Does helping to preserve a unique and fascinating culture excite you? Volunteer in Kenya, and help the local Maasai people preserve their colorful and distinctive cultures. The Maasai may be one of the largest ethnic groups in Kenya, but it is also one of the last remaining indigenous tribal communities in East Africa. Poverty, droughts, disease, migration and influences from the outside world are changing their traditional way of life. Sadly, many Maasai are left with few economic opportunities and are forced to migrate to urban areas for survival, leaving their communities with less human resources. The Maasai culture also becomes intermingled with other traditions and ideas, which alters the original customs. The Maasai need your help to preserve their customs. By volunteering, you can help to educate locals, teach business skills, build infrastructure and promote tourism for the Maasai tribe. Safeguard the colorful, remarkable nomadic culture of the Maasai people, and embark on a culturally-enriching journey yourself!

As a volunteer in the Cultural Conservation Project in the Maasai region of Kenya, you will immerse yourself into their captivating culture and have a true intercultural exchange. Daily activities will vary depending on individual skills and interest, but examples of daily activities may include:

• Teaching the Masai people about any specific skill you may have that would benefit their opportunities with tourism. For example, you can teach a specific artist skill that could expand their skill set to produce goods to sell to tourists.
• Engaging yourself into the local culture to understand its history and customs
• Working with locals to preserve and document their traditions
• Planning extracurricular activities such as dancing, singing, sports, talent shows, etc.
• Teaching locals about your own culture
• Supporting women’s groups
• Teaching basic business skills, especially related to the tourism industry
• Teaching English
• Helping locals understand the Masai culture, especially when there are language boundaries
• Strengthen local marketing strategies
• Work with community leaders to create community pride and inspiration

By volunteering in Kenya in the Cultural Conservation Project, you will immerse yourself into the Maasai daily life. You’ll also work closely with Maasai people by sharing ideas and promoting projects to preserve and increase appreciation of the culture. With education, community building, infrastructure and specific skills, the Maasai can proudly live on their land and live productive and healthy lives without the thought of migration for survival. Not only will you be able to learn about the Maasai culture and traditions, this is also an enriching opportunity for you to share your culture and broaden views.

There are no specific qualifications needed to volunteer in the Community Development program in Kenya. However, volunteers are expected to be flexible, patient, enthusiastic and a self-starter, yet able to follow directions well. Volunteers must also respect the rules and regulations of the center, be resourceful, and must not hesitate to become involved in different activities.

This project is located in Maasai.

Maasai land is close to Kenya’s best-known and finest wildlife reserve – the Maasai Mara. The land is located in the south west region of Kenya, about 90 minutes from Nairobi. The land covers an area around 1530 square km and is reserved for Maasai people, who live a pastoral and nomadic lifestyle. Many Maasai, however, have settled down permanently and have build houses. There are also schools and hospital in the region, although there are insufficient manpower and facilities to run them smoothly.