GET INVOLVED
VOLUNTEERING
The Makuyu Education Initiative (MEI) can always use volunteers on site in Kenya. Donating your time can go a long way to supporting our mission. If you decide to volunteer, you will have a lot of flexibility in deciding how to help make improvements. Volunteers in the past have helped teach classes, helped with tasks around the compound such as cleaning and cooking, documented the lives of the children, took pictures and videos for fundraising initiatives, and completed a variety of other tasks!
Unfortunately, due to financial constraints, MEI cannot subsidize your trip. However, aside from the cost of airfare, your expenses are likely to be very low. As of now, the cost to stay with us is $0 per week, which includes a room and meals. The only cost we ask you to cover is the pick-up from the airport, since we have to hire a driver (~$40-$45 depending on exchange rate).
If you are interested in volunteering, fill out our volunteering form and we'll email you more information (if form doesn't work, please email makuyueducation@gmail.com). We hope you will consider MEI as an opportunity to share your skills and talents and join us in our mission to help improve the lives of the underprivileged children of the Makuyu Education Initiative!
Our guard, Francis, is teaching a volunteer how to use a bow and arrow.
Letter from a Volunteer
I had the incredible opportunity to spend two months volunteering in Makuyu, Kenya. The experience was transformative, filled with moments of connection, learning, and growth. I worked closely with the children and staff, contributing to their education and daily life in ways that were both rewarding and eye-opening.
ā
One of my main roles was teaching English to the children. Every day, I was met with bright, eager faces ready to learn. Teaching was challenging but deeply fulfilling. The kids’ enthusiasm and their rapid progress inspired me. Watching them gain confidence in their speaking and writing skills was a powerful reminder of the importance of education in opening up opportunities for the future.
Each lesson wasn’t just about grammar or vocabulary; it was an exchange of ideas and cultures. The kids taught me just as much as I taught them. Their curiosity about the world outside of Kenya was a reminder of how connected we all are, despite our geographic distances.
ā
I also helped the staff with daily meal preparation. I learned a lot about local food and the importance of food in bringing people together.
My time in Makuyu was filled with lessons that will stay with me forever. Volunteering allowed me to contribute in a small way to a wonderful community, but it also left a significant mark on me. The warmth, resilience, and spirit of the people I met in Makuyu are things I will carry with me wherever I go.
ā
If you’re considering volunteering abroad, I highly recommend it. The experience opens your eyes to new perspectives, allows you to make meaningful connections, and, most importantly, lets you give back in a way that matters.
I can’t thank enough the people in Makuyu who welcomed me with open arms, and to the volunteers and staff who contribute to make a difference every day. I will never forget them.
- Jose (Volunteer in Summer of 2024)
ā