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Choose between 1-12 weeks
No Cancellation
15 people
English
Volunteers who work with Rusinga Green Growth Youth Initiative will assist in uplifting the wellbeing of individuals in many ways such as improving food security, supporting sustainable practices, empowering local farmers, community building, and positive cultural exchange.
Volunteers are highly valued in the community as they can help the organization complete achieve their goals and share resourceful tools to the community.
When you volunteer with our Agricultural Volunteer program, you not only help an organization focused on providing a vulnerable community with the sustainable resources they need to develop sustainable food security, but you also assist with educating young, leaders of tomorrow in farming skills.
As an Agricultural Volunteer, you will have the experience of immersing yourself into a new culture while sharing the gift of sustainable agricultural practices with an underprivileged community.
Through our Agricultural Volunteer program, you will also gain personal development skills and professional teaching experience by:
• Volunteers must be 18+ to join this program. Volunteers who are interested to join below 18 can apply if they are accompanied by a parent of guardian.
• Volunteers should speak fluent English
• Volunteers should have an interest in learning about sustainable agriculture
• Volunteers should display an interest in teaching and learning new skills from the local teachers
• Volunteers should have a genuine interest in helping others and community development
• Experience in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, landscaping or teaching is preferred, but not a requirement for this program
Rusinga Island is a stunning location in Kenya, located in the eastern part of Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in Africa. Rusinga is part of Homa Bay County and is accessible via road from Mbita town through a causeway. It is renowned for its rich history, cultural heritage, and natural beauty.
Day 1: Arrival and pick up from the Kisumu International Airport, in Kisumu, Kenya and transfer to host family home or hostel.
Day 2: Morning: registration and start of orientation. About 4 hours lecture at the home of your host. Topics covered during orientation lecture will include East African culture, history, customs, politics, geography, and necessary health precautions. The afternoon is free for exploring rural Kenyan life and getting to know your host family.
| Duration | Program Fees |
|---|---|
| 1 Week | $ 704 |
| 2 Week | $ 986 |
| 3 Week | $ 1287 |
| 4 Week | $ 1552 |
| 5 Week | $ 1879 |
| 6 Week | $ 2144 |
| 7 Week | $ 2409 |
| 8 Week | $ 2673 |
| 9 Week | $ 3000 |
| 10 Week | $ 3265 |
| 11 Week | $ 3530 |
| 12 Week | $ 3795 |
Daily activities include assisting in the farm and learning about sustainable farming practices. Volunteers will also visit the Wamwanga Primary School to help the local teachers educate students about how they can start their own sustainable farming initiatives.
A typical volunteer work day is as follows:
Breakfast served at the hostel/ homestay area
Volunteer reports to the farming site and begin assisting with farming tasks for the day
Lunch Break on site
Visit to Wamwanga Primary school to do activities with the students encouraging them to practice sustainable farming
Volunteer work day ends. Volunteers are free to explore and sightsee
Dinner is served at the homestay/ hostel
On weekends, volunteers can take the opportunity to relax and travel.
Tom Mboya Mausoleum: A memorial for Tom Mboya, a prominent Kenyan politician and independence hero, located on the island.
Bird Watching: The island is a haven for bird enthusiasts, with numerous species found in its wetlands and forests.
Water Activities: Fishing, boat rides, and exploring Lake Victoria's islands.
Wildlife and Nature: The island offers opportunities to observe unique flora and fauna.
There are several islands located within Homabay which can be accesses by boat including Mbita Island. Other fascinating destinations include Kisumu City, Kisumu Museum, Kisumu Impala Sanctuary, Kajulu Hills, The Crying Stone, Kakamega Rainforest, Homa Bay, Port Victoria, and Kit Mikayi. There are also beautiful Islands located within Lake Victoria including: Ndere Island, Rusinga Islands, Maboko Island. Mfangano Island, and Takawiri Island.
Long weekends can be taken to travel further afield including to Mombasa, Uganda or Tanzania, or to embark on a safari.
All volunteers have the choice of adding our “Travel Top Up” option to their volunteer experience, in which a full itinerary and travel guide is provided. Adding this option ensures the best experiences in seeing natural wildlife and immersing in the authentic Luo culture.
Volunteers will be assigned to stay with a host family nearby or a nearby communal hostel The accommodation provides volunteers with all basic needs. There is no Wifi provided at the homestay/ hostel.
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 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. Dinner 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. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available for this program. However, it is important that volunteers should not expect to eat as they normally do at home.
• All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
• All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
• All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
Purpose
To help the Rusinga Island youth community increase their ability to produce enough food through sustainable farming practices by teaching improved farming techniques, helping to establish gardens, and supporting access to resources like seeds and tools.
Duration
Choose between 1-12 weeks
Age
Volunteers 18 + and families
Program Fees:
Volunteer Hours
Up to 6 hours per day
Accommodation
Local Hostel
Who should apply for this program?
Individuals with an interest in the following practices should apply for this program: Sustainable living: Those interested in learning and promoting environmentally friendly farming practices. Food security: People who want to contribute to ensuring access to healthy food for communities in need. Community development: Individuals who enjoy working with and supporting local communities. The outdoors: Anyone who enjoys spending time in nature and engaging in physical activity. Experience with agricultural practices is appreciated, but not a must for this program. Individuals with an interest in learning about agricultural practices without experience are also encouraged to apply!
Member Since 2024
