What to Expect
Touch Africa community camps are organized very simply but are comfortable. While most of the work is not extremely difficult, a positive attitude, flexibility and openness to new experiences are essential for every volunteer. The groups who have the best experience at community camps are those who can most successfully adapt to their new surroundings.
Although the projects and living conditions are different at each camp, all of the camps share some basices: You can expect to eat, shower, sleep, work hard, play, and -- most important -- have fun.  While at community camp, you'll get to meet and work with lots of people from all over the world, and cultivate friendships that will last longer than just your two-week stay.

• Brick making
Community cleanup activity
Tree planting
Helping out at the Health Centre
Painting

Please be flexible, as activities may change due to climate changes and availability of materials.

In the afternoons, we will have open discussions on different issues, e.g.:

Globalization
Diminishing culture
Inferiority complex
Positive attitudes
Good role models
Agents of change

We will also have lectures from resource persons on issues including:

Project planning
Global citizenship
Resource mobilization
Topics that the volunteers will choose

Leisure Time
Watamu and the neighboring areas have varieties of opportunities for free-time activities. Volunteers will discuss together during the orientation days what they would like to do, individually and as a group.

Possibilities include:

• Visiting kaya forest the traditional headquarters of vast giriama culture and people
  
• A day trip to Malindi Marine Park.
• A day trip to Kwale game reserve.
• A day trip to Bamburi nature trail.
• Visit to Mombasa beach for a day swim.
• Visit to Mombasa Maasai village, Mamba village.
• Visit the town cement and sugar processing factories,
  and historical sites, e.g. Gede ruins, fort Jesus, arts & crafts centres, etc.
• Nature trails in the Kwale forest.
• Visits to other local community projects.

Age Limits
There is no age limit in Touch Africa International community development work; we believe every person, regardless of age, race, religion or gender, should be given a chance to touch Africa. Volunteers uder the age of 18 should be accompanied by adult or have a letter of permission from parents or sending organization.

Disability
We at Touch Africa International have work set aside for disabled people...This is part of our non-discriminatory policy.

Study
The Watamu community has a wealth of cultural tools and historical tourist attractions. Its economy depends in agriculture, particularly maize, cassava and coconut trees. Volunteers will have an opportunity to discuss and see with their own eyes the impact of globalization on the agricultural industry, and experience firsthand how the local farmers are trying to survive due to the low prices of their produce in the world market.

Cultural Nights
Cultural night is an essential activity at all of our international community camps; this is when each country or culture represented in the camp has an opportunity to make a presentation about their culture. Volunteers are asked to be prepared beforehand to present their countries and cultures in a maximum of three hours. This can be done in the form of song, dance, storytelling, speeches, etc. -- bring some materials, games, or recipes that you think will help everybody understand your country and your culture. We will also invite local traditional dance groups for some performances,

Things to Bring to Camp
Please bring with you the following necessary items; you can also contact us directly if you have any special concern or question.

• Sleeping bag, mosquito net, bed sheet, towel and pillow if you need one .
  
• Mosquito repellent, sunscreen and all personal medications. You are advised to contact your doctor or home organization on what you may require in terms of medication.
  
• Clothes and shoes for dirty work and rain.
  
• Sportswear, walking shoes and clothes for a cool summer climate.
  
• Flashlights
  
• Some nice clothes for parties, ceremonies and special occasions.
  
• Valid passports and visa for your stay in Kenya.
  
  

HOW TO GET THERE
All Volunteers will meet at YMCA CENTRAL HOSTEL on STATE HOUSE ROAD, NAIROBI, KENYA on Sunday at 2.00pm. This is the camp beginning date.The camp leaders will meet everybody there.if you have a problem reaching the place in advance write us an email or call us for directions. The following morning we will travel to the community by coach, pre-organised, and take another bus once we reach Mombasa city to some 100 kilometres away to the community. We might arrive in the evening, in which we will sleep and have the orientation and opening ceremony the following day.

Can I Arrive Early? Can I Be Met at the Airport?
Those arriving early can expect to pay US $10 per night at the YMCA hostel at community camp standards; please inform us by email or telephone in advance. so that we can also partner you with a local volunteer to stay with you until the camp begins.

The camp leader or local volunteers will come to meet you at the Airport or bus station if you wish. You must inform us in advance to make arrangements., you will be requested to contribute the amount of US $30 for taxi from airport to the hostel, otherwise you can use the public transport which is cheap (Availability: public transport is slow and sometimes crowded.)

What Will It Cost?

Volunteers coming from outside Kenya are required to pay the community camp registration fee, which is US $350,

$100 dollars is paid in advance and $250 upon arrival at the hostel in cash. Volunteers from within Kenya and other African states should communicate with their sending organizations for their arrangements.

Registration fee covers for transport from Nairobi to the community, food, housing, on-site transportation and sometimes materials for the project. Volunteers are responsible for their own, personal expenses, medical and free time costs, etc.

The first day of the community camp usually begins late in the afternoon, and the last day ends around breakfast time

How Can I Confirm My Participation in Advance?

You can send us an email to confirm interest in participation and/or to reserve a place in advance.

The next step is to send us an advance-booking fee of 100 dollars by remitting it to our account. You give the details below to your bank

ACCOUNT NAME: TOUCH AFRICA INTERNATIONAL.
BANK: CO-OPERATIVE BANK OF KENYA
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 0110082756300
BRANCH: KIMATHI STREET, NAIROBI.
SWIFT CODE: KCOOKENA
COUNTRY: Kenya

We will send you an email once we receive the amount.

The earlier the better, so that we can plan for you in advance. ( we have limits because we cannot plan for more than we expect.)

Post-Camp Activities
Those wishing to do tours and safaris after camp are asked to inform us in advance so that we can look for the cheap yet best agencies to do safaris with. Other activities include visits to children's homes, lectures and visits to schools in your area of profession, but note these are not a must.

Refund Policy
Since community camp budgets are based on the number of registrations, there will be no refunds for cancellations after arrival. Please keep in mind that your registration holds a spot that could be filled by another volunteer, and a late cancellation could prevent other people from being able to experience the community camp, as well as causing inconvenience to the organization and host community.

How Can I Confirm My Participation in Advance?
You can send us an email to confirm interest in participation and/or to reserve a place in advance. The earlier the better, so that we can plan for you in advance. (Sometimes we have limits because we cannot plan for more than we expect.)

Safety and Security
Kenya is a safe and very secure country. Touch Africa International works closely with government departments, and the hostels or houses our visitors live in have 24 hour security; we don't need escorts for international visitors, and our past volunteers can bear witness with us. Please remember that when one country is having conflicts in Africa (e.g., Congo, Sudan, Somalia), that is not the whole of Africa; this is a hasty generalisation and a stereotype that we have to overcome;

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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The dominant culture in Malindi is Swahili but we also have the indigenous Mijikenda (Giriama) community. The community here heavily depends on the tourist industry.

Malindi has no manufacturing industry rendering lots of people unemployed and lack of access to the basic amenities especially the outskirts (suburbs) residents. This has promoted drug abuse and irresponsible sexual behaviors. The community camps here will focus on education, income generating activities for the locals and creating awareness on drug abuse and prevention of HIV/AIDS. Search for other profiles of Malindi on the web.

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Tsunza is very rural with no access to electricity but there is piped treated water. Volunteers will be staying camp style on the white sandy beaches.

The community camp here focuses on environmental awareness (conservation), farming and cultural exchange; volunteers will be immersed in the local culture for the 2 weeks as they assist in the different work that we will have planned for them.

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