Agriculture

Gatanga Village - Kenya

Only 360€ per week!

Experience rural Kenya in a unique way: Assist on local farms and learn how they practice sustainable farming through traditional and even hydroponic methods.

Work alongside local farmers in the Kenyan countryside! Tasks may include work on avocado, mango, macadamia, coffee and tea farms. You may also help out with livestock such as: cows, goats, pigs and poultry. Learn about soil-less farming and other methods. Experience the truly authentic Kenya!

Culture
Learning
Leisure
Community Engagement
Physical Demand

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Program Description

Agriculture is the main economic backbone of Kenya, as well as the primary source of income for basic households in many parts of the country. As many areas throughout the country are struggling with issues of food security, this is a great opportunity to try new and tried and true methods of farming to tackle these issues. When you join this program you will assist local farmers who are not only trying to feed their own families and make a living, but those who are trying to share the knowledge they have attained to keep the farming culture alive and thriving.

Gatanga is one of those places, and local villagers spend their lives harvesting fruits, vegetables and coffee, as well as taking care of their livestock.

In this program, you’ll get the chance to experience the authentic countryside of Kenya by living amongst locals and helping out the villagers on their farms.

Your tasks may include:

  • Cutting and cleaning up the grass areas around the farm
  • Planting, weeding, watering, picking fruits
  • Helping take care of the livestock
  • Addressing various community needs
  • Learning about the use of nutrient rich water for soil-less farming (hydroponic farming)

Working up close with local farmers will not only teach you new skills, but will also allow you to get authentically immersed in a new culture and lifestyle.

Aims & Objectives

  • Experience local Kenyan agricultural practices
  • Assist the local farming community by providing extra hands and effort
  • Cultural immersion and engagement with the local community

Schedule

Monday to Friday

You can expect to spend four to five to six hours per day on the farm, with a lunch break in between these hours. The tasks you will engage in depend largely upon the season and the priority needs at that time. Tasks will vary based upon your own knowledge, skill and ability to carry out tasks independently. The day could look like:

  • Breakfast
  • Helping on the farm/plantation
  • Lunch
  • Helping on the farm/plantation
  • Dinner

   Note:   This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

   Note:   Bear in mind that some farmers may choose to take the day off on public holidays.

Participant Criteria & Requirements

Standard Requirements

Minimum age:

Maximum age:

Minimum English level: Basic

CRB required: On Signup

Passport copy required: No

Resume copy required: No

Required qualification: None

Additional Requirements

There are no further requirements.

Additional Equipment

  • Modest clothing (long sleeves and long pants offer the best protection when working outdoors, at the minimum- clothing should cover knees and shoulders)
  • Please bring work gloves, work shoes or boots, water bottle, hat and sun protection.

Location

Gatanga Village will be your new home and will give you the chance to see authentic rural Kenya. Close by is Thika, an industrial town where you will be able to find anything you need. Nairobi is not too far either, and you can head there during the weekend for nights out or sightseeing. Likewise, there are many natural areas in close proximity to Gatanga, a simple example are Fourteen Falls, a set of waterfalls that will leave you awestruck.

About the Accommodation

You will be accommodated in our center. All participants are expected to be environmentally aware and use all resources with restraint, especially water, paper and electricity. Sometimes there are power and water cuts during the day, but do not panic. This is life in the village. This is a very simple local accommodation, but you will have all of the necessities while here. You will have meals provided and rooms cleaned on the weekends, but you will also be expected to clean up after yourself and play your part in keeping the accommodation neat and organized. The location is not far from  the Police station and a short walk to local market and shops. When interacting with the local community it is important to note that smoking is not accepted in public areas or even within the sight line of children or local officials. Style of dress in the community is fairly conservative. Short shorts, mini skirts and sleeveless tops are not considered appropriate for the culture of the village.

Please be advised that in the event of an excess number of participants, we may use other local accommodation in the area that meets a similar standard as described herein.

Food Arrangements

Food served will mainly be Kenyan food, which consists of vegetables, potatoes, eggs, bread, pancakes (commonly known as “chapati”) and fruits such as oranges, bananas and avocados.

Facilities

Thika town is located a thirty minute drive away from our center and is filled with supermarkets, shops, ATMs, local markets and good restaurants. There is local transport available in Thika such as bicycle and motorbike taxis, van taxis and buses. Vehicles called “matatus” very tightly packed minivans can be found near the local market throughout the day which can drop you off in Thika town. Moreover, the bus “station” (central location for minivans and buses) in Thika is your launching spot for trips  into other parts of Kenya.

   Note:   Please expect shops to be closed on Sunday as many people do not work that day.

Activities & Events

No scheduled activities outside the program.

Sights & Surroundings

There are many places for you to visit during your free time. For example, you can visit the Fourteen Falls in Thika, go hiking in Kenya Mountain, visit Mombasa and enjoy the beach or head for a weekend of sightseeing in Nakuru or Nairobi, which are filled with national parks. Nairobi is also the nightlife hub of Kenya.

Transportation

From this location we do not provide free transport to other locations.

Quick Facts

Name: Republic of Kenya

Population: 45 million

Capital: Nairobi

Language: English, Swahili

Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KES)

Time zone: UTC +3

Country Information

The first thing that might pop to mind when thinking of Kenya are lions, zebras and leopards. However, this vast country has much more to offer. With 40 national parks and reserves scattered around the country, Kenya features almost every landscape and activity that you can imagine and it will suit any type of traveller’s palette.

Undeniably, safaris are the core of tourism in Kenya, but you might also venture in deeper and discover the Maasai, a semi-nomadic tribe known for its color-filled adornments. Nairobi is another destination to explore, with its bustling nightlife and unique vibes. For those who love nature, a visit to the Great Rift Valley is a must. And for those who enjoy chilling at the beach, Kenya’s coastal area covers almost 80,000 square kilometers and remains sun-filled during most of the year!

Climate

Kenya is a big country and its climate varies from tropical along its coast to arid in the north and quite temperate inland. Kenya receives a large amount of sunshine year-round but generally, the hottest period is considered take place in February and March while the coldest one between July and mid August. The “long rains” season happens between March and June, while the “short rain” season is between October and December.

Culture

Over the course of history, Kenya has been the hub of migration and henceforth, the country has become one of the most diverse culture and language-wise.

The country has over forty different ethnic groups, including Luo, Kamba, Maasai and more. Each speaks a variety of mother tongues, although Swahili remains the most widely spoken language. Moreover, European, Arab, Indian and Pakistani groups who came to the country in the 19th century can be added to the mix of diversity.

Even though religions such as Christianity and Islam are widely spread, many still believe in the ancestor world, where the dead have an impact on the lives of the living.

Today, Kenya’s culture, including forms of dress, music and food sees its strong influences from other parts of Africa, India, Europe and the United States. However, in certain parts of the country, many communities retain their traditional lifestyle and culture and people still wear clothes, skins, jewelry as they did centuries ago. Many remote tribes remain absolutely isolated and indigenous as

Gastronomy

Traditional Kenyan food are known for consisting corn, potatoes and beans. A staple dish is Ugali, a porridge made out of maize. Another typical delicacy is irio, a blend of corn, beans, potatoes and beans dipped into meat or vegetable stews.

Transportation

Plane

Kenya Airways offers daily flights between Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu, Kisumu and Nairobi. Likewise, another popular choice is Air Kenya, which flies regularly between Nairobi, Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu, Amboseli, Maasai Mara, Meru, Nanyuki and Samburu.

Bus

Kenya has a large bus network between many destinations, but be advised that roads are bumpy. For safety reasons, we highly advise to use long distance buses only during daytime.

Minivan

Minivans, known as “matatus” in Kenya are another way to get around for short and medium distance travels. Taking a matatu is a must to experience the real Kenya as they are often decorated in colorful and fascinating colours. You can hail a matatu on the side of the road and in this day and age, the network is easier to figure out than ever as routes and schedules are provided on Google Maps.

Train

The train in Kenya is often dubbed the “Lunatic Express”. It travels between Nairobi and Mombasa three times a week. It is undeniably a great experience to travel by train but if time is an issue, we advise you to go for another method of transportation as the train has a bad reputation for being extremely slow and often delayed.

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