Events

• A unique opportunity to travel to Mombasa, Kenya to learn more about Five Talents’ work
• Attend Savings Groups, meet members, and learn about their businesses

PLANNED ITINERARY:

July 11, Saturday:

• Arrive in Nairobi

July 12, Sunday:

• Optional Church Service at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi
• Fly to Mombasa in afternoon
• Swahili dinner

July 13, Monday:

• Visit Five Talents Literacy and Savings Group

July 14, Tuesday:

• Tour of ACK St. Paul's Rabai church and Museum
• Depart Mombasa by Train to Voi
• Bush Dinner in the Tsavo National Park

July 15, Wednesday:

• Visit Five Talents Savings Group with a focus on Human Wildlife Conflict Intervention

July 16, Thursday:

• Safari in Tsavo National Park
• Coffee with Bishop of Taita Taveta

July 17, Friday:

• Train from Voi to Nairobi
• Visit Five Talents Kenya office in Nairobi

July 18, Saturday:

• Morning excursion to Giraffe Center / Market
• Depart in the evening

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FLIGHTS:

Each traveler should book their own flights to and from Nairobi, Kenya. We recommend booking your flights as soon as possible as flight prices tend to increase as the date approaches. Of course, you may wish to stay longer or arrive before our itinerary begins; in that case, please feel free to book any flights to suit your schedule.

BUDGET:

We suggest participants allow a budget of around $2,000 (excluding flights and a few other things — see below) and ask that you allow some flexibility as details are confirmed.

This budget includes accommodation, transportation to, from, and around Mombasa, food and drink plus any other small costs along the way. Five Talents will cover all these costs during travel and ask you to cover your share after the trip has concluded.

For transparency, we split the cost of Five Talents staff amongst participants. This is included in the suggested budget.

In addition to the $2,000 detailed above, you will also need to budget for: flights, travel insurance, vaccinations, and a visa (ETA), all of which you arrange and pay for yourself. We will provide the details you need to apply for the ETA.

WHO IS TRAVELING?

We anticipate a group of eight to 10 people for this trip, including one or two Five Talents staff. Usually, travel groups include a mix of long-term Five Talents supporters and those new to our work, some who have visited before, and some embarking on their first ever visit to Africa, all united by the desire to experience firsthand the impact of community savings groups. We invariably find that strangers become good friends!

This particular trip is specifically designed for busy people who can’t spare as many days away from their work and home commitments. However, you are of course welcome to extend your trip with a safari or other travel before or after the Five Talents visit.

THINGS TO BE AWARE OF:

Program visits are transformative experiences, and we always receive very positive feedback. Meeting the program team, visiting Groups, and meeting members are all inspiring and humbling. However, it’s important that you know what you’re getting yourself into before you commit to come along. Here are some key things to keep in mind:

• Five Talents works in rural communities and trips involve lots of travel by road. The days can be long (e.g., from breakfast together between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., to dinner together between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.). Certain days might not be relaxing — but will be very interesting!
• Accommodation: The accommodation will be clean and safe, and there should be electricity, Wi-Fi, and hot running water — but these may not always be reliable.
• Asking questions and learning: the objective of the trip is to learn more about Five Talents programs by visiting Groups and seeing them in action. During Group visits, we may get to see the usual Group activities of saving and lending. We also typically get to introduce ourselves and ask questions. Occasionally we too will be asked questions. A Group visit is often accompanied by visits to member businesses. This all takes time, and plans can change (sometimes at the last minute) — a willingness to jump in feet first and be very flexible are essential.

NEXT STEPS:

If you have any questions or to RSVP, please contact Liz Ha at liz.ha@fivetalents.org. If you would like to join the trip, please confirm by email by May 1.

As spaces are limited for this trip, we recommend you reserve your spot ASAP. We hope you will decide to join us!