Volunteers Required
Colobus Conservation requires volunteers with many different types of talents and skills from languages, to fund-raising, teaching skills, journalism, photography, business, marketing, publicity as well as research, primate, forestry and other typical 'academic' training. This list is not exhaustive of the skills we require, and our needs change regularly. Be clear on your application the skills you have that could be used. Being able to tap into your strengths will also provide you with a more fulfilling volunteering experience.
Career Break
Volunteering using your existing skills but in a different environment can be rewarding and rejuvenating. In fact, many of our volunteers are people who are already in the work force but wish to combine their experiences with a new challenge.
Thesis Field Work
Using the infrastructure of the Colobus Conservation is an easy way to do your field work. We have knowledge of all the primates in the area and can shorten the time for student's to get their field work progressing. Whether it is for an undergraduate, masters or doctoral thesis, we can assist in development of your ideas and provide you with on the ground support.
Length of Stay
Volunteers are based in Diani Beach, Kenya. Colobus Conservation asks for volunteers to stay for three months as time is required for training and for sufficient experience to be gained by the volunteer. Exceptions to this are made depending on volunteer qualifications and current projects available.
Age Limit
Volunteers must be at least 22 years with experience in any field or with at least one degree. No upper age limit is set though one needs to bear in mind the physical demands of the volunteer positions. Can you cope with heat and humidity? Are you strong enough to clean monkey enclosures, carry buckets of feed or waste? Follow monkeys for a day?
Work Hours
Volunteers should be flexible as work hours are dependent on the specific project or research that is being undertaken. Please note that conservation often is carried out during 'unsociable' hours!
- Field days can be from 6am to 6pm;
- Caring for infant monkeys can be 24 hours per day;
- Cleaning of monkey cages and feeding still needs to be done on Sundays;
- Fundraisers happen on weekends and evenings.
Volunteers who would like a few days off to go on safari are encouraged to do so.
