Volunteer Trip to Kenya

Once a year, we organize a volunteer trip to do "hands on" help by working at the school. Unfortunately, our 2009 trip is full but we are now opening a 2010 trip for those who are seriously interested, please email us now for applications for these trips because they fill up fast, usually by the end of September of the year before the trip. You should know that past trip volunteers and Rotary members have priority acceptance on all trips.

Volunteers Jim, Chris and Tim building a mile long safety fence around the school

Trip Volunteer Alice Wright using her nursing skills to help the children

Volunteer Trip Information:

The 22 volunteers in July of 2006

What can you expect on this trip?

You will fly from JFK to Nairobi on an 19 hour direct flight and then stay overnight at a hotel in Nairobi. After a day of sight seeing in Nairobi, you will take a 45 minute flight to Siana Springs Tent Luxury Tent Camp. Your tent will have a toilet, shower, sink, dresser, two double beds and several hours of electricity each day. Siana Springs will provide wonderful meals three times a day in it's open air restaurant next to the bar. In your free time, you can go to the pool, take a massage, or go to a lecture about the Maasai.

But this not a vacation trip.

Each weekday morning at 8:30, after breakfast, you will either ride or walk the one mile distance to Empopongi Primary School for your scheduled volunteer work. The project you are assigned to depends upon the needs of the school and your skills. You will work until a 1:30pm lunch back at Siana.

After lunch, you can chose to return to your volunteer work at the school or take a jeep safari to see the wildlife in the area. Each night at 6:00, we have a group meeting to go over what we accomplished each day. After a 7:00 group dinner you could take in a Maasai Dance presentation or go on a night jeep safari.

When the school is closed on Saturday, you will be able to take a day long jeep safari all through the Maasai Mara to the boarder with Tanzania. On return to Nairobi, you will catch your flight back home.

It's a trip that will change your life!

Students greet volunteer Dorothy Fenniman

Big Restrictions:

1. This trip is limited to 20 volunteers. Spaces are now open for the July 2010 trip by emailing Kathy@maywoodrotarykenyaproject.org Priority will be given to past volunteers, Rotary members and new volunteers with medical, construction and other needed skills. First come, first served. The trip closes registration as soon as 20 applicants are accepted. Waiting list closes January 1st or after the first five requests.

2. The estimated cost for the 2010 trip is 4,133.00 The price is so low because we are getting discounted airfare and discounted accommodation prices because we are volunteering. This cost will cover 90% of what you spend, including round trip airfare, three meals a day, double occupancy lodging in luxury tent, and all tips and transfers. Payment is made as follows: $200.00 when your application is accepted, 1/2 remaining balance in January and the remaining half due in May. Confirmed total cost not available until September 1st. Because these are discounted rates, no refunds or exchanges available.

3. Each year, the volunteers do one big volunteer project for the school. In 2006, it was a safety fence around the school and building a new kitchen. In 2007, we built a boys and girls dormitory. Each volunteer is required to ask friends, family or co workers to "sponsor" their trip with a donation for that year's big project.

4. Each volunteer must be willing to do a specified minimum hours volunteering at the school, but there are no age restrictions. Our youngest volunteer was 9 years old and our oldest was 90 years old.

5. Every volunteer MUST attend two classes of important information for the trip, for example how to get required visas, packing, yellow fever vaccination, volunteer work choices, and anti malaria medication. There will be no exceptions to this requirement to attend a two hour class in January and June.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2010 TRIP ARE AVAILABLE NOW! EMAIL Kathy@maywoodrotarykenyaproject.org FOR YOUR APPLICATION FORM. DO IT NOW BEFORE THE TRIP FILLS UP. Next trip is July 2011.

The Maywood Rotary Club Foundation is a 501c non profit organization. Because Maywood Rotary Club pays all expenses, 100% of your donation goes to the children and the school. All contents of this website are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without prior written authorization. Kevin Williams, Project Chair