Program Summary

Crop Diversification Program

The Farmer's Field School is alleviating poverty and hunger by helping farmers (mostly women) learn new agricultural techniques, diversify their crops and greatly increase crop yields. Agriculture - particularly subsistence farming- is the primary livelihood of most people in rural Kenya. Most farmers grow maize exclusively - the mainstay of the local diet - and struggle to grow enough to feed their own families.

The local organization is working with the Farmer's Field School to bring their practices to the Takaungu area. A trained facilitator teaches the local farmers about new techniques and inputs that can improve crop yields.The farmers have learned to diversify their crops through this program and have begun to grow tomatoes, onions, cow peas, watermelons and radishes. This crop diversification is helping to preserve soil quality and ensure that increased output can be sustained.

Sewing Club

The sewing club was one of the first projects that was initiated in the Takaungu area and has become one of the most exciting and successful projects.

Classes of 14 (mostly women) come to the club five days a week to learn how to sew, both by hand and using a pedal sewing machine. Over the course of the one-year class, students learn how to make items such as bags, quilts, aprons, baby dresses and shirts. On days when class is not in session, participants can come to the club to make items and practice their skills.The finished products are sold by the local organization and the profits are shared by the members of the sewing club.

Business Skills Training

the local organization offers classes in basic business skills offers as par to their adult education program. In these classes, potential entrepreneurs learn about supply and demand, costing, saving, financing, record-keeping, and marketing among other things.

At a Glance

Minimum Program Length:	2 weeks
Start Date:	Every Monday
Arrival Date:	2 days prior to your Start Date (Saturday)
Minimum Age:	18 years old
Volunteer Gender:	Male and Female
Accommodation:	During their stay, all volunteers are housed with host families in the community they will be based. They will be provided with their own room which will have a bed with pillow and wardrobe with dresser. Since we started hosting volunteers, no volunteer has reported any problems with personal safety (or any other major issue). Also, our volunteer houses always have security at night.
Food:	They will be provided with free meals each day. The food is local and nutritious. Vegetarians are also catered for. Takaungu and the surrounding areas are very safe.
Pick-up Info:	A Volunteer Visions representative will be at the airport in Mombasa (or Malindi) to pick you up and will return you to the airport upon the completion of your volunteer experience.
Project Schedule:	Volunteers will participate in their program 4-6 hours from Monday to Friday. During the weekends, volunteers are free to travel to explore local communities or engage in activities with their homestay family.

Your role as a Volunteer

You will be helping out in the sewing club, crop diversification and the business skills training program. Depending on your skills and interests, you will focud on ones specific project but will also have the choice to contribute to other projects as well. The following are activities that you will partake in through these programs:

• :: Operating a sewing club at the Center where local men and women learn basic tailoring skills in order to make items to market in Kenya and abroad. Income from these items goes to support the Center as well as to the women and men who make them.


• :: Running the Farmer's Field School which educates local men and women on higher yield farming techniques in order to encourage marketing of their products.


• :: Provide bi-monthly business skills training classes at the Center.


• :: Acting as a liaison between local residents and micro-lending organizations: Existing programs can provide people with the initial capital necessary to begin their own small businesses. Sometimes, three or four dollars is all they need to begin a business that can educate, feed and clothe their families.

Project Location

The village of Takaungu is a warm and welcoming traditional rural community located on the coast. Its red dirt roads lined with palm trees, white sandy beaches, and idyllic society make it the ideal place to get a taste of the African experience.

The Takaungu sub-location has a total population of approximately 10,000 people. Takaungu is the largest village in the Takaungu sub-location with a population of about 5,000. The other villages included in this sub-location include Vuma, Vijiweni, Kayanda, Kanyumbuni, Mavueni, and Mkwajuni.

Takaungu village is a short journey from Mombasa, a bustling port city alive with Swahili, Kenyan and Indian culture. Takaungu has all of the charm of a rural village, while still being within reach of many of the exciting aspects of Kenya's incredible environmental and cultural tourist destinations. Although some aspects of modern life are lacking in Takaungu (internet cafes, banks and modern grocery stores), all necessities are just a short journey away, located in nearby Kilifi town. There are landline and mobile phone services available in the village, as well as the popular boda-boda (bicycle taxi) transport. Volunteers in Takaungu never complain about the small inconveniences, as they are usually too busy making friends with the local residents, marveling at the beaches, or attending social events to even notice the lack of western luxuries.

There are only two seasons of mention on Kenya's coast. The cooler rainy season begins in April and lasts through to September. The warmer dry season reigns from October to March. "Dry" merely refers to the near-total absence of rain. March is the hottest month. May to August are the cool months. June is the coolest. As far as agriculture is concerned, planting is done in early May. Harvest is August and September.

Local Activities and Attractions

The local beach is called "Kitangani." It's a postcard and located less than 1 mile from Takaungu village. Kivukoni is the local name for what might otherwise be called the "Takaungu Creek." In actuality it's a salt-water inlet with no connection to any fresh water source. When the water "is full" (high tide), it's the best place to swim, next to mangroves and sometimes you can see monkeys in the trees.

In addition to weekends, volunteers are welcome to take 5 travel/vacation days off during their stay.

Here is a list of near by destinations you may be interested in: Mombasa - many sites to see in this old and historic coastal city; Lamu - magical island at the northern end of the Kenyan coast, Lamu seems to be the richest Kenyan preserve of Swahili culture; Malindi, Watamu and South Coast Mombasa are great locations for snorkeling and relaxing on pristine beaches. Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks - both great places to go on safari to see lions, zebras, elephants and other animals that make East Africa famous for it's wildlife.

Just outside Kenya there are other popular places to visit such as Zanzibar Island; The Great Serengeti in Tanzania; Trekking on Mt. Kilimanjaro; Kampala - Uganda's capital city located on Lake Victoria; white water rafting in Jinja - located at the mouth of the Nile - the longest river in the world.

Eco Safari Tour

Our uniquely designed 2-week eco-cultural safaris enable you to travel to some of the most beautiful and exotic locations in Africa. You will experience local cultures, while volunteering part of your time assisting communities and/or conserving the environment. The program starts with a 1-week stay in Takaungu village on the coast of Kenya. You will spend one day in a highly informative orientation on the local culture, language, history etc. You will then have the opportunity to assist with one or more development related projects undertaken by a local grassroots development organization, the East African Center. In addition to assisting with development project(s), you will have the opportunity to experience/observe the following :

• :: Traditional palm wine and coconut oil manufacturing
• :: Village nature walks
• :: Traditional rope making
• :: Visit to the local schools
• :: Preparation and eating of local cuisine
• :: Henna / hair braiding
• :: Traditional singing and dancing
• :: Swimming at the local picturesque beach

On your second week you will take a 5-day tour of the countryside. The tour will include the following

• :: A visit to the marine park where you may be able to do some snorkeling (between October -March)
• :: A day tour of Mombasa including visits to Old Town, Fort Jesus, the market and shopping for souvenirs
• :: A two night stay at an exclusive 5 star beach resort
• :: An overnight stay at the shimba rainforest
• :: Two day safari to Tsavo National Park where you will have a chance to see literally hundreds of wild animals
• :: An overnight stay at the exclusive Voi Safari lodge within Tsavo National Park

The cost of the Eco-cultural safari is $1,500 USD. The fee covers food, accommodation, sightseeing and all your transportation during your stay. The eco -cultural safaris begin on the 5th of each month. A portion of the fe goes towards supporting local the local organization that you will be working with. If you are interested in joining the eco-cultural safari, please mention it in our questions and comments section of our application form.

Suggested Skills and Interests

Most importantly the volunteers need to be open-minded, show initiative, have patience and ability to think creatively to overcome challenges. Self-motivation is very important as well. Volunteers should respect the culture, dress codes, and traditions very closely. They need to be flexible with local foods, accommodations and systems of living. Specific skills or trades that have been found in previous volunteers include, but are not limited to: teachers, health care professionals, social workers, community developers, construction workers, business professionals.

Suggested Donations

Donations of books, pens, notebooks, basic medical supplies, clothes, blankets, hygienic items, games etc. are welcomed. For large sum donations, please contact the Volunteer Visions office.