The Masai tribe has for centuries lived on the same land, refusing to modernize or migrate. They’re mostly nomadic people depending on cattle and nomadic existence. Today, the tribe faces hunger, disease and migration of youth to urban areas in search of work that will potentially rob them of their culture and unique way of life. To help prevent that from happening, many grassroots organizations are trying to bring development by establishing schools, clinics and imparting skills during training. It is hoped these activities will empower the Masai and make them less vulnerable to natural as well as manmade calamities. It is also envisioned that through this development, the Masai can still maintain their culture and their unique relationship with their land.
So volunteer in RCDP’s Kenya Maasai Volunteer project and help these unique tribes to prosper. By aiding in this effort, you’ll also learn about their amazing culture.
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 ($259) and weekly fee ($80) for room, food, coordination, and project donation. Click to find the allocation of $259
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.
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* Comprehensive Travel Insurance $3 per day
* Additional fee: $150 - airport receive, transfer to host family/ hostel, and orientation.
* 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 fees, airport drop-off, airport taxes, personal expenses on food and travel, water and soft drinks, laundry, telephone, immunization.
Volunteers stay with a warm and welcoming Masai family during their entire volunteer program. Their houses are mostly constructed with materials that are available locally and made with indigenous technology. Living conditions are very basic. The meals the Masai consume are very basic but they’ll be given money to provide a more varied diet for volunteers. The family will ensure the volunteers enjoy the meals. Volunteers will have breakfast around 8 am 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. At dinner, volunteers will enjoy traditional meals like irio, mboga, chapatti and ugali. Volunteers purchase their own bottled drinking water. Our coordinator will also regularly contact you to make sure you are satisfied. You’ll also have access to the coordinator’s mobile phone number; you can contact him any time when you want to discuss something.
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The mission of RCDP-Nepal is to encourage international volunteers to contribute in sustainable community development that benefits the underprivileged and extremely poor. By developing the places and the communities, the volunteers are also developing themselves and learning new perspectives and ideas that will ultimately change their lives.
