Our Programs

VoDA runs a variety of programs that are meant to address the most critical needs within rural Kenya where most of its operations are mainly focussed. We focus on collecting as much information as we can on this programmes and find out ways on how we can adapt and apply this knowledge to local situations within rural Kenya to solve local challenges.

We run workcamps  every month of the year where we host different volunteers from different parts of the globe. These workcamp run for a period of 3 weeks and are mainly themed around a particular program.VoDA caters to two types of volunteers:

• Short term volunteers (3 weeks).
• Long term volunteers (3 -  6 months)

These type of volunteers will normally be placed within  a certain community for a period of three weeks.They live in groups and prepare their own meals and schedules on how to go about accomplishing the task set out for them. The group of volunteers will normally consist of 20-25 persons.

They will have a set of tasks that they need to accomplish within a period of three weeks that would have been prepared by us before they arrive at the project.

Volunteers will normally be accompanied to the project with an experienced camp facilitator from our organisation. The facilitator ensures everything within the camp is running smoothly for the three week period.

At the community, a team of four local volunteers from the local community will join the team. This four local volunteers assist the rest of the team to familiarise themselves with their environment and the coummunity at large.

Camp duties may include:

• General preparation of meals.
• Maintaining general hygiene of the camp site.
• Preparation of work schedules.
• Planning of entertainment activities

Normally this tasks are accomplished in groups.This duties are necessary to be accomplished in teams to ensure the smooth running of the work camp for the period of three weeks that volunteers will be at the project site.Working in such groups cultivates a team spirit and enhances an individual's ability to work in teams later on in  life's different arenas.

VoDA normally receives volunteers who wish to be attached to a community for a period of more than three weeks. Volunteers that exceed the three week period are classified as long term volunteers. These volunteers will live with a certain family for a period of 7-10 weeks.

They do not live as a group but rather individually. This is a great way to experience a different way of life where you are completely immersed in the family's way of life.You get to witness first hand the challenges that kenyan rural families have to go through and how they get by them with a smile on their faces.

You will experience a peoples culture which is basically there way of life like you have never seen before. Volunteers who have passed through our long term programme have come out with a 360° turn around  in their perceptions on life.

They learn to appreciate the simple things in life, the amenities that they may take for granted before, suddenly adopt a whole new meaning and significance in their lives. We have witnessed this many times and have hundreds of testimonies from these volunteers with their eternal gratitude expressed to us in letters.

Get in touch with us and we will organize a program for you that will basically address what you are looking for from you Africa volunteer experience.

For One to be eligible to participate in our programmes,

Applicants must:

• Be aged 18 or over on the proposed date of arrival in Kenya.
• Be available for an overseas phase of 3, 7 or 10 weeks. 2 days of this duration will be set aside for project orientation.
• Be likely to benefit from and contribute to the program according to the opinion of the VoDA team.
• Be able to pass the necessary medical and police check ( criminal free record) requirements.
• Be able to raise the necessary funding required
• Be able to communicate effectively in English.

Is this Program for me?

All of VoDA's activities are geared towards making a heavy tangible impact in community development in rural Kenya. Our programs are carefully constructed with the aim of the volunteer's efforts at the project being susbstantive and materializing into results. Our various programs involve;

• Educational Voluntary service i.e classroom teaching as well as sports coaching.
• Water and Sanitation Projects
• Construction work i.e classroom and bridge construction.
• Healthcare provision services
• Child care services
• Environmental conservation work.

There are more programs that VoDA  has to offer,if you feel you cannot find a program you are looking for to participate in,why don't you give us a call and let us know what it is that you are searching for and we will try our best to find a placement for you in the respective field.

• Before you arrive....

You will be provided with comprehensive pre-departure support from our volunteers co-ordinator and through our extensive travel manuals.

• After you arrive.....

Once you are in Kenya, you will attend a 2 day orientation session introducing you to the language and culture of Kenya. At the end of the course, you will travel with your fellow volunteers from all over the world to your respective project location.

At the site, volunteers will live at the camp site that has been carefully selected and prepared by us . As a group you will prepare your own meals, using food purchased on a weekly basis at a nearby market. In addition to working on the projects you will have plenty of time to get immersed in Kenyan life and culture.

• Camp Routine

Normally work hours begin from 8.30am to 12.30pm in the afternoon.The rest of the day is spent visiting different families within the community and getting immersed into the local culture by trying out different local food cusines,attendng different community ceremonies etc. You will also plan fun activities among yourselves like games or afternoon drives to the local gamepark if they are within easy reach.

With one of the best gameparks in the world where the 7th wonder of the world is found -the wilderbeest migration from the Serengeti to the Maasai Mara.This event takes place around the month of June to October. This is when the wilderbeest come to calve in the Mara where the pasture is in plenty due to the short rainy season(June and October) in Kenya.

VoDA usually arranges for these trips if the volunteer informs us early in advance that he/she would like to do a small safari to the Maasai Mara or any of the local National gameparks. We have partnered with a local tour company that gives our volunteers very large discounts.

The company understands that volunteers travel on tight budgets, normally volunteers would do a safari together as a group. The price of the safari is able to be low due to the size of the group taking the safari.

The company, Mzima Tours & Safaris ,has come to an agreement with VoDA so that every volunteer within the group will be able to pay a fee of $550 US dollars. This safari is a 3 day & night safari. The price includes:

• Pick up from your hotel in Nairobi city.
• The journey to and from the Maasai Mara
• Accommodation at the Maasai Mara for 3 nights
• Meals and drinks
• Game drives within the game park.