Kaya is a Social Enterprise. This means that we are a business with primarily social objectives, whose surpluses are reinvested into the social cause, rather than maximizing profits.

When we are asked for breakdown of what proportion of a volunteer’s fees go toward each aspect of that project, we are keen to explain that each project is different and that proportions are dependent on the project chosen, the locations and activities within that project at that time, the volumes of volunteers signed up at that time and the amount of support each volunteer requires during their placement as well as the obvious differences in costs between different countries and fluctuating exchange rates.

What we are able to provide is a rough overall breakdown of how an average Kaya’s placement fee breaks down at this current time.

Homestay bed and board: (25%)Through our homestay placements we provide a means of income for local families. Your fee includes accommodation and some meals for which your family is paid. We commit staff time to identifying suitable families who can provide adequate hospitality for our volunteers, in suitable areas, and also ensure we choose families who have a genuine interest in learning more about Westerners  - this way a mutual friendship and cultural appreciation can be built during your stay. Homestays are regularly monitored by ground staff to maintain this standard. In locations where homestays are not available, Volunteer houses and guesthouses are arranged.

Project donations: (20%)All participant’s fees include a donation to projects being undertaken. Some projects require less financial assistance than others and some projects are more popular with volunteers than others, and therefore this donation will not necessarily all go to your project. It is in this way that we can ensure a more steady stream of financial support across the projects we work with. This donation may include materials and provision at the project in order for you to be able to carry out your work. Some of these funds may be used in other project countries following emergency appeals after natural disasters or other incidents. 

Project Set-up and Management: (10%)All of Kaya’s projects are identified and evaluated by in-country staff before being offered as a placement. This guarantees that a volunteer will be working on genuine projects in need of volunteer support with a specific mission that is being worked towards. Once identified, ground staff work with the project leaders to ensure each incoming volunteer is suitably placed, pre-prepared and ready to be received. An ongoing monitoring of these projects then ensures we offer continued support to only the best-run projects who can benefit from your help.

Recruitment and Marketing Communication and Admin: (10%)Our placement advisors work hard online, on the phone and in person to recruit volunteers across the county and work with them to find the perfect placement for their skills and preferences. Additional to this, the set up and maintenance of our website, brochures and preparation materials ensure you always have access to the most current information you need to choose and prepare for a project. Alongside tradeshow materials and a small budget for highly efficient advertising, these administrational costs are all essential to securing vital support for the projects worldwide on an ongoing basis.

Participant overheads: (9%)Insurance and taxes are an expense we would all rather not pay, but both legally and for the safety of our participants we provide financial indemnity and professional liability cover. Participants must cover their own health and travel insurance to keep costs down and offer them the opportunity to acquire a level of cover they are comfortable with.

Volunteer Management: (26%)On the ground staff are responsible for all volunteer arrangements for their project, homestay, inductions and orientations as well as offering 24h emergency support during the placement. The administration of this as well as pick-ups and drop-offs from the airports are included with any transportation costs incurred in these transfers. Many project placements also include language classes, which are important in improving your communication on your project, and some volunteer activities outside of project hours.

With your volunteer contributions, we can ensure that the projects we work with can continue in their successes to date. To give you an example of what we can achieve together, here are just a few of the results from our projects across the world so far:

• Planted over 20,000 native plants and trees threatened by extinction in South America
• Treated over 14,000 patients in clinical outreach programs worldwide
• Built 18 schools and installed sanitation facilities in a further 9 schools
• Built 3 centers for displaced women and children
• Taught business classes and helped establish eco-lodges and cooperatives