Mombasa, Kenya's historic second-largest city, serves as a crucial port on the Indian Ocean. It is renowned for its stunning white-sand beaches, a rich blend of Swahili, Arab, and European cultures, and historic landmarks such as Fort Jesus. The city boasts diverse marine life and enjoys a warm tropical climate, making it a premier tourist destination in East Africa. Often referred to as the "White and Blue City" due to its distinctive architecture and coastal views.
The tasks associated with NGO management volunteer roles encompass a variety of support functions essential for operational efficiency. These include
- Administrative duties such as filing, making calls, and managing data
- Marketing efforts involving social media engagement, content creation, and event promotion
- Fundraising activities that consist of planning events and drives
- Project support that covers logistics, community engagement, and reporting, as well as volunteer coordination, which involves onboarding and providing support.
Each of these elements plays a vital role in ensuring the organization operates effectively and fulfills its mission.
1. Administrative Support
General Office Tasks: Responsibilities include filing, photocopying, answering phone calls, and typing documents.
Data Management: This involves designing surveys, analyzing data, and writing reports.
Logistics: Tasks include managing guest lists, liaising with vendors (such as catering and venues), arranging transport, and organizing seating for events.
2. Marketing & Communications
Content Creation: This includes producing videos, crafting inspiring stories, and developing engaging posts for social media.
Outreach: Responsibilities involve managing social media accounts, distributing invitations, promoting events, and conducting online marketing.
Awareness: This entails sharing the organization’s mission and its impact through online platforms.
3. Fundraising & Events
Event Planning: This includes identifying suitable venues, organizing catering services, and managing logistics on the day of the event.
Fundraising Drives: Responsibilities involve organizing supply drives or sales to gather necessary items.
Sponsorship: This includes marketing efforts directed at local businesses to secure sponsorships.
4. Project & Program Support
Project Maintenance: This involves assisting with the upkeep of sites, including gardens and facilities. Community Engagement: Responsibilities include teaching basic skills, such as English.
Strategic Support: This entails developing procedures aimed at enhancing overall performance.
5. Volunteer Management (for experienced volunteers)
Recruitment: This includes assisting in the search for and onboarding of new volunteers.
Onboarding & Training: Responsibilities involve orienting new volunteers to the organization’s culture and operational processes.
Support: This includes fostering camaraderie and providing support to current volunteers.
Other ways you Can Help as a volunteer Volunteers play an important role in supporting these communities. You can contribute in the following ways:
1. Giving Donations Priority needs include:
- Food supplies
- Tuition fees & school sponsorships
- School uniforms & school shoes
- Textbooks, reading books, notebooks
- Computers and tablets
- Board games, educational games
- Paint and art supplies to improve school appearance
- Materials for school infrastructure repairs (desks, chairs, roofing, wiring)
- MVETI-specific supplies: towels, hair products, nail supplies, nail dryers, beauty equipment.
2. Supporting Extracurricular ProgramsVolunteers can help establish or run:
- Art clubs
- Social media & content creation groups
- School journalism clubs
- Science clubs
- Mental health awareness sessions
- Music, dance, or drama workshops
- Swimming or sports training infrastructure (Playing ground for children)
Examples of Past Volunteer Activities- A previous volunteer took art-interested students from Kibera to an Art Academy for practical exposure.
- Another volunteer hosted a dance class, which became one of the most memorable experiences for the students.
- Some volunteers have conducted digital literacy workshops and photography classes.
3. Establishing PartnershipsVolunteers can use their networks to:
- Connect schools with companies for long-term sponsorships
- Source donations of learning materials or equipment
- Introduce mentorship programs
- Support sustainability projects (e.g., water tanks, school gardens)
- Support with medical supplies like medicines and medical equipment for the annual free medical camp.
- Partnerships created by volunteers often lead to lasting, meaningful change.
As you get ready to embark on your volunteer journey in Kenya - Mombasa, 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. Meals
- We offer a consistent weekly menu; however, if you would like an alternative meal, you are encouraged to make your arrangements and utilize the kitchen appliances available in the apartment to prepare your meals.
4. 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 the following day of your arrival. 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 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.
5. 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 such as Malindi, Kilifi, Watamu, 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.”
