FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

 

1. Is there a minimum age requirement to volunteer?

Unfortunately, Volunteer4Free Kenya does not host international volunteers under 18 years of age. Local (Kenyan) volunteers under 18, but at least 16 years of age may participate with signed consent from their parent or guardian.

 

 

2. Do I need any special qualifications or skills?

Apart from a basic background in English for our slum school program, there are no special qualifications needed to participate. A tolerance for being around sick or recovering individuals is helpful for our hospital program; besides that, we just need your time and care.

 

 

3. How long can I volunteer for?

We don't have set limits on how long individuals can volunteer for. Volunteers usually prefer placements of 3 weeks to 3 months, with the latter being the duration of Kenya's tourist visa, i.e. a Kenyan tourist visa is valid for three months.

 

 

For volunteers wishing to stay longer than three months, you can extend your tourist visa at Nairobi's Immigration Office for roughly US $30. After six consecutive months in Kenya, individuals must leave East Africa in order to get another tourist visa in Kenya (which is why volunteers normally don't stay beyond six months).

 

 

4. Do I need any specific training/courses before I can volunteer?

No. We provide volunteers with a general orientation, and basic training and support when they first arrive. After their first few days, our programs are straight-forward enough that most volunteers feel confident in carrying out their responsibilities unsupervised from there.

 

 

5. Can I use the Internet at the apartment?

Yes. If you have a lap-top computer, you can buy an Internet modem for roughly $40 which works at our apartment. Some volunteers have also been able to access the Internet using their phone as well (e.g. I-phone) if it has Internet capabilities.

 

 

6. I understand a CRB (or background check) is a screening requirement to volunteer. How do we provide that?

We ask volunteers to scan us (via email) a copy of their most recent CRB (or equivalent) as part of the application process.

 

 

7. How many volunteers do you normally host at a time?

The number of volunteers varies depending on the time of year; it normally averages around four international volunteers at a time. Additionally, we also have a varying number of local volunteers teaming with our program.

 

 

8. How many students do you teach with the slum school reading program, and what age range?

Our slum school reading program works with pupils from class one to class four. Usually there are around thirty students per class. Their age ranges from six to twelve years old.

 

 

9. What do I need to bring with me?

Please check the “Preparation” section of our website for some suggestions.

 

 

10. What about sports?

We don't currently have a sport specific program. However, there is a basketball court just a three minute walk from our apartment; and some of our coordinators have a background in that sport. Also, there is a football (soccer ball) at the hospital, which volunteers often use to play around with the child patients at the hospital.

 

 

11. Is airport pickup available upon arrival?

Generally, yes. Volunteers should send their flight details as soon as possible if they require airport pickup. A contribution of ksh 1,000 (roughly $10) is requested toward fuel for this purpose.

 

 

12. Can I bring gifts for the children I will be working with?

Yes... please do if you can. Second hand items are great, e.g. second hand children's clothes, or second hand books. Lego is also very much appreciated at the hospital. And finally, pens, pencils, exercise books, as well as coloring materials are all appreciated by the children we work with.

 

 

13. I understand some of the coordinators with V4FK are Christian. Do I need to be a Christian to volunteer with the program?

While some coordinators with V4FK are Christians, one does not need to be a Christian to participate. We accept volunteers of any or no faith so long as they have an interest in helping the people of Kenya, and making a positive impact in the local community.

 

 

 

14. Are there ATMs at the airport/throughout the city?

Yes. If you have an International Travel ATM card, they will work in Kenya, e.g. at Barclay's Bank, of which there are several throughout the CBD.

 

 

15. What are the accommodation arrangements?

Usually two to a room (double bunk bed), guys and girls separated (unless the two volunteers are a couple).

 

16. What are the requirements to participate?

We request a CRB, or good conduct certificate due to the nature of our work, i.e. with children. Volunteers also need a basic background in English for our slum school reading program.

 

 

17. I would like to volunteer. How do I go about doing that?

Tell us when you would like to volunteer. Also please tell us a bit about yourself, e.g. your age, your interest in volunteering, and any special skills or talents you may have to offer. (Resumes can be handy for this purpose.)

 

 

We will tell you if we have placements available at that time (particularly if you need accommodation).

 

If so, please send us (a) a scanned copy of your CRB background check, (b) a copy of your purchased flight ticket, and © emergency contact details for someone in your home country (their name, relation, phone number and email address).

 

 

We then confirm your placement, and that's it!

 

 

18. Is Kenya safe for young foreign females?

Generally speaking yes... assuming they follow a few basic guidelines, e.g. being back at the apartment by dark, being mindful of how they dress, etc. Because volunteers are usually working together as a team, this further increases the safety for respective volunteers.

 

 

19. Do I need to know Swahili to volunteer?

No. Knowing a few basic words and phrases, e.g. greetings and numbers, will certainly aid one's volunteer experience; but it's not a requirement for participation.

 

 

20. On a week by week basis, how much money am I looking at having to spend?

An average week's expenses for an international volunteer may look like this:

$30 apartment rent (shared room)

$20 food

$10 program transportation

$ 5 Internet

$ 5 miscellaneous expenses

----

$70

 

At that rate, a volunteer may want to budget for around $70 a week. If they plan to do any major tourist activities while with us, e.g. a trip to the Masai Mara, then they also need to budget for that.

 

 

Finally, it's advisable that volunteers budget at least a bit of money for 'emergencies', e.g. for incidental medical expenses.

 

 

21. Do I need travel insurance to participate?

No. But there are a lot of good reasons to invest in travel insurance. Nevertheless, it's not required with our program, and is left to the discretion of individual volunteers. (Volunteer4Free Kenya does not provide insurance for volunteers, i.e. volunteers need to look after any medical expenses (if any) incurred during their time with us.)

 

 

22. How do I apply for a tourist visa?

For volunteers from most countries, you can get a tourist visa upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta National Airport for US $50. (They also accept Pound Sterling and Euros.)

 

 

Alternatively, you can apply for a tourist visa in advance by visiting your local Kenyan embassy.

 

 

23. Is there someone I can talk to if I am not happy with my volunteer experience, or have some suggestions I feel would improve the program?

Yes. Your supervising coordinator is concerned about your volunteer satisfaction, and should be asking you for feedback throughout your volunteer stay. Please speak with him if you have any concerns, are not happy with aspects of your volunteer experience, or just want to share frankly about how you are finding things. We care.

 

 

24. What kind of support will I receive while volunteering?

There are four program coordinators with our program. While you won't always be supervised after your initial orientation and training, your coordinators will still be available to mentor and offer support as needs arise. Please feel free to share frankly with them about your volunteer experience as it progresses.

 

 

25. Will I be working together with other international volunteers?

It depends on the time of year, but usually, yes. (Generally around four international volunteers at a time, working together as a team with local volunteers.)

 

 

26. Will I have free time or days off to travel?

Yes... Saturdays and Sundays are off with our program. Volunteers generally use that time to chill out, catch up on laundry, or do touristy type things.

 

 

27. Should I bring any particular health-related supplies (mosquito nets, water purifiers, etc.)?

We provide a mosquito net for each volunteer at the apartment. You can bring a water purifier if you want, though a simple way to treat water is just to boil it (which volunteers can do using the electric kettle at the apartment).

 

 

Please bring any medicines you think you may not be able to find in Kenya, but which are essential to your health and well being.

 

 

28. What should I expect (e.g. what are the shower/toilet facilities like, will I have access to electricity, is a computer or Internet access available, etc.)?

We have a western style toilet and shower at the apartment. The hot water in the shower doesn't work at the moment, however; so most volunteers boil hot water for a shower, and use a bucket and cup to shower the “African way”! :)

 

 

We have electricity at the apartment. (Occasionally there are power cuts, though rather intermittent.) If you have a lap-top, you can buy an Internet modem for about $40 and have constant connection from our apartment. Alternatively, there are Internet cafes less than a five minute walk from the apartment.

 

 

29. How can friends or family contact me while abroad?

Easily... the easiest way being via email. Some volunteers arrange for scheduled chat or Skype times with friends and families back home, while others prefer phone calls (e.g. using international phone cards). Though Africa's a far way from home for most, the ways for keeping in touch are many in today's modern age.

 

 

30. Is there a local doctor, clinic, or hospital I can go to in case of emergency?

Yes. There is a local doctor and hospital at the mall just down the road from the apartment (about a ten minute walk).

 

 

31. Is it hard to find tampons in Nairobi?

Yes.  Some of our female volunteers have expressed difficulty in locating tampons here in Nairobi.  So female volunteers should take that into consideration when packing.  

 

 

32. Other questions?

If you have other questions not covered above, please feel free to ask by writing to the following email address: volunteer4freekenya@gmail.com.