Volunteer in Kenya (Maasai)

Be part of our unique, meaningful and very affordable volunteer program in the land of great warrior tribe of Africa still living the ancient way.

The Masai tribe has for centuries lived on the same land, refusing to modernize or migrate. They are mostly nomadic people depending on cattle and seasonal rain for growing vegetables and feeding their cattle green grass. Today, the tribe faces hunger, disease and migration of youth to urban areas in search of work that threatens to rob them of their culture and unique way of life. To prevent this from happening, many grassroots organizations are trying to bring development by establishing schools, clinics and imparting skills during training. The aim is to empower the Masai and make them less vulnerable to natural as well as man-made calamities. Through this development, it is hoped the Masai can still maintain their culture and the unique relationship with their land they enjoy. Volunteer in RCDP's Kenya Maasai Volunteer project and help these unique tribes to prosper. When being part of this wonderful effort, you will also learn about their amazing culture.

The Fee and Dates

RCDP Masai projects in Kenya starts on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month.

Every year hundreds of volunteers arrive in Kenya to volunteer from UK- and US-based organizations and end up paying up to $2500 to volunteer for 2 weeks. Unfortunately, only a small portion of that money actually goes to host projects and host families. The local host projects (orphanages, school, and local NGOs) in Kenya are poor and need external support to run their programs. In our program, you will pay your fee directly to host families and projects upon arrival in Kenya. When you join our program, we will make sure that all of your money goes to the projects and host families. Part of your fees also helps us to cover our expenses. The program fee is divided into a registration fee ($279) and weekly fee ($80) for room, food, coordination, and project donation.
Click to find the allocation of $279

Weekly fees are divided between room plus 3 local foods a day (50%) and project donation/support of local project staffers (50%). This allocation may be different depending up on location, project type, etc. Our coordinator will explain these issues before you pay the fee. Below is the breakdown of costs in a weekly basis.

• Comprehensive Travel Insurance $3.49/day »
• Airport pickup and transfer - Watamu/Maasai Land(60 miles) $75
• Language and Cultural program fee: $250
• Please add $25 per each additional week for Internship program

The weekly Fee Does Not Include: Airfare, daily transportation, Visa and Visa extension fee, Airport drop, airport taxes, any personal expenses on food and travel, Mineral water and soft drinks, Gifts to project staffs and host family, Laundry, Telephone, Immunization

Accommodation/Meal/Supervision:

Volunteers stay with a warm and welcoming Masai family during theirentire volunteer program. The houses of Masai are mostly constructed withmaterials that are available locally and are made with indigenous technology.Living conditions will be very basic. They are known has Manyatta.

The meals the Masai consume are also very basic but the host family willbe given money to provide a more varied diet for volunteers. The family willensure the volunteers enjoy the meals. Volunteers will have breakfast around 8am before leaving for project; lunch will be served around 12 to 1 pm, and dinner around 7 pm. For breakfast, volunteers will enjoy tea with cereal,fruits and toasts. Lunch usually consists of rice with vegetables, or sandwiches. Dinner will consist of traditional meals like irio, mboga, chapatti and ugali.Volunteers must purchase their own bottled drinking water.

Our coordinator will also regularly contact you to make sure you aresatisfied. You will also have access to the coordinator’s mobile phone number;you can contact him any time when you want to discuss something.