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GYC0787 - Beach and bush, conservation and Community Country: Kenya Cost: £2540.00 Cost Includes: The price includes accommodation, food and pickup from airport but does not include flight, insurance, kit or visas     Duration: 10 weeks Company Rep Nearby: All the time 0845 344 7514 or

 

	This placement would suit... Who want to join a team of volunteers to experience the African bush, the beach, community and conservation... The placement is split into two phases, the first five weeks are spent at Diani on Kenya’s beautiful coast, and the remainder is spent up country on a private game reserve close to the border with Uganda. The experience of these two very different locations and project types gives Leapers a unique insight into the many faces of East Africa. From Warthogs to Whale Sharks, Kenya Leapers see it all! The Beach phase starts in Mombassa where the team is collected from the airport by Hugh, the in-country host responsible for you for the duration of the placement. Home for the next five weeks is a house near the beach which offers comfortable accommodation complete with flush toilets and a pool to cool off in at the end of a long hot day! The volunteers work from 8am until lunchtime on a variety of community projects ranging from teaching local kids to distributing mosquito nets to families.Each project takes a week or two to complete, which is the perfect length of time to sustain your energy and enthusiasm and get a real sense of accomplishment from seeing a job through to the end. For example, it could be designing and building a climbing frame for the deaf school one week and the next being responsible for running a kids holiday camp, entertaining and teaching twenty underprivileged children who’ve never before seen the sea. The weekends are your free time for relaxation and independent travel. In the past volunteers have taken off on safari, learnt to scuba dive, gone big game fishing or simply kicked back and soaked up the rays from the nearest hammock! Diani has a great night-life and is popular with holiday makers, which provides a real contrast with the second phase in the Bush where Westerners are rarely seen. The Bush Phase Leapers live on safari, sleeping under canvas and setting up a campfire each night, right in the heart of a private game reserve. Having bonded as a team at the first phase, now is the time to fuel that sense of adventure by getting stuck into teaching at the local schools and helping the Kenya Wildlife Service on a range of conservation initiatives. Help to track and study migrating elephants, build game viewing platforms and held the odd wayward giraffe in an effort to gain a better understanding of and attract more wildlife to the Rimoi Reserve. In addition to these activities, volunteers are given the responsibility of spending their donation money (included in the cost of the scheme) on a project of their choice. In the past Leapers have spent this on paying children’s school fees, buying mattresses for local families and building a hand washing unit at the school. This ensures that you leave Kenya having left a lasting legacy. At the end of your twelve weeks with the Kenya Team you will have seen experienced things you never dreamt of, forged friendships that will endure a lifetime and made a real difference to the lives of the communities you’ve helped. Hopefully you’ll also have gained the confidence and drive to extend your stay and continue your travels with your new friends, whether it’s up to the summit of Mount Kenya or on an epic adventure South to Cape Town- the possibilities are limitless. If you want a gap year adventure that challenges and satisfies in every way and a unique experience you’ll never forget, don’t just walk through life...take The Leap. Team sizes are about 20 with departures Jan, April and Sept. Places on these teams get booked up a year in advance so book early... 0845 344 7514 The Leap: Don't just walk through life... take the Leap. Voluntary placements in Africa, South America, Asia and Australia, combining work in some of the most authentic safari camps/eco-lodges in the World, with effective and life-changing conservation and community projects. We are the only company to offer this fascinating mix of conservation, community and eco-tourism projects. Take the Leap on your own, with a friend or in a team. Flexible departure dates. 12-, 10- or six-week schemes including a Summer Team Leap.