Where
Nairobi, Kenya
When
Departures every week, during the project's active months (January to March, May to July, September and October)
Duration
From 1 week
Accommodation
Stay with a local host family in the Buruburu area, with shared rooms and meals included.
Language
Basic English is enough
Ideal for
Anyone interested in education and working with children in urban settings; students or first-time travellers who want to support local teachers and have a daily cultural exchange.
Project details
A community-school project where you support local teachers and school staff, helping children with their daily routines, in and out of the classroom.
Nairobi moves fast, but not everyone starts from the same point. In some areas, community schools are a real anchor: more than just lessons, they offer meals, listening, support and a stable routine for children growing up in vulnerable settings. Better Tomorrow School came about exactly like this, as a local response to a real need, built and kept going by the community and a staff team that deals every day with full classes and limited resources.
Your role isn't to "replace" the teachers, it's to support them: lending a hand with basic lessons (English, maths, science), helping with classroom management, organising games and creative moments, and contributing to school activities like the feeding programme. The special part is also outside school: living with a host family in Buruburu, the day continues with shared journeys, meals and conversations that make the experience more real and grounded. It's an experience that builds your relational skills, flexibility and teamwork, with a wider view of what education means in another setting.
Your role isn't to "replace" the teachers, it's to support them: lending a hand with basic lessons (English, maths, science), helping with classroom management, organising games and creative moments, and contributing to school activities like the feeding programme. The special part is also outside school: living with a host family in Buruburu, the day continues with shared journeys, meals and conversations that make the experience more real and grounded. It's an experience that builds your relational skills, flexibility and teamwork, with a wider view of what education means in another setting.
See Nairobi up close, one school day at a time
A community-school project where you support local teachers and school staff, helping children with their daily routines, in and out of the classroom.
Nairobi moves fast, but not everyone starts from the same point. In some areas, community schools are a real anchor: more than just lessons, they offer meals, listening, support and a stable routine for children growing up in vulnerable settings. Better Tomorrow School came about exactly like this, as a local response to a real need, built and kept going by the community and a staff team that deals every day with full classes and limited resources.
Your role isn't to "replace" the teachers, it's to support them: lending a hand with basic lessons (English, maths, science), helping with classroom management, organising games and creative moments, and contributing to school activities like the feeding programme. The special part is also outside school: living with a host family in Buruburu, the day continues with shared journeys, meals and conversations that make the experience more real and grounded. It's an experience that builds your relational skills, flexibility and teamwork, with a wider view of what education means in another setting.
Your role isn't to "replace" the teachers, it's to support them: lending a hand with basic lessons (English, maths, science), helping with classroom management, organising games and creative moments, and contributing to school activities like the feeding programme. The special part is also outside school: living with a host family in Buruburu, the day continues with shared journeys, meals and conversations that make the experience more real and grounded. It's an experience that builds your relational skills, flexibility and teamwork, with a wider view of what education means in another setting.
Why participate
Lend hands-on support to the school routine
Work alongside teachers and staff in lessons and classroom management: English, maths, creative activities and games. Small things that, day after day, add up.
Why participate
Lend hands-on support to the school routine
Work alongside teachers and staff in lessons and classroom management: English, maths, creative activities and games. Small things that, day after day, add up.
Real cultural exchange, living with a host family
You don't just "see" Nairobi, you live it. Between shared meals, home routines and evening chats, you get the context from the inside and build a real connection with the people.
The Weekly Program
Weekdays
From Monday to Friday, your days mostly happen at Better Tomorrow School, in a lively urban setting. Activities are organised together with the local teachers and include classroom support, helping with basic lessons and play-based learning moments.
In the afternoon, alongside the school activities, you can support the staff with extracurricular work and the feeding programme, or use the time to prep lessons, materials and the next day's activities with the local team.
07:00Breakfast with the host family and getting ready for the day
08:00Arrival at school and supporting the morning lessons
12:30Classroom activities, educational games and supporting the teachers
13:00Lunch break and supporting the feeding programme
15:00Afternoon activities, homework support, creative or extracurricular workshops
19:30Back home, shared dinner with the host family and free time
Weekend
Weekends are free of set activities. A good time to rest, spend time with your host family and the other volunteers, or explore Nairobi and around on your own.
Explore Nairobi
Discover markets, neighbourhoods and cultural centres to get a real feel for the rhythm and contrasts of the Kenyan capital.
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FAQs
🏠 Your accommodation in Nairobi
You'll stay with a local host family in the Buruburu area, about 6 km from the project. This isn't a random choice: living with a host family is part of the experience and means an everyday cultural exchange that's real and unfiltered.
🛏️ Rooms and comfort
• Shared rooms with other volunteers
• Separated by gender
• Beds and mattresses provided
• Bed linen included
• Electricity available
🍽️ Meals
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
• Home-cooked Kenyan food
• Mealtimes often turn into moments to share, swap stories and learn something new
💬 Living with a host family
This isn't a tourist setup, it's a real home. Sharing rhythms, spaces and daily habits takes some getting used to, but it's also what makes the experience feel deeper and more grounded.
You'll stay with a local host family in the Buruburu area, about 6 km from the project. This isn't a random choice: living with a host family is part of the experience and means an everyday cultural exchange that's real and unfiltered.
🛏️ Rooms and comfort
• Shared rooms with other volunteers
• Separated by gender
• Beds and mattresses provided
• Bed linen included
• Electricity available
🍽️ Meals
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
• Home-cooked Kenyan food
• Mealtimes often turn into moments to share, swap stories and learn something new
💬 Living with a host family
This isn't a tourist setup, it's a real home. Sharing rhythms, spaces and daily habits takes some getting used to, but it's also what makes the experience feel deeper and more grounded.
🛡️ Safety and support
Nairobi is a big, lively, complex city. That's why the project is set up with care, clear rules and steady support.
🔹 Selecting participants
We ask each participant to provide a criminal record check (DBS or equivalent) before travelling, to keep children, families and the host community safe.
🔹 Local team on the ground
• CIVS coordinators present in Nairobi
• Emergency contacts always available
• Practical and personal support 24/7
🔹 Preparation and prevention
Before you travel, you'll get a practical guide on safety, transport and recommended habits. The orientation on day one is there to cut down on unnecessary risks and help you settle in calmly.
🔹 Sensible everyday habits
✔ Avoid moving around at night unless you have to
✔ Use the transport options the staff recommends
✔ Follow the local coordinators' advice
💡 Our aim
A safe, clear environment where you can focus on the school project, the cultural exchange and everyday life in Nairobi.
Nairobi is a big, lively, complex city. That's why the project is set up with care, clear rules and steady support.
🔹 Selecting participants
We ask each participant to provide a criminal record check (DBS or equivalent) before travelling, to keep children, families and the host community safe.
🔹 Local team on the ground
• CIVS coordinators present in Nairobi
• Emergency contacts always available
• Practical and personal support 24/7
🔹 Preparation and prevention
Before you travel, you'll get a practical guide on safety, transport and recommended habits. The orientation on day one is there to cut down on unnecessary risks and help you settle in calmly.
🔹 Sensible everyday habits
✔ Avoid moving around at night unless you have to
✔ Use the transport options the staff recommends
✔ Follow the local coordinators' advice
💡 Our aim
A safe, clear environment where you can focus on the school project, the cultural exchange and everyday life in Nairobi.
🧭 Orientation day
At the start of your trip you'll join a compulsory orientation session, run by the CIVS team in Nairobi or directly at the project.
During orientation you'll get:
• An introduction to the Better Tomorrow School project
• An explanation of the volunteer role and what to expect from each other
• Guidelines on urban safety and getting around
• Practical pointers on living with a host family
• An introduction to local culture and behaviour
• Tips on transport, markets and everyday life in Nairobi
Orientation is there to help you start on the right foot, get the lay of the land and move around with more confidence from day one.
At the start of your trip you'll join a compulsory orientation session, run by the CIVS team in Nairobi or directly at the project.
During orientation you'll get:
• An introduction to the Better Tomorrow School project
• An explanation of the volunteer role and what to expect from each other
• Guidelines on urban safety and getting around
• Practical pointers on living with a host family
• An introduction to local culture and behaviour
• Tips on transport, markets and everyday life in Nairobi
Orientation is there to help you start on the right foot, get the lay of the land and move around with more confidence from day one.
✈️ Arrival recommendations
Everyone on the Nairobi project needs to arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). The pickup is included, but there are no fixed windows: please always let us know your arrival in advance and coordinate with us.
📍 Meeting point
After passport control and baggage collection, head out of the terminal and wait in the outdoor pickup area. A CIVS team member or the assigned driver will be waiting with a "CIVS" sign or with your name on it.
🕒 Transfer time
Airport to your accommodation in Nairobi: about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
💡 Early or late arrivals
Very early or late-night arrivals are possible, but they need to be communicated in advance. In some cases you may need to wait a bit or arrange a temporary solution with help from the staff.
🧭 If you can't spot our team
Stay at the meeting point and ring the emergency numbers you got before you travelled. Don't wander off without instructions.
🚖 Departure recommendations
The programme normally finishes on Saturday. The return transfer isn't included, but the local team will help you arrange a taxi or public transport to fit your flight.
💡 Once your booking is confirmed
After your booking, we'll email you all the up-to-date instructions, local contacts and practical details for your arrival.
Everyone on the Nairobi project needs to arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). The pickup is included, but there are no fixed windows: please always let us know your arrival in advance and coordinate with us.
📍 Meeting point
After passport control and baggage collection, head out of the terminal and wait in the outdoor pickup area. A CIVS team member or the assigned driver will be waiting with a "CIVS" sign or with your name on it.
🕒 Transfer time
Airport to your accommodation in Nairobi: about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
💡 Early or late arrivals
Very early or late-night arrivals are possible, but they need to be communicated in advance. In some cases you may need to wait a bit or arrange a temporary solution with help from the staff.
🧭 If you can't spot our team
Stay at the meeting point and ring the emergency numbers you got before you travelled. Don't wander off without instructions.
🚖 Departure recommendations
The programme normally finishes on Saturday. The return transfer isn't included, but the local team will help you arrange a taxi or public transport to fit your flight.
💡 Once your booking is confirmed
After your booking, we'll email you all the up-to-date instructions, local contacts and practical details for your arrival.
Book your spot
1
Send your application (free)
Pick the project you like the look of and tell us when you'd like to travel. No commitment, the application is free and non-binding.
2
Meet your coordinator
After your application, we'll put you in touch with your dedicated coordinator. They'll walk you through everything and answer your questions.
3
Confirm your spot
When you're ready, pay the deposit to lock in your spot. You'll get everything you need: local contacts, a visa guide and your pre-trip pack.
4
Off you go
Pack your bag and travel. On arrival you'll find other travellers like you, a welcoming local team, and a trip you'll be talking about for a while.
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