Volunteer in Kenya

.: The Program

The volunteer opportunities are in the following areas:

* Teaching Program

* Children Orphanage Program

* Medical/Health Program

* HIV/AIDS Program

* Masaailand Program

Teaching Program

Volunteers on the teaching program have the opportunity to assist with the teaching of different subjects in Kenyan elementary and high schools. Volunteer teachers can teach mathematics, science, geography, social sciences, history, business education, English, art and music. Volunteers are not required to have teaching experience, but need to be confident in the above subjects, and preferably a high school graduate.

Children Orphanage Program

The orphanage program cares for children who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS and for children who have been abused by their parents. Volunteers will assist with the daily running of the orphanages; cleaning, bathing children, cooking etc. The evenings are spent playing with the children and helping them with their homework. Volunteers also take on a role as a sibling to the children - a relationship that is often taken for granted, but that these children are without. In the orphanages that have their own schools volunteers will teach the children their lessons.

Medical/Health Program

The medical program is located in hospitals in Nairobi, Limuru, and Olkajiado. Volunteers on this program need to be registered medical doctors or nurses. Volunteers work with local doctors to assist with the daily medical routine - applying dressings, prescribing minor medication, recording patient history, patient consultations, minor surgeries, and counseling patients. Volunteers can work in the areas of maternal health, surgery, laboratories, dental clinics, counseling, and testing.

HIV/AIDS Program

Kenya has been hit hard by the HIV epidemic with approximately 1.25 million adults and over 100,000 children infected. Volunteers are urgently required to work in the community, orphanage and neighboring schools, educating and counseling students (at school) and community members about the disease. This program also encourages volunteers to learn and share their knowledge with other volunteers during the training period.

Maasailand Program

The Maasai have largely managed to remain separate from mainstream African culture and maintain their traditional ways, although this becomes more challenging each year. For this reason Maasai are increasingly seeking opportunities African society has to offer. With little government support Maasai struggle to find teachers and medical professionals to work in their schools and hospitals. Teaching Program: Less than half of all Maasai children attend schools, teaching volunteers are urgently needed to reverse this trend. Volunteers have the opportunity to educate children at primary and secondary school level. Subjects taught include English, maths, science and health. Medical Program: Medically trained volunteers are needed to work in a community clinic to increase access to basic healthcare and promote health education in the local community.