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- Teaching Assistance and Community Upliftment - Zambia
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Volunteer Teaching - Kenya
"Elimu maisha si vitabu" - You can't learn everything you need to know from books. Some things you learn from living.
This Swahili proverb perfectly sums up the opportunity available to you through the volunteer teaching program in Kenya. You're going to find out first hand what it's like to become fully immersed in their culture.
You'll live and work within a small community, experiencing for yourself the charms of rural, rustic Kenya, teaching English to children in the local school and helping with community development projects.
Key Information
- Available to 18+ year olds
- Introduction to TEFL included
- Swahili Cultural Lessons
- 24hr Emergency Support
Volunteer Teaching - Kenya
Smaller Earth Volunteers will live and work in the beautiful Shimoni Archipelago, an island off the coast in the Indian Ocean. A world class location for dolphins as well as other wildlife. Volunteers will have the opportunity to become involved in local community development projects, including teaching English as a foreign language and sustainable tourism programs.
All of your training is provided by the full time education staff, allowing volunteers a hands on and invaluable contribution to the development of these warm and welcoming communities. Volunteers can also choose to combine this project with other Smaller Earth programs in the area including our dolphin research or primate research project.
Six Great Reasons To Become a Smaller Earth Teaching Volunteer in Kenya
- The kids, with their endless energy and enthusiasm to learn!
- English language teaching techniques and an introduction to traditional Swahili culture
- Making a real difference to vital community projects
- Relaxing under the African stars
- Snorkeling in the coral reefs
- Integrating with the local community and learning some Swahili
Program Information
"I always wake up a bit groggy but after breakfast of pancakes, fruit, Kenyan tea and spectacular views of the ocean there is no way I can be grumpy for too long. Having planned our lessons the night before we headed off for a hectic day of teaching. The first lesson was English, which is always such a pleasure to teach as the children never tire of learning. Instead they ask so many questions!
After a quick cup of tea and some yummie biscuits made by the guys on camp duty, it was back to the village for P.E. classes. P.E. is always energetic but so much fun especially when we play banana, banana, mango! This must be the most popular game on Wasini Island!
By lunch time everyone is starving and it is always gratefully received. We take a few minutes to catch up with the volunteers doing marine and forest project work and then its back to lessons. Today was creative arts where we taught the kids how to write poems. They came up with some brilliant ones that completely put mine to shame. Later in the afternoon we headed off into the village to the orphanage. I love walking through the village; everyone rushes over calling your name. I’ve been here four weeks and am still struggling with all their names!
The orphanage is always the highlight of my day, just being there reading, talking and drawing with the children is so much fun. They are always so happy and excited to see us and the time always goes far too fast.
In the evenings we eat dinner as a group, always delicious and there is always a fight for seconds. If the people on camp duty are really nice they make flapjacks. That always makes people happy! We go through the days debrief, and cover plans for the next day, or discuss weekend plans – with so much to do and experience in this part of the world, it requires some careful advance planning!
Most evenings we go over to Paradise next door for a welcome cold drink and time to chat and a catch up with everyone. Bed time is always great after a quick look at the beautiful stars and a cuddle from Charlie the base cat. I can’t wait to crawl into my bed and although it sounds cheesy, I can’t wait for the next day to begin." - Jessica Eddison, Kenya Volunteer
Side Trips
During their project volunteers will be based either at Mkwiro or Shimoni villages and will go on one of the two following village tours:
The Mwauzi Tumbe village tour of Mkwiro
A community-based tourism initiative that our partners have been working to develop with the villagers of Mkwiro. You'll be shown around the village and aspects of daily life here, with the tour finishing with the legend of Mwauzi Tumbe, a Persian princess who is said to have betrayed her people to Wasini village at the other end of the island. Or;
The community-based eco-tourism Slave Cave Tour in Shimoni village
Exploring the natural caves that are currently home to bat colonies but over the years have served as a refuge for local people during tribal clashes, a slave holding pen on the way to markets in Zanzibar and more recently a kaya shrine.
Location & Accomodation
Volunteers may be located at the main base in Mkwiro on Wasini Island, situated alongside the famous Kisite National Marine Park or at the satellite base in Shimoni, home to a globally important coastal forest. With scattered islands covered by coastal forest, mangroves, rocky shores, sandy bays and fringed by coral reefs, Shimoni is a tropical haven and divers’ paradise.
Accommodation is in shared dormitories. The Mkwiro base has a large communal 'banda' where volunteers can eat, conduct training, plan lessons and relax after their teaching within the local community. Electricity is powered by solar panel and backed up by a generator. Volunteers can wash either in the ocean or using bucket-style showers on the base.
Shimoni base has mains power and showers. You will be living with different volunteer teams either from the teaching project or from volunteers choosing to work on the dolphin or colobus projects.Both bases offer beautiful views of the Wasini channel.
Volunteers take it in turns to prepare meals for the group. Food is basic, cooked in traditional local style. Breakfast could be cereal, porridge, fresh fruit, pancakes, etc. Lunch is sandwiches, pasta and sauce, etc. and a typical evening meal may include beans, rice, fresh veg and occassionally fish or meat
Age & Required Experience
No previous experience is required, but volunteers must be able to work as part of a team, speak English fluently, have a strong interest in community development, a sense of adventure and be prepared to enjoy Africa in a rustic way. Days are hot and dusty, and volunteers can expect to experience all the adventures and rigors of Africa on a continual basis. You must be enthusiastic, adventurous and respectful of your host country’s culture and environment. Minimum age limit is 18 years old
Orientation & Project Support
Staff in the field will provide training on the skills required, but you may benefit from learning more about local history, culture and customs before you travel. Throughout your stay at your placement you will have the support and guidance of experienced field-workers and coordinators. They are part of our Smaller Earth support team, and will provide you with competent 24-hour field support and assistance.
Getting There & Further Travel Opportunities
Volunteers should get a return flight to and from Mombasa airport (MBA). Smaller Earth can provide airport pick-ups between 6pm and 12am the night before the program begins.
During the programme volunteers have the option to go on following additional side trips. These are not included in the programme so you'll need to pay for these for separately:
A weekend trip to nearby Funzi Island, where a community-based Turtle Conservation Group are establishing eco-tourism. The trip includes a home-stay with traditional local food and a tour of the village. Depending on the season volunteers can join night time beach patrols to look for nesting turtles or hatchlings. You can also take a boat ride on the Ramisi river in search of crocodiles.
An overnight trip to Shimba Hills National Reserve, home to African elephants, buffalo, giraffe, warthog and the country’s only breeding population of sable antelope. As well as game drives, you can take a walk to Sheldrick Falls to cool off in the plunge pool below.A day trip to Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, a community reserve in the hills near Shimba where game drives will bring you close to herds of protected African elephant protected.
Volunteers can also organise their own trips during time off. Visit the lively tourist beach resort of Diani, or the quieter, more tranquil Tiwi beach. Mombasa city is about 2 and a half hours away combining both the historic old town and traditional Swahili culture, with modern city life, restaurants, bars and clubs. As well as Mombasa’s beautiful beaches.
What's Included?
- Airport pick-up and transfer to base
- All food and accommodation
- Training materials and teaching materials
- Introduction to TEFL (Teach English as a foreign language) certification
- 24-hour in-country support and a 24-hour emergency phone line
- All normal Smaller Earth pre-departure support and services
What's Not Included?
- International flights
- medical and travel insurance
2012
- Duration : 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 weeks or 3 months
- Price : £925, £1205, £1485, £1765, £2045 or £2325
- Start Dates : Every second Saturday from January - November
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