Malindi is a historic and popular coastal town located in Kilifi County, Kenya, approximately 120 km northeast of Mombasa. Renowned for its Swahili, Arab, and Italian influences—often referred to as "Little Italy"—it boasts stunning white-sand beaches, the Malindi Marine National Park, the 15th-century Vasco da Gama Pillar, and the nearby 12th-century Gede Ruin. The local community primarily revolves around fishing, tourism, and agriculture. Women in Kilifi County encounter significant vulnerabilities stemming from extreme poverty, deeply rooted patriarchal cultural practices, and high incidences of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Around 45% of women aged 15-49 in this area have faced physical or sexual violence; however, through UCESCO and the efforts of volunteers, we are working to empower them to integrate into society, care for their families with dignity, and earn respect within their communities.
This program is perfect for Open-minded and empathetic volunteers who are keen on gender equality and assisting women in enhancing their skills. As you will be volunteering alongside local staff, you don’t need to have experience in HIV/AIDS support, literacy, financial literacy, tailoring, business development, or essential life skills or women’s education. However, it is highly advisable to acquire some knowledge in these fields before your arrival in Kenya. The primary aim of this project is to empower women through income-generating projects, education and skills training. Volunteers may also have the opportunity to take part in outreach and HIV/AIDS education campaigns in the local communities and food programs in schools.
As a volunteer on the Women’s Education project in Malindi, Kilifi, Mombasa, Kenya, you will work closely with centers that support vulnerable women and assist in a range of areas, including counseling, skills training, providing education and childcare. This project is particularly good for those with skills and interests in arts, Farming and craft-making, as well as an interest in supporting women to become self-sufficient. Volunteer duties may include helping with:
- Farming
- Sewing and tailoring
- Candle-making
- Jewelry creation
- Courses on finance and small business management
Other activities you can engage in during your leisure time
Turtle monitoring and nest protection, beach patrols, conservation awareness sessions, and support at rescue centers.
- Beach Clean-Up (Mombasa, Mtwapa & Kilifi)
Coastal clean-up activities, waste audits, community involvement initiatives, and marine pollution awareness campaigns.
- Ecofarm & Ecotourism (Kilifi)
Kitchen gardening, small-scale organic farming, eco-learning farm tours, and training for sustainable livelihoods.
- Teaching (Mombasa & Kilifi)
Classroom assistance, literacy and numeracy sessions, mentorship initiatives, and extracurricular activities.
- Mangrove Conservation & Restoration (Kilifi & Mombasa)
Mangrove nursery operations, seedling planting, site restoration efforts, and community conservation education.
- Education Support (Mombasa & Kilifi)
School visits, provision of learning materials, student mentorship, career guidance, and educational awareness programs.
As you get ready to embark on your volunteer journey, we kindly ask you to familiarize yourself with the following essential guidelines.
1. Kenyan Currency, Mobile Phones, and Internet Access
- Having a mobile phone will enable you to stay in touch with your family and friends. Local SIM cards are available, with Safaricom being the predominant provider. A SIM card can be purchased for approximately 1 US Dollar, offering competitive rates. The local currency is the Kenyan Shilling, and you can exchange money at malls or withdraw cash from ATMs. U.S. dollars are accepted for entrance fees at National Parks.
- Acquiring a local SIM card enables you to access M-Pesa, a popular and user-friendly mobile payment platform in Kenya. This facilitates seamless transactions, whether in markets, for transport fares, or even in remote villages across Kenya, eliminating the need to carry cash. This is particularly beneficial as taxi drivers often claim they lack change and may retain excess amounts. With M-Pesa, you can pay the exact fare required, unless you choose to provide a tip. Additionally, you can top up your M-Pesa account using services such as Wise.
- Internet access is available via Wi-Fi in accommodations, workplaces, and public areas such as cafes and shopping centers. Alternatively, modem sticks for laptops can be purchased for additional connectivity options.
2. Packing Essentials (Required items):
- eTA-Visa, which can be obtained via this link (https://www.etakenya.go.ke/de/evisa)
- Passport (ensure it is valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry),
- Yellow Fever vaccination certificate,
- credit card and/or cash,
- power adapter for local outlets.
- Recommended items: personal toiletries, travel pillow, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, durable footwear or shoes suitable for outdoor use, fanny pack, compact power bank, hairdryer, and clothing suitable for the weather (check the forecast before your arrival, as conditions may vary from your departure location). Laundry services are available for an additional fee.
3. What can you expect on your first day with UCESCO
- Upon your arrival, a member of the UCESCO team, either Kingsley or another representative, will meet you at the airport, and communication will be facilitated via WhatsApp. Your orientation is scheduled for the first weekday at the UCESCO office located in Tudor, Makupa Roundabout. If you arrive during the weekend, we can arrange a brief city tour or a one- to two-day safari; however, your first visit to the project will occur on Monday. The Mombasa Brunch Manager will introduce you to the organization and its various initiatives, so feel free to ask her any questions you may have. You will have the opportunity to tour the School and other projects, with the day concluding around 2 PM. Following this, you may choose to visit the mall to acquire a SIM card (a passport is required) and set up an M-Pesa account.
