Volunteer with us

Volunteer with the Foundation.

Contribute to practical, locally shaped work in Kenya. A useful volunteer experience begins with listening, a clear role and respect for the people who will continue the work after your visit.

Volunteer roles

Start with what a project needs.

Gardens need regular care, useful skills and dependable relationships. We welcome enquiries from people who can contribute to that work—whether through practical growing knowledge, education, documentation or organizational support.

Opportunities depend on current projects, school schedules and the support available to supervise visitors. Contact us before booking travel or promising an activity to a school.

Children planting seedlings in a school garden

Ways to contribute

Ways to contribute.

Garden & growing skills

Help plan or support agreed tasks such as planting, garden care, irrigation or practical demonstrations. Activities should suit the school’s needs, available tools and local growing conditions.

Education & creative work

Discuss learning materials, reading activities, garden journals or other work that educators can use. Teachers retain responsibility for classroom activities and children’s participation.

Professional & organizational support

Offer a clearly scoped contribution in areas such as project planning, communications, fundraising, data organization or technical training. Remote support may also be useful when it meets a defined need.

Before your visit

From enquiry to an agreed plan.

  1. Introduce yourself

    Share your relevant skills, preferred dates, length of stay and whether you are travelling alone or with a group.

  2. Discuss a suitable contribution

    We can explore the fit with current priorities. Ask about supervision, materials, transport and any costs before committing.

  3. Confirm the arrangements

    Agree the role, dates, accommodation and visitor expectations in writing. Professional or student placements need separate confirmation of supervision and institutional requirements.

  4. Prepare to listen and learn

    Arrive ready to follow local guidance, adapt to the school routine and leave clear notes or usable materials for the people continuing the work.

Your home base

Stay at Grand Burnham Hut.

Ask about using Grand Burnham Hut as a base for a volunteer or learning visit. Accommodation and project participation are arranged separately; a stay does not automatically include a placement or school visit.

Visit Grand Burnham Hut ↗

Working around children

Visitors should follow school supervision, respect personal boundaries and ask before taking photographs. A volunteer role does not authorize counselling, clinical care or independent access to children.

Read visitor expectations

Common volunteer questions.

Can I come as a student or university group?

Yes, you can enquire as an individual student or a group. Share your learning goals, course requirements and proposed supervision. Academic credit and placement approval must be agreed with your institution.

Are dates, costs and activities fixed?

Arrangements depend on the proposed visit. Request a written outline of the agreed activity, accommodation, transport and any costs before making travel plans.

Can I bring donated items?

Ask which items are useful before collecting or shipping goods. Locally available materials may be a better fit for a project’s needs and ongoing maintenance.

Can I offer support without travelling?

Yes. Explain what you can contribute remotely and the time you can commit. A defined task, clear handover and useful final output make remote support easier to coordinate.

Tell us what you can contribute.

Include your skills, dates and any university or professional requirements so we can discuss the right next step.

Enquire about volunteering
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