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Fantastic 4.54rating (29)
  • Quality Education

Primary School Classroom Assistant

location
4 - 24 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Teach across the curriculum, not just English - volunteers assist with maths, science, geography, history, social studies, business studies, art and music.
  • Take your own classes if you are ready to, or assist the Kenyan teaching staff - how much you lead is genuinely up to you and how you settle in.
  • Work in real public schools in suburban Nairobi, including Kanjeru Primary in Kiambu County: founded in 1954, 9 acres, 16 classrooms and over 850 pupils.

Highlights

  • Teach across the curriculum, not just English - volunteers assist with maths, science, geography, history, social studies, business studies, art and music.
  • Take your own classes if you are ready to, or assist the Kenyan teaching staff - how much you lead is genuinely up to you and how you settle in.
  • Work in real public schools in suburban Nairobi, including Kanjeru Primary in Kiambu County: founded in 1954, 9 acres, 16 classrooms and over 850 pupils.
  • Build teaching experience abroad that stands up on a CV, in schools following the national curriculum with fully qualified Kenyan staff.
  • Keep every weekend free for Nairobi National Park, the Rift Valley lakes, Amboseli and the Maasai Mara.
    • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Assist Kenyan teachers across primary and secondary subjects in suburban Nairobi schools, including Kanjeru Primary, a public school of more than 850 pupils.

    What the placement is

    Most of our teaching volunteers in Kenya are placed in primary schools in the suburbs of Nairobi, working alongside Kenyan teachers in ordinary public schools. These are not schools built for visitors – they follow the national curriculum, their staff are qualified and ...

    About the program

    What the placement is

    Most of our teaching volunteers in Kenya are placed in primary schools in the suburbs of Nairobi, working alongside Kenyan teachers in ordinary public schools. These are not schools built for visitors – they follow the national curriculum, their staff are qualified and employed by the Teachers Service Commission, and class sizes are large.

    It is not only English

    The name of the programme undersells it. Volunteers assist across the timetable: mathematics, science, geography, social studies, history, business education, English, art and music. If you have a subject you are strong in, say so on your application – it is usually possible to place you where that is most useful.

    How much you lead is up to you. Some volunteers assist the class teacher throughout; others take classes of their own once they have found their feet. Both are genuinely useful, and nobody will push you into the front of a classroom before you are ready.

    A school you might be placed in

    Kanjeru Primary School, in the Kabete constituency of Kiambu County, started in 1954 as an informal community school with mud structures and became fully registered in 1962. It now occupies nine acres with sixteen permanent classrooms, a hall and an administrative block, and teaches from pre-primary through to grade 9. Current enrolment is over 850 pupils – roughly 790 in primary, 79 in early childhood education and 56 in special education.

    Important: Kenyan school holidays

    Kenyan schools close in April, August, and from late November to the end of December. There is no classroom teaching in those periods. Volunteers arriving then are placed in childcare and youth programmes instead, which is worthwhile work but is not the same thing – so if classroom teaching is specifically what you want, plan your dates around those months.

    Practicalities

    Minimum age 17. A clean criminal background check is required, and under-18s need a parental consent form. No teaching qualification is needed.

    Typical day

    Morning

    Breakfast at the volunteer house, then to your school. Kenyan school days start early, so this is not a placement for late risers.

    In school

    You will be assigned to classes and work alongside the teacher – helping pupils who are struggling, taking small groups, marking, and preparing ...

    Typical day

    Morning

    Breakfast at the volunteer house, then to your school. Kenyan school days start early, so this is not a placement for late risers.

    In school

    You will be assigned to classes and work alongside the teacher – helping pupils who are struggling, taking small groups, marking, and preparing materials. As you settle in, most volunteers end up leading at least some lessons of their own.

    Class sizes are large by European or North American standards, which is precisely why an extra adult in the room makes a difference. The pupils are used to volunteers and will make you welcome quickly.

    Afternoon

    Schools finish in the afternoon. Some volunteers stay on to help with homework clubs, sports or extra lessons; others head back to the house. Both are fine.

    Evenings

    At the volunteer house with the other volunteers. Nairobi is close for a meal out, and evenings at the house tend to be where plans for the weekend get made.

    Weekends

    Free. Nairobi National Park is remarkable – a full safari park within sight of the city skyline – and the Giraffe Centre and David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage are easy half-days. Further out, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Hell's Gate, Amboseli and the Maasai Mara are all weekend trips the team can help arrange.

    During school holidays

    In April, August and late November to December you will be working in childcare or youth programmes rather than classrooms, with a similar daily rhythm.

    Free-time activities

    School days end in the afternoon and weekends are entirely free, which in Kenya is a considerable perk.

    Within Nairobi

    Nairobi National Park is genuinely unusual - a full safari park with lions, rhino, buffalo and giraffe, with the city skyline visible behind them. You can do it in a morning. The David

    Free-time activities

    School days end in the afternoon and weekends are entirely free, which in Kenya is a considerable perk.

    Within Nairobi

    Nairobi National Park is genuinely unusual - a full safari park with lions, rhino, buffalo and giraffe, with the city skyline visible behind them. You can do it in a morning. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage and the Giraffe Centre in Langata are easy half-days and usually get combined into one trip.

    In the city itself, the Karen Blixen Museum, the Nairobi National Museum and the Maasai markets are all worth an afternoon. Westlands and Karen have a good restaurant and live-music scene, and Kenyan coffee at the source is a fair reason to spend a Saturday morning sitting still.

    Weekend trips

    Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha in the Rift Valley are the classic weekend - flamingos, rhino, hippo, and a boat trip on Naivasha. Hell's Gate National Park next door is one of the few parks in Africa you can cycle and walk through, which makes it a favourite. Amboseli, with Kilimanjaro as the backdrop, and the Maasai Mara are longer trips and worth building a proper weekend around - the Mara especially if you are here between July and October for the migration.

    Further afield

    The coast - Mombasa, Diani, Watamu, Lamu - is an overnight bus or a short flight, and makes an excellent end-of-programme week.

    Weekend trips and safaris can be arranged through your in-country coordinator, and add-on tours can also be booked in advance through your online account.

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Education Requirements

    at High school level

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Required Documents

    Criminal background check

    Nationality Restrictions

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

    Other Skills

    No teaching qualification is required. If you are strong in a particular subject - maths, science, music, art, business studies - say so on your application and we will try to place you where it is most useful. Confidence in front of a class helps but is not essential; plenty of volunteers assist for the first week and lead lessons later. A clean criminal background check is required.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    Included

    • Airport pickup at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi
    • Accommodation for your whole stay
    • Two meals a day
    • Orientation on arrival and your placement at the school
    • 24-hour assistance and support from the in-country team
    • Comprehensive pre-departure information
    • Certificate of participation, on request

    Not included

    • Airfare
    • Travel and medical insurance – mandatory, and available through us at extra cost
    • Visa / eTA fees and vaccinations
    • Return trip to the airport – can be arranged locally at extra cost
    • Local transport, lunch, and personal spending
    • Safaris and weekend trips

    The price shown already includes your application fee – there is nothing further to pay us on arrival. Programme fees can be paid in interest-free instalments, with the balance due 45 days before departure.

    Airport Pickup at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

    Airport pickup is included. Fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi and a member of the local team will meet you and take you to the volunteer house.

    Orientation runs after you have settled in, covering the area, transport, safety and your placement, and you will then be taken to your school and introduced to the staff.

    The return trip to the airport is not included in the programme fee, but the team can arrange it locally for a small charge – give them a day or two of notice.

    Before you fly: Kenya requires an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) for most nationalities, applied for online in advance. Do not leave it to the airport.

    Accommodation

    You stay in the volunteer house in the Nairobi suburbs, sharing with other volunteers and interns from around the world working across our Kenyan projects. Rooms are shared, and that mix is a large part of what makes the placement work – you arrive on your own and end up with a group to travel with at weekends.

    The house has the basic amenities you need rather than luxury: running water, electricity, communal living space and somewhere to eat together. A local coordinator manages it and is available throughout your stay.

    Your school will be nearby, reached by matatu or on foot depending on the placement, and the team will show you the route on your first day.

    Food & Beverages

    Two meals a day are provided at the volunteer house and included in your fee. Expect Kenyan home cooking – ugali, sukuma wiki, rice, beans, stews, chapati and plenty of fresh fruit.

    Lunch is not included, and on school days most volunteers eat at or near the placement. It costs very little.

    Vegetarians are easy to accommodate; note any dietary requirements on your application form and remind the house team when you arrive. Drink bottled or filtered water rather than tap water.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. 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

    Start dates: weekly, year-round – but see the note on school holidays before choosing your dates.

    Airport: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi (NBO). You will be met on arrival by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer house. Orientation follows, then your introduction to the school.

    Airport drop-off at the end is not included, but can be arranged locally for an extra charge.

    Visa: Kenya requires an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) for most nationalities, applied for online in advance. Apply well before you fly rather than assuming you can sort it on arrival.

    Health: yellow fever vaccination is required if arriving from a country where it is present, and antimalarials are recommended for travel outside Nairobi. See a travel clinic before departure.

    Spending money: budget for lunches, local transport (matatus are cheap) and weekend trips – safaris are the significant cost, so plan for them.

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

    Program Fees

    $205 per week 4 - 24 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES

    Duration

    4 - 24 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.

    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
    4.5
    Top Pick
    One of the top picks on Volunteer World, according to travelers

    Location

    Africa > Eastern Africa > Kenya > Nairobi

    Meet your project coordinator

    Sahil
    29
    reviews
    4.54
    Fantastic
    2007
    Founded

    Verified

      Below average response rate
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    Volunteer Abroad  >  Education  >  Primary School in Kenya
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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