Where
Nairobi – Kenya
When
Departures every week during the active months of the project (January to March, May to July, September and October)
Duration
Minimum 1 week
Accommodation
Accommodation with local host families in the Buruburu neighbourhood, with shared rooms and meals included.
Language
Intermediate English
Ideal for
Those interested in education and working with children in urban settings, students or first-time volunteers looking to work alongside local teachers and experience genuine daily cultural exchange.
Project details
An educational project at a community school where you work alongside local teachers and school staff, supporting children in their daily routine — inside and outside the classroom.
Nairobi moves fast — but not everyone starts from the same place. In some areas, community schools are a real lifeline: not just lessons, but also meals, a listening ear, support and a stable routine for children growing up in vulnerable settings. Better Tomorrow School was born precisely like this: as a local response to a real need, built and run by the community and a staff that every day juggles large class sizes and limited resources.
Your role isn't to "replace" teachers, but to work alongside them: helping with basic educational activities (English, maths, science), supporting classroom management, organising games and creative moments, and contributing to school initiatives like the feeding programme. The special part extends beyond the school too: by living with a host family in Buruburu, your day continues through commutes, shared meals and conversations that make the experience more real and grounded. An experience that builds your skills in relationships, flexibility and teamwork — with a broader perspective on what education means in a different context.
Your role isn't to "replace" teachers, but to work alongside them: helping with basic educational activities (English, maths, science), supporting classroom management, organising games and creative moments, and contributing to school initiatives like the feeding programme. The special part extends beyond the school too: by living with a host family in Buruburu, your day continues through commutes, shared meals and conversations that make the experience more real and grounded. An experience that builds your skills in relationships, flexibility and teamwork — with a broader perspective on what education means in a different context.
Experiencing Nairobi up close, one school day at a time
An educational project at a community school where you work alongside local teachers and school staff, supporting children in their daily routine — inside and outside the classroom.
Nairobi moves fast — but not everyone starts from the same place. In some areas, community schools are a real lifeline: not just lessons, but also meals, a listening ear, support and a stable routine for children growing up in vulnerable settings. Better Tomorrow School was born precisely like this: as a local response to a real need, built and run by the community and a staff that every day juggles large class sizes and limited resources.
Your role isn't to "replace" teachers, but to work alongside them: helping with basic educational activities (English, maths, science), supporting classroom management, organising games and creative moments, and contributing to school initiatives like the feeding programme. The special part extends beyond the school too: by living with a host family in Buruburu, your day continues through commutes, shared meals and conversations that make the experience more real and grounded. An experience that builds your skills in relationships, flexibility and teamwork — with a broader perspective on what education means in a different context.
Your role isn't to "replace" teachers, but to work alongside them: helping with basic educational activities (English, maths, science), supporting classroom management, organising games and creative moments, and contributing to school initiatives like the feeding programme. The special part extends beyond the school too: by living with a host family in Buruburu, your day continues through commutes, shared meals and conversations that make the experience more real and grounded. An experience that builds your skills in relationships, flexibility and teamwork — with a broader perspective on what education means in a different context.
Why participate
Make a Real Contribution to the School Routine
Work alongside teachers and school staff during lessons and classroom management: English, maths, creative activities and games. Small gestures that, added up day by day, really make a difference.
Why participate
Make a Real Contribution to the School Routine
Work alongside teachers and school staff during lessons and classroom management: English, maths, creative activities and games. Small gestures that, added up day by day, really make a difference.
Genuine Cultural Exchange, Living with a Host Family
You don't just "see" Nairobi — you live it. Through shared meals, home routines and evening conversations, you understand the context from the inside and build genuine connections with the people around you.
The Weekly Program
Weekdays
Monday to Friday, days are spent primarily at Better Tomorrow School, within a dynamic urban setting. Activities are organised together with local teachers and include classroom support, management of basic educational activities and educational play.
In the afternoon, alongside school activities, you can support the staff with extracurricular initiatives and the feeding programme, or use the time to prepare lessons, materials and activities for the following day together with the local team.
07:00Breakfast with the host family and getting ready for the day
08:00Arrival at school and support during morning lessons
12:30In-class educational activities, educational games and teacher support
13:00Lunch break and support with the feeding programme
15:00Afternoon activities, homework help, creative workshops or extracurriculars
19:30Return home, shared dinner with the host family and free time
Weekend
Weekends are free from scheduled activities. It's the perfect time to rest, socialise with your host family and fellow volunteers, or explore Nairobi and its surroundings independently.
Exploring Nairobi
Discover markets, neighbourhoods and cultural centres to get a close-up feel for the rhythm and contrasts of the Kenyan capital.
The next story is yours
heylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelTag us in your stories to appear here! @heylocals.travel
FAQs
🏠 Your Accommodation in Nairobi
You'll stay with local host families in the Buruburu neighbourhood, about 6 km from the project. This is a deliberate choice: living with a host family is an integral part of the experience and allows for genuine, unfiltered daily cultural exchange.
🛏️ Rooms & Comfort
• Shared rooms with other volunteers
• Gender-separated accommodation
• Beds and mattresses provided
• Bed linen included
• Electricity available
🍽️ Meals
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
• Home-cooked Kenyan cuisine
• Mealtimes often become moments of sharing, storytelling and cultural exchange
💬 Living with a Host Family
This isn't a tourist arrangement — it's a real home. Sharing daily rhythms, spaces and habits requires adjustment, but it's also what makes the experience deeper and more authentic.
You'll stay with local host families in the Buruburu neighbourhood, about 6 km from the project. This is a deliberate choice: living with a host family is an integral part of the experience and allows for genuine, unfiltered daily cultural exchange.
🛏️ Rooms & Comfort
• Shared rooms with other volunteers
• Gender-separated accommodation
• Beds and mattresses provided
• Bed linen included
• Electricity available
🍽️ Meals
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
• Home-cooked Kenyan cuisine
• Mealtimes often become moments of sharing, storytelling and cultural exchange
💬 Living with a Host Family
This isn't a tourist arrangement — it's a real home. Sharing daily rhythms, spaces and habits requires adjustment, but it's also what makes the experience deeper and more authentic.
🛡️ Safety & Support
Nairobi is a large, vibrant and complex city. That's why this project is structured with care, clear guidelines and constant support.
🔹 Participant Screening
A criminal background check is required before departure, to protect children, families and the host community.
🔹 Local Presence
• CIVS coordinators based in Nairobi
• Emergency contacts always available
• Operational and personal support 24/7
🔹 Preparation & Prevention
Before departure, you will receive a practical guide on safety, transport and recommended behaviours. The initial orientation is designed to reduce unnecessary risks and help you move around with greater peace of mind.
🔹 Daily Best Practices
✔ Avoid unnecessary night-time travel
✔ Use transport recommended by staff
✔ Follow the guidance of local coordinators
💡 Our Goal
To create a safe and clear environment where you can focus on the educational experience, cultural exchange and everyday life in Nairobi.
Nairobi is a large, vibrant and complex city. That's why this project is structured with care, clear guidelines and constant support.
🔹 Participant Screening
A criminal background check is required before departure, to protect children, families and the host community.
🔹 Local Presence
• CIVS coordinators based in Nairobi
• Emergency contacts always available
• Operational and personal support 24/7
🔹 Preparation & Prevention
Before departure, you will receive a practical guide on safety, transport and recommended behaviours. The initial orientation is designed to reduce unnecessary risks and help you move around with greater peace of mind.
🔹 Daily Best Practices
✔ Avoid unnecessary night-time travel
✔ Use transport recommended by staff
✔ Follow the guidance of local coordinators
💡 Our Goal
To create a safe and clear environment where you can focus on the educational experience, cultural exchange and everyday life in Nairobi.
🧭 Orientation Day
At the start of your experience, you will take part in a mandatory orientation session organised by the CIVS team in Nairobi or directly at the project site.
During the orientation you will receive:
• Introduction to the Better Tomorrow School project
• Explanation of the volunteer role and mutual expectations
• Guidelines on urban safety and getting around
• Practical tips on living with a host family
• Introduction to local culture and behavioural norms
• Advice on transport, markets and daily life in Nairobi
The orientation is designed to help you start on the right foot, understand the context and move around with greater confidence from day one.
At the start of your experience, you will take part in a mandatory orientation session organised by the CIVS team in Nairobi or directly at the project site.
During the orientation you will receive:
• Introduction to the Better Tomorrow School project
• Explanation of the volunteer role and mutual expectations
• Guidelines on urban safety and getting around
• Practical tips on living with a host family
• Introduction to local culture and behavioural norms
• Advice on transport, markets and daily life in Nairobi
The orientation is designed to help you start on the right foot, understand the context and move around with greater confidence from day one.
✈️ Arrival Recommendations
All participants in the Nairobi project must arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). Airport pick-up is included, but there are no fixed time windows: your arrival must always be communicated and coordinated in advance.
📍 Meeting Point
After passport control and baggage claim, exit the terminal and wait in the external pick-up area. A CIVS team member or the assigned driver will be waiting with a sign reading "CIVS" or your name.
🕒 Transfer Duration
Airport → accommodation in Nairobi: approximately 1–1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
💡 Early or Late Arrivals
Very early or late-night arrivals are possible but must be communicated in advance. In some cases, you may be asked to wait or to arrange a temporary solution with staff support.
🧭 If You Can't Find Our Staff Straight Away
Stay at the meeting point and call the emergency numbers you received before departure. Do not leave without instructions.
🚖 Departure Recommendations
The programme typically ends on a Saturday. The return transfer is not included, but the local team will help you arrange a taxi or public transport based on your flight.
💡 After Confirmation
After confirmation, you will receive all updated instructions, local contacts and operational arrival details by email.
All participants in the Nairobi project must arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). Airport pick-up is included, but there are no fixed time windows: your arrival must always be communicated and coordinated in advance.
📍 Meeting Point
After passport control and baggage claim, exit the terminal and wait in the external pick-up area. A CIVS team member or the assigned driver will be waiting with a sign reading "CIVS" or your name.
🕒 Transfer Duration
Airport → accommodation in Nairobi: approximately 1–1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
💡 Early or Late Arrivals
Very early or late-night arrivals are possible but must be communicated in advance. In some cases, you may be asked to wait or to arrange a temporary solution with staff support.
🧭 If You Can't Find Our Staff Straight Away
Stay at the meeting point and call the emergency numbers you received before departure. Do not leave without instructions.
🚖 Departure Recommendations
The programme typically ends on a Saturday. The return transfer is not included, but the local team will help you arrange a taxi or public transport based on your flight.
💡 After Confirmation
After confirmation, you will receive all updated instructions, local contacts and operational arrival details by email.
Book your spot
1
Send your application (free!)
Choose the project that inspires you most and indicate the period you would like to travel. No commitment: the application is free and non-binding.
2
Meet your coordinator
After your application, we will put you in touch with your dedicated coordinator. They will explain everything in detail and answer all 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
Set off on your adventure!
Pack your bags and go! On arrival you will find other volunteers like you, a welcoming local team and an experience you will hardly forget.
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now