Volunteer LCFL

LIKONI, MOMBASA, KENYA

Background

Likoni is a densely populated, rapidly growing, impoverished neighborhood of over 200,000 in the large city of Mombasa, Kenya (population 1.2mil) where 2/3 of the residents are under 24 years old. Likoni is separated from Mombasa by a large inlet of the Indian Ocean.

LCFL & F3

Final Third Foundation (F3) is a non-profit organization that grew from the vision to improve the lives of underserved children in Likoni, Kenya and Columbus, Ohio through their passion for football. After identifying a need for a youth football league in Likoni, Kenya, the Likoni Community Football League (LCFL) was established in 2011. It now serves hundreds of children each year. F3 and LCFL utilize their connection to the community through football to provide educational programming such as football and literacy, violence and HIV/AIDS prevention, and environmental awareness. Teams work to inspire, engage, and educate through soccer-based youth-focused programs and events in both Likoni and Columbus year round.

COMECH

Child of Mercy Children's Home (COMECH) is a non-profit organization which was established on 18th of August 2010 near Likoni slum area south of Mombasa. COMECH strives to provide a better life to orphaned children as well as neglected and abandoned children from poverty stricken families in Kenya. Their goal is to help these children thrive and develop into adults who are self-reliant, fulfilled, and contributing members of society. COMEH is currently home to 26 children – both boys and girls ranging in age from 3 to 19 years. Aside from taking care of the children and providing them with their basic needs, the home ensures the children attend school in order to become well educated.

Child of Mercy Children's Home Kenya

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Kenya Volunteer Opportunities with F3

    Facilitate soccer training sessions for players, coaches, and/or referees.

  • Instruct yoga, pregame warm-up and cool-down routines, strengthening and conditioning programs.

  • Volunteer with children in Kenya F3 Likoni

    Volunteer with the children at the orphanage through tutoring, arts and crafts, health and wellness education, etc

  • Mentor students for career planning, financial literacy, etc.

  • Lead sessions of the LCFL's football and literacy program.

  • Take the children on trips to the market or beach.

  • Other ideas you may wish to explore? Reach out to F3 about projects you'd be interested in implementing!

Accomodations

Travel to Likoni: LCFL staff will meet all volunteers at the Mombasa airport or train station and assist with transport to Likoni. This will include a car ride through Mombasa followed by a Ferry to Likoni.

Housing: All volunteers will be provided room, half board and water at COMECH. Here you will have access to running water, will be provided with meals during your stay, and some possible live music performances from the kids!

Volunteer in Likoni Kenya with Final Third Foundation

  • Thursday (Jan 2) - CMH/USA depart

  • Friday (Jan 3) - Arrive by dinner

  • Saturday (Jan 4) - LCFL/Likoni tour

  • Sunday (Jan 5) - church with the kids 

  • Monday (Jan 6) - Tour of Mombasa

  • Tuesday (Jan 7) - TBA

  • Wednesday (Jan 8) - Diani Beach (45 min) 

  • Thursday (Jan 9) - Taking 5 kids to boarding school in Western Kenya. Train to Nairobi through Tsavo East/West and Voi–a famous safari departs 3pm (arrive to station by 1:30). Trip will take 5.5 hours- may be able to see game from train; eat dinner on the train. Arrive Nairobi 8:30 PM- driver to pick us up to take to Hell’s Gate.(1.5 hours) arrive to Hell’s Gate by 11pm. 

Travel

Itinerary

ZEBRA HELLS GATE LIKONI VOLUNTEER

*** If volunteers do not do the excursion below, they can fly home from  Mombasa Thursday January 9th.  Leave for Mombasa airport- for flight to Nairobi leaves at 8:45pm Flight to US leaves 11:35pm.

  • Friday (Jan 10)  - Hell’s Gate to hike/bike/camp 2nd night.

  • Saturday (Jan 11) - Enjoy the morning in Hell’s Gate.  Then drive 2 hours to Nakuru-Check out Nakuru, lunch with the boys. Drop off boys to Goshen, tour the school. Say goodbye.  Adults: Boat ride on Nakuru Lake, Other park/camp? Hotel in Nakuru county?

  • Sunday (Jan 12) - 2 hours back to Nairobi- see some of the city- Giraffe center. Flight leaves 11:35 pm. 

  • Monday (Jan 13) - Arrive in JFK Monday Jan 13 6:35am then Columbus later in the morning 

    (24 hour journey). 

Options to Extend Your Visit

Stay on at Child of Mercy- Cost is $200 a week+$25 a week for water. Can be prorated. Many volunteers come to stay there from anywhere from 1 or 2 weeks to 3 months!

Option A

End the trip with a vacation- Stay at Diani Beach- cost is variable- many nice hotels, resorts,and VRBOs. The Mombasa airport is then 45 minutes away. Or explore for a few days in Mombasa Town.

Option B

All of these options would be on your own outside of the volunteer experience but F3 is able to help you make arrangements and plan transportation if needed.

Go on a traditional safari in Tsavo East or Tsavo West.

Option C

Travel Preparation

3 Months Before Travel

  • Valid Passport- ensure it is not expired and won't expire while you are traveling

  • Visit to travel doctor for vaccines and medication (i.e. Diphtheria, Typhoid, Polio, Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A, B, & C, Meningitis, Malaria medication, etc.)

  • Check with cell phone provider regarding an international plan during your trip

1 Month Before Travel

  • Purchase travel Visa to enter Kenya

Packing List & Tips

  • Travel kit to include deet bug spray, sunscreen, and basic medical supplies for cold/flu, stomach bugs, bug bites, band aides, feminine products. Bring a mini pharmacy with you!

  • Pack as light as possible. 5-6 days worth of clothes and plan to wash.

  • Mombasa is 90 degrees day/78 degrees at night with 90% humidity. Pack light colors (also helps prevent mosquito bites- mosquitos like dark colors), linens, cottons, bamboo, synthetic sweat wicking clothes. There is no air conditioning in Likoni.

  • Nairobi/Hell's Gate/Nakuru/Safari is 78 degrees day/48 degrees at night. Bring a few layers if you plan to explore outside Mombasa.

  • Sunscreen! The UV is around 11 between 10am-3pm. Protect yourself accordingly.

  • Head lamp

  • Small portable fan for your bed

  • Sneakers/trainers and slides/flip flops perfect for Mombasa. If you go on safari, may want hiking boots.

  • Light rain jacket

  • Bathing suit

  • Protein powder, electrolyte powder, dried meat, dried fruit

  • Power adapters

  • Hand soap

  • Hand sanitizer

  • Yoga mat

Cultural Considerations

  • English and Swahili are the official languages in Likoni. Learning a few phrases in Swahili would be helpful, not not necessary

  • Women in Likoni dress conservatively compared to Americans and tend to keep a lot of their leg, back, and shoulders covered. There is a large Muslim population in Mombasa, so you will see many women in full burkas. This doesn’t mean you can't dress how you normally would, but it is a consideration if you want to avoid drawing extra attention to yourself.

Testimonials

"It was an authentic and immersive experience" -Jessica

"If you can get out of your comfort zone and take a little bit of a risk, you will be rewarded 100 times over. The love you will feel in the process [during cultural exchange, learning, and storytelling] through the community here, is so special and an experience that I will always hold on to." - Joe

Ready to go?

Estimated Fees

Estimated fee breakdown:

  1. $1300-$1500 - Plane Ticket

  2. $300 - Optional 4 day excursion before Likoni

  3. $225 - Child of Mercy Fees-includes 1 week room and ½ board at Child of Mercy, and filtered water while in Mombasa

  4. $275 - Transportation and LCFL hospitality, all transportation while in Mombasa county, LCFL hospitality, tour of Mombasa and tour of Likoni.

  5. $150-$400 - Travel doctor, vaccines, medications

  6. $5/day - Food, lunches and any other supplemental food

  7. Incidentals and souvenirs

8 Day Trip Estimated Total: $1840-$2040

12 Day Trip Estimated Total: $2,500

Next Steps

Click the “Register” button to make your $250 refundable down payment

Interested in learning more? Fill out this contact form to be included on invites to future informational meetings. Or, email us with any questions.