Volunteering Projects in Kenya

Children's Program

You have the opportunity to help children in need. Children who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS, children who have been abused by their parents and children whose parents are not able to provide for them. These kids need love, attention, life skills, and education so they can have successful futures free from poverty and filled with the same opportunities as others. As a volunteer you will be a mentor by becoming a big brother or sister to kids in a children's home. You will work alongside local staff to help with classroom teaching and homework help, childcare, and the daily operational running of the home. Volunteers are also encouraged to initiate their own work by organizing arts and crafts, music, dance, games, sports activities, and day trips for the children. This role is suitable for a caring, motivated, and self-directed person who has a love for children and has childcare experience.

Apply for this program

Teaching Program

Quality education for both boys and girls is crucial in reducing poverty and promoting gender equality. Schools in Kenya are currently struggling with overcrowded classes and a lack of skilled teachers. As a volunteer you will help to empower girls and boys by giving them the skills they need to overcome poverty and to make their voice heard. We have opportunities for volunteers to assist with teaching at preschool, primary, and secondary levels. At primary and secondary levels, volunteer teachers can teach core subjects, such as English, mathematics, science, social sciences, and can initiate extra-curricular activities. Volunteer preschool teachers will teach basic English skills and carry out basic childcare duties. This role is suitable for a caring, motivated, and self-directed person. A teaching qualification is not required (except for secondary teaching) but volunteers need to be confident in the above subjects and preferably have or be studying towards a university degree.

Apply for this program

Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp Program

The post election violence that occurred in Kenya in 2007 left between 180,000 and 250,000 people internally displaced. Thousands of people fled their homes and found temporary refuge in public sports and show grounds across the country, the refuge sites developed into Internally Displaced Person (IDP) Camps. In May 2008 the government provided compensation to each family with the aim of IDP’s returning to their land.  Most IDP’s felt unsafe and decided to combine their compensation and purchase land together. 

The IDP’s now live in different areas within the Rift Valley region, many still in tents with very limited access to basic necessities such as food and education. Volunteers will work in the IDP camps offering help to children, youth, and adults. Volunteers are expected to work in the area that best suits their qualifications:

Outreach and Education Program: Volunteers are needed to conduct classes and educational sessions for the community. Classes will vary from primary school to adult level. Subjects range across a broad spectrum and could include; English, maths, science, physical education, creative art, health and hygiene, sexual health, HIV awareness, and environmental issues.

Due to lack of jobs the communities are looking at ways to generate income.  Volunteers with experience will be able to assist groups with existing income generating activities (IGA) or by setting up a new IGA project such as tailoring, bead making, or mushroom growing. Community projects lack funding, if you intend to initiate a project then you will need to fundraise to support your idea.

As a volunteer you will discuss your work plan with the camp committee after orientation.  You will not have a day-to-day structured plan, as a lot will be dependant on what skills and initiatives you can bring to the camp.  Work will be self-directed and require you to be flexible and take initiative in most instances. This role is suitable for a mature, caring, motivated, and self-directed person who has life experience and a desire to help. 

Medical Program: In some IDP Camps there may be a small clinic which services the camp residents. Volunteers will be working together with the local nurse, carrying out basic medical procedures such as writing prescriptions, giving out medicine, and attending to the patients. As a volunteer you can help by sharing your medical skills to provide those in need with basic medical care.  This role is suitable for self-directed, caring people who are medically qualified. Please note that this may not always be a full-time role and volunteers may be required to participate in the Outreach and Education program in addition.

Apply for this program

HIV/AIDS Program

Kenya has been hit hard by the HIV/AIDS epidemic with approximately 1.25 million adults and over 100,000 children infected. The aim of the HIV/AIDS program is to decrease the spread of HIV through raising awareness and education, increasing access to homecare, and providing emotional support to those affected by HIV/AIDS within the community. Volunteers have the opportunity to work in a community HIV/AIDS organization to assist with homecare visits to HIV positive people, and educate and counsel community and school groups and individuals. This role is suitable for a caring, motivated, and self-directed person. Medical training is not necessary for all aspects of the program, but a background in HIV/AIDS and basic health care is required.

Apply for this program

Medical / Health Program

Malaria, typhoid, pneumonia, and tetanus are treatable diseases, yet many still die in Kenya as a result of not receiving proper medical care. Government-run hospitals and medical clinics are ill-equipped to handle the volume of people in need of care. As a medically qualified volunteer you can help by sharing your medical skills and working alongside local staff to provide those in need with basic medical care. Volunteers have the opportunity to work in the areas of general medical practice, maternal health, minor surgery, and laboratory work. This role is suitable for self-directed, caring people who are medically qualified.

Apply for this program

Massailand Program

The Maasai have largely managed to remain outside of mainstream African culture and maintain their traditional ways, although this becomes more challenging each year. For this reason Maasai are increasingly seeking the opportunities African society has to offer. With little government support Maasai struggle to find teachers and medical professionals to work in their schools and medical clinics.

Teaching Program: It is estimated that less than half of all Maasai children attend schools, so teaching volunteers are urgently needed to help reverse this trend. Volunteers have the opportunity to educate children at primary school level. Subjects taught include English, mathematics, science, and social studies. Volunteers are also encouraged to initiate extra-curricular activities.

Apply for this program

Medical Program: Medically qualified volunteers are needed to work in community clinics to increase access to basic healthcare and promote health education in the local community.

Apply for this program

The Application Process

Your application process is free and seamless, and if you are successful we will provide you with a choice of application fee payment options that include a secure online service. We also are one of the few organisations that allow you to transfer your application fee to another program at no extra cost.

Communication & Support:
Throughout the process, we are committed to working with you to answer any of your questions or concerns. During your placement we are also available as a form of support to you as a volunteer and will email you while in country to discuss how the program is going.

We would like to thank these volunteers for taking the time to write about some of their experiences in Kenya.

HIV/AIDS program

Annie, from Australia
"I myself learnt a lot about the difficulties these people face with the fear and stigma that surrounds their illness. They told their personal stories and many talked about how their families see them as a burden...." > Read More

Orphanage program

Mark, from the U.K.
"The next day we'd arranged to go and distribute some food aid in Maasailand. The morning we did this a truck carrying lots of donated trees up to Simba got stuck in the mud in the forest." > Read More

Tessa, from the U.K.
"The kitchen shack at Marys flooded and we continued to cook lunch in there with rain pouring through the roof... My shoes are now unrecognisable, and I cleverly wore long baggy trousers which by the end of the day were fully saturated in Kibera love mud! ummm lovely, my skin is now ingrained with Kenyan dirt!" > Read More

Mary, from the U.S.A.
"Friday, I had Terezia (age between 5 and 7) fall asleep on me for the better part of an hour while I was singing songs with the other girls. Which reminds me, I really have to look up the words to "Sixteen Going On Seventeen", because it's one of their favourites, and I actually don't know the words." > Read More

Andy, from the U.S.A.
"The reason this little girl was crying....was simply because she did not know the answer....After Perez and I were finished, she looked up at me after wiping her eyes and said in the quietest voice to where I had to lean in to hear her, "Thank you." That made this whole trip worth it." > Read More

Josee, from Canada
"Becky and I brought Mama Tunza and head teacher to visit an organization that is 'supposed' to help orphanages. I got a glimpse at the bureaucracy and the realities of life here. First, they had no food or clothes. They are constantly seeking donations from churches, locals, etc. We left with 10kg of cooking fat." > Read More

Joelfre, from the U.S.A.
"If you cannot be open to seeing bound chickens in a staff room, 67 children in a classroom, eating more than you desire because it's offered, seeing 8, 9, and 10 year olds handling machetes the size of your leg, then you may want to rethink your placements and mostly your personal mission for coming to a developing nation." > Read More

IDP Camp Program and HIV/AIDS Program

Annie, from Australia
"I can't believe I'll be back at my desk next week - Yuck!! But reality calls for paying the bills and saving some more money so that I can return here again next year." > Read More

Medical Health Program

Alison
"I had felt badly that we hadn't done more to support the hospital or advance it's programs. But it was made clear to me that our work was more than sufficient and very greatly appreciated." > Read More

Joy

"My initiation into my work in Kenya on the HIV/AIDS program was an extreme culture shock. I am studying International Health and my words regarding the extent of the problem in Kenya seem like rhetoric now that I have experienced the devastation first hand. On my first day I walked the streets of Dagoretti, a slum area, with the home based care team visiting clients who are too sick to visit the clinic. The majority are women who have been infected by their husbands. The slum is overwhelming, rubbish piled high, mud one day and dust the next, no running water and children playing in dirty water. However, there is a sense of hope generated from the staff and the community workers, their hearts are so 'big' and they care deeply about their follow Kenyans."

Dom

"Become actively involved in the community in which you live. I found living in a homestay was a great experience and challenge. Try and learn words from the language of your country / area as it makes communication a little easier with those who are not at your homestay location. Be prepared to accept those things that are completely foreign to you - cultural norms, behaviours and other protocols that are important to that community. I found that these people showed me more about what was important about life and I am grateful to have met such an incredibly friendly community. Get out and meet / make friends and keep in contact with them whilst you are there and after you leave. What an awesome experience it will be for you."

Marilyn

"It is impressive to realize the potential GVN has to effect positive change. By bringing in people like me from various areas of the world, you are able to raise consciousness, and we can all return home and the "ripple effect" is put into play. I sent a donation yesterday for Terry Support Home via Courtney Montague; I plan to do some public speaking which will raise more monies to help the orphanage in Machakos. Obviously, this scenario plays out everywhere. And then there is the positive financial effect for those associated with the safaris, the drivers, the host families, etc. You hold more potential than perhaps you can even imagine! I wish you all much success at GVN."

Click here to read more volunteer feedback

I survived

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

A quick and final update to let you know I survived… Mlima Kenya was amazing.  It is definitely worth it for those of you who are planning to visit the area.  I took the easiest route ? sirimon ? as it is the first mountain that I have attempted and I am also travelling alone.  This can be done in 3 days if you stay a night in the nearby town of Nanyuki.  The overnight in Nanyuki is required as the last day requires you to attempt the summit (kilele) followed by a descent to the bottom, which is 29 km?s.  [...]

Click here to read the full blog entry

My Volunteer Summary Report

Friday, August 13th, 2010

It’s been an amazing journey to Kenya last month. I can never forget the people I met and the impact that has been made individually and corporately. And though I emailed my summary report to GVN and VICDA, any prospective volunteers for IDP camps in Kenya can feel free to contact me anytime regarding activities, trials, and such in the IDP camps.  My email address is susiesun@gmail.com.  Also, there is another volunteer who is currently located in Pipeline and she will be there till the end of this year.  If you would like to get in touch with her, please let me know [...]

Click here to read the full blog entry

Soon to be up a mountain?

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

My time as a volunteer has come to an end. I am heading back to Nairobi tomorrow for a couple of days before I attempt to climb Mt Kenya. So this may be my last journal entry. I am not ready to finish volunteering yet and I could easily spend another couple of months at the camp – they could definitely do with my help. This week was spent in the clinic attending to patients and finishing off the clinic tidy up. For those of you who know me you can probably imagine how everything is now neatly organised and labelled [...]

Click here to read the full blog entry

Please visit volunteerjournals.org for more journals and feedback from past volunteers

American Idol Gives Back

This article has been published at Evidence of Humanity. Adrienne is a fifty something wife, mother of two adult children and trained Kindergarten teacher who suffers from a chronic lung condition and migraines. Yet she has recently returned from six...

Read More