Make a Difference While Living on the Coast of Kenya

  Kenya

Mombasa

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months and 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months

Description: Come Kuona is a volunteer placement organization. We offer enriching and affordable programs starting at $600 (2weeks). Depending on your interests and skills, we will place you within one of four NGOs. Come Kuona guides and assists volunteers through the entire application process, with all pre-arrival preparations, provides a comprehensive orientation upon arrival, and provides continued guidance and support throughout the duration of your volunteership.

Volunteers may choose between four sites and programs on the coast of Kenya (Takaungu, Kilifi, Malindi, or Lamu):

Takaungu:
The East African Center for the Empowerment of Women and Children (EAC) is an NGO located in the rural coastal village of Takaungu. The EAC helps communities achieve empowerment by increasing literacy for women and children, improving health status, and eradicating poverty.

The EAC operates several development programs, all of which are community-driven, low-tech and sustainable. Programs include comprehensive education initiatives, skill-building income-generating activities, community heath initiatives, and a Junior School for local children. More specifically, volunteers have the opportunity to work in any of the EAC's eight distinct programs:

- Vutakaka Junior School
- Vutakaka Maternal and Reproductive Health Clinic
- Community Health Worker Program
- Vutakaka Sewing Club (instructional class and manufacturing group)
- Adult Education
- Health Education
- Business Education
- Farmers Field School

Those interested in working with the EAC may come as a volunteer, or as an intern or independent study student for university credit.

Kilifi:
The Mnarani Primary School Project aims to raise the standard of education for the children of Mnarani village so that they may escape the inevitable poverty trap and contribute to the development of Kenya. The project seeks to accomplish this goal by significantly improve the government-funded primary school in Mnarani village. The project came to fruition through the efforts of local business entrepreneurs and the support of visitors to local tourist destinations.

The objectives of the project include:

- Improving and expanding the physical facilities of the school
- Equipping the school with the necessary resources and materials
- Sponsorship of local students unable to afford standard uniform and textbook fees

Come Kuona is now partnering with the Mnarani Primary School Project by placing international volunteers in the classrooms. Volunteers have the opportunity to teach a variety of subjects, while working together with local Kenyan teachers. By doing so, volunteers have the chance to provide children in Mnarani village a quality of education that reaches far beyond that of a typical rural school, ultimately granting them the chance for a better life.

Malindi:
Heifer International, a world renowned charity, operates a project site in Malindi. The mission of Heifer International is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the Earth. They accomplish this by providing gifts of livestock and the knowledge and resources to care for them to families in need. Their strategy is to pass on the gift. As people share their animals offspring along with their knowledge, resources and skills an expanding network of hope, dignity and self-reliance is created that reaches around the globe. This simple idea of giving families a source of food rather than short-term relief caught on and has continued for over 60 years. Millions of families in 128 countries have been given the gift of self-reliance and hope.

Volunteers have the opportunity to work in a variety of capacities at Heifer International Kenya, ranging from administrative duties to hands-on training to capacity building.

Lamu:
The Lamu Educational Development Foundation Trust (LEDFT) aims to mobilize people to work together in promoting educational standards and other sectors of development for the present and future well-being of Lamu and Kenya. LEDFT offers volunteers the unique opportunity to work with several different community initiatives simultaneously. LEDFT is an umbrella organization that supports three distinct programs:

- Kikozi is a micro-finance initiative which focuses on lending funds to local grassroots groups
- The Girl Child Project facilitates sponsorships for young girls in the Lamu area to attend primary and secondary school
- Advocacy AIDS Awareness promotes HIV/AIDS education, awareness and prevention activities throughout the community

Volunteers with LEDFT are able to work with each of these projects, enabling them to experience a variety of community development initiatives. Although all skilled volunteers are welcome, LEDFT encourages volunteers with accounting, grant writing and administrative skills to apply, as the organization is in need of building its local capacity in these areas.

Highlights:
- Affordable, enriching and fun programs.
- Numerous volunteer activities to choose from.
- All sites are within walking distance to the Indian Ocean.
- Safe, inviting communities.
- Excellent, easy-going, friendly staff to support you throughout your entire stay.
- Great local food.
- All sites are within traveling distances to a major city and a marine park.
- Arranging easy safaris is possible from each site location.
- Flexible volunteer durations.

Qualifications: You must be at least 18 years of age, be culturally sensitive and possess a genuine interest in learning from and assisting the communities in which we work.

Cost in US$: 920 per month (600 for 2 weeks)

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Our volunteers are typically young adults or experienced professionals (though all are welcome and seniors are encouraged to apply) and are interested in gaining international experience or want to help make a contribution in one of our many program areas. Many of our volunteers are interested in a career in international development, education or health.

Age Range: 18 +

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Kenya Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Come Kuona's Mission Statement: Supporting the work of grassroots development organizations engaged in finding sustainable solutions to poverty, illiteracy, diseases and promoting a learning exchange between volunteers/interns and the communities they serve. We believe a better world is possible!

Year Founded: 2002