📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
GREENLION KENYA
💼 What the programme involves
Agriculture is the main economic backbone of Kenya as well as the primary source of income for basic households in many parts of the country. Gatanga is one of them, and local villagers spend their lives harvesting fruits, vegetables and coffee as well as taking care of their livestock.
In this program, you'll get the chance to experience the authentic countryside of Kenya by living amongst locals and helping out the villagers in their farms. Your tasks will include cutting and cleaning up the grass areas around the farm, planting, watering, picking fruits, helping take care of the livestock and overall community needs.
Working up close with local farmers will not only teach you new skills, but will also get you immersed in a new culture and lifestyle.
The aims are to promote agriculture in Kenya, support local farmers and provide intercultural exchange amongst Kenyans and our participants.
🏠 Accommodation on site
You will be accommodated in our center. The accommodation is basic and you will be sharing a room with 4 to 8 people. Toilets and showers are shared. There is free wifi available at the accommodation.
There are limited laundry facilities so from time to time, you might have to wash your clothes by hand.
All participants are expected to be environmentally aware and use all resources with restraint, especially water, paper and electricity. You will also be expected to clean up after yourself and play your part in keeping the accommodation neat and organized.
Food served will mainly be Kenyan food, which consists of meats, vegetables, potato, eggs, bread, pancakes (commonly known as 'chapatti') and fruits such as oranges, bananas and avocadoes. We provide three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on weekdays and two meals (brunch and dinner) during weekends.
📍 About the location
Gatanga Village will be your new home and will give you the chance to see authentic rural Kenya. Close by is Thika, an industrial town where you will be able to find anything you need. Nairobi is not too far either, and you can head there during the weekend for nights out or sightseeing. Likewise, there are many natural areas in close proximity to Gatanga, a simple example are Fourteen Falls, a set of waterfalls that will leave you awestruck.
Thika town is located a thirty minute drive away from our center and is filled with supermarkets, shops, ATMs, local markets and good restaurants. There is local transport available such as bicycle and motorbike taxis, van taxis and buses. Vehicles come up to our project sites every hour and drop you off in Thika town. Moreover, the bus station in Thika is your launching spot into other parts of Kenya.
There are many places for you to visit during your free time. For example, you can visit Fourteen Falls in Thika, go hiking in Kenya Mountain, visit Mombasa and enjoy the beach or head for a weekend of sightseeing in Nakuru or Nairobi, which are filled with national parks. Nairobi is also the nightlife hub of Kenya.
ℹ️ Additional information
Open all year, starting on Mondays, every week, participation fee 175€ per week. Culture week mandatory to start the programme: 210€