Participation Prerequisites
- Health Management: You must be in good physical and mental health. Those with chronic illnesses that require constant access to advanced medical infrastructure should not apply, due to rural Kenyan hospital limitations.
- Travel Insurance: Standard overseas travel insurance covering medical treatments, emergencies, rescue, and theft is mandatory for all participants.
- Length of Stay: Maximum 6 months (based on eTA rules). We highly recommend a minimum stay of 2 weeks; shorter visits usually limit your work to mere observation.
- Morning Assembly: To verify safety and health status, all volunteers residing in the Embu quarters must attend the daily office assembly at 8:00 AM.
- Activity Report: A final written report detailing your project achievements and insights is required upon returning home.
Participation Fees (Stay Costs)
Due to heavy currency fluctuations and fuel increases, prices are updated as follows. Fees must be wired to our specialized volunteer account (different from the donation account) at least 2 weeks before departure.
| Length of Stay |
Fee (JPY) |
Approx. USD Reference |
Remarks |
| Up to 2 Weeks |
123,000 JPY |
~$800 USD |
Due to 2 travel days, you get roughly 12 active project days. |
| Up to 3 Weeks |
168,000 JPY |
~$1,100 USD |
Ideal for executing a focused project. |
| Up to 1 Month |
225,000 JPY |
~$1,450 USD |
Recommended to truly integrate into the local community. |
| Up to 2 Months |
436,000 JPY |
~$2,800 USD |
Suitable for university research or credit-based internships. |
| Up to 3 Months |
630,000 JPY |
~$4,050 USD |
Provides deep engagement in NPO management operations. |
* Stays longer than 3 months are subject to individual consultation. Reference USD is based on 155 JPY/USD rate; actual payments must match JPY invoices.
✔ What is Included
- Roundtrip airport transfer between Nairobi and Embu (1 trip)
- Domestic transport related to core volunteer tasks
- Accommodation (standard staff quarters/guesthouse) & Meals
- Guesthouse/Office Wi-Fi access
- 24/7 localized quarters security
- Short tea-farmer homestay experience (1-2 nights)
✖ What is Excluded (Self-Pay)
- International round-trip flights to Nairobi
- eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) application fee
- Safaris, national park visits, coastal tours, and restaurant dining
- Hotel costs in Nairobi if flight arrives late at night/early morning
- Personal mobile SIM card & data packages
- Personal medical expenses or clinic doctor fees
- eTA extension fees for stays exceeding 90 days
🍀 Optional Activities & Tours
Supporters can coordinate these experiences during weekends or off-days:
Free Opportunities (Included)
- Tea Farm Stay: Pluck tea leaves, feed farm livestock, and learn local farming.
- Orphanage Homestay: Stay with children (only during school break seasons).
- Cultural Museum: Day trip to learn Kenyan tribe customs.
Paid Options (Extra Charges)
- Wildlife Safari: Nairobi National Park, or 2-3 day trips to Maasai Mara.
- Mt. Kenya Trekking: Climb up to Point Lenana (recommended dry seasons).
- Mombasa / Kibera Slum: Coastal historical sites or guided slum visits.
✈️ 1. Flight Booking & Transfer Rules
Strict Warning: Daytime Airport Pickup Only
For safety reasons, we do NOT transport volunteers between Nairobi and Embu (a 3-hour drive) during hours of darkness (before sunrise or after sunset). You must select flight itineraries that arrive in Nairobi in the morning or early afternoon (e.g., Emirates, Qatar Airways). If you book late night/early morning arrivals, you must arrange your own Nairobi lodging and transport at your own expense.
Flight Warnings:
- Avoid Ethiopian Airlines: Due to continuous flight delays, baggage losses, and security warnings around Addis Ababa, we ask volunteers not to fly with them.
- Emirates / Qatar Recommended: These airlines are highly reliable and Nairobi airport has free Wi-Fi in their terminals, making pickup communications simple.
- Layovers: Allow at least 2 hours of transit time to prevent missing flights due to security re-checks.
📄 2. eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization)
Kenya has abolished paper visas. All travelers must acquire an online **eTA** before boarding.
Watch out for scam proxy websites!
Apply only through the official portal:
https://www.etakenya.go.ke/
* ACEF will supply your guest-house booking slip required for eTA registration after you confirm flight bookings.
eTA Key Notes:
- Do not use @icloud.com: iCloud mail frequently blocks auto-generated government emails. Use Gmail or Yahoo.
- Save Reference Number: Capture screenshots of your "Ref.No." immediately after payment.
🚨 3. Security & Safety Iron Rules
- No Phones Outdoors: Do not pull out your smartphone on city streets. Snatching is extremely common. Wait inside restaurants or shops if calling transport.
- Banned Transport: **Motorcycle taxis (Piki-piki) are strictly banned** due to extreme accident rates. Using shared local vans (Matatus) alone is also prohibited.
- Avoid Demonstrations: Steer clear of any rallies. If arrested, foreign claims are ignored and police may detain you immediately.
- Robberies: In the unlikely event of an armed mugging, never resist. Surrender cash, phones, and watches immediately. Your life is the highest priority.
💵 4. Currency & Cash Rules
Japanese Yen is NOT exchangeable in Kenya.
Kenyan banks and airport cash desks have stopped exchanging Japanese Yen bills into Kenyan Shillings. You MUST carry **US Dollars in physical cash (100 or 50 dollar bills, new crisp notes)**. Old series, small bills, or damaged notes will be rejected by exchangers.
🏡 5. Living Quarters & Dress Code
- Water & Power: Tap water is non-potable. Bottled water is supplied. Quarters shower heaters run on electricity; warm water is unavailable during power outages.
- Clothing Taboos: Revealing clothing (short skirts, crop tops, spaghetti straps) is strictly prohibited. Avoid ripped jeans as they are considered disrespectful in local rural cultures.
- Weather: Embu sits at 1,300m elevation. While it is near the equator, mornings and evenings are chilly. **Pack fleece and light down jackets**, especially between June and October.
- Plugs: Type G (UK 3-pin) is standard. Bring universal adapters.
