coast, to arid in the northern regions and then mild inland temperatures.
Kenya receives a large amount of sunshine year-round but generally, the hottest months are between February and March while the coldest months are July to mid-August. The “long rains” start from March to June, while the “short rains” are between October and December.
Due to Kenya being a major hub for migration over the years, it has now become one of the most culturally diverse countries with many different languages spoken.
There are over 40 different ethnic groups in Kenya, including Luo, Kamba, Maasai and more. Each have their own of mother tongue, although Swahili remains the most widely spoken language. You will also find ethnic groups from European, Arab, Indian and Pakistani, who migrated to the country in the 19th century.
Religions such as Christianity and Islam are widely spread, however many local people still believe in the ancestral world, where the dead have a bearing on the living. Today, the majority of Kenya’s culture, dress, music and food has taken strong influence from other parts of Africa, India, Europe and the United States.
In certain parts of the country however, many local communities hold onto their traditional lifestyle and customs. They still wear the clothes, animal skins and jewellery as they did centuries before. Many remote tribes remain completely isolated and indigenous.
30 Years Non Profit Experience
IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.
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