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Maasai Teaching Volunteer Program in Kenya

Maasai Teaching Volunteer Program in Kenya

Inspired to be a Teaching volunteer in Kenya - Maasai? International Volunteer HQ’s Teaching project is an exciting opportunity for volunteers to assist in classes in rural Maasailand where wild giraffes and gazelles often wander freely across the school grounds. There is a high demand for volunteer support due to large class sizes and a shortage of teachers. Volunteers can gain teaching experience and help to reduce the workload of local teachers by providing one-to-one assistance for students who need it and relieving the teacher of a class or two each day.

Highlights:
  • Programs start on the 1st and 15th of every month
  • Affordable fees from AU$601 for 1 week
  • Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
  • Teach students and help overworked teachers in large rural classes

  • Have an immersive cultural experience in the African heartland

  • Live with a local family in remote Maasailand

Key information

Improve access to quality education
Based in schools in Maasailand
Basic homestay accommodation
Volunteers aged 18+ and families
Fully hosted experience from AU$601 for 1 week
Durations from 1 - 12 weeks
See Kenya's amazing wildlife
Up to 5 hours volunteering a day

This program is ideal for:

Volunteers who are interested in education and want to teach in a rural environment. You don’t need to be qualified or an experienced teacher to participate on this project as you’ll be under the supervision of a local teacher. However, completing relevant training, such as a TEFL course, would be useful.
Who is this program suited to?

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

With the introduction of free elementary school education in Kenya, the government was faced with a dilemma: a larger number of students with access to education and not enough teachers to accommodate growing class sizes. The majority of Maasai schools are required by law to have at least one teacher per class, however low teacher numbers mean there can be between 50 and 75 children in one class.

The Maasai Teaching project is based about two - three hours south-west of Nairobi in rural Maasailand. As a Teaching volunteer you’ll be based in local schools, helping teachers to manage large classes and delivering a better quality education to students between 4 and 15 years old. Teaching duties include:

  • Assisting with lessons in all conventional school subjects
  • Tutoring students and providing extra one-on-one assistance
  • Relieving the teacher of a class or two per day.

School holidays 2024: Please note, this project is not available during the school holidays. If you apply for this project during school holidays, you will be switched to either Sports Education or Women’s Education. If you apply for this project during a half-term break, you will have these days free to explore the local area, embark on a safari, or another other tour/excursion.

  • February 29th - March 1st (half-term break)
  • April 8th - 28th (school holidays)
  • June 20th - 21st (half-term break)
  • August 5th - 25th (school holidays)
  • October 24th - Dec 15th (national exams & end of year break)
  • December 15th - program closes for 2024
Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #4: Quality Education

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #4: Quality Education

More than half of all children and teens do not meet minimum proficiency standards in reading and mathematics. Quality education provides an opportunity to learn and grow in a safe environment and is key to preventing poverty, securing long-term employment and improving quality of life.

Why do Teaching volunteering in Maasai with IVHQ?

When you volunteer in Maasai you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

  • Improving educational outcomes for Maasai children
  • Helping students grow and learn
  • Developing your communication skills
  • Gaining teaching experience
  • Immersing yourself in Kenya’s diverse culture
  • Discovering the natural beauty of rural Kenya

Volunteer requirements

  • Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
  • All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
  • All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
  • All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

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What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

DT
Danielle Thompson
28 Aug 2023

Kenya is beautiful as are its people. What an extraordinary experience! Do not hesitate to travel there and volunteer. You will make a difference. The people were so grateful for any help in the schools and everywhere really. I met volunteers from all over the world and that in itself was wonderful. Teaching in Maasai was an extraordinary experience and I was happy that I was able to withstand the difficulties of primitive facilities. My host family could not have been more helpful and kind to us. I have sweet memories of them that will last forever. To immerse yourself in another culture is the best education and to do it by helping in so many ways, is utter joy. IVHQ supported me in every way and I am grateful for this amazing opportunity!

...
JB
Judy Ben Nachum
23 Aug 2023

I enjoyed working in the school - the staff were all very nice and the children were great. They were really motivated to learn and appreciated all of my lessons. My home-stay accommodation was fantastic. The family accepted me warmly and made me feel like part of the family from day one, they always kept me safe and comfortable. Their kids were fun loving and very respectful. I remember a few occasions when the little boy waited in school for hours so I wouldn't have to walk home alone! Their sixth grade son, was a fantastic student and had a real thirst for learning. We spent hours in the evenings working on math puzzles. I would certainly recommend the Maasai experience to any of my friends and I look forward to returning to Kenya soon.

...
KD
Kristina Dushkova
08 Dec 2022

This is an experience you will remember forever. My favorite moment was the evenings with the women from Women's Education and the discussions about the culture and traditions in Kenya. Also, the activities with the children were the moments when I was recharging my batteries with positive energy. I learned that people can have a simple life and should be grateful for every single thing they have. It made me more understanding, less judgemental, humble, and appreciative. It was the best thing I've ever done for myself and I will probably do it again next year.

...
LJ
Louise Jouvin
09 Sep 2021

It’s important to know that it’s completely different way of living compare to the western countries but you don’t have to be afraid because in few days you will be comfortable, and everyone in Nairobi help you to make you feel at home.

...
AG
Alejandro Garrido
07 Jul 2021

Teaching in Maasai with my new Kenyan family, Jackson and Mary, has been one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever had, I can not describe how amazing this was for my life to work with these beautiful children and persons.

...
DJ
Dani Jimenez
04 Feb 2021

I don't think I can put into words what my favorite moment was. The time passed too quickly and I am holding onto every moment for the rest of my life. Seeing the women become empowered, seeing my students light up and be encouraged to learn. I will cherish it all for the rest of my life. I have learned so much about myself and others and I thank the Kenya team and IVHQ for the wonderful experience.

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

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Volunteer Abroad in Keny, Maasai with IVHQ

Location

This project is set in rural Maasailand. Placements are remote and the nearest town may be up to an hour away, but you’ll have the rare chance to see wildlife roaming freely across the landscape.

Arrival and orientation

The program orientation begins on the 1st and 15th of every month and volunteers need to arrive in Nairobi the day before orientation.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee.

When you arrive, a member of the local team will greet you at the airport and bring you to temporary volunteer housing in Mlolongo, just a short drive from the airport in Nairobi, where you will spend the night before your orientation and before being transported to your homestay. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation. If you are traveling in Kenya prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up overland in Nairobi the day before your program orientation

Orientation is hosted by our local team in Nairobi on the morning of your chosen start date and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Kenya – an introduction to Kenya, Kenyan customs, language training details, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Kenya, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing. Once your orientation is complete, you will be transported to your homestay and introduced to your host family.

Volunteer schedule example

First day

You will be escorted to your placement by a member of your homestay family or another volunteer and introduced to the placement staff.

Weekdays

You may have a morning or afternoon shift, or both, and can expect to work a minimum of 3 hours, Monday through Friday. Work and hours at the placement are dependent on the project and placement that each volunteer is working at, but a typical volunteer day would be as follows:

7:30 AM Breakfast with the host family
8:30 AM - 2:00 PM Volunteers travel to their placements and meet with the placement staff. There is usually a morning tea break and lunch break.
2:00 - 5:00 PM Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel back to their homestays, go sightseeing or do some shopping.
7:00 - 8:00 PM Dinner with the host family

Weekends

During the weekends, volunteers have free time to relax or take the opportunity to explore Nairobi, wider Kenya and Eastern Africa. Sunday is a religious day of rest. If you wish, you can accompany your host family to their local church, as a Kenyan church service is a unique and special experience for many volunteers.

In Nairobi you’ll have the opportunity to get up close to a wide variety of wildlife including elephants and giraffes, visit the Nairobi National Park, shop at the many markets and malls, learn about Kenya’s history at museums, or tour Nairobi city, the Kibera Slum, the Maasailands, or the Bomas cultural centre.

Long weekends can be taken to travel further afield including to Mombasa, Uganda or Tanzania, or to embark on a safari.

Accommodation and WiFi

Please note you will spend your first day in Nairobi for project orientation, before being transferred to your placement location.

You’ll be accommodated in a homestay with a local family where living is basic but authentic. Homestays in Maasai do not have electricity or running water and in these locations you​ ​​can expect to find​ ​squat/pit toilets​ and bucket showers. This is a unique opportunity to fully immerse yourself in a rural African community and live like the locals do.

Our local team gives your host family a fee for your support, food and board. It is exciting to​ ​stay with a host family, and you’ll have a​ ​unique opportunity to learn about the​ Maasai way of life, meet local people, try local food, speak the local language and​ ​engage in local customs and traditions​.​​

WiFi can be difficult to access in Maasai, so it’s recommended you purchase a local SIM card with data during your program orientation in Nairobi.

Meals

The wide range of Kenyan tribes, ethnicities and cultures are reflected in the diversity of the local cuisine. Volunteers are provided with three meals a day which are served at the accommodation and tend to be rich in carbohydrates.

Breakfast is served around 7 am and generally consists of chai tea, coffee, toast, fruit and sometimes mandazi - African donuts. A typical lunch can include vegetables and lentils with rice, occasional meat and fruit served around 1pm. If you are not returning home from your placement for lunch, you will need to pack your own lunch in the morning. Dinner is usually served around 8 pm and typically includes traditional food, such as ugali; a cornmeal porridge, mboga; a vegetable dish, irio; mashed potatoes with peas and corn, meat and vegetables.

Tap water is not safe to drink in Kenya, though bottled water is readily available. Volunteers typically drink around half a gallon, or two liters per day, which costs around US$15 a week. If you have any special dietary requirements, please make a note on your application so arrangements can be made. However, it is important that volunteers should not expect to eat as they normally do at home.

Pricing

  • USD
Duration
Program Fee
Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
  • USD
1 week AU$600 Equivalent to AU$86/day
2 weeks AU$825 Equivalent to AU$59/day
3 weeks AU$1049 Equivalent to AU$50/day
4 weeks AU$1273 Equivalent to AU$45/day
5 weeks AU$1498 Equivalent to AU$43/day
6 weeks AU$1722 Equivalent to AU$41/day
8 weeks AU$2171 Equivalent to AU$39/day
10 weeks AU$2619 Equivalent to AU$37/day
12 weeks AU$3068 Equivalent to AU$37/day
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • In-country program orientation
  • Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
  • Airport pick-up
  • Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
  • Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
  • Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

  • All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately AU$528) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services. IVHQ fees are priced in USD but you may elect to pay in AUD.
  • A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
  • Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, public transport to and from your placement each day, criminal background check and return to the airport when your program finishes.
  • Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Kenya generally find US$150-200 per week to be sufficient for expenses.

Check what's required to visit Kenya

Safety and support with IVHQ

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

  • All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
  • All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
  • All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
  • All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital Nairobi
Population 52.57 million
Languages Swahili and English
Currency Kenyan Shilling (KES)
Time zone UTC+03:00

Weather and climate

Kenya enjoys a tropical climate. It is hot and humid at the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and northeast parts of the country. As Nairobi is close to the equator the weather does not vary much. The summer months, from December to February are warm with temperatures ranging between 30°C and 14°C. June is usually the coldest month, with temperatures averaging between 13°C and 22°C.

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How to get started

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