• Life On Land

Ocean Clean-Up & Marine Education Assistant

location
1 - 30 weeks  ·  Age 14 - 50+
rating  Excellent 4.8  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • You will have opportunity to experience the true African way of life, which will expand your perspective of the world, and memories that you'll never forget during your weekend excursions & safaris
  • The programs are many and suitable for volunteers from the age of 14 years and above, High School & University Students, Professionals, Couples & Families with their children, and Adults of 50+ years
  • After the completion of your online/ Onsite volunteer offer, UCESCO will write you a good and official recommendation letter and Certificate of appreciation/Recognition for your time and service to us
  • Our project site is truly an exciting place to be, a place where you can really make a difference. UCESCO - Kenya has a 100% safety record & we try to maintain it as Kenyans are friendly by nature.
  • Flexibility we offer to take part in different projects and connect with wonderful people . You can rotate as many projects as possible that we are offering for more expereince

Especially good for

Age 14+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

About the program

Do you have a passion for marine conservation? you can become an ocean clean-up volunteer with us and provide vital support to protect threatened marine species. Join us

The prevalence of waste in the marine and coastal environment is a worldwide environmental problem and a growing concern. our organization has galvanized communities and students to collect trash that pollutes our waterways, making our coasts cleaner and our ocean healthier not only at the ocean ...

About the program

The prevalence of waste in the marine and coastal environment is a worldwide environmental problem and a growing concern. our organization has galvanized communities and students to collect trash that pollutes our waterways, making our coasts cleaner and our ocean healthier not only at the ocean beaches but at the stormwater drains and Lakes leading to the Ocean.  We are also extending our invitation to international volunteers to join us and help in cleaning the ocean that we are serving. We also do Educational campaigns in the schools around the ocean by teaching them about environment conservation and swimming classes and ocean literacy lessons which will involve our international volunteers. It's a unique opportunity for international volunteers to explore the city and the communities we are serving

Communication 

Immediately you arrive, it is reassuring to know you’ll be able to contact home and keep in touch with staff and volunteers during your stay. Here are some tips on communicating in Kenya

  • Mobile phone- Having a mobile phone with you while you volunteer is a good idea. They allow you to reassure your family and friends to know that you will be contactable. A local SIM card will usually offer much cheaper local and international rates than your SIM from home. You can buy a local SIM from many shops in Mombasa, and the Kenyan team or another volunteer can tell you where to go. Safaricom is the largest network provider in Kenya. You can buy or rent a handset after you arrive, or alternatively bring one with you. Some smartphones (including iPhones) will not accept SIMs from other companies, so please check before you travel. 

  • Internet - The cheapest way to stay in touch with friends and family is via the Internet, email, social networks, and telecom services like Skype. Many volunteers also choose to write a travel blog, and volunteers who fundraise may have promised an email diary for their sponsors. There are two ways to access the internet in Mombasa: on the internet, Wifi in homestays, and cafes, or using a modem stick plugged into your laptop. 

Climate and Weather 

  • Like much of the rest of the world, Kenya's weather can vary widely. However, some obvious climatic patterns can tell you what to expect. There are two rainy seasons in Mombasa. The major rainy season generally falls between mid-March and the end of May. The minor rainy season generally falls between the beginning of November and the end of December. During these periods, you will see a fair amount of rain, especially in the evening and during the night. 

  • July and August we usually rain-free, although they can be quite chilly, especially at night. Temperatures are fairly consistent throughout the year- around 20' C during the day and chilly in the evenings. 

  • January and February are usually the hottest months.

  • It is safest to plan for the hot sun as well as pouring rain, whatever the month, a raincoat is necessary, as is sun cream. Remember that the sun is stronger on the equator

Clothes 

There are a couple of things to bear in mind when packing clothes for Kenya. The first is the weather - it can vary quite a lot, so it is best to plan for hot sun and pouring rain. You will need to dress to protect yourself from the sun but also be prepared for rain. Here is a suggestion of what to bring;

  • T-shirts 

  • Shorts 

  • Lightweight trousers and tops

  • Jumper and Jeans for the evenings 

  • Plenty of underwear 

  • Hait for sun

  • Sports clothing 

  • Trainers or boots 

  • Sandals 

  • Day shoes 

Packing

Below are some suggestions about what to pack. Everything on these lists is essential or useful 

  • Passport 

  • Yellow Fever vaccination certificate 

  • Travel pillow 

  • Towels 

  • Toiletries and sanitary products. Consider bringing dry shampoo wet wipes, and hand sanitizer

Tours and Safaris
 Weekends are made for exploring our country and Safaris ( Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for any safari outside Mombasa City like Masai Mara, and Samburu, they need at least 2 nights and 3 days to have enough experience). Safaris within Mombasa City or nearby can be explored for one day or two ( Saturday and Sunday). The organization is aware and more than happy to give you enough time to explore Kenya too because you are here to help at the same time make sure you experience Africa's lifestyle and culture. We will always give you time for that. In case you are also interested in safaris while volunteering with us, let us know to link you to our sister company that offers pocket-friendly Safaris, Hotel reservations for weekend holidays, flight booking, Visa application, holiday vehicle arrangements, and travel insurance for our volunteers. It's a company that embarks on a thrilling adventure with Meaningful Travel, a premier travel company in Kenya, as we unveil our exciting lineup of upcoming tours and extraordinary destinations within this breathtaking East African gem. From the iconic savannahs of the Maasai Mara to the pristine beaches of the Kenyan coast, our meticulously crafted tours promise to immerse you in Kenya’s diverse landscapes, wildlife, and cultures. Traverse the Great Rift Valley, witness the Big Five in their natural habitat, and engage with local communities in immersive cultural experiences. With Meaningful Travel, you’re not just exploring Kenya; you’re discovering its heart and soul. Join us on a transformative journey that showcases Kenya’s beauty and leaves you with memories to last a lifetime. Travel. dreams into reality.” 

Typical day

Your induction and orientation

On your first day, you will receive a comprehensive induction to your new town. A staff member will take you on a tour of the surrounding area, and point out places that might be useful to you. You will also be taken to buy a local sim card or exchange money if you need ...

Typical day

Your induction and orientation

On your first day, you will receive a comprehensive induction to your new town. A staff member will take you on a tour of the surrounding area, and point out places that might be useful to you. You will also be taken to buy a local sim card or exchange money if you need to. We value innovative ideas to make us serve others better hence we always encourage our volunteers to have creative ideas for serving the community better apart from assigning you our usual operations. 

Orientation of activities is done every Monday to understand all other programs we have in case you are flexible and interested to help other programs/activities. When you rotate to other programs you get more exposure and be more impactful to many needy beneficiaries.  For example, you can apply for this program of marine conservation and at some point feel to also help in teaching your language to our kids, if you are good in life skills you can share with our high school students, if you are good in sports you can teach some sports you know, if you are good in mathematics you can teach at our school, if you have the medical background you can volunteers some of your free time from marine conservation at our clinics or at our beauty school. I recommend volunteers who are flexible to help in other areas if the program you have applied to is not that busy during your time in Kenya. Africa will be more fun and enjoyable and you can learn more than you expected. 

Daily program/ Timetable 

Volunteer work is during the morning hours every day, and in the afternoon, we have free activities such as sports, Kenya traditional dance classes, traditional cooking classes, and sports for those volunteers interested to learn, however, it's an optional offer depending on the number of volunteers interested to learn. But most volunteers finish their volunteer work at 3:30 p.m. and go home directly to rest and prepare for the following days' activities. 

A typical day schedule will look like this with or without minor adjustments;

  • 8:30 am - We serve a delicious and healthy breakfast 
  • 9:30 am - 13:30 pm - Volunteer work as described above. 
  • 14:00 pm to 18:00 pm - Free time activities mentioned above (Optional)
  • 3:30 pm -  Break and prepare back home to rest
  • 8:00 pm - Dinner is served.

Free-time activities

Official languages are Swahili and English

  • Common swahili words
  • Hello: jambo/ hujambo/ ​salama.
  • How are you?: habari gani.
  • Fine (response): nzuri.
  • Goodbye: kwa heri/ kwa herini (more than one peson)
  • See you later: tutaonana.
  • Nice to meet you: nafurahi kukuona.
  • Goodnight: lala salama.

Wildlife

Kenya has a ...

Free-time activities

Official languages are Swahili and English

  • Common swahili words
  • Hello: jambo/ hujambo/ ​salama.
  • How are you?: habari gani.
  • Fine (response): nzuri.
  • Goodbye: kwa heri/ kwa herini (more than one peson)
  • See you later: tutaonana.
  • Nice to meet you: nafurahi kukuona.
  • Goodnight: lala salama.

Wildlife

Kenya has a considerable land area devoted to wildlife habitats, including the Masai Mara, where blue wildebeest and other bovids participate in large-scale annual migration.

More than one million wildebeest and 200,000 zebras participate in the migration across the Mara River.

The “Big five” game animals of Africa, that is the lion, leopard, buffalo, rhinoceros, and elephants, can be found in Kenya and in the Masai Mara and Samburu in particular.

A significant population of other wild animals, reptiles, and birds can be found in the national parks and game reserves in the country. The annual animal migration occurs between June and September, with millions of animals taking part, attracting valuable foreign tourism.

Two million wildebeests migrate a distance of 2,900 kilometers (1,802 mi) from the Serengeti in neighboring Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya, in a constant clockwise fashion, searching for food and water supplies. This Serengeti Migration of the wildebeest is listed among the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.

Things to note throughout your stay in Kenya.

Nice places to visit in Mombasa

  1. Diani Beach
  2. Haller Park 
  3. Fort Jesus
  4. Mombasa Marine National Park
  5. Mombasa Old town 
  6. Nguuni Nature Sanctuary 
  7. Mombasa Tusks
  8. Mama Ngina Waterfront 
  9. Bamburi Beach 
  10. City Mall Nyali 
  11. Shelly Beach 
  12. Mamba Village Centre 
  13. Nyali Beach 
  14. Wild Waters 
  15. Mtwapa Creek
  16. Nyali Cinemax 
  17. Mombasa Memorial Cathedral 
  18. Jumba la Mtwana
  19. Mombasa Butterfly House 
  20. Spice Market 
  21. Rabai Museum
  22. Jomo Kenyatta Public Beach 
  23. Avicennia Island 
  24. Mombasa Go Kart
  25. Shimba Hills National Reserve 
  26. Tiwi Beach 
  27. Mombasa Jain Temple 
  28. Bombolulu Workshop and Cultural Centre 

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 14 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 14 years old on the program start date.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Required Documents

Passport and any form of identification

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

• a social mindset • a good work ethic • the ability to work as part of a team • great communication skills • adaptability to different types of tasks • problem-solving ability • initiative • enthusiasm • resilience • a non-judgmental approach and respect for diversity • great cultural awareness • a professional attitude to work • strong regard for health and safety • eagerness to travel • dedication

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:30 - 15:30

What's Included

What's Included

Services by UCESCO Africa

In Summary, the fee includes:

  • Accommodation 
  • Wifi costs
  • Water and Electricity 
  • Airport Pick up
  • Program Orientation
  • Security 
  • Administration and on-site/in-country staff support
  • Personalized project
  • Pre-departure information and any services you need such as an invitation letter for your visa application
  • Background check fees
  • Meals (Breakfast and Dinner)
  • Letter of recommendation / Certificate of completion 

Not included in the fee:

  • Tips and any other gratitude 
  • Drop off 
  • Laundry
  •  Local SIM card you need to purchase
  • Tour / Safaris
  •  Volunteer T-shirt
  • Visas
  • Airfare
  • Personal expenses on soft drinks and foods
  • Daily transportation to the project site
  • Airport return transfer

Airport Pickup at Moi International Airport

UCESCO-Kenya a staff member will be there to welcome you when you arrive at Mombasa Airport or from SGR if you are using the train to Mombasa. From the airport,/ railway train station you will travel in our private car to your accommodation. Depending on traffic, this will be a 20-minute drive. Once you are done with the booking process, we share our whatsup number to keep in touch, especially during airport pick-up, it's easy and quick to communicate because there is always a wifi at the airport. 


N/B Just to remind you, sometimes luggage delays and we have seen our volunteer having a hard time as they are waiting for their luggage for three days, make sure at least the back bag/ the small bag you will be walking with, have all the basic items, and at least few clothes to change in case you luggage delays, At least make sure you can survive for two to three days but not always luggage delays but it happens. it's just a caution because we have seen volunteer forced to go the the mall to buy a few clothes to survive as they are waiting for their luggage to arrive, which is an unnecessary expense. 

Accommodation

  • All volunteer houses have running water. Volunteers should not drink tap water – instead, drink only bottled water
  • UCESCO- Mombasa arranges accommodation for volunteers in a volunteer house or homestays. Both our homestays and volunteer houses are executive, spacious, beautiful, Well-finished apartments that are fully furnished with en-suite room features and en-suite bathrooms. It's a place you can call home away from home. your stay is guaranteed to be comfortable, and memorable and a comeback is certain. The unit has a furnished living room fitted with armchairs, a flat-screen TV, Free Wifi, and a fully equipped kitchen in case you want to cook your fast food apart from what we provide. Parking facilities are available and the premises are guarded by security personnel 24/7. 
  • Both Homestays and volunteer houses are located, in a serene environment with friendly people, and proximity to major Shopping Malls, KFC, GYM, Pizza Inn, coffee cafes, Supermarkets, and Educational Centers. is a great choice for volunteers to rest after hard work in the slums. They are also in a Great location…convenient for public transport to the city and many bars and restaurants nearby. 
  • Housekeeping is offered weekly (every Saturday) and change of beddings.  

Food & Beverages

  • Mombasa common Cuisine

    Mombasa is a bustling city, rich in history, culture, and amazing Swahili cuisine. Among the top things you should do while visiting the city is try the local foods and snacks.

    With Indian and Arabian influences on the Kenyan coast dating back to 800 A.D. prepare your taste buds for an amazing experience. You will experience different flavors, spices, and aromas.

    While spicy food is popular, there are non-spicy options for anyone who doesn’t fancy too much heat in their foods or snacks.

    • We provide 2 meals per day because most of the lunchtime you will always find yourself on the project site. You only need to buy some snacks or affordable food near your project site. Sometimes like in school you can share with the students but might not be good for your stomach because we mostly use Githeri ( Cooked Maize corn and beans together) which I guess might be difficult for your stomach to digest if you are not used to it. 
    • If you have any special dietary requirements e.g vegetarian or vegan, please let us know so we can make arrangements for you. We will do our best to see that you are well taken care of, but, as a volunteer, there is a need to be flexible so you can adapt easily.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Moi International Airport (MBA) in Mombasa. We assist you to find cheap flights to Kenya. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Kenya provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Kenya you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Kenya. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

Preparing for the arrival 

  • Volunteering in Kenya through our organization will be an exhilarating, horizon-widening time. You will find new friends and take on new challenges, experiencing a different way of life while you do so. To make the most of this opportunity, it is a good idea to make sure that you are 

  • Local means of Transport -Matatus are the most common form of publ

  • prepared as possible, both physically and mentally. 


    Transportation  

  • ic transport in Kenya. After you have been in Kenya for a couple of days and you are starting to feel more confident, you’ll find you want to explore the local area or get to the supermarket or an ATM. You may also need to take public transport to reach your placement project. If this is the case, one of the Kenyan team will accompany you for your first couple of days, until you are happy making the trip without them. TUK TUK and Matatus are the most common means of transport in Mombasa. They are often “pimped out” with neon lights, TV screens, and speakers, and they are a cheap and entertaining way to travel. You can also opt to use the Ubber or Bolt App (ordering tax through the app online). Ubber and Bolt are so common in Mombasa, safest especially when you are new and you don't know the exact prices and places to visit, I recommend you use ubber. Even from the airport in case you feel like passing by somewhere before being picked up by us, use the ubber or Bolt app. The moment you use normal tax and you don't know how to bargain, they may charge you double or triple the normal prices. When you are using public means of transport, whether it's volunteers or even us the locals, be aware that due to the cramped conditions and many passengers, there is always a risk of pickpocketing. Avoid taking valuables or large sums of cash on a means of public transport. For longer journeys, we recommend organizing travel with the Kenyan team, who can arrange for you to be driven to your destination by one personal car/Van

  • Kindly Note that Commuting to the project site is on a personal account for all volunteers above 18yrs and our local staff from the volunteer house/Homestay by a public transport system which is very easily affordable and Uber can also be cost-shared when traveling with more than 3 volunteers, apart from Minors of below 18 yrs who must be accompanied by one of our staff in charge at UCESCO or other adult volunteers staying together.  

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 348€
5 weeks 1,889€
6 weeks 2,267€
7 weeks 2,644€
11 weeks 4,155€
19 weeks 7,178€
30 weeks (max. stay) 8,947€
Average fees 323€/week

Program fees

323€ per week 1 - 30 weeks Age 14 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

1 - 30 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.

Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with UCESCO Africa during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your organization

UCESCO Africa

Excellent 4.8 rating (116 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2010

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Kingsley

Spoken languages: English

About the project

Our organization depends on the generosity of donors and volunteers to achieve our goals. There are different ways of supporting our cause and we welcome any help we.

Meet your organization

United Cultural Empowerment and Social Community Organization – Africa (UCESCO – Africa), is a Charitable NGO committed to supporting vulnerable women and children in marginalized communities in Kenya.

We do this through education, health care, and micro-business to emancipate families from poverty and empower them to take charge of their future.

UCESCO aims to build intercultural understanding through heritage protection and support for cultural diversity and human co-existence regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. 

WHAT WE DO

We focus on initiating and implementing projects that contribute to poverty alleviation in the community.

1. Slums and Rural Women's Economic Empowerment
2. Provide Free Health Care
3. Sanitation and Water Safety Programs
4. Early Childhood Development
5. Education and Talent Development
6. Sports and Social Engagements


VISION

Creating sustainable growth for diverse vulnerable populations.

MISSION

To support vulnerable women and children through education, health and micro-business boost to lift their families from poverty; and empower them to take charge of their own future.

MOTTO

Creating sustainable growth for diverse populations


Why choose us

UCESCO has a 100% safety record in Kenya and we mean to keep it. Our programs in Kenya are safe to experience. Generally, Kenyans are friendly people by nature, especially toward volunteers who are helping their community. We advise that no volunteer should be out after dark and that volunteers should stay indoors after 9 pm. Exceptions are made when volunteers are with UCESCO local volunteers or project staff. This is merely a precaution, but one that we expect all volunteers to keep. People may stop to say hello and it is polite to respond; however, they will understand if you are busy and cannot chat for long. Never accept an invitation to visit a stranger. We also recommend that you arrange medical, dental, and eye check-ups before you depart, to identify any issues that might affect your time in Kenya.

116 reviews · rating4.8

I had the privilege of spending a month in Nairobi as part of a humanitarian intervention, in collaboration with UCESCO Africa. My time there was truly transformative, surpassing all expectations and leaving an indelible mark on my life. Despite the preconceptions instilled by European narratives ...
I have just arrived back from Kenya. My daughter is still there to finish her internship. Returning from Nairobi after my volunteer work at the Rescue center in Kibera and the Psychology Counseling Program in Kyole, my heart is filled with a deep gratitude. What touched me the most was the ...
The 2024 Citadel Medical Camp took place in Kayole, Kariobangi, and Kibera, in Nairobi with UCESCO Africa, Naiorbi. These are impoverished areas where individuals have no access to medical care. Our camp has been a true success! With a dedicated team of Citadel faculty, students, and UCESCO ...
I am beyond blessed to have spent the last month serving individuals living in different slums throughout Nairobi, Kenya. Sarah A. Imam MD, Dr. Kimbo Yee, and UCESCO Africa put together a team of warriors dedicated to providing services to those most in need of medical attention. Over the course of ...
UCESCO AFRICA NEEDS YOU. TRY THE MOST POWERFUL HUMAN EXPERIENCE OF YOUR PROFESSION AND YOUR LIFE. I am very moved to meet the students in Nairobi (Kenya) and offer them psychological support. Not to conform to Western standards, but to restore their dignity and value the immense human and moral ...
I have just arrived back from Kenya. My daughter is still there to finish her internship. Returning from Nairobi after my volunteer work at the Rescue Center in Kibera and the Psychology Counseling Program in Kyole, my heart is filled with a deep gratitude. What touched me the most was the ...

Location

Africa > Eastern Africa > Kenya > Mombasa

You might also be interested in

Volunteer Abroad  >  Environment  >  Marine Conservation in Kenya
Contact Kingsley
  Very high response rate
English

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