Volunteer Abroad in Kenya: Volunteering Opportunities

Kenya lies along the equator on the eastern coast of Africa. Kenya is bordered by Somalia and the Indian Ocean to the east, Ethiopia to the north, Sudan to the northwest, Uganda to the west and Tanzania to the south. The country has incredible topographical diversity, including mountains with snow-capped peaks, the Rift Valley with its scarps and volcanoes, flat desert landscapes and coral reefs and islets on the Indian Ocean coast.

When most people think of Kenya, they think of world famous wilderness reserves and safari vacations – but there is so much more. Kenya is home to over 50 different ethnic tribes, all with their own languages, cultures and customs. Regarded by many as the 'jewel of East Africa', Kenya also has some of Africa’s best beaches, scenic countryside and a sophisticated tourist infrastructure. 10% of the land is designated as national parks and reserves and the wildlife sightings are one of a kind.

Like so many countries in Africa, Kenya has been hit very hard by the Aids epidemic, especially in the rural areas. Million of people are infected with the disease and children are the worst affected. Many children are left orphaned, or raised by overburdened family members, or worse, end up living in the slums of Nairobi. One dramatic impact of AIDS deaths is the decline in life expectancy. The Central Bureau of Statistics estimates that because of the large number of AIDS deaths, the actual life expectancy is 46 years old! Parentless children and aging grandparents now compose many communities, unbalancing the socio-economic structure of the region which promtes continued poverty in many areas.

We have volunteer programs available in Mombasa, and in Makuyu village about 30 miles north of Nairobi. In this district, 98% of its population lives in rural areas, and subsistence agriculture is the major activity.

Our programs allow you to take part in meaningful community service work, while discovering the people, sights, smells and tastes of Kenya. Volunteering in Kenya is a way to totally immerse yourself in East African culture. This is a great opportunity to make life-long friends, learn a new culture from the inside out and discover that one person really can make a difference.

Volunteering with us and see A Broader View of the World.

Location pages:

• Makuyu village – north of Nairobi
• Mombasa