Orientation information

1) Airport pick up and transportation to the project

A representative from VoDA will meet you at the Nairobi international airport i.e (Jomo Kenyatta International airport JKIA) where your flight lands.they will be hodling a sign for you/your team at the gate in the airport lobby once you exit the security checkpoint(right after you pick up your luggage.)

All arrangements for you pick up and transfer to the hostel will have been made as a result of your earlier program fee payment. We recommend you use the ATM at the airport to get $100 USD in Kenya shillings so that you have kenyan currency for small petty purchases during your short stay in Nairobi before you are transffered to your project.

You will be transffered to the YMCA hostel which is just outside of downtown Nairobi.The YMCA youth hostels are known worlwide for providing quality accomdation and service.VoDA has partnered with the YMCA youth hostels in Nairobi to ensure that all our volunteers are accomodated and fully comfortable before their transfer to the project.

For those who will be booking the 3 day Maasai Mara safari after their project, you will get a free stay at the ymca hostels before your safari begins the following day.

The YMCA hostels are typical hostels with shared rooms.There are several bunkheads per room.It is very similar to the youth hostels throughout Europe. Sometimes.they may have private rooms available for a higher price.

If you would select this option then please inform us early to make this booking for you.This also implies that you will have to increae your program partcipation fee to cater for this increase from the standard accomdation cost. First get intouch with us and we will inform you as to how much you will pay for the total cost of your project fee.

Volunteers will stay in Nairobi for 2 nights (or two if one arrives early) and then travel as a group on the day scheduled for arrival at the project which is on the third day,Travel means will be provided for by VoDA.

The second day of arrival in Kenya will be dedicated to a group orientation session about the project that volunteers will be going to,what to expect,the do's nd donts while project site and the scope of the project i.e the work that volunteers will be working on.

During the orientation session,volunteers will be given an opportunity to visit Kibera Slums in the afternoon.The largest slum project in Africa.

This visit is intended to show the volunteer the tough living conditions that slum dwellers have to go through on a day to day basis and is meant to reinforce the volunteers conviction that poverty eradication should be at the forefront of the millenium development goals for all humanity.

As you travel to the project,2 stops will be made,the first stop will usually be between 20-30 minutes and the second stop is for  15 minutes.During the first stop,you can buy lunch at a diner(quickly) or go to a general store located near the diner to buy basic lunch supplies like bread,cookies,fruits etc.

If you wish to venture out in the evening in Nairobi after the orientation session,our staff will guide you on which entertainment spots are safe and will be with you throughout until you return to the hostels. Normally, volunteers usually want to go to a leisurely spot as a group before their scheduled day of travelling the next morning.

VoDA receives the online document and that is how we know when to pick you up at the airport.If for some reason one of our staff is not at the airport when you arrive(This is very rare), wait 20-30 minutes and if one of us hasnt reported to the scene,take a taxi to the YMCA hostel.It should only cost around Ksh.1600 ($20)

Make sure to still use the ATM at the airport to get some kenya shillings cash. If for some reason one of us is not at the airport when you arrive,please call our offices to ask if one of us is still coming or opt for a taxi to the YMCA.-

This is very rare and almost never happens.Occasionaly there are flight changes at the last minute and the new flight arrival information has not been received by VoDA.

If you are unable to reach Brian or Godrick,take a taxi to the YMCA hostel.VoDA will later reimburse you for this fee,there are plenty of Taxi's/cabs at the airport that can take you there.