Volunteer Opportunities in Nairobi


Our headquarters and volunteer house are based in Waithaka, a lively suburb of Nairobi. From here, volunteers travel to various projects across the city, with the guidance of our local staff. Our house serves as a safe and welcoming home away from home for volunteers to relax and hang-out after their day’s work.

We charge a fee for hosting our volunteers, which includes accommodation, two meals a day, 24/7 support and much more.

Two children are sitting at a desk, studying with notebooks and a smartphone. One child is using the phone, while the other looks on. The focus is on their backs and the studying materials.

Digital Literacy for Youth

Similar to our program in Maasai Mara, volunteers in Nairobi help local students develop computer skills, which are essential for their future success. With the right training, these young people can access opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. Volunteers are given training and orientation before starting to ensure they feel confident and prepared.

Apply Here to become a volunteer
Child drawing a geometric flower design on paper with colored paints, paint palettes, a cup of purple drink, and a red paintbrush on a wooden table.

Primary School Education Support

Volunteers play an important role in Nairobi’s primary schools by assisting with classroom activities, tutoring children who need extra help, and engaging in fun extracurricular activities like dance, art, sports and storytelling. These creative outlets build confidence and open the children's minds to new possibilities.

Apply here to volunteer
A healthcare worker in blue scrubs taking a man's blood pressure at a community health event, with multiple people seated in a tent environment.

Healthcare Internship Program

We offer healthcare students the chance to practice in Nairobi, working under the guidance of Kenyan doctors. The program is tailored to your experience and interests, with the opportunity to work in clinics and outreach programs.

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Apply Here to Volunteer

Specialized Volunteering


Got a skill or passion that doesn’t quite fit our programs? Let us know! We love hearing what volunteers can offer and will do our best to incorporate your unique talents into the community.

Your Volunteer Accomodation

We have both shared rooms and private rooms (available for an upgraded fee)

Our volunteer house has hot water, Wi-Fi and electricity, although water and power cuts can occasionally happen in Nairobi. 

We provide breakfast and dinner from Monday through Saturday. Our meals are cooked with a lot of love by our staff, using local ingredients, with of course veggie and vegan options, as needed. 

The house also has a “house mama” and security 24/7.

Three wooden bunk beds in a small room, each with a mattress and pillow, arranged in a corner with one against a wall and two perpendicular, with bare yellow walls and a tiled floor.
A living room with two dark grey sofas, one with floral pillows, a wooden coffee table, a patterned tile on the floor, and a TV mounted on the wall. There are colorful paintings and boxes on a wooden cabinet, a white brick fireplace, and decorative curtains.
A busy street scene viewed through a window with reflections, showing numerous vehicles, including cars, vans, and a bus, with many of them stopped or moving slowly. The street is crowded with pedestrians, and there are tents or stalls along the sidewalk, possibly part of a market or fair. The background features buildings, power lines, and a sunset sky.
A city skyline under a partly cloudy sky, with tall buildings, a park with a pond, and a parking lot in the foreground.

Here’s a glimpse of a typical day for volunteers in Nairobi:

  • 7:30 AM: Breakfast at the volunteer house

  • 8:45 AM: Volunteers head out to their placements

  • 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM: Work at the placements with a quick break for lunch

  • 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Free time to relax, prep for the next day, or explore the city’s cafes and malls

  • 6:30 PM: Return to the volunteer house, unless otherwise arranged, and shower

  • 7:00 PM: Dinner is served

  • 8:00 PM: Hang out in the social areas (the downstairs lounge or on our rooftop hangout) with fellow volunteers, or go and explore the city’s nightlife together!

Nairobi has an exciting food and nightlife scene, and we encourage volunteers to explore it! It’s a vibrant city full of energy and social opportunities. However, safety is a top priority, and we advise all volunteers to communicate with the house staff, use Bolt or Uber for transport, and never travel by foot in unsafe areas.

Once a week, we gather as a community for a dinner or cookout, where volunteers can chat with our founders and directors, ask questions, or simply share their experiences over a shared meal. After all, nothing brings people together like good food!

At Marafiki Community International, we believe in the power of community, collaboration, and shared experiences. We’re here to walk alongside the people we serve, and we’re excited for you to join us on this journey!

If you’d love more information or to reserve your volunteer experience for yourself or a group, please email Marta directly at marta@marafikicommunity.org or send us a direct message on our Instagram page @marafikikenya

Apply to become a Marafiki Volunteer today!
Two small houses with yellow roofs surrounded by trees and grass; cloudy sky in the background.

Interested in our volunteer opportunities in Maasai Mara?

Click here

A typical day Volunteering in Nairobi