FAQs

Do I need specific qualifications? - One does not need any special skills or power to volunteer. However one needs to be flexible and adaptable to integrate well with the host community.

Do I need to make a certain contribution? – Touch Africa receives no subsidy from the government or grants from donors. In order to support our programs each participant contributes 180 euros/18 000 Kenya shillings per project per month. This covers airport transfer (Upon arrival), placement fee, food and accommodation for the duration of your stay.

What doesn’t my contribution cover? The volunteer contribution does not cover transport to and from project, airport transfer on departure day, food and accommodation outside your project.

What do I have to bring with me? - A back pack is recommended and travelling light. One should also carry a sleeping bag, a torch, mosquito net and repellents. However all this things are available in Nairobi?

Will someone pick me from the airport? - Once you have submitted your flight details, Touch Africa staff will pick you up from the airport (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi). You will be accommodated at a volunteer host family or hostel. Cost of airport transfer is covered by the participation fee.

Do I need a visa to travel to Kenya? - All nationalities require a visa to enter Kenya. You can apply for a tourist visa in a Kenyan embassy near you or you can obtain one on your arrival at the airport in Nairobi.

Is Kenya safe? - Kenya is one of the most peaceful countries in Africa. Volunteer accommodation in Nairobi has 24 hour security. We liaise with the government security organs and international volunteers have never required police escort in their projects.

How is the communication infrastructure? Kenya has a vibrant mobile phone industry and volunteers are advised to carry mobile phones to keep in touch with there families back home. However one can buy a simple phone in Kenya for as little as 20 euros. You can purchase a SIM card for 1 euro. To send international sms costs 10 Kenya shillings i.e. 0.1 euro. It is also possible to make international calls in Nairobi for as little as 5 Kenya shillings per minute.

How can I get money in Kenya? - One can access money through the ATM machines of major banks in Kenya. However if you do it over the counter your signature and name on your ATM and passport need to correspond. If you are carrying foreign currency it must be in new bills.

Do I need vaccination? - Vaccination mainly depends on your country of origin; one may need vaccination on, DTP, Hepatitis A and B, Yellow fever, Rabies, Tuberculosis and malaria medication. Plan at least 6 weeks ahead for your vaccinations.

General information about Kenya

Government	:	Republic
President	:	Hon. Mwai Kibaki
Area	:	580,367km.sq/224080sq miles
Population	:	(2005) 34 million
Tribes	:	42 tribes
Capital	:	Nairobi
Currency	:	Kenya shilling
National language	:	Kiswahili
Official language	:	English
Time zone	:	EAT (utc+3)

More Information for volunteers

How will TAN facilitate my volunteer mission?

• TAN will secure a placement for you in your desired project before your arrival in the country.
• TAN staff will pick you up from the airport upon arrival in Nairobi.
• TAN will appoint a Volunteer Placement Officer for you.
• All volunteers get a three part orientation when they arrive in Nairobi. This orientation usually takes two days.
• The three part orientation include

1. orientation on Kenya, its people and cultures this orientation will include a visit to the city centre where the volunteer will visit a museum (2 euros entry fee). A walk inside the city centre to Nairobi city hall, High Court, Parliament, Uhuru Park etc.
2. An orientation on Touch Africa Network, how it was started, the services we provide and our unique approach to community development.
3. An orientation on the project the volunteer will be working in. How to develop a work program, how to relate to host project and host family and the do’s and don’ts in volunteer work.

• The volunteer placement officer will then take the volunteer to their project. If the project is outside Nairobi the Placement officer will travel with the volunteer to his/her project and spend a few days with the volunteer in the project to make sure the volunteer has adapted to their surrounding.
• The Volunteer Placement Officer will introduce the Volunteer to their host project and host family.
• Where applicable the volunteer Placement Officer will then help the volunteer in conjunction with the project to come up with a work plan for the whole duration of the volunteer stay as well as the first week work plan.
• All volunteers upon completion of their volunteer mission receive certificates of participation and recommendation letters based on their performance.