Volunteer with us

A Rocha Kenya is a conservation organisation that is part of a wider family of A Rocha projects around the world. Our vision is to join hands with people from all walks of life and reach out practically to care for God’s world.

As an organization, we largely operate with the help of volunteers who are willing to contribute their skills and time. Volunteers are great ambassadors for our organisation, networking and promoting our ‘message’. They may be at the front line of our work, collecting data for scientific studies, providing hospitality to guests, helping with environmental education, doing essential record keeping and administration and helping Mwamba centre run efficiently. They are highly valued and essential members of our teams.

Volunteer tasks

The work of A Rocha Kenya is diverse and volunteers of all ages come with very different skills and experience. For this reason we cannot give you an exact programme before you arrive. If you expressed a specific area of interest on your application form you will be allocated a programme leader. We also have general tasks which are carried out by all volunteers including daily chores, hospitality, beach clean-ups and food shopping.

Over the years, volunteers have shown a lot of interest in our science and research department, community conservation department, Mwamba hospitality and general volunteering. Below is a brief elaboration of those departments and what your journey as a volunteer is likely to be if you choose to volunteer with us. 

However, it is worth mentioning that our doors are always open for all volunteers, from all walks of life and from all over the world. What is listed below is just a general idea. If you are wondering if volunteering with us is the next best step for you, reach out to us and we will be sure to answer some of your questions and make your decision-making process easier.

Science and Research

If you are looking for a place to write your University Dissertations and Theses in Marine related fields, Watamu Marine National Park provides an amazing filed with a wide variety of data that may just be what you are looking for.

For those who have a passion for terrestrial and marine science, I have got some good news for you. Our Science team is involved in a few land projects like Bird monitoring (Bird ringing, bird counts, wader counts) and Plant phinology. In the marine side, we have Sharks and Rays surveys, Coral Bleaching studies, Beach Clean-ups, Time Swims and Microplastics studies. 

For more information visit our projects page to see what you can be involved in.

Community Conservation

In the Community Conservation department, we have volunteer opportunities in Environmental Education, collecting and writing stories, Tree nursery maintenance, Assets, Designing education materials etc.

Hospitality and general volunteering

Mwamba (Swahili word for Rock), is our main base of operation. It houses our offices and a guest house. For those who have a passion for hospitality and communications (Designing, story writing, website management etc), this is definitely a place for you. We also have room for general volunteers (those who don’t have a specific area of interest or are interested to have a feel of everything) and maintenance (grounds work) volunteers.

For specifics on how you can fit in, please don’t hesitate to fill out the volunteer form (on the A Rocha International website) or write to us ([email protected]).

Living at the Mwamba Guest House

For accommodation, you will be staying at the volunteer rooms in the guest house. Accommodation is in simple rooms. Some have en suite facilities, though these rooms are not always available to volunteers; the wider needs of the centre will determine room allocations. All rooms have mains electricity (220v, UK-style 3-pin) and mosquito nets, and sheets and towels are provided.

Three meals per day are provided. As an A Rocha tradition, we all like to gather at lunch and dinner to share the meal together to promote a family atmosphere and make all feel welcome. Volunteers pay a minimal charge to cover accommodation and meals.

Additional information

Access the volunteer form here.
Here is the International volunteers’ handbook that will tell you more about how to prepare for your journey.
Here is the mockumentary (just for laughs) video that was written, taken and edited by previous volunteers depicting the typical day.
And here a few stories from our former volunteers about different projects. Bird counts in Mida, A day as volunteer, Time swims

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