School volunteering in Watamu

This is one education project at the same school in Watamu. The school welcomes different age groups, and you can choose with the team whether to support children aged 1–6 or 6–12. Local educators and teachers guide the activities and remain responsible for each class.

With younger children, you can share games, songs, stories and simple learning materials, as well as help with daily routines. Take time to watch how the children join in, learn from their educators and adapt your ideas to their ages.

With older children, you can help them practise English through games, stories, conversations and exercises, or prepare visual and creative resources. Agree activities with the teachers, who know the group’s level and needs. Your role is to support the staff rather than replace them.

At the end of the day, prepare the next activities with other participants and talk things through with the coordinator. You don’t need a specific qualification, but intermediate English, patience and a willingness to adapt to the school’s routine are important.

The setting can change during school holidays. The team usually arranges English camps, sports and community learning or creative activities. Other community activities may be offered if these aren’t possible. Follow the safeguarding rules and staff guidance on photos, gifts and outings throughout your stay.

Watamu is part of the experience beyond school too. Orientation helps you get to know the neighbourhood and transport, while the guesthouse is a shared base for meals, conversations and free-time plans. Who’s there changes throughout the year, so the group won’t always have the same size or mix of people.

Starts are weekly, on Mondays. During term time, you work with the school. In the holidays, activities may become English camps, sports, creative workshops or community learning activities. The setting and group can differ from month to month.

If the children aren’t available, the team may suggest other community projects. Public holidays, exams, local conditions and weather can also affect the programme. Before choosing your dates, we’ll discuss the activities expected for that period, without promising a particular class all year round.

🏡 In Watamu, you’ll stay together with other participants in the volunteer guesthouse. It’s a shared base for meals, unwinding after activities and making free-time plans. There’s space to swap ideas after school and meet people with different experiences. The number of participants and where they come from vary through the year.

Rooms are shared and lockable, with fans, bedding and hot showers. Bathrooms are shared too. Bring a towel, as one isn’t provided. There is no air conditioning, safe or mosquito net, so pack for the coastal climate and follow travel-health advice about protection from insects.

Three meals a day on weekdays, two at weekends and drinking water are included. Meals mainly feature Kenyan cooking: rice, vegetables, potatoes, eggs, chapati and seasonal fruit are some examples. Tell us about dietary needs and allergies before booking. Many needs can be accommodated with notice, but the team must check your individual situation.

Wi-Fi is available in shared spaces. A local SIM is still recommended for easier communication when you’re out. There is no on-site laundry; nearby services cost extra. Rooms are cleaned at weekends, while everyone helps keep shared spaces tidy during the week.

Your included stay runs from Sunday to midday on the Saturday of your final week. Early arrivals and extra nights must be agreed before departure, depend on availability and cost extra.

🛡️ Getting to know a different daily routine is easier when you understand the setting and know who to turn to. In Watamu, local coordinators provide training and supervision, with a team contact available for emergencies 24/7. During school activities, follow the teachers’ guidance. In your free time, ask the team for advice and plan your journeys independently.

Your first Monday includes a briefing on health, safety, house rules and appropriate behaviour. Keep emergency contacts on your phone and on paper. Share your outings with the team and ask for advice about routes and transport. Avoid walking alone at night, keep valuables secure, and lock your room and bags when you go out.

For the HeyLocals check of your criminal history, complete the self-declaration in your personal area. This is the document you need for that step. You’ll also be asked for a passport copy when you register. At orientation, you’ll receive the safeguarding policy to read and sign. Follow staff guidance on photos, gifts and outings, and keep contact with children within the agreed school activities.

Participants need to be 18 or over and have intermediate English. A medical fitness certificate is also required for teaching participants over 65. Discuss any needs that may affect your participation before travel so the team can consider possible adjustments with you.

Travel insurance is required and is bought separately. Check that it covers the planned activities, medical expenses and any necessary transfer or repatriation. Consult official travel advice and a travel-health clinic for your itinerary. On the coast, take care with sun, hydration and insect bites. Follow local guidance and the day’s conditions for sea activities and transport.

Before departure, also check the local health-cover requirements for entry to Kenya, even if you already have travel insurance. Check the current conditions on the government e-Citizen portal and in official travel advice for your journey.

🧭 Monday of your first week is for compulsory orientation. Before joining the project, meet the team and other participants and learn how the guesthouse and activities work. School activities normally begin on Tuesday.

The morning covers the programme, expectations, house rules, health and safety. The team introduces Kenyan culture and everyday customs, followed by a first Swahili lesson. Learning a few words is a simple way to start greeting people and finding your feet. The working language requirement remains intermediate English.

When working with children, follow the guidance on safeguarding and classroom behaviour. Bring your ideas and take time to learn from the people who know the children. Prepare activities together with the staff. Games and materials should suit the group’s ages and needs.

The afternoon includes a guided look around Watamu, information about local transport and services, and help buying a SIM if you need one. In the evening, meet the coordinator to discuss the week and have dinner with fellow participants. It’s time to get to know one another and ask practical questions, from the next day’s activities to getting around. The order may change to suit local needs.

During orientation, choose with the team whether to join the 1–6 or 6–12 age group. Both are part of the same school. The staff will introduce you to the group and help you prepare suitable activities.

✈️ Fly into Moi International Airport in Mombasa (MBA). Share your itinerary with us before booking so we can check it fits the arrival arrangements and your first Monday of orientation. Don’t assume a transfer from Nairobi to Watamu is included; that journey requires a separate arrangement.

Shared airport pickup is included on Saturday and Sunday, at any time, once you’ve sent your travel details. Your included accommodation starts on Sunday, so arriving on Saturday may mean paying for an extra night. Special or private transfers on other days, and any extra accommodation, must be arranged in advance and cost extra. There is no collection service for overland arrivals: agree your plans with the team before travelling.

After collecting your bags and clearing customs, head to the outdoor arrivals area. A representative will wait with a sign showing your name. You may need to wait for other participants before setting off together. The shared journey to Watamu usually takes around two and a half hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.

If you can’t find your representative, stay at the meeting point and call the contacts provided before departure. If you can’t reach them, send a message and try again. Agree what to do next before making your own way to the accommodation. Let the team know promptly about flight changes or delays.

Programme accommodation ends at midday on the Saturday of your final week. Return airport travel is your responsibility; the staff can help you arrange a private taxi or shared transport. A flight on Saturday afternoon or later generally leaves more time for the journey and airport procedures. For a very early flight, you may want to travel to Mombasa the day before and pay for an overnight stay there. Sunday departures or extra nights need to be agreed beforehand and depend on availability.

Flights, entry documents, insurance and personal expenses are separate from the programme. Check current requirements for your passport and itinerary. We’ll help you gather the information needed to prepare, including an invitation letter if required.