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Frequently Asked Questions.
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Once you decide to venture abroad to live or work, a whole new vista of experience opens up for you. From the moment you get onto the aeroplane, everything is new, different and exciting. Below is a list of compiled questions and answers volunteers ask:
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When can I start?
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Whenever you want to- the choice is yours. Almost all of our projects accept volunteers on a rolling basis, but please see each individual project for any date restrictions.
For example, teaching placements cannot start at the beginning of the local school holidays, particularly if they are long holidays.
Also bear in mind that some projects are extremely popular, but can only accept a limited number of volunteers at any given time.
So the further in advance you can book, the better your chances of getting the project you want.
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How long do placements last?
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Naserian Ventures prides itself on its flexibility.
You choose how long your placement lasts as well as your own starting date.
Our mini-adventures range from four days to two weeks, but our placements can range from two weeks to six months.
We have found the most popular length to be between one and three months.
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What kind of insurance do I need?
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It is a requirement that all our volunteers purchase comprehensive travel insurance in order to join our program. If you are not sure what kind of policy you want, just contact one of our travel advisors who will advise you, and suggest a couple of reliable companies we have worked with in the past.
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Where will I be staying?
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We use many different types of accommodation.
For example, whilst on a teaching placement, you will most likely be staying with a host family.
Some families will merely house and feed you and leave you to your own devices, but most families will 'adopt' you and make you an integrated part of their household.
You may find yourself sharing an apartment with another Naserian Ventures volunteer or you might even stay for a short while in a hotel.
On our conservation projects you will probably be staying in a variety of accommodation, ranging from tents to guest houses in the national parks.
We are always open to suggestions, though, and will bear in mind any preferences you make clear to us during the application process.
Wherever you are placed, we guarantee that it is safe and comfortable. And contrary to the opinion of some our past volunteers, the occasional weird bug in your room does not constitute a breach in safety.
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What kind of food can I expect?
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This depends on where you stay. If you are staying with a host family, you will be eating breakfast and dinner with them, and can look forward to authentic home-cooked Kenyan cuisine. Breakfast will usually consist of tea, toast, eggs and fruit.
You may have to arrange for your own lunch in town, which is simple enough, as there are restaurants and cafes everywhere.
A word of warning for vegetarians, Kenya is a meat-lover’s paradise and roast meat barbeques in the evenings are a staple.
On conservation placements, depending on how comfortable you are with cooking, you can either prepare your own meals, or we can arrange for a chef to do it for you.
Meals in Kenya will probably be quite different to what you are used to, so don’t be surprised to see a man wielding a machete chasing a goat round the back after you’ve ordered some barbeque meat.
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Do you give guidelines on safety issues?
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Yes, we do. We give you an exhaustively comprehensive safety guide that contains lots of useful information, both general and specific, about staying safe in Kenya.
Personal safety is mostly plain common sense, but it’s something we take very seriously, so once we have confirmed your placement, we will send you the guide, which has been compiled over time by Naserian Ventures staff, past volunteers and other information resources.
We also advise you to invest in a traveler’s guide to Kenya (Lonely Planet and Rough Guide are both pretty good, and they’ll also give you ideas about where to travel after your placement).
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How do I get a Visa?
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You can collect one from your nearest Kenyan Embassy. Several Online companies sell them for a small charge and will send them quickly.
You can also buy them on arrival but it does take time and you may be waiting a while in a queue!
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Why do I have to pay to volunteer?
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Naserian Ventures is not a charity and does not receive any financial support or sponsorship.
The only way for us to continue our work is by volunteers covering their own unavoidable costs, which include:
- Accommodation, meals and transportation
- Investing in and developing projects to make them accessible for volunteers
- Paying local staff to offer support while you are on placement.
- Administrative costs.
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What happens after I have applied?
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Once you decide that we are the right organization for you, and we decide that you are the right volunteer for us, we will formally offer you a place on your chosen project for your selected dates.
At this point, a deposit of 70 sterling pounds will be required to secure your place, and the final balance will be due 90 days before your arrival date.
Once your place has been secured, you will be sent a Welcome pack and one of our travel advisors will call you again for a follow-up conversation about what to expect.
Remember, you’re free to call us anytime if you have any questions during this process. That’s what we’re here for!
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I still have more questions, what do I do?
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Just send us an e-mail or give us a call. Our travel advisors are paid to be on hand to answer any and all of your questions, so make use of them.
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