from 370€

Excellent 4.8rating (115)
  • Sustainable Cities And Communities

Construct Schools for Children and Families

location
1 - 30 weeks  ·  Age 14 - 50+
rating  Excellent 4.8  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • You will have opportunity to experience the true African way of life, which will expand your perspective of the world, and memories that you'll never forget during your weekend excursions & safaris
  • The programs are many and suitable for volunteers from the age of 14 years and above, High School & University Students, Professionals, Couples & Families with their children, and Adults of 50+ years
  • After the completion of your online/ Onsite volunteer offer, UCESCO will write you a good and official recommendation letter and Certificate of appreciation/Recognition for your time and service to us
  • Our project site is truly an exciting place to be, a place where you can really make a difference. UCESCO - Kenya has a 100% safety record & we try to maintain it as Kenyans are friendly by nature.
  • Flexibility we offer to take part in different projects and connect with wonderful people . You can rotate as many projects as possible that we are offering for more experience.

Especially good for

Age 14+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+
Wheel Chairs

About the program

Perfect opportunity for short-term volunteers to join the meaningful causes to uplift disadvantaged people & communities in Kenya to acquire decent school & basic needs.

Samburu village live in northern Kenya and are semi-nomadic people. They are closely related to the Maasai tribe, crushed in poverty, high unemployment, and poor sanitation, though the experience for our volunteers is an amazing opportunity of a lifetime! an indigenous community with an original ...

About the program

Samburu village live in northern Kenya and are semi-nomadic people. They are closely related to the Maasai tribe, crushed in poverty, high unemployment, and poor sanitation, though the experience for our volunteers is an amazing opportunity of a lifetime! an indigenous community with an original safari destination. kids in Samburu don't have the opportunity to go to school because of poverty and culture. Building schools for them is the best way to increase the future/hope of children in Africa. UCESCO  is looking for volunteers who are dedicated to building a better future for those less fortunate. Volunteers who bring the right spirit and an eagerness to learn will also fit right in our programs

Most homes and schools in Samburu Village, live in terrible conditions. Entire families reside in cardboard shacks, lacking all amenities. Some areas have been affected by natural disasters and need help with reconstruction while other communities simply lack the resources and manpower to work on the structural improvements and renovation measures of facilities like schools and daycare centers. Construction tasks vary during the project as follows;

  • Building outdoor structures
  • Painting
  • Screwing metal scaffolding
  • Trimming and preparing cement blocks
  • Erecting walls
  • Leveling the ground
  • Constructing roofs
  • Putting down floors
  • Maintaining building
  • Renovation tasks on older buildings 

Communication 

Immediately you arrive, it is reassuring to know you’ll be able to contact home and keep in touch with staff and volunteers during your stay. Here are some tips on communicating in Kenya

  • Mobile phone- It is a good idea to have a mobile phone with you while you volunteer. They allow you to reassure your family and friends to know that you will be contactable. A local SIM card will usually offer much cheaper local and international rates than your SIM from home. You can buy a local SIM from many shops in Nairobi before we proceed to Samburu Village, and the Kenyan team or another volunteer can tell you where to go. Safaricom is the largest network provider in Kenya. You can buy or rent a handset after you arrive, or alternatively bring one with you. Some smartphones (including iPhones) will not accept SIMs from other companies, so please check before you travel. 

  • Internet - The cheapest way to stay in touch with friends and family is via the Internet, email, social networks, and telecom services like Skype. Many volunteers also choose to write a travel blog, and volunteers who fundraise may have promised an email diary for their sponsors. There are two ways to access the internet in Kenya: on the internet, Wifi in homestays, and cafes in the shopping centre, or using a modem stick plugged into your laptop. 

Climate and Weather 

  • Like much of the rest of the world, Kenya's weather can vary widely. However, some obvious climatic patterns can tell you what to expect. There are two rainy seasons in Kenya. The major rainy season generally falls between mid-March and the end of May. The minor rainy season generally falls between the beginning of November and the end of December. During these periods, you will see a fair amount of rain, especially in the evening and during the night. 

  • July and August we usually rain-free, although they can be quite chilly, especially at night. Temperatures are fairly consistent throughout the year- around 20' C during the day and chilly in the evenings. 

  • January and February are usually the hottest months.

  • It is safest to plan for the hot sun as well as pouring rain, whatever the month, a raincoat is necessary, as is sun cream. Remember that the sun is stronger on the equator

Clothes 

There are a couple of things to bear in mind when packing clothes for Kenya. The first is the weather - it can vary quite a lot, so it is best to plan for hot sun and pouring rain. You will need to dress to protect yourself from the sun but also be prepared for rain. Here is a suggestion of what to bring;

  • T-shirts 

  • Shorts 

  • Lightweight trousers and tops

  • Jumper and Jeans for the evenings 

  • Plenty of underwear 

  • Hait for sun

  • Sports clothing 

  • Trainers or boots 

  • Sandals 

  • Day shoes 

Packing

Below are some suggestions about what to pack. Everything on these lists is essential or useful 

  • Passport 

  • Yellow Fever vaccination certificate 

  • Travel pillow 

  • Towels 

  • Toiletries and sanitary products. Consider bringing dry shampoo wet wipes, and hand sanitizer

Tours and Safaris
 Weekends are made for exploring our country and Safaris ( Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for any safari outside Nairobi City like Masai Mara, and Samburu, they need at least 2 nights and 3 days to have enough experience). Safaris within the center or nearby can be explored for one day or two ( Saturday and Sunday). The organization is aware and more than happy to give you enough time to explore Kenya too because you are here to help at the same time make sure you experience Africa's lifestyle and culture. We will always give you time for that. In case you are also interested in safaris while volunteering with us, let us know to link you to our sister company that offers pocket-friendly Safaris, Hotel reservations for weekend holidays, flight booking, Visa application, holiday vehicle arrangements, and travel insurance for our volunteers. It's a company that embarks on a thrilling adventure with Meaningful Travel, a premier travel company in Kenya, as we unveil our exciting lineup of upcoming tours and extraordinary destinations within this breathtaking East African gem. From the iconic savannahs of the Maasai Mara to the pristine beaches of the Kenyan coast, our meticulously crafted tours promise to immerse you in Kenya’s diverse landscapes, wildlife, and cultures. Traverse the Great Rift Valley, witness the Big Five in their natural habitat, and engage with local communities in immersive cultural experiences. With Meaningful Travel, you’re not just exploring Kenya; you’re discovering its heart and soul. Join us on a transformative journey that showcases Kenya’s beauty and leaves you with memories to last a lifetime. Travel. dreams into reality.” The beautiful thing about booking a safari with us, all the cost recovery is donated back to the organization to keep one child in school. That is why we call it meaningful travel "traveling with a purpose".

Wish list 

To prepare for your work here, there are a few things you can do. We kindly ask you to check if you have any school materials (Schoolbooks -written in English-, pencils, toys, notebooks, rubbers, etc.) or electronics (laptop, tablet, Camera, smartphone/phone) you no longer use.

Unfortunately, resources are minimal here in Kenya, and any support is much appreciated. Your old schoolbooks can be given a second life for a great cause!

 

Do you want to be a volunteer superstar? You can multiply your impact by setting up a fundraiser.

Necessities like food, school tuition, ongoing School construction, or healthcare require funds. We understand that you can’t do it all, but maybe your friends, family, or colleagues can help you to make your visit even more impactful. We assure you; that it will be everyone’s best-spent money! Need help or materials for promotion? Let us know, and we will provide you with promotional materials or you can access them from our social media or Google Drive. 

Typical day

1. Volunteer task

We anticipate that;

  • You want to contribute, and 
  • As a person you are calm, embracing, and with no judgment,
  • You are passionate about making a difference to the target group or individual.

2.  Your induction and orientation

On your first day, you will receive a comprehensive induction ...

Typical day

1. Volunteer task

We anticipate that;

  • You want to contribute, and 
  • As a person you are calm, embracing, and with no judgment,
  • You are passionate about making a difference to the target group or individual.

2.  Your induction and orientation

On your first day, you will receive a comprehensive induction to your new town. A staff member will take you on a tour of the surrounding area, and point out places that might be useful to you. You will also be taken to buy a local SIM card or exchange money if you need to. We value innovative ideas to make us serve others better hence we always encourage our volunteers to have creative ideas for serving the community better apart from assigning you our usual operations. 

Orientation of activities is done the day after your arrival to understand all other programs we have in case you are flexible and interested in helping other programs/activities. When you rotate to other programs you get more exposure and be more impactful to many needy beneficiaries.  For example, if you have applied as a teacher/Tutor, you can at the same time, help in teaching your language if you are good at life skills you can share with our high school students, if you are good at sports you can teach some sports you know, if you are good in mathematics you can teach at our school, if you have the medical background you can volunteers some of your free time from our school at our clinics or at our beauty school. I recommend volunteers who are flexible to help in other areas if the program you have applied to is not that busy during your time in Kenya. Africa will be more fun and enjoyable and you can learn more than you expected. 

3. Daily program/ Timetable 

Volunteer work is during the morning hours every day, and in the afternoon, we have free activities such as sports, Kenya traditional dance classes, traditional cooking classes, and sports for those volunteers interested to learn, however, it's an optional offer depending on the number of volunteers interested to learn But mostly volunteers finish their volunteer work at 3:30 pm and go home direct to rest and prepare for the following days' activities. 

A typical day schedule will look like this with or without minor adjustments;

  • 8:30 am - We serve a delicious and healthy breakfast 
  • 9:00 am - 13:30 pm - Volunteer work as described above. 
  • 14:00 pm to 18:00 pm - Free time activities mentioned above (Optional)
  • 3:30 pm -  Break and prepare back home to rest
  • 8:00 pm - Dinner is served.

Free-time activities

Official languages are Swahili and English

  • Common swahili words
  • Hello: jambo/ hujambo/ ​salama.
  • How are you?: habari gani.
  • Fine (response): nzuri.
  • Goodbye: kwa heri/ kwa herini (more than one peson)
  • See you later: tutaonana.
  • Nice to meet you: nafurahi kukuona.
  • Goodnight: lala salama.

Wildlife

Kenya has a ...

Free-time activities

Official languages are Swahili and English

  • Common swahili words
  • Hello: jambo/ hujambo/ ​salama.
  • How are you?: habari gani.
  • Fine (response): nzuri.
  • Goodbye: kwa heri/ kwa herini (more than one peson)
  • See you later: tutaonana.
  • Nice to meet you: nafurahi kukuona.
  • Goodnight: lala salama.

Wildlife

Kenya has a considerable land area devoted to wildlife habitats, including the Masai Mara, where blue wildebeest and other bovids participate in large-scale annual migration.

More than one million wildebeest and 200,000 zebras participate in the migration across the Mara River.

The “Big five” game animals of Africa, that is the lion, leopard, buffalo, rhinoceros, and elephants, can be found in Kenya and in the Masai Mara and Samburu in particular.

A significant population of other wild animals, reptiles, and birds can be found in the national parks and game reserves in the country. The annual animal migration occurs between June and September, with millions of animals taking part, attracting valuable foreign tourism.

Two million wildebeests migrate a distance of 2,900 kilometers (1,802 mi) from the Serengeti in neighboring Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya, in a constant clockwise fashion, searching for food and water supplies. This Serengeti Migration of the wildebeest is listed among the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.

Things to note throughout your stay in Kenya.

Nice places to visit in Kenya

  1. Samburu
  2. Fourteen falls
  3. Maasai village
  4. Kibera and Mathare slum
  5. Nairobi national museum and snake park
  6. Nairobi national park
  7. David sheldrick wildlife
  8. Bomas of kenya / Karen Blixen
  9. Kazuri beads factory and Giraffe centre
  10. Mt kenya
  11. Kiambethu tea farm in Limuru
  12. Tsavo national park
  13. Elephant hill hiking
  14. Amboseli national park
  15. Coffee farm tour
  16. Nairobi safari walk
  17. Maasai mara park
  18. Zip lining at Kereita

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 14 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 14 years old on the program start date.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

• a social mindset • a good work ethic • the ability to work as part of a team • great communication skills • adaptability to different types of tasks • problem-solving ability • initiative • enthusiasm • resilience • a non-judgmental approach and respect for diversity • great cultural awareness • a professional attitude to work • strong regard for health and safety • eagerness to travel • dedication

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:00 - 15:30

What's Included

What's Included

Services by UCESCO Africa

In Summary, the fee includes:

  • Accommodation 
  • Wifi costs
  • Water and Electricity 
  • Airport Pick up
  • Program Orientation
  • Security 
  • Administration and on-site/in-country staff support
  • Personalized project
  • Pre-departure information and any services you need such as an invitation letter for your visa application
  • Background check fees
  • Meals (Breakfast and Dinner)
  • Letter of recommendation / Certificate of completion 

Not included in the fee:

  • Drop off 
  • Laundry
  •  Local SIM card you need to purchase
  • Tour / Safaris
  •  Volunteer T-shirt
  • Visas
  • Airfare
  • Personal expenses on soft drinks and foods
  • Daily transportation to the project site
  • Airport return transfer

Airport Pickup at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

UCESCO-Kenya a staff member will be there to welcome you when you arrive at Nairobi Airport (NBO). From the airport, you will travel in our private car to your accommodation in Nairobi before we proceed to Samburu Village in the following day after enough rest in Nairobi. Depending on traffic, this will be a 15-minute drive to your accommodation from the airport in Nairobi and it takes 5 hours from Nairobi to Samburu Village. Once you are done with the booking process, we share our whatsup number to keep in touch, especially during airport pick-up, it's easy and quick to communicate because there is always a wifi at the airport. 


N/B Just to remind you, sometimes luggage delays and we have seen our volunteer having a hard time as they are waiting for their luggage for three days, make sure at least the back bag/ the small bag you will be walking with, has all the basic items, and at least few clothes to change in case you luggage delays, At least make sure you can survive for two to three days but not always luggage delays but it happens. it's just a caution because we have seen volunteer forced to go the the mall to buy a few clothes to survive as they are waiting for their luggage to arrive, which is an unnecessary expense. 

Accommodation

  • All volunteer houses have running water. Volunteers should not drink tap water – instead, drink only bottled water
  • UCESCO- Kenya arranges accommodation for volunteers in a volunteer house or in homestays. Both our homestays and volunteer house are executive, spacious, beautiful, Well-finished apartment that is fully furnished with en-suite room features and en-suite bathroom. It's a place you can call home away from home. your stay is guaranteed to be comfortable, and memorable and a comeback is certain. The unit has a furnished living room fitted with armchairs, a flat-screen TV, Free Wifi, and a fully equipped kitchen in case you want to cook your own fast food apart from what we provide. Parking facilities are available and the premises are guarded by security personnel 24/7. 
  • Both Homestays and volunteer houses are located in a serene environment with friendly people and is a great choice for volunteers to rest after hard work. 
  • Housekeeping is offered weekly (every Saturday) and change of beddings. 

Food & Beverages

  • Cuisine

    Kenyans generally have three meals in a day—breakfast (kiamsha kinywa), lunch (chakula cha mchana), and supper (chakula cha jioni or simply chajio). In between, they have the 10 o'clock tea (chai ya saa nne) and 4 p.m. tea (chai ya saa kumi).

    Breakfast is usually tea or porridge with bread, chapati, mahamri, boiled sweet potatoes, or yams.

     Githeri is a common lunchtime dish in many households, while Ugali with vegetables, sour milk (mursik), meat, fish, or any other stew is generally eaten by much of the population for lunch or supper.

    Regional variations and dishes also exist.

    In western Kenya, among the Luo fish is a common dish; among the Kalenjin, who dominate much of the Rift Valley Region, mursik—sour milk—is a common drink.

    In cities such as Nairobi, there are fast-food restaurants, including Steers, KFC, and Subway. There are also many fish-and-chips shops.

    Cheese is becoming more popular in Kenya, with consumption increasing particularly among the middle class

  • We provide 2 meals per day because most of the lunchtime will always find you on the project site. You only need to buy some snacks or affordable food near your project site. Sometimes like in school you can share with the students but might not be good for your stomach because mostly we use Githeri ( Cooked Maize corns and beans together) which I guess might be difficult for your stomach to digest if you are not used to it. If you have any special dietary requirements e.g vegetarian or vegan, please let us know so we can make arrangements for you. We will do our best to see that you are well taken care of, but, as a volunteer, there is a need to be flexible so you can adapt easily.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. We assist you to find cheap flights to Kenya. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Kenya provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Kenya you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Kenya. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

1. Preparing for the arrival 

  • Volunteering in Kenya through our organization will be an exhilarating, horizon-widening time. You will find new friends and take on new challenges, experiencing a different way of life while you do so. To make the most of this opportunity, it is a good idea to make sure that you are as prepared as possible, both physically and mentally. 

3. When we need volunteers

  • Throughout the year.

  •  The exception is a teaching program that is available from January to May, and from July to November each year.

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 370€
2 weeks 741€
3 weeks 1,111€
4 weeks 1,482€
8 weeks 2,963€
16 weeks 5,926€
30 weeks (max. stay) 11,112€
Average fees 370€/week

Program fees

370€ per week 1 - 30 weeks Age 14 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

1 - 30 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.

Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with UCESCO Africa during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your organization

UCESCO Africa

Excellent 4.8 rating (115 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2010

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Kingsley

Spoken languages: English

About the project

Our organization depends on the generosity of donors and volunteers to achieve our goals. There are different ways of supporting our cause and we welcome any help we.

Meet your organization

United Cultural Empowerment and Social Community Organization – Africa (UCESCO – Africa), is a Charitable NGO committed to supporting vulnerable women and children in marginalized communities in Kenya.

We do this through education, health care, and micro-business to emancipate families from poverty and empower them to take charge of their future.

UCESCO aims to build intercultural understanding through heritage protection and support for cultural diversity and human co-existence regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. 

WHAT WE DO

We focus on initiating and implementing projects that contribute to poverty alleviation in the community.

1. Slums and Rural Women's Economic Empowerment
2. Provide Free Health Care
3. Sanitation and Water Safety Programs
4. Early Childhood Development
5. Education and Talent Development
6. Sports and Social Engagements


VISION

Creating sustainable growth for diverse vulnerable populations.

MISSION

To support vulnerable women and children through education, health and micro-business boost to lift their families from poverty; and empower them to take charge of their own future.

MOTTO

Creating sustainable growth for diverse populations


Why choose us

UCESCO has a 100% safety record in Kenya and we mean to keep it. Our programs in Kenya are safe to experience. Generally, Kenyans are friendly people by nature, especially toward volunteers who are helping their community. We advise that no volunteer should be out after dark and that volunteers should stay indoors after 9 pm. Exceptions are made when volunteers are with UCESCO local volunteers or project staff. This is merely a precaution, but one that we expect all volunteers to keep. People may stop to say hello and it is polite to respond; however, they will understand if you are busy and cannot chat for long. Never accept an invitation to visit a stranger. We also recommend that you arrange medical, dental, and eye check-ups before you depart, to identify any issues that might affect your time in Kenya.

115 reviews · rating4.8

Jesse Van Dijck rating4.4

2024 at Construct Schools for Children and Families

I had the opportunity to help out in Kibera, the biggest slum in Nairobi. The experience with the kids there was amazing. Truly inspiring to see how these kids live and to grow close to them. The Ucesco team is amazing and always happy to help you with any issues or ...
I volunteered with Ucesco in February 2023 and was able to visit 3 different schools around Nairobi, helping with teaching, painting, plastering of walls, gardening and more. Kingsley and the rest of the team at Ucesco are very welcoming and I had a really great time volunteering with ...
I am not very active on social media but I wanted to take this opportunity to share some news. After completing my engineering studies, I dedicated the past few years to pursue a PhD thesis in experimental physics under the guidance of Pr. Clément Lauzin. It was an incredibly enriching journey, ...
Christie Knight rating5

2024 at Teaching in School and Communities

UCESCO Africa are an incredible organisation doing so much to help. During my time away from work, I wanted to spend some time volunteering and giving back to a community who need it. There are many times in our lives where someone goes out of their way to give us an opportunity, help us, or simply ...
My son Kohshi and I had an amazing experience at #ucescoafrica and in Kibera teaching beauty school students (mostly young single moms) how to start business and elementary school kids how to play origami. Thanks to Kingsley, Edna and our Kenyan mom Joy ❤️. Kibera is known as the largest urban ...
Hello , My name is Kyoung ju KIM. From South Korea. I had a great time for 3 weeks through UCESCO. Doing volunteer with my daughter and son. We learned a lot from there. We did teaching and cooking for Peggy Lucas School which is located in Kebera slum. It's very safe. Ucesco staff managed ...

Location

Africa > Eastern Africa > Kenya > Maralal

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Contact Kingsley
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