WebSite Information: Some information provided on HFLW's website is generic in nature. HFLW works with dozens of local projects while offering volunteer abroad programs. Hearts For Love Worldwide - Contractual Agreement with Volunteer varies from location to location. Therefore, HFLW does not guarantee complete accuracy of the information contained on the website. Volunteers agree to further verify all information prior to departure.
Travel: The volunteer is solely responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel, specifically including all airfares and luggage costs, or other transport costs to and from Kenya. Other than transport from airport to orientation/and orientation to volunteer accommodations the volunteer is responsible for their own transportation while sightseeing and or touring elsewhere in and around Kenya. The volunteer is responsible for their own transportation costs from their home stay accommodation to their assignment, while volunteering. The volunteer will be responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel back to the airport on departure from Kenya to their home upon completion of their volunteer program. It is the responsibility of the volunteer to carry all necessary documents when traveling abroad. While HFLW may advise the volunteer on required travel documentation, HFLW is not responsible for any supporting documents necessary for the volunteer's travel needs or other purposes.
Insurance: HFLW does not provide the volunteer with insurance of any kind. While travel insurance is not mandatory to volunteer with HFLW, but it is highly recommended. The volunteer is solely responsible for evaluating and determining the type, extent and levels of any insurance coverage they need or desire for their planned volunteer travel period. We do offer suggestions to acquiring travel insurance abroad while volunteering.
Medical Disclosures: You agree that you will fully disclose to HFLW any and all medical/mental or any other health issues that are relevant to your placement before departure and your work on any project. You agree that if you provide any incorrect or false information to us, you will be solely responsible for any results and/or legal consequences under the laws of the respective Host Country and/or the United States. Hearts For Love Worldwide – will remove you from a program immediately if you are found to have provided incorrect or false information. You agree that you automatically waive and forfeit and right to any reimbursements.
Refund Policy: Compared to similar companies that provide comparable comprehensive volunteer service opportunities, HFLW deposits/registration and program fees are considered comparable and sometimes less than the fees charged by other such companies. Volunteers are encouraged to compare HFLW’s fee to others fees charged. HFLW chooses to stay small in comparison to other volunteer companies, offering extraordinary personalized programs, keeping fees as low as possible. We operate on a very small budget but lend a larger portion of the volunteer dollars to those we are assisting in Kenya. Because of this we have a limited refund policy.
Non-Refundable Deposit Fee: Hearts For Love Worldwide does not ask for a registration or application fee, only a deposit. The deposit fee is $150 and is non-refundable, no exceptions! However you may use the deposit fee for up to three years with your volunteer program. The non-refundable deposit is transferable to your program.
Program Fees: Details of the program fees are set out on our website. The full program fees minus the $150 non-refundable deposit is refundable but only if a written request (hard copy) is signed by the volunteer and mailed and received in our office 60 days prior to leaving for your volunteer assignment. One half the program fee will be refunded with a written request (hard copy), signed by the volunteer and mailed and received in our office 45 days prior to leaving for your volunteer assignment. No refunds will be given 30 days prior to leaving on your volunteer assignment. There will be no refunds given to the volunteer for their airline/travel costs. Any cost incurred in refunding the Program fees will be the sole responsibility of the volunteer ie; online payment, wire or bank transfer and/or transaction costs. Program fees are due 45 days prior to the beginning of the volunteer’s program placement. Late payments will be assessed a $50 late payment fee. Last minute bookings require full payment with the application, with 24hrs of confirmation, with Paypal or Money Order. No personal checks for last minute bookings. Failure to make this payment can result in a loss of volunteer placement with no refund of any monies already paid. Deposits and program fees are not transferable to other persons.
Change of Dates and Duration: Once the deposit fee is paid and the volunteer accepted into their chosen program and before they begin their trip with HFLW, the volunteer is entitled to change their start date and duration once, at no additional cost. If they need to change their start date or duration a second time they will be required to pay an administration fee of US$50 for each change they make.
Personal Risks: The volunteer acknowledges and accepts the responsibilities and risks associated with their agreement to travel to, temporarily live in and provide volunteer services in a developing country. Such travel and volunteer work can be often hazardous and involves a certain degree of risk, inherently dangerous activities and personal perils to the volunteer, both foreseen and unforeseen, all of which are fully accepted by and solely assumed by the volunteer. Therefore, HFLW including any and all of its employees, managers, directors, host families, volunteer coordinators in Kenya and US, and host country partner organizations are not liable, to the maximum extent of the law, for any loss or harm the volunteer or associates may suffer, including but not limited to loss caused directly or indirectly by:
- Personal injury;
- Emotional injury;
- Death;
- Illness or disease;
- Damage to or loss of property;
- Hostage situations; or
- War or terrorism.
Prohibited Activities: You agree that you will not engage in any missionary activities, criminal activities, illegal drug and alcohol use or trafficking, interactions with terrorist groups, or any political activity. You agree that you will not travel alone after dark or engage in any other reckless or negligent conduct that could impact your welfare or safety such as alcohol abuse or ingesting any other drugs. You further agree that you will not swim in any open rivers or travel alone in dense forest or isolated areas where you may get lost. You agree that you will not drink alcohol, use drugs and smoke cigarettes inside HFLW office/hostel premises, project/program facilities and host family premises. You also agree that you will not engage in any sexual or other activities which may be offensive to local culture and custom of host family. You also agree to respect the privacy and welfare of other volunteers living in the same host family facility. Failure to obey any of the above conditions will lead to immediate cancellation of your involvement in the Programs and removal from the Host Family premises and you will hereby forfeit and waive any rights to any reimbursement.
Valuables: You agree and acknowledge that You will not leave any valuable belongings unattended or in any room without a lock and that HFLW is not responsible, under any circumstances, for any damaged, lost or stolen items. This also is true at the Program Project, things like cell phones, cameras; wallets, passports should not be taken, or left unattended at any time.
Indemnity: The volunteer agrees to indemnify HFLW against any and all liability which HFLW incurs arising directly or indirectly out of, or in connection (in any way) with, the volunteer's travel to, living in and providing services in the volunteer's host country, Kenya.
Application: Applicant agrees, understands and acknowledges that the Applicant 1. has read and fully understands this legal contract, with full knowledge of its meaning and significance; 2. intends that this Agreement be legally binding upon and enforceable against Applicant; 3. confirms that Applicant is at least eighteen (18) years of age, fully competent, and entering into this Agreement voluntarily of his or her own free judgment or if underage the legal parent has read and agrees with this legal contract.
Project Delay or Cancellation Due to Force Majeure: Various events which HFLW is unable to control may arise and cause disruption, delay or cancellation of Your Placement or Project. Such circumstances are likely to include: war or threat of war, terrorist activity or threat of such activity, riots or civil strife, industrial action, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, health risks and epidemics, labor dispute, strike, work slow down or work stoppage and all similar circumstances beyond Our control (collectively Force Majeure). You agree, understand and acknowledge that HFLW shall have no liability for any delay or cancellation of a Project or Placement due to Force Majeure and You hereby agree to accept all risks associated with the occurrence of any Force Majeure. HFLW only obligation in the event of any Force Majeure is to reasonably attempt to reschedule or relocate Your Placement and/or Project. If HFLW is unable to reschedule or relocate Your Placement and/or Project, You are entitled to seek any reimbursement of Program Fees that may be provided pursuant to section 5 hereof.