Is Kenya safe?

Yes. Recent political events in Kenya have gained a lot of media attention, but the reporting has exaggerated the extent of the unrest. The recent peace accord has put the country well on the road to recovery, and even at its peak, the unrest never posed a direct threat to foreign nationals. We would argue that now is the ideal time to go to Kenya as a volunteer mentor. Thousands of businesses across Kenya have already gone bust as a result of the economic downturn and logistical problems caused by the earlier instability. Skills Venture consultants will be able to help by acting as troubleshooters to turn around some of these businesses.

What constitutes a business skill?

We define business skills broadly. You might specialise in a particular area, such as HR or marketing. You might have developed skills in one or more of these areas while undertaking a more general management role. Or you might not feel that you have specialist skills at all, but simply experience of working with a team to bring a project to fruition. Either way, we believe that your skills can be put to use, and we can help you to identify the best way to do this.

What kinds of businesses will I be working with?

You will generally be working with business owners who have been going for a number of years, but who for one reason or another have hit some kind of 'glass ceiling'. They might have grown to a size where their lack of training or experience in managing people is holding them back, or where their lack of financial expertise is preventing them from applying for funding to expand further. You can read example case studies here and here.

Do I need previous experience of mentoring?

Not at all. We will provide a comprehensive induction programm, both before and after your arrival in Kenya, that will cover a number of key areas including best practice in mentoring. You will find that your experience of working with others, whether as a line manager or as a colleague, will place you in good stead for acting as a mentor. Of course, basic interpersonal skills are a prerequisite!

What can I do in my free time?

Kenya is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa, and deservedly so. It arguably has the best game-viewing in the world, alongside world-class beaches and incredible and varied scenery that ranges from wooded highlands through arid deserts to mountains and tropical coastlines. We can help you to make the most of this, whether you want to take a weekend trip to a nearby lakeside campsite, spend a week or two on safari, or simply go for a sunset walk to the nearest ridge with a bottle of local beer. You are welcome to bring your family, and may choose to combine a more conventional holiday (such as a safari) with a period of business mentoring.

What about language and climate?

Although Kenya's official language is Swahili, the vast majority of people speak English, and this will certainly apply to all of the entrepreneurs that you work with. The climate in the central highlands, where Skills Venture is based, is similar to that of an English summer - temperate, warm and generally dry - on account of the high altitude. Malaria and other tropical diseases are notable by their absence.

Why should I pay when I am volunteering my time?

Paying a fee to an organisation to go on a volunteering placement may seem counterintuitive, but the fact is that going through such an organisation is the only way to guarantee that your time will be spent effectively. We need to cover the costs that are passed on to you directly as part of your fee, and because we are not reliant on external donors for funding, we concentrate 100% on meeting your needs. We will look after you every step of the way during your time in Kenya; every aspect of our service is designed to allow you to have the greatest possible impact within this timeframe.

Why is Skills Venture run as a for-profit company and not as a charity?

Our philosophy is that by generating income through our activities to cover our own running costs, we achieve a degree of sustainability that very few non-profit organisations could ever hope for. We are thereby not dependent on donor funding to continue our work. Furthermore, we believe that business principles and values, applied fairly and ethically, have the greatest potential to lift people who are at the bottom of the economic pyramid out of poverty.