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You’ll be matched with your personal volunteer travel expert who’ll guide you every step of the way.
Meet Your Travel Expert
Receive your welcome pack with everything you need: arrival info, contacts, visa and insurance help, packing tips, vaccines, language basics, and so much more.
Get Ready to Go!
Choose your dream project and apply for free—no commitment, just excitement!
Pick Your Destination & Apply
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Once your dates are confirmed, pay your program fee—choose to pay in full or in easy installments.
Secure Your Spot
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Want to volunteer as a special needs teacher in Kenya? Our Travel Roots education special needs program is the perfect destination to teach, inspire, and help transform children with special needs across Kenya.
Volunteering in a special needs classroom is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have—requiring patience, compassion, and creativity.
This program places you in a school in Nairobi, Nakuru, or Mombasa, working directly with children living with conditions such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, deafness, communication delays, cognitive disabilities, and more.
Many schools in Kenya have limited resources and staff to adequately support these learners. Your role is to help fill that gap—offering encouragement, assistance, and personalised care so each child can reach their full potential.
From basic literacy and numeracy to communication and social skills, you’ll work alongside dedicated teachers to adapt lessons, engage students, and create a nurturing environment for every learner to thrive.
Key Activities:
Assist with teaching literacy, numeracy, and life skills adapted to different learning levels
Support students with communication and self-care routines
Help prepare lesson materials and visual learning tools
Organise activities like art, crafts, games, or light physical therapy
Offer one-on-one support and motivation to build confidence and connection
This program calls for empathy, flexibility, and the desire to meet every student exactly where they are. In return, you’ll gain a deep sense of purpose—and witness incredible progress, one small step at a time.
By volunteering on our Special Needs Teaching program, you will:
Support children with diverse physical, cognitive, and developmental needs
Gain hands-on experience in adaptive teaching, communication, and inclusive learning
Work closely with dedicated local staff in classrooms that need extra support
Build deep, rewarding connections through patience, creativity, and care
Contribute to a more inclusive education system—one child, one breakthrough at a time
What to Expect: A Day in the Life of a Special Needs Volunteer Teacher
Each day is guided by empathy, presence, and the unique needs of each child. You’ll become part of a team working to create structure, safety, and joy in an environment that supports every learner’s journey.
7:30 AM – Breakfast and Morning Prep
Start your day with breakfast at your homestay, then gather any materials or visual aids for your placement.8:30 AM – Arrival at School
Assist teachers in welcoming students and helping with morning routines, such as handwashing or calming activities.9:00 AM – Learning Sessions Begin
Support small group lessons or one-on-one work focused on literacy, numeracy, or basic life skills like dressing or communication.10:30 AM – Snack and Playtime
Help with feeding where needed, then supervise outdoor activities—games, physical therapy exercises, or simple crafts.11:30 AM – Continued Support and Workshop Activities
Organise interactive learning sessions using worksheets, music, or storytelling. You may also lead an art, sensory, or movement activity.1:00 PM – Lunch and Rest Time
Assist during lunchtime and support any children with feeding challenges, followed by quiet time or structured relaxation.2:00 PM – Afternoon Wrap-Up
Help clean the classroom, debrief with staff, and prepare for the next day’s activities or therapies.Evenings & Days Off
Use your free time to rest, explore your local area, or take part in workshops, excursions, or cultural experiences.Your Impact as a Volunteer
Every child deserves to feel seen, supported, and capable—and your presence makes that possible. In special needs classrooms where resources are limited and individual care is often stretched thin, your support provides much-needed attention, patience, and encouragement.
You’re not just helping students learn—you’re helping them feel safe, confident, and celebrated for who they are. Whether it’s teaching a child to write their name, guiding them through a sensory activity, or simply offering a smile and a steady hand, you become part of their journey toward independence and self-worth.
Your work also uplifts the teachers and families who support these children daily. By stepping in and showing up with consistency and care, you help build a more inclusive learning environment—and model what compassionate education can look like.
This is impact that ripples outward: child by child, classroom by classroom.
Your Home in Kenya
As a special needs teaching volunteer, you'll stay with a trusted local host family in a quiet residential area near your placement—whether in Nairobi, Mombasa, or Nakuru. These homestays offer a warm, welcoming base where you can rest, reflect, and feel part of the community.
Rooms are shared with fellow volunteers and include basic essentials such as a bed, mosquito net, and fan. Bathrooms may be private or shared depending on the location.
What’s Included:
Shared bedroom with bedding and mosquito net
Bathroom with running water or bucket shower (depending on the area)
Three traditional home-cooked meals per day
Filtered water, tea, and basic snacks
Laundry access (self-service or small local fee)
Wi-Fi available in most urban areas
Evenings are a chance to unwind with your host family, learn local customs, or simply enjoy the quiet moments after a meaningful day of service.
History
Born during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, this grassroots initiative began as a local response to growing hardship in Nairobi’s most vulnerable communities. As job losses and economic instability swept through the area, the founders stepped in to provide food parcels, clean water, and hygiene essentials—mobilising quickly through local networks and international support.
What started as emergency relief soon evolved into something deeper: a platform where people could offer their time, skills, and compassion to lift others up. By 2023, the initiative was officially registered as a nonprofit organisation, opening the door to long-term development and volunteer-led projects that continue to grow each year.
Mission & Vision
The mission is to empower communities by providing practical, affordable, and sustainable solutions to local challenges—through volunteering, training, and shared resources.
Their vision is to create self-reliant individuals and resilient communities by equipping people with the knowledge, tools, and opportunities needed for lasting transformation. Every project is built on a foundation of respect, accountability, compassion, and local collaboration—ensuring that change comes from within, and stays long after the volunteers have gone.
Program Fees & What’s Included
Program Fees
Duration Fee (EUR) Daily Equivalent
1 week €252 €36.00/day
2 weeks €354 €25.29/day
3 weeks €475 €22.62/day
4 weeks €586 €20.93/day
5 weeks €698 €19.94/day
6 weeks €810 €19.29/day
8 weeks €1,024 €18.29/day
10 weeks €1,257 €17.96/day
12 weeks €1,490 €17.74/day
Payment Terms
Program fees are due 30 days before your start date
If applying within 30 days, full payment is due within 48 hours of confirmation
What’s Included
✔️ Homestay accommodation with a vetted local family
✔️ Three traditional meals daily
✔️ Airport pickup and drop-off
✔️ Orientation, placement, and in-country support
✔️ All volunteer activities
✔️ Pre-departure support and cultural guidance✔️ Welcome pack with all the essential and helpful information
✔️ Certificate of completion at the end of your placement
✔️ Full support before, during, and after your program
✔️ 100% Cancellation Money-Back Guarantee
✔️ And so much more...
Your Investment in Inclusion, Empowerment & Education
Volunteering in a special needs classroom is an act of compassion that makes a lasting difference. Your program fees directly support schools, students, and local staff who are working tirelessly to offer every child the education and care they deserve—no matter their challenges.
Your program fees help directly support:
Special needs school placements and support programs
Adapted learning materials and classroom resources
Local staff, therapists, and caregiver assistance
Daily meals and safe, comfortable accommodation
Ongoing development of inclusive education practices
Where You’ll Be – Diverse, Welcoming, and Full of Heart
Your kindergarten placement could be in Nairobi, Mombasa or Nakuru—each offering a different side of Kenya’s cultural and natural beauty. Whether you're in the buzz of the capital, along the Indian Ocean coast, surrounded by the traditions of the Maasai, or in a peaceful Rift Valley town, one thing remains the same: a warm welcome and a strong sense of community.
These locations are rich in contrast. You'll see children learning in both concrete classrooms and thatched community centres, often with limited resources but endless enthusiasm. Each setting brings its own daily rhythm, challenges, and rewards.
From urban energy to rural calm, you’ll be immersed in a way of life that celebrates simplicity, connection, and resilience—making your volunteer experience as personally transformative as it is impactful.
Kenya – A Nation of Culture, Contrast & Community
Kenya is known across the globe for its dramatic landscapes, world-class safaris, and deeply rooted cultures. But beyond the wildlife and wilderness lies a country full of warmth, resilience, and vibrant community life.
You’ll find a rich blend of languages, traditions, and daily customs—from the Swahili phrases spoken in the streets to the generosity of a shared meal. Kenya’s people are its greatest strength—welcoming, curious, and eager to engage.
Whether you're wandering through Nairobi's Maasai Market, hiking the Ngong Hills, or learning to cook chapati with your host family, every day brings something new to discover. With its tropical climate, friendly communities, and growing social initiatives, Kenya is an unforgettable place to live, learn, and contribute.
No matter where you're placed—Nairobi, Mombasa, Maasai Land, or Nakuru—your weekends and afternoons offer plenty of chances to relax, explore, and connect more deeply with Kenya.
Explore Local Markets and Towns
Wander vibrant markets filled with colourful fabrics, handmade crafts, and fresh tropical fruits. Each region has its own rhythm and charm.
Nature Walks and Village Tours
In rural areas, enjoy scenic walks through hills, farms, or open savannah. Spend time with locals, learn traditional skills, or visit nearby villages.
Beach Days in Mombasa
If you’re placed by the coast, unwind on white-sand beaches, take a dip in the Indian Ocean, or explore marine parks and islands.
Cultural Activities and Cooking Classes
Learn how to make chapati, mandazi, or ugali with your host family, or attend a community celebration, music night, or storytelling circle.
Wildlife Adventures and Safaris
Weekend trips can include visiting Nairobi National Park, Lake Nakuru, or Amboseli—each offering unforgettable wildlife viewing and landscapes.
Relax, Reflect, Reconnect
Sometimes the best moments are the quietest—reading in the garden, journaling under a mango tree, or stargazing far from city lights.
