How long are the volunteer placements?
Volunteer placements range in length from 2 to 12 weeks. Longer placement can be arranged on request.
What skills are you looking for?
All volunteers must have at least some volunteer work experience, if you have an area of expertise, you can be very helpful in your placement. For English teaching placement, teaching training is not a requirement, you can teach conversational English skills. All you need is enthusiasm and a desire to provide students the advantages of knowing proper English pronunciation and usage. Its important to note that, April, August and December are school holiday’s moths in most of Africa. Teaching placements start from January to end of March, May to end of July and September to end of November.
Where can I get a low airfare?
Look around for discount travel agencies. GSDE staff can recommend travel agent that can find a reasonably priced tickets.
Do I need to speak the local language?
Swahili language skills are not required, but are necessary. Most people in East Africa speak English, as the second language. Please check our Swahili language lessons page. We can provide you with a few Swahili lessons to start you on your way.
What age and nationality does your program attract?
GSDE program attracts people of all ages and from all over the world. However, program applicant must be 18 years and above, be in good physical and mental health, if you have significant physical limitations, we encourage you to talk about your situation with GSDE staff.
How do I fundraise?
Because the program fee can be prohibitive for many people, we strongly encourage all of our volunteers to do some fundraising to support the cost of their program. By fundraising, you invest your home community in your overseas service experience, and in doing so help increase public awareness of the great need for educational assistance abroad.
Many volunteers also find that fundraising reinforces their personal commitment to the program, and gives them extra incentive to make the most of their year of service.
Please
click here to see our fundraising ideas.
What is the difference between GSDE volunteer program and volunteer vacation?
The deference between volunteer program and our volunteer vacation is: GSDE Volunteer Vacation is a meaningful travel program for people looking for opportunity to combine volunteer with vacation. A chance to become more deeply immersed in the culture, learn and contribute to local development. Volunteer spend a part of their stay working as volunteer and the other part to vacation and explore the country. The program offers volunteers opportunity to travel and access to places the average tourist can never experience. Volunteer Vacation program is tailored for each individual to suit ones needs and budget. The program fees vary for each program depending on such factors as length of program, trips, choice of accommodation, other activities of interest included.
I am vegetarian. Will I be able to get vegetarian food?
In Kenya and Tanzania, vegetarian food is regularly available. We will organize with your host.
Why pay for to volunteer:
GSDE receives no funding from any religious or government agency. The program is 100% self supported through the program fees. However, we offer the most affordable program and unmatched in-country support. Volunteer fee is used cover the following program costs:
• Communication, program advertising
• Partnership building with local organizations and support
• Meet the cost of program materials
• A part of program fee is used to support the host partners; community projects, schools, a dispensary and community based organization which provides the placements.
• Host family and meals arrangement
• Pre-departure orientation, program handbook and information materials
• In-country orientation, pick up from the airport and accommodation
• Pre-departure orientation
• On going program monitoring 24/7 emergency support
• In-country staff - Country Program Coordinator pay
• Administrative costs and program development
A deposit of $250.00 is required with your application. The balance is due 75 days before departure to your placement, or immediately after applying. Most major credit cards are accepted. We appreciate your payment by cheque or bank money order, which avoids the high commission cost charged by credit card companies.
What makes Global Seekers Development Expeditions different?
Global Seekers offers unique, affordable programs and better in-country support services compared to other organizations. GSDE’s team has over 15 years experience in international volunteers placement. Have good knowledge of Africa, have worked and lived in Kenya and Tanzania for many years, fluent in Swahili language. We specialize in countries that we know well, and in turn offer authentic experience and a much wider range of placements in each country.
Will there be in-country support?
GSDE Country Program Coordinator will provide you with 24/7support from the very beginning to the end of the program and regularly visiting you. Country Coordinators are local people and will give you the support you need to adjust to the new environment and enjoy your stay.
What happens in case of emergency?
In case of emergency, volunteer can be reached through the GSDE Toronto office or through the Country Program Coordinator who provides 24/7 support, while on placement. Email is very assessable in Kenya and Tanzania. Kenya and Tanzania have adequate medical care to address most illness and incase of more severe, a transfer to a specialized hospital or evacuation will be arranged. Therefore, emergency insurance is a requirement for all GSDE volunteers; it covers the cost for medications and transportation if its necessary to or moving you back home.
What kind of visa do I need, do I need a working permit?
You will need a tourist visa since you are categorized as a tourist because you do not get paid for any services you provide while in the country. For the same reason you do not need a work visa. A non-tourist visa is unnecessary, difficult to obtain and twice as expensive as the tourist visa. Travelers in East Africa can stay on a tourist visa for 3 months. You can get a tourist visa at the Kenyan or Tanzanian embassy or high commission in your country. Kenyan visas can also be obtained from Nairobi International Airport upon arrival.
If you live in Canada, please go to the
Kenya High Commission website to see visa application form.
Do I need travel and health insurance?
Travel and health insurance is mandatory, if you don’t have travel insurance, Global Seekers can organize for you to purchase travel and health insurance that will cover you during the overseas placement and trip cancellation insurance to cover you in the event you must cancel on short notice.
Can I take a spouse or other family member?
Spouses are welcome, however, you can request for special arrangement for family members who are under 19 years. If you would like to schedule a post-assignment vacation, we encourage family and friends to meet you after you have completed your obligations. Activity schedules may change during your assignment, which may cause difficulty in coordinating with people who are not participating in the assignment.
If you do not find the information you need please contact us at: info@globalseekers.com or Tel: 647-207-1007 and we'll be happy to assist you.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Please do not hesitate to
contact us with any further questions.
