Smiles Africa is from the community and supported by the community. We provide you the best link to work directly with and for the marginalized Kenyan community where you can make an actual difference.
To achieve this we offer quality volunteer and internship opportunities that are tailor made to suit the expectations of both the intern and the community.
HOW DO I APPLY
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply for an opportunity to volunteer or be an intern in this project you just need to fill in the application form and send it back to us. Also attach your Curriculum Vitae just for us to ascertain your back ground for the relevance of the project you choose. Send everything to info@smilesafrica.com, you shall get a confirmation from the same email address.
WHAT WILL I PAY
ONE TIME APPLICATION COST
Up to 4 weeks: 300 €
Up to 2 months: 350 €
Up to 3 months: 400 €
Up to 6 months: 450 €
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE COST?
- Professional orientation sessions on the basics of culture, environment, people and
practices for ease of adaptation - Designing the placement through needs assessment of the applying intern/ volunteer
to match with the community project. - Professional guidance on project design to meet the expectations of the intern/
volunteer and for community impact. - Adequate professional coordination before and during the whole internship/ project
period - Communication before, during and after the project period
- 24 hour accessibility and caring during your internship by the Smiles Africa Team
- Donation support to the community
- Prepaid Sim card and its activation for your phone
- Ensuring your requested signed internship certificate
NOT INCLUDED
- Airport pickup and drop off
- Accommodation and Food (up to 300 € a month, group discounts considered)
- Materials for own initiated workshops in the project
- Airfare
- Visa Fee
- Vaccinations
- Internet
- Phone Calls
- Medical insurance
WHERE WILL I STAY
To be reasonably careful on your safety and security and to remain ethically responsible to the local community, we only accept Interns and Volunteers whom we organize for their accommodation and stay.
We offer you accommodation near your project, as well as near to a caring local family to orient you with the local culture where you can also share at least one meal together each week. You will get a hot shower, a flash toilet, a descent bed, electricity connection, free Wi-Fi, room cleaning services each week and garbage collection services. For further information about your specific project and stay, please don’t hesitate to ask.
WHAT YOU NEED FOR YOUR TRIP
- Valid passport at least up to half year after travel
- Photocopy of the passport and other travel documents which should be kept separately with the originals
- Credit/ bank cards, at least two different types
- All necessary vaccinations (check with the local tropical doctor in your country)
- Yellow fever vaccination
- Tetanus, polio and diphtheria vaccination
- Hepatitis A&B vaccination
- Typhoid vaccination
- Necessary Travel insurance
FAQS
1. WHAT KIND OF VISA DO I NEED TO TRAVEL IN KENYA?
Volunteers and visitors need to obtain a Tourist Visa to enter Kenya. Visas are valid for three months from the date of entry and can be purchased upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. You can also get a visa before you travel from Kenyan diplomatic missions overseas,
visit this link: http://kenyaembassy.com/dcservices/appforvisaonline.aspx You should apply well in advance, especially if you are doing it by mail.
A single-entry visa costs USD 50 and a multiple entry visa USD 100. If you are planning on visiting just Kenya, then a single-entry is all you need. If your plans include crossing over to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro or visit the Serengeti, then you’ll need a multiple-entry visa if you wish to re-enter Kenya again.
2. WHAT HEALTH IMMUNIZATION SHOULD I HAVE PRIOR TO MY TRAVEL?
No immunizations are required by law to enter Kenya if you are travelling directly from Europe or the US. If you are travelling from a country where Yellow Fever is present you will need to prove you have had the inoculation.
Several vaccinations are highly recommended, they include:
- Yellow fever vaccination
- Tetanus, polio and diphtheria vaccination
- Hepatitis A&B vaccination
- Typhoid vaccination
3. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SAFETY TIPS YOU RECOMMEND WHILE I AM IN KENYA?
Don’t carry large sums of cash in your purse or pocket or display expensive jewelry. Be aware of the possibility of pickpockets and bag snatchers in crowded areas. Make photocopies of the first few pages of your passport, air ticket and other important travel documents. Keep this separate from the originals. Ensure that you have adequate insurance coverage before leaving home.
4. HOW POSSIBLE IS IT TO ACCESS THE BANKING SERVICES?
There are numerous banks in the major towns as well as much bureau de change. Hours of business vary from bank to bank, but most are open from 08h30 to 16h00, Mondays to Fridays, and 09h00 – 12h00 on Saturdays. However major ATMS are found in the city and major towns and they operate 24hrs. It is advisable to bring along two different types of credit cards, e.g. visa and master card, since some banks might cause problems with certain cards.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
If you plan on becoming a volunteer or an intern with us, make sure you read and agree with our Terms and Conditions and our Children Policy.
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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THEIR SMILES AFRICA EXPERIENCE
Western world consider Africa to be a one big exotic land with lions on one side and giraffes on another but this wonderful continent is diverse with landscapes, traditions, people, cultures and tribes. If it was not the Smiles Africa experience, I would not have had the opportunity to be a part of Maasai for one and a half month.
My time there was rewarding, enlightening and educational. Now, at the end of my service I could evaluate this time has given me an invaluable experience that could not be achieved in any other way, what is more, it has also given me a positive attitude towards different cultures.
I am not able to speak the local language fluently but I am able to say basic things and it has also strengthen my curiosity in languages and intercultural communication. I have broaden my worldview, it has helped me to deal with people from a totally different background. Cultural differences have showed me that we all should tolerate different people and not live beneath stereotypes but be open-minded and appreciate the diversity.
Knowledge about culture, education, modal life has given me an opportunity to compare different ways of life in Europe and Africa. The service was about giving care and love to children but most important is that voluntary work is mostly about learning and this new knowledge will definitely help me in my future. Being one of the local family members I had a chance to integrate myself into the daily life and not be a tourist or spectator.
I felt very grateful being one of the daughters of my Maasai family, sharing cultures, learning daily activities. Kenyans are wonderful people with open hearts and smiling faces. I would highly recommend people to join Smiles Africa experience for life changing moments because you never know how much you can benefit
unless you try.
Madara, Lithuania