The Project
Volunteer Teaching in Kenya

The Government of Kenya has expressed a strong interest in developing local communities along this coastline, but lacks the finance and scientific expertise to do so. GVI supports Kenyan organisations by examining how the local communities affect and utilizes the region’s natural resources. The expedition also assists communities in development initiatives, such as on how to use resources in a sustainable manner. GVI assists partners in promoting this local framework as the basis for a larger conservation-research initiative in tropical coastal waters and terrestrial areas around Shimoni. Expedition members live and work alongside local researchers, students and staff from the Kenyan Wildlife Service.

Through collaboration with local conservation groups, tourist operators, and local villagers, the expedition combines ecological research with grass-roots conservation efforts. The ultimate aim is the self-financing of conservation through regulated ecotourism and resource use. Community interaction via English language and environmental education is central to the success of the expedition, alongside the scientific research itself. Expedition members have the opportunity to teach English to children and adults, and take Swahili lessons themselves.

The expedition projects include: community development projects around the national parks, reducing community conflict with wildlife, and helping community environmental education programmes, including low-literacy TEFL teaching through games, activities, art, etc.