Thank you for your interest in Mission in Action I have listed below some information that we though might be helpful for you if you are interested in coming to Kenya and having hands on experience with us! It will change your life and make a huge difference in the lives of the children Please note that we will not be taking any more volunteers for the months of September 2008, April and August 2009. we have a max stay of 2 months for all volunteers If you have volunteered with us before and you have any suggestions on what else I can add to this page that might help future volunteers please email me and let me know. Also feel free to send me your photos so I can put them on the website Check out our visitor photo album

Click on subject below to go directly to information
Visa | Flight | Extra Baggage | Immunisations | Fees | Duties | What should I bring? | How can I be contacted? | Weather

Visa
You will need a Kenyan visitors visa before you arrive but you can buy this at the airport when you arrive in Nairobi (this is the airport you would need to fly into) for $50 American Dollars. Some people do not prefer the hassle and stress of arranging this at the airport so you can have your travel agent arrange for you at a fee. The benefit of having your visa before you arrive is no waiting in line to get one which can sometimes take up to 1 hour!
Once you arrive in Kenya you will need to advise what the reason is for your visit. DO NOT make not that you are working but just advise that you are on holiday 'visiting' as you require a work visa if you are working... and you are only volunteering and visiting!

Flight
We have a travel agent that arranges all of Mary and Ivans travel requirements. It would be worth contacting him as he is familiar with these flights and will give you a great price, just tell him that you are coming to visit us. His name is Gerard Torrisi and is is from Harvey World Travel in Stanthorpe, Australia. Ph: +61 7 4681 2144 or email stanthorpe@harveyworld.com.au
Travel agent that has booked all of my flights is very helpful and her name is Tara McGhee from Byron Bay Travelscene tara@travelscenebyronbay.com.au
Please avoid arriving into Nairobi on a Friday or Saturday as it is absolute CHAOS on those days and arranging a pick up will be close to impossible..

Extra Baggage (to bring supplies over for children)
Sometimes volunteers can get permission to take extra luggage by contacting the airline that you have booked with. All you have to do is phone the airline and say that you are going to the Orphanage to do volunteer work and that you need extra luggage to donate children's clothing, etc and then get written permission from them. (not all airlines co-operate) Make sure you keep it with your passport and airline ticket so you have proof of permission.
Please check out the wish list to see what we are most in need of at the moment

Immunisations
immunisation is entirely up to the individual, if they prefer to have them then that is fine. Most doctors will recommend Malaria, Yellow Fever and a few other things but you would be best to contact your GP or Travel Agent regarding this.Malaria: Prophylaxis with Lariam, Malarone, or doxycycline is recommended for all areas except Nairobi and the highlands (above 2500 m) of Central, Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, and Western Provinces.

Vaccinations:
Hepatitis A - Recommended for all travelers
Typhoid - Recommended for all travelers
Yellow fever - Recommended for all travelers greater than nine months of age
Polio - One-time booster recommended for any adult traveler who completed the childhood series but never had polio vaccine as an adult
Hepatitis B - For travelers who may have intimate contact with local residents, especially if visiting for more than 6 months
Rabies - For travelers who may have direct contact with animals and may not have access to medical care
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) - Two doses recommended for all travelers born after 1956, if not previously given
Tetanus-diphtheria - Revaccination recommended every 10 years

WE HERE AT MISSION IN ACTION AIM TO OFFER YOU A FRIENDLY FAMILY ENVIRONMENT, AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN A CHILD'S LIFE. WE ARE A CHRISTIAN FAMILY DEDICATED TO THIS MINISTRY OF SERVICE TO THOSE LESS FORTUNATE AROUND US.
M.I.A. IS A SUBSTANCE ABUSE FREE AREA:RULES AND GUIDELINES :
NO- SMOKING , ALCOHOL , DRUGS AND NO ABUSIVE LANGUAGE WILL BE ALLOWED WHILE IN THE PRESENCE OF CHILDREN OR STAFF ON OR OFF THE PREMISES.
NO- FORM OF ABUSE WILL BE TOLERATED. PLEASE NOTE - MANAGEMENT HAS THE RIGHT TO ASK ANY VOLUNTEER TO LEAVE IF THE RULES ARE NOT ABIDED BY.

Fees
$200.00 Per week (Australian Dollars)
this includes all food and board.Upon your dates being approved a $200 AUD non refundable deposit for 1 weeks board is due and payable via online system PAYPAL.
A money request along with instructions will be sent to you.
We ask that you pay your board once in Nakuru in Kenyan Shillings. The ATM's here will work for you and do give you Kenyan Shillings.
Airport pick up is extra and must be arranged prior to arrival if you wish us to arrange for your pick up. Please note we suggest you fly into Nairobi in DAYLIGHT or you will need to stay overnight in Nairobi and pay for hotel as it is not safe to travel at night.
Click here to see more details on pick up and over night stays in Nairobi.

Duties
People are always writing to me asking what you can expect a day to be like and it is hard to say as it always varies so much.
We have a schedule that we use for our volunteers. There are 5 different 4 hour shifts that you do daily.

Morning Shift: Which includes, Dressing Kids, Feeding Babies, Help w brekky and Washing Up
Laundry Shift: Which includes exactly that. Lots of Laundry!
Lunch Shift: Help Prepare Lunch
Arvo Shift: Clean up after lunch and help bathe kids
Night Shift: Help with Dinner, Help kids brush teeth, nappy change and bed time!

Once you have done your shift we also welcome you to continue helping and playing with the children!
Check out my online diary i kept while in Kenya to give you an idea of what goes on...
Whether in the kitchen helping with lunch or helping with the kids... it just really depends on what is going on.
We are more than happy to arrange for you to go and spend some time at other places also if you wish.

What should I bring?
Personal toiletries. You can buy items here but not all the brands.
We suggest you bring a pair of runners incase you like walking, running or aerobics. Flip Flops/Crocs, you will spend most of your time in them. Maybe a pair of sandles/comfy shoes for town etc.
No need to pack too much clothes as you end up wearing the same thing most of the time anyway!
Jeans/Cargo pants, 3 quarter pants... that kind of stuff.
Long shorts are ok, short shorts are not advisable.
Tank tops are fine as long as they are not low cut/revealing (mostly to be worn at home, avoid wearing into town)
Short tops that expose your midriff are not advisable. Please keep in mind that we have Kenyan male staff that work on the premise. Warm jumper for mornings and evenings.
We also recommend you to bring 2 casual/dressy outfits. i.e. skirt (knee high length is ok) and top, or dress incase you wish to come to church or some other function.
Flashlight You do NOT need to bring mosquito nets, towels or bedding. All will be supplied. Check out our current wish list

How can I be contacted?
Once in Kenya, do not worry... you can be contacted!
We have a computer at the orphanage building but we prefer this to only be used in an emergency.
There is cyber cafes in Nakuru town that is VERY cheap.
If you have a tri band phone that will work in Europe/UK then it will work here in Kenya (as long as it is not locked to a provider) you can bring your phone and but an African sim card once here. These are approx $2 to purchase. You can text and receive texts very cheaply and i find this is a great way to stay in touch with friends and family. They can call you and you can call them but this is usually very expensive.

Month	Temperature o C Daily Min - Daily Max
Jan	8.7	27.3
Feb	9.2	27.9
Mar	9.9	28.0
Apr	11.6	25.8
May	11.2	24.8
Jun	10.2	24.4
Jul	10.1	23.8
Aug	9.8	24.1
Sep	8.9	25.5
Oct	9.1	25.3
Nov	10.0	24.4
Dec	8.9	25.8

If you are worried about traveling to Kenya and unsure if it is safe or not please take a look at the below links to your government website (depending on where you are from).
They keep these up to date and have plenty of other information you maybe after for your trip to Kenya.

Australian CitizenCanadian CitizenUK CitizenUSA Citizen
Please contact me with dates of when you are interested in visiting us and for any questions you may have...

Thank you for your support.