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Host is looking for help immediately
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
18 Jun 2026
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
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Details
Description
Hello and welcome!
We are Florence and Gabriel, a family living on beautiful Mfangano Island in Lake Victoria, Kenya.
This summer, we invite volunteers to join us in creating a special nature-based kindergarten at Kitenyi Primary School—a place where young children can learn, play, explore, and grow surrounded by nature, community, and creativity.
Our kindergarten welcomes a small group of around 15 children aged 2–4 years, allowing us to create a warm, supportive environment where every child receives personal attention and encouragement. Through gardening, storytelling, music, arts and crafts, outdoor adventures, games, and hands-on learning, we help children build confidence, curiosity, cooperation, and a love for nature.
As a volunteer, you will become part of our daily life and community. Your days may include playing with children, helping with creative activities, supporting simple educational projects, gardening, assisting with sustainability initiatives, sharing your talents, or simply bringing positive energy and new ideas. No teaching experience is required—kindness, patience, openness, and enthusiasm are what matter most.
Beyond volunteering, this is an opportunity to experience the beauty and culture of island life. Enjoy peaceful mornings by the lake, swim in the waters of Lake Victoria, hike scenic trails, visit traditional fishing villages, learn about local customs, and watch unforgettable sunsets over the water.
This experience is perfect for travelers, students, gap-year volunteers, families, and anyone looking for a meaningful summer filled with connection, learning, and cultural exchange. Whether you stay for a few weeks or longer, your contribution will help create joyful learning experiences for local children while allowing you to become part of a growing community project.
If you are looking for a summer of purpose, adventure, simplicity, and genuine human connection, we would be delighted to welcome you to Kitenyi Primary Kindergarten and our home on Mfangano Island.
Come learn, play, grow, and make lasting memories with us.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Elderly Companionship
Teaching
Light gardening
Creative DIY projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Hospitality/Tourism
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Sustainability
Culture
Farming
Events & social
Charity work
Languages
Plant care
Gardening
Carpentry
Cooking & food
DIY & crafts
Animals
Dancing
Sailing / Boating
Outdoor activities
Nature
Mountain
Hiking
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Cultural Exchange on Mfangano Island
Life on Mfangano Island is a beautiful journey of sharing culture, faith, and community with the Abasuba people, the indigenous community of the island. Volunteers are welcomed into everyday island life, learning directly from local families, church leaders, elders, and students while experiencing the rich heritage of the Olusuba culture.
You will have opportunities to:
Prepare and share traditional Suba meals with local families, students, and church members, learning the customs, stories, and hospitality that shape life on the island.
Learn and practice Olusuba, the local language of the Abasuba people, through daily conversations, songs, storytelling, and community interaction.
Join in vibrant worship and fellowship gatherings where faith is expressed through local music, prayer, dance, and communal celebration rooted in island traditions.
Experience authentic island life along the shores of Lake Victoria — enjoying fishing communities, peaceful sunsets, nature walks, and the beauty of God’s creation.
Participate in cultural traditions, community activities, and meaningful conversations that reflect the values of unity, respect, faith, and togetherness within the Mfangano community.
This is more than a cultural exchange; it is a genuine sharing of life, faith, and heritage. Through the warmth of the Abasuba people and the beauty of Olusuba culture, volunteers leave Mfangano Island with lasting friendships, spiritual growth, and a deep appreciation for the unique identity and traditions of the island community.
Registered charity
This host is a registered charity in their country and is looking for volunteers to help with their project(s).
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
How Volunteers Can Help
Volunteers support our Permaculture Kindergarten through simple, meaningful daily activities that help children learn and tgrow food on land.
You may help with:
Playing and learning activities with 15 young children
Storytelling, art, music, and creative expression
Gardening, tree planting, and caring for our food forest
Basic animal care (chickens and small systems)
Environmental awareness and nature-based learning
If you have special skills, you can also support with photography, social media, fundraising, or basic computer learning.
What Matters Most
No special experience is needed—kindness, patience, and a willingness to learn are what matter most. We value respect for local culture and openness to simple island living.
Your time here helps nurture children, care for the land, and support the community—while creating a meaningful cultural exchange.7
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Luo: Fluent
Swahili (Kiswahili): Fluent
Accommodation
Accommodation & Meals
Volunteers stay in our peaceful family home near the lake on Mfangano Island. You will share a simple house with a kitchen, living space, and dry latrine. Our homestead is surrounded by trees and gardens, creating a calm and natural environment for rest, learning, and community life.
We usually host two or more volunteers, and you will become part of our daily family life. Solo volunteers are also welcome.
Meals
We provide three simple meals each day:
Breakfast and lunch are prepared with support from our permaculture ladies and sometimes together with volunteers.
Dinner is often cooked together with our family using fresh food from our permaculture garden after the women has left to their homes.
Volunteers are also welcome to prepare special meals during the week for the children at lunchtime. This is a simple optional way to share your culture, food, and cooking traditions with the children in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
There is also a quiet space in our food forest garden where you can relax, read, or enjoy nature after work. The lake is nearby and perfect for swimming or watching beautiful sunrises and sunset.
Weekends
Weekends are usually free for rest and exploring the island. You can walk by the lake, visit local villages, hike the small hills, or simply enjoy the peaceful environment.
On Sundays are free and sometimes share meals with the family only.. Everyone is welcome, but participation is always completely optional.
What else ...
Mfangano Island
Mfangano Island is truly a paradise for nature lovers and those who delight in God’s creation. The island is alive with birdsong, lush landscapes, and scenic peaks offering stunning panoramic views — a daily reminder of the beauty and majesty of our Creator.
Our homestead is on the east-south side of the island, blessed with the morning sunrise. There’s much to see and experience on other parts of the island, as well as on nearby islands, especially on your days off.
Traveling around the island is part of the adventure:
We walk, ride motorcycles, or take small motorboats (cars are no longer used here!)
Motorboats can transport volunteers to different points along the shore
For the adventurous, it’s possible to walk the entire ring road around the island in one day — a rewarding way to witness the Creator’s handiwork from sunrise to sunset.
Whether you seek quiet reflection in nature, birdwatching, or active exploration, Mfangano Island offers abundant opportunities to connect with God’s world and recharge your spirit.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
We have a big space and flat for more cars to pack.
Can possibly accept pets
We have dogs and cats
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Dodgy (11 months)
My dog is still young and like playing
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (29)
We’re especially grateful that you connected with our vision and took the time to understand our way of life, the… read more
Accommodation is not on-site but about 200… read more
Another highlight was sharing… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.4)
Cultural exchange:
(4.7)
Communication:
(4.2)
We’re especially grateful that you connected with our vision and took the time to understand our way of life, the… read more
Accommodation is not on-site but about 200… read more
Another highlight was sharing… read more
As you dost pen the feedback, let the words be a reflection of kindness and truth. For even in the smallest… read more
I loved how the workaway functioned. You live in a separate house and when I was there there were loads of volunteers so we would have a great time together in our breaks and weekends. You are just by the lake so you can pop in for a swim or bath when you need!
They have set times to come over for breakfast,… read more
We would like to express our deepest gratitude for the guidance and support you… read more
A sense of belonging settles very… read more
They are really welcoming and try to fit you in the community and want you to get to know the historical parts of the island.
It is interesting to see the cultural differences. And it is definitely an… read more
Cultural exchange and learning how to play Oluko very first at our meusium.
With a mixture of luo and Suba cultures, the better off we are.
Màtheus was able to learn at the rhythm of olusuba and luo life.… read more
I was introduced to what they eat (Florence can’t live without her Ugali), but also had the opportunity to… read more
Cultural exchange and learning how to play Oluko
Here, the more there is a mixture of 8cultures, the better off we are.
Martin was able to learn at the rhythm of olusuba life. The on-site project which is… read more
Florence, Gabriel, Christine, Dennis, Happy, and Sesmel—thank you so much for… read more
Love you Florence and… read more
Florence and girls cooked so great food every day so our bellies were happily full.
Gabriel organised a tour around the island by boat and a trip to the top of the mountains and the UNESCO heritage… read more
They had a number of projects they were working on, including their permaculture projects, grant writing and application, house building as well as working with the local school.
We mainly focused on the house building,… read more
Thank you for everything, we will not forget this experience.
Florence and Gabriel… read more
We visited a school one of the days and the main focus when I was there were to spread the word of the project and to make the fundraising going for building the fence… read more
My main task was to open the nursery space at the side of garden
They have many interesting project.like involving the community especially some of neighbor schools. And expanding the farm is also one of nice work.
They… read more
At that time nothing had been started… read more
I travelled solo and it was my first time on Mfangano island so there was plenty to see and discover on the island, especially on days off with the other volunteer I joined, Morgane. The work was simple enough - I arrived at the very beginning of… read more
The oven is doing great. The kids House is also good and prevented from rain . The are very hard work. Sandra your fundraising is good still online. Thank you guys for your help.
We helped to create an oven in the separate kitchen and… read more
See you my dear
Be blessed you my daughter.
