Kenya

After working on the construction project for almost two weeks, a few of us went on safari for several days and had the opportunity to see exactly why our contribution was so important.
Kenya is a country that recognizes the value of its natural resources and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) works very hard to promote education and training on protecting and preserving wildlife. Kenya Wildlife Service recognizes that Kenya’s tourist industry would rapidly decline if there were no more animals to see on safaris. The Kenyan tourist industry makes a significant contribution to Kenya’s GDP and the economic status of the country.
I thought a lot about the contribution Kenya’s wildlife makes to the development of the country when we drove for days looking for the ‘Big 5’ animals. Our safari guide said the animals use to be everywhere just 10 years earlier and they have become fewer and fewer.But we already knew this from the project when had just worked on. But you don’t really get it until you see it. On safari we ‘got it’. There was a sense of how fragile it all was, nature hanging in a balance.
To understand this:Approx 2000 lions are left in the whole of Kenya. Every time one lion is killed forANY reason it costs the economy/people of Kenya 1 million US dollars per year in tourist revenue! That's just 1 lion! Consider if you dare ALL the animals that go missing. For some reason the story Sara (a staff member at GVI) told us about 200 dik diks being poached by one man each year sticks in my mind….
As I drove around in the safari truck standing up in the back looking at the endless beauty of the Amboseli and Tsavo horizons for 4 days I got it! I understood the urgency and determination of the project we just helped complete on so many levels; the villager’s basic survival and the ability for its families to thrive just like anyone else who wants a good education for their children, clean water and security in their lives.
GVI and all of us who participate in any of the programs are helping to give alternatives to very good and deserving people; to raise awareness and bring viable concrete solutions by the commitment of a lot good folks. We worked hard but I’m telling you the people in the Kidong community worked dawn to dusk in a way that I will remember the rest of my life.Profound thanks to GVI’s Sara, Gibby, Joseph, Emmanuel, Miriam, and Matilda for the time of my life…which is… just beginning.
Chris Hartridge

It may have been well over a year since my 10 week GVI wildlife conservation and community development expedition in Kenya, but I honestly think about the time I spent there every single day...
I had the most amazing experience in Kenya and gained so very much; new friends and contacts, amazing work experience, increased confidence in my abilities and myself, a greater understanding of culture and religion, the opportunity to sample new foods, and time spent in glorious locations with fantastic company!
The people, both GVI staff and locals, were incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable. I found the activities to be well organised and was impressed by the effort GVI had taken to build a rapport with the community. I would highly recommend a GVI expedition to anyone interested in expanding their horizons, who has a passion for wildlife or community work, and isn't affraid of a little hard work and getting their hands dirty.

I cannot recommend GSC at this time. While I volunteered several years ago, from reading other reviews, it seems GSC is up to its same tricks. I went to Kenya, near Nairobi, to do AIDS education in the villages. We paid close to 2,000 dollars and while we were provided with a place to stay (home stay), we had no direction. Upon our arrival, the coordinator told us she had quit GSC and that there was really no GSC presence in Nairobi at all. In short, it was up to us (the four GSC volunteers who met for the first time in Kenya) to create volunteer opportunities and make it a worthwhile, productive experience that benefited the constituency in surrounding communities. Upon our return, we wrote to Rick Lathrop, and he was completely unresponsive in our request to make the program more substantive. At times, the lack of involvement on GCS's part was so profound it was almost dangerous. I would never recommend this agency for a volunteer opportunity. You'd be best to go it on your own and save the money for allocating resources within the community you serve.

I applied to volunteer in Kenya through ELI in March 2008 for a start in September 2008. I discussed my placement with ELI in great depth via email and I was very happy with what I was promised by ELI. Unfortunately, from the first day of my placement, my supervisors asked me to do work which I had specifically requested I not do. ELI seemed powerless to change the situation. When I complained to them, ELI essentially told me that they took no responsibility in ANY WAY for what happened to me in the field. Their role was simply that of middleman. Their local representative was weak and ineffectual and told me to "take it easy". I gave up on my placement half-way through as it was just not what I had signed up for. Furthermore, I never enjoyed any of the great-sounding orientation that I was promised by ELI. I therefore lost around US$1000 to ELI. ELI have never apologised or refunded my program fees; on the contrary, they got all legal on me and referred me to the waiver form I signed. This form essentially states that ELI are not liable for anything that goes wrong during the placement. Any organisation which asks you to sign such a form should be avoided.

IVHQ was very organised, friendly, and helpful - all for a very decent fee. The first few days is all set up perfectly with an airport pickup, accommodation with a host family in Nairobi, and an orientation day where they give you all the information you need. They dropped me off and picked me up from my placement, and kept in touch with me the whole time to make sure I was ok. They also set me up with a host family in Nairobi at the end where I needed to spend a few days. Overall, this is a great company and I highly recommend them.

I took part in the Sustainable Development Programme in Kenya Aug 2009, the staff we're very supportive prior to the program beginning by contacting me via email and phone to check everything was okay and answering questions i had. I arrived early morning about 1am, there was a GVI staff member there to meet me at the airport and one at the hotel i was staying at for the first night, throughout the program 2 staff were there the whole time, supporting us, working with us, they are now good friends. The cost of the program initially did seem expensive however 70% of the money does go directly to the program you sign up for, and knowing what i know now and what i got out of it.... i would of paid double!

Village Volunteers is a great program. Since they are non-profit, most of the money goes to the areas they support. I also volunteered with a for-profit program in South Africa and was very disappointed that most of the money did not go to the local program. The staff at VV is very supportive also. I felt completely supported every step of the way. The people at VV really care about trying to make a difference across the world. Compared to other programs, the fees are very reasonable. Also, since they are a 501(3)(C) non-profit, US residents may be eligible for a tax deduction for costs and donations and will have the confidence that it is a legitimate non-profit. I highly recommend the program.

Global Crossroads helped to place me in an orphanage just outside of Nairobi, Kenya where I volunteered for over two weeks. The orphanage was called the House of Mercy Children's Home and housed 85 kids aged 2-17. My daily activities included playing games, singing, dancing, teaching math and english and most importantly, providing emotional support for the kids. It was one of the most eye-opening and valuable experiences of my life. I never felt such warmth and welcoming anywhere else in the world. And the host family that Global Crossroads provided were friendly, helpful and delivered everything that I needed. I felt safe and comfortable the entire time. I highly recommend their service!

I have volunteered twice with IVHQ and would whole heartedly recommend them to anyone considering volunteering.
Not only are they incredibly helpful in your decision making process, always responding to emails within 24 hours, they genuinely take the time to ensure the programme is right for you, rather than pushing for the sell.
All the pre-registration and registration information is invaluable and gives you a real insight into what to expect from your project. This support is added to by knoweldgeable and genuine advisors who have visited the project and have impressive knowledge of what to expect.
Both projects I have completed have been great. (Huancayo in Peru in 2008 and Kenya in 2009). Kenya in particularly was extremely well organised with a robust orientation welcome meeting to outline the projects and comprehensive in country information. All pick ups were on time and people were extremely friendly and welcoming.
The actual projects are well selected to ensure your help is definitley needed and logistics including transport was well thought out.
Compared to several other volunteering organisations I have spoken to, IVHQ stand out a mile for their first class service, ethical prices and outstanding organisation skills.
Highly recommended and I am already planning the next trip with them!

I volunteered at an orphanage for one month. There did seem to be some corruption within the African partner to GVN (ie volunteer money/donation not going to the orphanage). I loved the idea of living with a local family, unfortunately the family I stayed with was a more than just a little looney. But other volunteers did have a better experiences with that than I did. It also didn't help that I was rooming with a very negative American!
I also think that life is what you make of it and I do not regret the experience what so ever. I do want to volunteer abroad again. My experience in Kenya has helped me learn what I am looking for. And, for me it was good day if I made one of the kids at the orphanage smile.