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Some Important Things to Consider
safety
Extensive background work has been undertaken to ensure that all GAPS volunteer sites are safe and secure. Nevertheless, participants should be aware that safety is not comparable to that in a developed country. Participants should take out appropriate travel insurance, monitor the Australian DFAT or UK FCO website for travel advice and register their departure with the Australian or British governments. At the time of writing, the DFAT travel advice for Kenya generally was at level three (‘high degree of caution’) although other parts of Kenya not included in the program are at higher levels. GAPS reserves the right to cancel or postpone the tour at any time should the DFAT travel advice for Kenya change.
It should also be remembered that petty theft is not uncommon in Kenya and violent crime occasionally occurs, although it has decreased significantly over the last few years. Once again, simple measures can greatly reduce risk and all participants will be briefed on this both in Australia and in Kenya. Appropriate security measures will be taken in-country to ensure the safety of all participants. Volunteers will be briefed on specific risks and precautions to be taken prior to departure.
language
kenya
While English is widely spoken in Kenya and is an official language, it is not universally spoken. Swahili is the most commonly used language and other tribal languages are often used. The program will be run exclusively in English although, in the course of the trip, participants are likely to encounter non-English speaking locals. Local GAPS staff will offer their bilingual skills.
While no Swahili is necessary for the tour, attempts at Swahili phrases will go a long way to enduring participants to the locals. The orientation program will teach some basic Swahili phrases but further private tuition can be arranged at cost.
rwanda
Kinyarwanda, French and English are the official languages of Rwanda. In Kigali and the bigger rural towns most people will speak Kinyarwanda and either English or French. In Rwanda you will find many people who speak all three. While the program will be run in English you should be aware of the challenge of often working with youth who do not speak English. All host institutions have English speaking staff members who offer bilingual assistances. While you should have no trouble speaking English to travel around Rwanda, a little knowledge of French (particularly numbers), Kinyarwanda and/or Swahili can be helpful. The pre-departure program and orientation will teach some basic French and Kinyarwanda.
language
kenya
While English is widely spoken in Kenya and is an official language, it is not universally spoken. Swahili is the most commonly used language and other tribal languages are often used. The program will be run exclusively in English although, in the course of the trip, participants are likely to encounter non-English speaking locals. Local GAPS staff will offer their bilingual skills.
While no Swahili is necessary for the tour, attempts at Swahili phrases will go a long way to enduring participants to the locals. The orientation program will teach some basic Swahili phrases but further private tuition can be arranged at cost.
rwanda
Kinyarwanda, French and English are the official languages of Rwanda. In Kigali and the bigger rural towns most people will speak Kinyarwanda and either English or French. In Rwanda you will find many people who speak all three. While the program will be run in English you should be aware of the challenge of often working with youth who do not speak English. All host institutions have English speaking staff members who offer bilingual assistances. While you should have no trouble speaking English to travel around Rwanda, a little knowledge of French (particularly numbers), Kinyarwanda and/or Swahili can be helpful. The pre-departure program and orientation will teach some basic French and Kinyarwanda.
health
A trip to Kenya presents a number of challenges less commonly seen in the developed world and a number of precautions should be considered. Health matters are dealt with more comprehensively in Lonely Planet’s Healthy Travel Africa Guide or the CDC website.
The following advice should not be considered as definitive and we highly recommend visiting a travel health clinic before departure such as the Fairfield Travel Health Clinic located at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in Parkville (03 9342 7390). Such clinics often bulk-bill consultations and will offer appropriate vaccinations, malaria prophylaxis and mosquito nets for sale, however appointments are needed well in advance and it would be advisable to book now. These clinics will be able to advise on immunisations and on malaria prophylaxis (while malaria is not considered endemic in Nairobi, volunteer projects and the sightseeing trips may be conducted in areas affected by malaria).
Participants should always be aware of appropriate food and drink precautions common to many developing countries and participants will briefed on this during orientation. Bottled water should be used for drinking and brushing teeth.
As with any trip overseas, good travel insurance is recommended. It is a requirement of acceptance onto the GAPS program that you have taken out appropriate travel insurance Any participant with major medical problems should also inform the program co-ordinators to discuss tour suitability. Medical services which are commonplace in Australia may not be readily available in Kenya.
Participants should be aware that they will require a yellow fever certificate (received after obtaining a yellow fever vaccination) in order to enter Kenya.
visa requirements
kenya
Visas are not included in the cost of the package but Australian citizens should purchase a visa upon entry to Kenya at JKIA for US$50. Visas are available before departure from the Kenyan High Commission but these are more expensive and are not recommended as visas are freely available at immigration at JKIA. Citizens of some other countries may be exempt; if in doubt, contact the Kenyan High Commission in Canberra (02 6247 4788).
rwanda
Visas are not included in the cost of the package however to enter Rwanda all Australia citizens need a 15 day tourist visa. Visas into Rwanda can not be purchases at the border and must be applied for online at least two months prior to entry. All Australian citizens are required to apply for an entry facility letter at the Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration. The Rwandan immigration department will then send you an email with the entry facility letter attached as a pdf. This letter must be printed and then presented at the border into Rwanda. 15 day visas cost US$60 and depending on how long you stay you may need to apply for an extension (which is relatively easy process once in the country). Citizens of some other countries may be exempt and therefore it is worth checking the Rwandan immigration website or contacting the Rwandan Embassy in Japan (+81 3 57524255) or email ambatokyo@minaffet.gov.rw
gaps program requirements
All volunteers who will be working with children will be required to submit a police check (or working with children certificate) prior to departure. A travel insurance certificate will also need to be submitted prior to departure.