Mid-Term Volunteering

Be part of a Kenyan Community

1 to 6 months

Ranging from 1-6 months. Provides for both exchange of knowledge and learning that combines a personal project with a common goal of social change.

Suitable for an individual rather than a group.

immersion in community life

Work on a project while immersing yourself in Kenyan community life, allowing you to better integrate and become part of it. 

Gives an understanding of the needs and challenges faced by the local population.

cultural experience

Provides a cultural immersion leading to learning of the language, new customs, and making new friends.

A short orientation helps the volunteer get acquainted with the project aims, host community, local customs, and culture.

OUR MID-TERM PROJECTS

Developing the Local Community Potential

Participation Fee

We offer the most affordable and trusted volunteer experience.  The participation fee is as follows:

VOLUNTEERING PERIOD

FEES

1 Month or longer
300 Euros per month
1 Month or longer for Medical Volunteers
350 Euros per month

CIVS Kenya has a refund policy and shall provide this information on request. The fee has to be paid upfront or upon arrival in full. The fee paid covers the following services: –

It covers the following:

  • Airport transfers 
  • 3-day orientation seminar
  • Introduction to the city
  • Accommodation and Food during orientation and during placement duration
  • Coordination and office support

The following costs are not included :

  • Cost of drinks like soda, beer, mineral water etc.
  • Cost of sightseeing
  • Visa costs
  • Direct donations to the project
  • All local traveling including traveling to and from the project

General Information

For any project, you will be picked by a staff of CIVS at your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.

ETA Pass

Kenya has transitioned from visa requirement to Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) from January 2024. The official link for eTA application is https://www.etakenya.go.ke/en. If you already applied for the normal visa, you will still use it during this transition period. Below is your eTA application procedure:

  1. Log in to the website above, create an account, agree to terms and conditions, and select your country of residence.
  2. Upload your passport biodata page, then your selfie picture or passport-type photo
  3. Enter your contact information
  4. Enter your travel itinerary information
  5. Choose your reason for travel as tourism and enter your accommodation address in Kenya as follows:
    • Full Name and Physical Address of accommodation: CIVS Kenya, Mumias South Road, Buruburu Business Center, Nairobi Kenya
    • Host Telephone Number: 254722210968
    • Host Email: info@civskenya.com
  6. Upload the invitation letter in place of the accommodation booking confirmation
  7. Confirm and proceed with payment (34 USD)

A yellow fever certificate will only be a requirement if you are first traveling to other countries in Africa or Latin America before entering Kenya. In some instances, later during the processing, our ID or CIVS registration may be required, and you can contact us in case this issue arises. ETA processing can take up to 3 days but if it takes longer, then usually there is an error on the side of the application and the immigration department will contact you by email. CIVS will offer assistance in case of a problem.

Extension of ETA Pass

The ETA pass is valid for 3 months and can be extended for 3 more months online on the electronic Foreign Nationals Services portal (efns) upon expiry.  Below is the procedure for visa extension.

  • Click on Apply now, go to the dashboard and scroll down to Foreign Nationals Services.
  • Click on the extension of the visitor’s pass and complete your application. Upload a copy of your visa and passport data page.
  • Pay a fee of 50 USD online.
  • Go back to the notifications tab on the dashboard, download the official extension notification and print it out.
  • Present the printout alongside your passport at the immigration offices in Nairobi/ Mombasa. Have your passport stamped. (You might experience a long queue at the immigration)

The online forms can also be easily filled out at a cybercafé at a fee. CIVS will offer assistance with this as well.

INTERNSHIP PASS

For volunteers who will stay in Kenya for more than 6 months, CIVS will support you to apply for an internship pass upon entry into Kenya. This document costs 100 USD and covers you up to 1 year. You will first need to have applied for an eTA before we help you to apply for an internship pass.

There are usually long delays in processing and issuance of internship passes, but once your application has been received, you are allowed to use the “received” notification to extend your visa even after 6 months.

The following documents will need to be ready before the commencement of the internship pass application: All documents in a foreign language must be translated into English, certified, and stamped.

  1. Applicant’s School Certificate
  2. Applicant’s Police clearance certificate
  3. Applicant’s Current Passport-size color photo
  4. Applicant’s Passport biodata
  5. Applicant’s visa if they are already in Kenya
  6. Commitment letter from sponsor and proof that the applicant will be funded (We will guide you on how to write this letter)
  7. CIVS Cover letter
  8. CIVS Registration Certificate
  9. Applicant’s CV
  10. CIVS tax certificate

There will be an orientation seminar for new volunteers lasting 2-3 days including Nairobi city introduction and project placement. Our monthly orientation seminar can begin on any day of the week as soon as you arrive.

You will be accommodated either at the project or in a host family by the project. 

All the meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be provided either by the family host or at the project. The food is mostly local. 

A sleeping bag, sleeping mat, mosquito net and rechargeable torch are necessary. You can also bring photos of your country, clothes, books, pens, toys etc.

CIVS Kenya organizes tours and safaris to spectacular sites of interest in Kenya. Volunteers, who wish to participate, should let us know as soon as possible in order to enable us to make proper arrangements. The fee charged is all-inclusive of meals, transport, park entry fees, accommodation and tour guiding.

The cost of a 3-day safari to Maasai Mara National Reserve is 390 Euros in a Tour Van and 470 Euros in a Tour Jeep.

Choose the Project that best suits you

You can get involved in the field of Community Life, Healthcare, Small Business, Women Empowerment, Childcare, Teaching, Supporting People with special needs, Agriculture, and Environmental Conservancy.

Community Programs

COMMUNITY

AHERO RESOURCE CENTER

Ahero, Kisumu County

CHILDREN - FARMING - BUILDING - TRAINING

The Ahero Comunity Resource Center is a One-Stop-Shop with an aim to build and strengthen the community’s capacity to be self-reliant and to improve their living standards by offering a variety of services to the local community.

  • Working in the Model Farm.
  • Teaching computer and work preparedness skills to the youth.
  • Organizing games and extra-curricular activities for kindergarten children

COMMUNITY

CIVS KENYA

Buruburu, Nairobi County

WEBSITE - SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING - PARTENERSHIP

CIVS Kenya is a community development organization with the main objective of contributing towards the socio-economic empowerment of disadvantaged communities with innovative and customized high-quality services.

  • CIVS Kenya Website content maintenance
  • Regular drafting of articles or blog posts for website
  • CIVS Kenya social media accounts updates 
  •  Design upcoming events poster

COMMUNITY

MSICHANA EMPOWERMENT KURIA

Kuria, Migori County

GENDER AND SEX EDUCATION - TRAINING - COMMUNITY BASED

 Msichana Empowerment Kuria project was initiated in 2013, with the main aim of ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other harmful cultural practices and supporting access to the fundamental human rights of girls and young women.

  • Supporting an after-school program for a Children’s Rights Based literacy
  • Facilitating structured community dialogues for young men and girls
  • Organizing annual marches and community events

COMMUNITY

MC LIANNE COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION

Nyabondo, Kisumu County

CHILDREN - FARMING - BUILDING - TRAINING

MC LIANNE is a community-based organization that strives to improve the living conditions for children. Started in the advent of HIV/AIDS, the organization has seen progress in supporting needy children, supporting skills development and empowerment of youth and women.

  • Assist in planning and facilitating for children’s extra curriculum activities such as games and sports activities
  • Coordinate with the teachers to assist in teaching subjects such as English, Mathematics, and environmental science etc.

COMMUNITY

GLORY MISSIONARY GIRLS CENTRE

Suna West, Migori County

CHILDREN - GIRLS - BUILDING - TRAINING

Glory Missionary Girls Centre aims to provide holistic support and empowerment to 300 young girls in Suna community.

  • Academic support by assisting teachers in the classroom, tutoring students, or organizing study groups
  • Mentorship and guidance
  • Organizing games and extra-curricular activities for kindergarten children

COMMUNITY

WINGS OF HOPE RESCUE HOME

Suna West, Migori County

CHILDREN - GIRLS - BUILDING - TRAINING

Wings of hope rescue home is a home for homeless and unsupported pregnant teenage girls, victims of rape and child sexual abuse.

  • Supporting in mentorship and career development for the girls
  • Teaching girls and children about personal growth and knowing their rights.
Healthcare Programs

HEALTHCARE

ESIKOMA COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT

Bumala, Busia County

HEALTH - COMMUNITY BASED

Esikoma Community Health Project was established in 2016. The project offers health services to the local community. The hospital comprises of doctor’s consultation rooms, Maternity wing, a pharmacy, patients waiting bay and temporary wards.

  • Assisting the medical and non-medical staff in the community hospital.
  • Co-coordinating and taking care of the patients.
  • Taking patient  information

HEALTHCARE

OSANI COMMUNITY HEALTH & DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

Kadoyo, Homabay County

HEALTH - COMMUNITY BASED - COUNSELING

Osani Community Health & Development Centre is a registered Health Facility under the Medical Practitioners and Dentist Act and is administered and managed by a Scheme of Management approved by the Medical Practitioners and Dentist Board.

  • Assisting with coordinating hospital routines and taking care of patients
  • Providing advice and emotional support
  • Assisting the medical staff in the nursing home to frequently check on patients

HEALTHCARE

MIKULINZI COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

Mowlem, Nairobi County

HEALTH - COMMUNITY BASED - COUNSELING

Mikulinzi Community Hospital is a private community health facility that was established by a Kenyan Doctor in 2014. The hospital has been providing care and treatment to the people in the poor community estates of Mowlem.

  • Assisting with coordinating hospital routines and taking care of patients
  • Providing advice and emotional support
  • Assisting the medical staff in the nursing home to frequently check on patients

HEALTHCARE

APIDA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL & AID THE NEEDY PROJECT

Rachuonyo, Homabay County

HEALTH - COMMUNITY BASED

APIDA & Aid the needy Kenya CBO are Community Based organizations that run a community hospital to cater to the needs of the community in terms of healthcare services.

  • Assisting the medical and non-medical staff in the community hospital
  • Co-coordinating and taking care of the patients
  • Taking patient samples, pulses, and temperature information

HEALTHCARE

MT. OLIVES COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER-MOSOCHO

Rachuonyo, Homabay County

HEALTH - COMMUNITY BASED

Mount Olives Community Health Center is owned by the Mount Olives Self Help Group, an initiative of young professionals who came up together to work in their community through sharing knowledge and helping the community to grow.

  • Assisting to Co-coordinate and take care of patients.
  • Assisting to take patients samples, pulses and temperature information.
  • Preparing and updating records in the hospital.
Childcare and Education Programs

CHILDCARE

ST. MICHAEL DAY CARE

Msambweni, Diani, Kwale County

CHILDREN - EDUCATION - COMMUNITY LIFE
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A daycare taking care of pre-school-aged children whose parents find themselves away from the area all day in the quest for food, water, and work and cannot afford to pay for house help to take care of their children.

  • Preparation of meals, serving and feeding of children.
  • Developing extra-curricular activities
  • Planning for Hygiene and environment days

CHILDCARE

NANYUKI FURAHA FOUNDATION

Nanyuki, Laikipia County

CHILDREN - COMMUNITY LIFE - COUNSELING

Nanyuki Furaha Foundation is a charitable children’s home that was started in 2014  in collaboration with the local community. The project was started to address the growing problems experienced by orphans, and street children.

  • Cleaning and care services at the home
  • Mentoring and rehabilitation of the children
  • Teaching at the schools where children go to

TEACHING

FORTUNE LEARNER'S CENTER

Kayole, Nairobi County

CHILDREN - EDUCATION - COMMUNITY LIFE

Fortune Learners Centre is a project that was founded in the year 2013  by 10 social workers. They have established this center for vulnerable children who find themselves on the street due to a lack of funds for school fees.

  • Assisting in teaching English, Mathematics, and creative arts subjects
  • Supporting early childhood development
  • Helping in the preparation, serving, and feeding the kids

TEACHING

ST. GONZAGA PRIMARY SCHOOL

Shinyalu, Kakamega County

CHILDREN - EDUCATION - FARMING - COMMUNITY LIFE

St Gonzaga Primary School  was established by the Brothers of St. Charles Lwanga in 2005 to provide quality basic needs such as education, meals, and shelter to vulnerable children from especially difficult circumstances

  • Teach maths, English, and sciences
  • Organizing games and playing with the children
  • HIV/AIDS campaign awareness
  • Farm work in the project’s farm

TEACHING

BETTER TOMORROW SCHOOL

Donholm, Nairobi County

CHILDREN - EDUCATION - COMMUNITY LIFE

Better Tomorrow School is a community Junior School that was established in the year 2019. The school was started with the aim of creating learning opportunities for orphans and vulnerable children in the slums.

  • Teach math’s, English, and sciences
  • Guiding and counseling the children
  • Conducting outdoor children’s activities like sports

TEACHING

MUM’S LOVE CHILDREN’S HOME

Embakasi East, Nairobi County

CHILDREN - EDUCATION - COMMUNITY LIFE

Mum’s Love Children’s Home is a community-based organization project that cares for children who are abandoned, orphaned, less fortunate, vulnerable, and HIV-positive by giving them a second chance at living.

  • Assisting in giving raw foodstuffs to the elderly and disabled persons
  • Assisting in fetching water
  • Organizing games and extra-curricular activities for children as well as playing with them

TEACHING

GOOD SAMARITAN SCHOOL

Kayole, Nairobi County

CHILDREN - EDUCATION - COUNSELING

The Good Samaritan School is a formal community-based education institution  established in 2004 in response to the needs of orphans and vulnerable children in Kayole. It hosts around 63 children both boys and girls.

  • Assisting in teaching subjects like English, etc
  • Assisting children in kindergarten to read, write and draw
  • Providing guidance and counseling services to the children

TEACHING

NTIMI HOME OF HOPE ORPHANAGE

Tena, Nairobi County

CHILDREN WITH MENTAL DISABILITIES - COMMUNITY LIFE

Ntimi Home of Hope orphanage is a  community-based organization in Nairobi. The project’s initiatives encompass Rescue, Rehabilitation, Reintegration, and Prevention (3RP) to safeguard the rights, safety, well-being, dignity, and development of children.

  • Helping with dressing and feeding of the smaller kids
  • Organizing of creative games through sports and music
  • Assisting the children with their homework

TEACHING

ST. CHARLES LWANGA SECONDARY SCHOOL

Mukumu, Kakamega County

CHILDREN - EDUCATION - COUNSELING

The Catholic Brothers of St. Charles Lwanga founded St. Charles Lwanga Secondary School & Child Support Centre in 1970. Their aim was to address the needs of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Kenya by providing them with quality education, accommodation, shelter and health care.

  • Teaching Mathematics, Sciences, Computer
  • Organize debates and symposiums
  • Organizing extra-curricular activities such as sports, games and music

TEACHING

THE MAASAILAND PROJECT KIMUKA

Tena, Nairobi County

CHILDREN EDUCATION, WOMEN EMPOWERMENT, HEALTHCARE

This program will enable volunteers to work with the local people and improve access to social services like children’s education, women empowerment skills development and improvement of healthcare, etc.

  • School teaching activities at Kimuka Primary
  • Activities relating to women: Traininng on women’s rights, bead works, agriculture, etc
Youth

TEACHING

BROWNHILL SECONDARY SCHOOL

Komarock, Nairobi County

EDUCATION - COUNSELING

Brown Hill Group is a registered community-based organization that offers community services. The group immediately embarked on running an education facility that best suits the interest of its community member. 

  • Teaching a combination of subjects
  • Counseling sessions on issues to drug and substance abuse and HIV/AIDS
  • Visiting and helping orphans and vulnerable children in the nearby slums

TEACHING

ST. CHARLES LWANGA HIGH SCHOOL

Ruai, Nairobi County

CHILDREN - EDUCATION - COUNSELING

St. Charles Lwanga Secondary School and Children’s Centre started as a place where orphaned, homeless, and abandoned children were rescued and provided with shelter, food, and a place to call home.

  • Assisting to teach a combination of subjects i.e. Mathematics, English, and Sciences
  • Assisting in coaching teenage girls on topics of sexual education and sanitation
  • Assisting to teach life skills such as first aid and safety
Supporting people with Disabilities

DISABILITY

KAIMOSI SPECIAL SCHOOL

Kaimosi, Vihiga County

CHILDREN WITH MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES - COMMUNITY LIFE

The Kaimosi Special School was founded in 1987 with an aim of empowering disabled people (both mentally and physically) and also giving them basic education and hope for future life as well as making them integrate them into society. 

  • Helping in the preparation of meals, serving and feeding the children
  • Training the disabled persons in vocational skills such as agriculture, weaving, tailoring…
  • Taking them for outdoors events
Farming and Environment Conservancy

ENVIRONMENT

BADILISHA ECO-VILLAGE

Rusinga Island, Homabay County

PERMACULTURE - CONSERVATION

Badilisha Eco Village aims to bring change to the lives of people on Rusinga Island, who face several challenges. It also seeks to inspire change in the general paradigms of the local population toward a more holistic and responsible way

  • Permaculture generally involves farm work activities
  • Engaging in environment conservation activities
  • Assisting the old in their homesteads

ENVIRONMENT

GREEN WORLD

African Talanta University (Buoye), Kisumu County

PERMACULTURE - CONSERVATION

The Green World is a community-based organization that empowers communities through agribusiness and environment conservation activities. The organization also runs rehabilitation and economic empowerment programs in prisons.

  • Assisting in planting trees in different schools and the community
  • Assisting in teaching the youth life skills
  • Visiting prisons to pass knowledge of hope and change of behavior

Any Question?

CIVS will respond as soon as possible. You can also check out our FAQ page for answers to common questions.

ABOUT US

The Center for International Voluntary Service (CIVS Kenya) is a Community Development Organization working with local marginalized communities in Kenya to support them in their development and fight the poverty through volunteering and community development programs. 

REACH US

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SOCIAL MEDIA