This opportunity allows you to contribute to meaningful projects while gaining hands-on experience in nonprofit operations, communications, and leadership.
Work alongside passionate professionals and international volunteers to support life-changing initiatives that empower children, youth, and underserved communities.
About the Role
This volunteer position is ideal for individuals who want to gain real-world NGO experience while contributing their skills to a growing organization.
You will support key operations in:
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NGO management & strategy
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Media & communications
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Administration & reporting
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Fundraising & outreach
Your contribution directly helps improve efficiency, expand impact, and reach more vulnerable communities. 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.
Below are some of the projects we ran as an organization
1. Peggy Lucas Centre of Hope School
What they do:
PEGGY LUCAS is a kindergarten and primary school located in the heart of Kibera, the largest slum in Africa. This school offers early childhood and primary education in a safe, nurturing space, with a focus on holistic child development.
Who they cater to:
Young children aged 3–13 years old from families experiencing severe economic hardship, currently with a population of 266 learners.
Main Needs/challenges:
- Food support for daily school meals
- Stationery and learning materials
- Library books, especially storybooks for younger children
- Poor infrastructure (classroom repairs, painting).School iron sheets as the current roof is leaking
- Toys for small children
- First aid supplies
- Scholarships for education support
2. MVETI – Institute for Women Empowerment
What they do:
MVETI is an empowerment center that equips young men and women mostly single mothers with practical skills such as hairdressing, tailoring, beauty therapy, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. and now seek soft skills to become self-reliant and reduce dependency.Their goal is to create self-reliance and economic empowerment.
Who they cater to:
Young women, survivors of hardship, teenage mothers, and women seeking livelihood opportunities.
16 years and above (young women & mothers)
Main challenges:
Lack of training materials, equipment shortages, and limited funding to support trainees.
Specific supplies needed:
- Beauty products (Towels, hair products, combs and brushes, nail supplies, nail dryers, training mannequins used for vocational training)
- Sewing materials and basic business tools.
- Foreign language learning materials
- Soft transferable skills materials
- Sanitary towels
- Diapers for their young children
- Stationery
3. New Horizon School High School
What they do:
New Horizons offers secondary education with a strong focus on mentorship, discipline, and personal growth.
This secondary school serves about 200 students from Form 1 to 4 in Mashimoni, part of Kibera.
14–19 years old (high school students).
Who they cater to:
Students from vulnerable backgrounds whose families often struggle to meet school fees.
13–19 years old (high school students).
Main Needs/challenges:
- High need for sponsorship, limited access to technology, insufficient learning resources, and infrastructural needs.
- Computers for digital literacy
- Food support
- Classroom renovations
- Desks and school furniture
4. Havillah School HAVILLAH is a school serving kids aged 3 to 13 in northern Kibera with around 140 children.
Main needs/Challenges:
- Food
- Stationery
- Books
- Clothes
5. Bright Achievers High School
What they do:
Bright Achievers provides secondary education to teenagers from low-income households. The school focuses on academic performance, character building, and personal development.
Who they cater to:
Students from vulnerable backgrounds whose families often struggle to meet school fees.
13–19 years old (high school students).
Main Needs/challenges:
- Food
- Digital literacy equipment (computers)
- Limited learning materials(books, textbooks, and notebooks)
- Science lab equipment
- Desks
- Sports equipment
- Music instruments
6. UCESCO Africa Free Annual Medical Camp
We periodically run free medical camps across the poor communities we are serving. We focus on at any given time are determined by the communities with the highest need. The more volunteers we recruit, the more outreach initiatives the local team can implement, allowing us to assist additional need communities. We engage a local doctor to lead these campaigns and oversee the volunteers. Our team consistently provides the necessary medical supplies and equipment. Additionally, an interpreter is hired to assist local medical volunteers in overcoming language barriers when communicating with patients.
What it does:
The Annual Free Medical Camp provides essential medical services, including general checkups, dental care, maternal health, mental health consultations, and medication.
Who it serves:
Children, adults, the elderly, and individuals who lack access to basic healthcare.
Main challenges:
Medication shortages and the need for more medical equipment.
7. Dalton School – Samburu
What they do:
Dalton School is a school located in the remote Samburu region of Northern Kenya. with very high illiteracy levels. The school provides basic education, safety, and daily structure to children living in pastoralist communities, many of whom face harsh living conditions and long distances to reach school.
Who they cater to:
The school serves young children from semi-nomadic families, including girls who are at higher risk of early marriage, limited access to education, and cultural barriers to schooling. Many students walk long distances each day to attend classes.
The learners are between 5–14 years old. It has 87 students who greatly benefit from any form of educational support.
Main Needs/challenges:
- Limited access to food and clean water.
- Very few textbooks Studying books, especially storybooks to polish grammar.
- Children often lack school uniforms and shoes
- Scholarships to keep students in school
- Hygiene supplies like toothpaste and soap
- Toys, as many children here rarely get them
- Poor infrastructure ( limited furniture)
- Lack of electricity and minimal access to technology
- Despite these challenges, the school remains a safe space where children can learn, play, and receive mentorship.
8. Dreams of Hope Rescue Center – Daytime Safe Space for Girls & Children-Kibera
What they do:
Dreams of Hope Rescue Center provides a safe daytime environment for vulnerable girls and children, especially during school holidays when they are most exposed to neglect, unsafe environments, or a lack of supervision. The center provides holiday engagement activities to keep children safe and focused from Community peer influence, like drugs. e.t.c.It has around 60 kids.
Who they cater to:
- Girls escaping difficult or dangerous home situations
- Children from communities where supervision is limited during holiday periods.
- Young girls need protection, emotional support, and stability.
- Children who require a safe space to learn, play, and grow during school breaks.
- They range between the ages of 7 to 17 years old.
- The center not only protects them but also offers positive development activities that build confidence and resilience.
Main challenges:
- Limited food supplies and basic necessities
- Need for learning materials and recreational items
- Hygiene supplies.
- Shortage of trained caregivers and mentors
- Craft and mentorship items
- Need for emotional, educational, and social support programs
9. Page Vision Primary School
What they do:
A primary school providing foundational education, meals, and emotional support to young children.
Who they cater to:
Children from families living in extreme poverty.
A primary school serving children aged 5–13 years from very needy homes.
Main Needs/challenges:
- Sports equipment
- Food program support
- Renovations around the school
- Desks
- school uniforms/shoes
- overcrowded classrooms
- Limited play/learning materials.
10. Shining Hope School
What they do:
Located in Mathare, Kenya’s second largest slum, SHINING HOPE serves children aged 1–7 years. Shining Hope School in Mathare provides early childhood and primary education to children from highly vulnerable households. The school focuses on holistic development—education, nutrition, emotional support, and safety.
Who they cater to:
- Young children aged 1–7 living in extreme poverty
- Children who rely on school for one of their daily meals
- Students needing emotional support, routine, and a safe environment
Main Needs/ challenges:
- Severe food shortages
- Lack of school uniforms and shoes
- Inadequate classroom infrastructure
- Library/story books
- Shortage of play and recreational items.
- Hygiene products
11. Kibera Primary Eco-Farm & Sports ProjectThis primary school caters to children aged 3–14 years and works with UCESCO through eco-farm development,
sports, and life skills programs.
Their needs include:
- Seedlings for the eco-farm
- Sports equipment
- Stationery
12. Treeside Special Needs SchoolTREESIDE supports children with disabilities who are deaf, autistic, or have developmental challenges. The total population is around 82 kids.
UCESCO mostly engages through therapy games, eco-farm activities, and community service.
Main needs include:
- Food
- Seedlings
- Braille materials
- Hearing aids
13. Paradise HomeA children's care center/orphanage for children aged 4–14 years. It has around 40 kids.
Needs:
- Game equipment
- Kids’ toys
- Stationery
14. Hope Kids – MathareA community empowerment program supporting different age groups. It caters to over 150 community members.
Needs:
- Painting materials
- Mentorship books
- Food for needy families
15. YAMOSCO Micro-Empowerment CentreAn empowerment initiative offering soft skills and entrepreneurship training. It has an estimated of 40 students.
Needs:
- Soft skills materials
- Entrepreneurship tools
- Basic office supplies
16. Medical Clinic – Kiberaoffers accessible healthcare to vulnerable families in Kibera.
Main needs include:
- Medicines
- Non-pharmaceutical disposables
- Sanitary products
As you get ready to embark on your volunteer journey in Kenya, 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. US 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. 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 volunteer coordinator, 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 Peggy Lucas 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.
4. Exploration Opportunities (Tours and Safaris)
- UCESCO-AFRICA invites you to delve into the vibrant lifestyle and culture of Kenya. If you are interested in safaris or travel experiences, our affiliated company, Meaningful Tours and Travel, provides budget-friendly safari options, hotel bookings, flight arrangements, and travel insurance.
- Weekends are an ideal time for our volunteers to uncover the marvels of our nation through safaris. For trips outside Nairobi, such as to Masai Mara or Samburu, we recommend a minimum stay of two nights and three days (Friday to Sunday) to fully enjoy the experience. In contrast, safaris within or close to Nairobi can be completed in one or two days, typically over the weekend. Our organization is dedicated to ensuring you have sufficient time to explore Kenya, as we believe experiencing the rich lifestyle and culture of Africa is vital during your visit.
- Meaningful Tours and Travel Kenya, a premier travel agency, offers an exciting selection of upcoming tours and extraordinary destinations within this beautiful East African gem. From the famous savannahs of the Maasai Mara to the pristine beaches along the Kenyan coast, their thoughtfully crafted tours will immerse you in Kenya's diverse landscapes, wildlife, and cultures. Experience the Great Rift Valley, witness the Big Five in their natural habitats, and engage with local communities through enriching cultural experiences. With Meaningful Tours and Travel, you are not just visiting Kenya; you are discovering its true essence. Join us on a transformative journey that showcases the beauty of Kenya and creates unforgettable memories. Turn your travel aspirations into reality.
