Volunteers: a valuable contribution
Since HSHC works with limited resources, a helping hand is always welcome. HSHC welcomes foreign and Kenyan volunteers to support us and at the same time gain a unique experience to see grass-roots development work in practice. Also interns and researchers are welcome to do their assignments at HSHC or in the surrounding project area. Our staff is happy to facilitate volunteers and to support work that links with our mandate. We can also assist in arranging research assignments in the near-by Mt. Kenya National Park.

In the past 15 years HSHC has hosted many international volunteers and interns and has learned to appreciate their valuable contribution. Various assignments are possible, with a duration of 3 to 12 months.

The beautiful surroundings, the heart-warming communities and the pleasant climate make the Mt. Kenya region the ideal place to do your internship or voluntary work. The HSHC staff is ready to support you in your work, whether it is at the office in Naro Moru, in the oil-processing facility, the farms or in the surrounding communities.

Assignments
HSHC runs several projects in the fields of agriculture, forestry, water management and promoting entrepreneurship where volunteers or interns could support or develop their own research projects.

Students in the last year of their Bachelor or Master study in the following fields are welcome to apply:
•  (Organic) agriculture
•  Forestry
•  Tropical land use
•  Livestock, poultry
•  Development studies (e.g. gender, HIV / Aids etc.)
•  Anthropology
•  Human geography
•  Water management / irrigation
•  Business, commercial economy
•  Marketing & communication
•  ICT
•  Engineering
•  If your field is not mentioned, please contact HSHC to discuss the possibilities

Download here the vacancy text for interns and student researchers

Volunteers can take a variety of tasks, depending on your education, work experience and the duration of your stay. Activities could vary from designing a marketing strategy for the oil products to updating our website to fundraising and writing proposals, to helping with landscaping and farming to assisting with the oil production. It is also possible to train community members in topics such as entrepreneurship or on ICT. We can also link students up with near-by schools, orphanages or hospitals.

Research projects could include:
•  Effects of climate change
•  Prevention of bird predation
•  Effects of programmes on gender-equality
•  Market surveys
•  Identification of marketable non-wood forest products
•  Product Development
•  Internally Displaced People
•  Etc.

If you are interested in specific activities, feel free to ask for the possibilities. We will try to satisfy your preferences.

Requirements
You are welcome at HSHC if you meet the following requirements:
•  For interns: You are in the final year of a Bachelor or Master study in one of the following fields: (organic) agriculture, livestock / poultry, forestry, water management / irrigation, business, marketing, ICT, development studies, anthropology or human geography;
•  You are available for at least 3 months;
•  You can work independently;
•  You are flexible and can adapt easily to different cultural circumstances;
•  You are comfortable to live in a rural environment with limited facilities and leisure opportunities;
•  You can show proof of a medical insurance and preferably also baggage insurance;
•  You have enough funds to pay for your ticket, insurance and living expenses.

Professional support
HSHC has various staff members with bachelor and master degrees who can support interns and volunteers in their work and research. In the past 15 years the organisation has hosted many international volunteers and interns and has learned to appreciate their valuable contribution. Currently 1 international staff is working at HSHC.

We will arrange logistics such as pick-up from the airport, transport to the project site and introduction at our beneficiaries. Accommodation is available on our premises in Naromoru where you can stay in a comfortable guest house with electricity and (hot) running water at a subsidised rate.

Surroundings and leisure
Naro Moru is a small but lively village where about 2000 people live. There are a number of shops where you can find basic commodities. The village has a post-office and there are some hotels including a few top-end ones with facilities like a swimming pool and horse-riding opportunities. The nearest banks can be found in Nanyuki, a larger town about 30 kilometres from Naro Moru. Nanyuki also has various internet cafes, restaurants and bars. There is regular transport between Nairobi, Naro Moru and Nanyuki through matatus (mini-buses).

The HSHC premises are about 6 kilometers out of Naro Moru village, going towards the Mt. Kenya National Park. It is a agricultural area with numerous kiosks (small shops), workshops and other small businesses.

Leisure opportunities are limited, although the National Park is near at only a distance of 13 kilometres. So if you like hiking you are in the right place! You may want to bring some books, DVD’s or music instruments with you to entertain yourself. A laptop will also come in handy. However, in the guest house with its Kenyan and foreign guests you will not get bored easily!

Nairobi is about a 3-hour trip away where you can find anything you can imagine and more. Even wildlife is near in the Nairobi National Park or the Elephant orphanage. Our staff can also advise you on trips to other parts of Kenya, such as the famous game reserve Masaai Mara, the crater lake at Naivasha, the Thomson’s falls, the Aberdare mountains or the coastal area.

The climate is the Mt. Kenya region is moderate due to the height. During the days the temperature in Naro Moru varies from 20 to 25 degrees, however, at night it can drop to 10 to 15 degrees. It is advisable to bring enough warm clothes such as pullovers, closed shoes, socks etc. The area has two rainy seasons March – May and October – December. In these months you will appreciate a rain coat and umbrella. If you plan on climbing Mt. Kenya, be prepared for temperatures below zero. You will also need good hiking boots.

The Mt. Kenya region lies above 2000 meters which means that malaria is not found in this area. Nairobi is also a non-malaria area. Therefore it is not necessary to take malaria prophylaxis unless you will travel to other parts of Kenya such as the coastal area.

Expenses
HSHC is a non-profit organisation and depends on gifts and subsidies. Therefore we ask volunteers and interns for a small contribution. Please contact HSHC for more information.

In turn HSHC offers the following:
•  Pick-up from the airport and transport to Naro Moru and back
•  Accommodation in a comfortable guest house with electricity and running (hot) water. You will have your own room with bath room.
•  3 meals per day prepared for you, coffee and tea available
•  Laundry service
•  Professional support and guidance by HSHC staff
•  Security through night guard

Expenses that are NOT included are, among others:
•  Flight to Kenya
•  Visa
•  Insurances
•  Vaccinations
•  Local travel (except pick-up from airport and transport to Naro Moru upon arrival)
•  Meals and food taken outside the guest house, sodas, alcohol etc.
•  Internet and telephone expenses
•  Excursions, touristy trips
•  Other personal expenses

If you think you will need a computer for your work, we’d advise you to bring your own laptop since computer facilities are only available to a limited extent.

More information
If you are interested in volunteering or interning at HSHC, please feel free to contact us to discuss your preferences. We can inform you further about the practicalities and the further process.