International Volunteer Program Itinerary – KNBO1
Reach out to over 200 children while on this International Volunteer Program in Nairobi, Kenya. The organization is located on the edge of a slum in the capitol city of Nairobi. Their needs are people who love children and want to make a difference. Come away with lifelong friends after you have helped by teaching, building, cleaning, cooking, and playing with the kids.
Ongoing needs are food, medical examination fees, school uniforms, sponsorship for the kids, beds, bedding, and school supplies. Activities include general cleaning, feeding kids, washing clothes, delivering and picking children from school, entertaining children with songs, story telling and games.
Future needs are land for growing their own food, new dorms to house the children, classrooms, and a van to transport the children to school. This place is extremely needy and the donation that we give them as part of your volunteer tour package is so appreciated.
Itinerary for International Volunteer Program
Day 1 Nairobi
Today is your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Your driver will meet you and transfer you to your homestay. Dinner and breakfast is included each day at your homestay. If you choose to stay at a hotel instead of the homestay, that can be arranged.
Days 2 – 7 Nairobi
Begin work for the day. You will be driven each morning and returned to your accommodations each evening by our driver. Volunteers can work as teachers, builders, cleaners, cooks, sharing skills or playing with the kids. The site is situated on the edge of Kenya’s largest slum. The matron, Florence, tries to care for many of the children on her own. Some of the others are sent out to the community to sleep in the homes of poor but caring people.
Day 8 Depart Nairobi
Marking the end of your volunteer experience, you will be transferred back to Nairobi JKIA airport.
Kenya School Terms (Approximate):
- 23 Jan – 21 April
- 8 May – 11 August
- 28 August – 3 November
Weekends are your free time, if you wish, so you can see bit of Nairobi and area.
About Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city is popularly known as the “Green City in the Sun”. Nairobi is the most populous city in East Africa, with a current estimated population of about 3 million. According to the 1999 Census, in the administrative area of Nairobi, 2,143,254 inhabitants lived within 696 km2 (269 sq mi). It is now one of the most prominent cities in Africa politically and financially. Home to many companies and organizations, including the UN Environment Program and the UN Office in Africa, Nairobi is established as a hub for business and culture.
At 1,795 metres (5,889 ft) above sea level, Nairobi enjoys a moderate climate. The altitude makes for some chilly evenings, especially in the June/July season when the temperature can drop to 10 °C (50 °F). The sunniest and warmest part of the year is from December to March, when temperatures average the mid-twenties during the day. The mean maximum temperature for this period is 24 °C (75 °F).
There are two rainy seasons but rainfall can be moderate. The cloudiest part of the year is just after the first rainy season, when, until September, conditions are usually overcast with drizzle. As Nairobi is situated close to the equator, the differences between the seasons are minimal. The seasons are referred to as the wet season and dry season. The timing of sunrise and sunset varies little throughout the year, due to Nairobi’s close proximity to the equator.
Day tours can be taken to David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to visit orphaned elephants and rhinos, The Giraffe Sanctuary where you can hand-feed giraffes, or to Karen Blixen, from Out of Africa fame, museum. The National Archives is found in the city centre and is small and interesting.
In Westlands, there is a very good Indian restaurant called Ashiana Vegetarian Restaurant Apic Centre, Muthithi Road, Westlands, Phone 254-20-3749797.
Art Galleries & Workshops
- Ramoma Gallery, Rahimtulla Museum of Modern Art, Rahimtulla Towers, Upper Hill; Tel: 2729181/2; ramoma@africaonline.co.ke. Ramoma hosts regular art exhibitions and an annual ‘Art Affair’ promoting upcoming Kenyan artists each October.
- Kuona Trust, Museum Art Studio, National Museums of Kenya; Tel: 748996. Hosts workshops and occasional exhibitions of some of the country’s finest artistic talents.
- The Godown, Dunga Road, Industrial Area; Tel: 555770/555227. A new and exciting centre for homegrown performing and visual arts. Pimbi Gallery, General Mathenge Close; Tel: 581124.
- Gallery Watatu Ltd is a premier professional gallery in East Africa promoting contemporary African art. Address is Standard Street, Lonrho House, Ground Floor, Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: +254(0)738501838
Shopping
- Masai Market – The vibrant Masai Market in Nairobi, a true festival of colour and form, offers an opportunity for handicraft shoppers to buy some of the rich collection of African arts and crafts at reasonably low prices. It is an open air market that attracts throngs of locals and tourists alike looking for unique handicrafts to adorn their homes, themselves or as gifts to friends and family. Colorful kikoys, curios, baskets, beadworks and many other interesting African handicrafts all vie for the customers’ eye, with over a hundred traders doing their best to entice you. After making their selections, buyers will often be seen bargaining for a discount, a practice that is standard and expected here.The venue for the Masai Market rotates between different shopping centres and other locations, as indicated in the schedule below. The traders spread their wares on the car park of the respective location, and operate from 8.00am in the morning till evening at 6:00pm.
- City Market, Muindi Mbingu Street – City’s souvenir market; has dozens of stalls selling wood carvings, drums, spears, Masai jewelry and clothing
- Spinner’s Web in Westlands, handicrafts, pottery, home decor, jewelry, accessories and much more in Kenya — all under one roof.
- Village Market Limuru Road, Gigiri for fine art, crafts, curios, jewellery and services.
- Kazuri Beads and Pottery Centre on Mbagathi Ridge in Karen. On weekdays you can see the ladies making the beads.
- Embakasi Village Crafts Market on Mombasa Road for good-value crafts. This market is situated off Mombasa Road, about 500m after you pass City Cabanas as you head towards JKIA. If using public means to get there, you’ll need to board matatu no. 110 for Kitengela, or bus no. 33 for Nyayo Embakasi or Utawala, then alight at City Cabanas.
- Utamaduni Craft Centre – a good selection of goods and the prices are fixed. The centre offers antiques, wood carvings, bronze items, and jewellery of the highest quality. Utamaduni means “cultural heritage” and is a converted house containing about 18 arts and crafts shops including: Kisii soapstone, fabrics, beaded glassware, book shop, silver and gold jewellery, and crafts.
- Yaya Centre one of the leading shopping malls housing over 100 shops and offices. Supermarket Monday to Saturday: 8:30am – 8:30pm, other outlets Monday to Saturday: 9.30 am – 7.00 pm, Sunday: 10:30am – 4:00pm, restaurants open ’til late. http://www.yaya-centre.co.ke/