VOLUNTEER PROJECTS Community Work HIV/AIDS Medical Work Sports Coaching Teaching & Education Wildlife Conservation Wildlife Research Expeditions Compare all projects Corporate Volunteering University Volunteering Family Volunteering Tailor-made for groups GENERAL Contact Us Book Now Read our blog Subscribe to our Newsletter Send to a Friend Sitemap   WHAT DID YOU ENJOY MOST? “The clinic, both of the orphanges. Frisbee! (I think it's so great that the organisers got to know all the volunteers and all had fun together - you made us feel so welcome, thanks guys!)” Alice Humphries (21), England “I really enjoyed the orphanages and the clinic in the slums” Natalie Fox (19), England “Meeting the children in the orphanages. Going to the slums and experiencing everything there. Meeting people that live in the slums and understanding the hardships they face. Realising how hard the people at the clinic in the slums work. Meeting the other volunteers. ” Rachel Menezes (26), Britain “THE CLINIC IN THE SLUMS, WEDNESDAYS AT THE HOSPITAL WITH DR JANI, AND PATRICKS ORPHANAGE” Mike Forsythe (20), Britain “The children - they have nothing and appreciate the smallest things. The local people were so welcoming and friendly” Bianca Davies (22), Cornwall “The slums clinic and school- it was most hands-on and the part that had most emotional value and attachment for me. In general though I like the jobs that we had, of course since it was still the beginning of the program there were kinks to work out like how to be most efficient with our efforts but on the whole I really enjoyed that we got to experience a whole array of things. ” Stacey Kwon (22), USA

HIV/AIDS Orphans, Work in Hospitals & Slums in Kenya, Kenya Kenya's population is hugely affected by the struggles of HIV/AIDS, poverty and unemployment. It is known to be one of the poorest countries in Africa. There are countless possibilities to impact the lives of those that are affected by HIV/AIDS related problems, such as in the Nairobi slums, surrounding orphanages, schools, and hospitals. HIV/AIDS Volunteer Work in Orphanages - Medical & Community Work in rural clinics and slums, Nairobi - Volunteer Project in Kenya, Limuru & Nairobi Location Limuru, in the lush hilly outskirts of Nairobi Project Length 4 weeks - 6 weeks Age Limit Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants’ health Project Fee £1195 / $2390 (1 month) £1495 / $2990 (6 weeks) Volunteer Project Information The following links will jump you to different sections on this page, which provide all the information you will need for this Africa volunteer project: HIV/AIDS Volunteer Work in Orphanages - Medical & Community Work in rural clinics and slums, Nairobi, Kenya. » photo gallery | » more about this project | » volunteer & travel highlights » project fee includes & excludes | » day in the life of a volunteer... » volunteer support & orientation | » accommodation & meals | » getting there Photos Kenya Photos of HIV/AIDS Volunteer Work in Orphanages - Medical & Community Work in rural clinics and slums, Nairobi in Africa.   More about the HIV/AIDS Orphans, Work in Hospitals & Slums in Kenya in Kenya Further Information on the Medical Volunteering & Community Programme: Kenya's health care and provision suffers as much as any other public service sector in the country. Whilst structures are in place for an effective heath service, there is an enormous deficit in terms of staff and resources. Which is why the volunteers' help is very much appreciated by the nurses and doctors we do volunteer work with. As a volunteer, you will spend two days of the week in the Nairobi slums involved in our community support programme. The rest of your time as a medical volunteer will be split up between Kikuyu Hospital and orphanages in Limuru, the beautiful hilly area just outside Nairobi where we are based. Kikuyu Hospital This is a large general hospital that offers medical care to the community regardless of whether they can afford their treatment or not. The hospital is therefore buzzing with patients, and doctors attend to around 350 patients a day. Medical Volunteering at Kikuyu Hospital Volunteers would be able to observe health professionals in the maternity and orthopaedic wards and assist them when needed. For example, you may be asked to help with the weighing of babies or with recording results of eye-tests. As the hospital has so many patients, volunteers are needed to organize patients into relevant cues, and help in creating a system that will free the doctors to attend to the patients' needs instead of trying to maintain order. This hospital is particularly well-known for it's specialized eye unit. Volunteers would have the opportunity to observe eye-specialists performing eye surgeries and learn from experienced medical doctors. Kikuyu Hospital also has an outreach programme, in which health professionals and volunteers go into rural areas to give the needed medical care to communities that do not have accessible health care facilities. Orphanages in Limuru There are over a million orphans in Kenya mainly due to AIDS, of which only 5 % get any kind of support. There is a huge need for assisting orphanages and children's homes. There are several orphanages in Limuru that we are involved with. These children come from backgrounds that have been affected by HIV/AIDS, abuse, poverty or illness. These children are in need of love and attention. Many of them are developmentally delayed and need extra attention in order to promote their development. The children's ages range mainly between 4 and 10 years. The orphanages offer opportunities to become involved in: Helping with the teaching of the children General care such as cooking for the children's meals or organising sports and play activities to promote the well being of the children. Building/refurbishing facilities: by painting pictures on the walls etc. Some of the orphanages we partner with are building to expand and improve their facilities. Your pair of hands will be greatly appreciated in this practical work. Mukuru Slums Clinic and Community Support, Nairobi Every year Kenya loses a lot of people due to HIV/AIDS related illnesses and even more to water-borne diseases. 85% of these deaths occur in the slum areas. This is due to unemployment and poor housing and drainage systems. Slums in Kenya are shanty houses built using torn cartons, recycled wood or even worn out iron sheets. The houses are single rooms of about 2 square metres. Each room houses a family. The slums are heavily populated with a single pit latrine serving over 20 families. Those who stay in these slums are generally unemployed. Challenged by the problem of the increase in child mortality and the decline in maternal health and coupled with the alarming rate of HIV/AIDS-related complications, a local clinic has been created with the goal of playing a part in helping to provide health solutions to a slum population of around 61 950 people. Volunteers would have the opportunity of helping this local clinic situated on the outskirts of these slums. The clinic provides services such as maternal & child health, family health, curative health care, primary health care, voluntary counselling and testing, training in health and HIV/AIDS awareness. Voluntary community work in the Slums: Administration, as well as working hand-in-hand with the nurses or visiting doctor. Home based care programme for those patients that are unable to visit the clinic. Other volunteer work would be involved in helping teachers in surrounding schools, assisting at orphanages and getting involved in the feeding program. IDP Refugee Camps in Limuru Due to the post-election violence, an estimation of 600,000 Kenyans have lost their homes and property. There are currently 4 refugee IDP camps in Limuru where African Impact can get involved. Volunteers can help with: cooking, cleaning and working with children. Bear in mind that the children's schooling has been disrupted during this time. As an organization, African Impact really wants to reach out to the people that were affected during the unrest in Kenya and assist in any way we can at the camps. This placement is not a walk in the park, but will give you the 'real' African experience in an area desperate for help. It is likely your time spent in Mukuru doing HIV/AIDS volunteer work in orphanages and medical volunteering will never be forgotten. » back to top HIV/AIDS Orphans, Work in Hospitals & Slums in Kenya, Limuru & Nairobi - Highlights This volunteer project in Africa includes: HIV/AIDS Volunteer Work in Orphanages - Medical & Community Work in rural clinics and slums, Nairobi • Gain medical experience under the supervision of qualified doctors and nurses. Please note this is only applicable to those due to study or currently studying medicine or qualified in a medical field suited to the Hospitals needs and requirements. • Assist in various orphanages in Limuru, by helping with improving or enhancing the actual facilities as well as becoming involved in teaching and caring for the children • Get a glimpse of life in the slums of Nairobi and have the opportunity to make a difference in a poor and desperate community • Get a taste of the Kenyan culture; learn a bit of Swahili! • Make friends for life • A great platform to experience some of the finest safari destinations on the continent Kenya Travel Highlights Safari and Travel Options Kenya offers a variety of safari options, not far from its bustling capital, Nairobi, perfect for a weekend ‘get-away’ during or after your placement. Our office in Kenya is able to put together a number of different 3-4 day safaris into the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park and Aberdare National Park, as well as trips to the Kenyan Coast, Nairobi’s Elephant and Giraffe Sanctuaries, and much more! » back to top Project Fee Includes • Project Fee: this entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with. This project fee facilitates funding for items such as building materials, equipment, supplies, foodstuffs, etc. Project fees are also used to buy vehicles/equipment and for developing new housing for volunteers to provide for the expansion of the project. • All airport transfers from Nairobi Airport upon your arrival and departure • Orientation program • All daily transfers to and from your projects during your stay • Full board and lodging which includes 3 meals a day at Brackenhurst Baptist International Centre, Limuru • Weekly laundry service during your stay • Assistance in your projects by various African Impact staff and volunteer coordinators. Full support from African Impact and your coordinator throughout your time on your Limuru placement Project Fee Excludes • Personal travel insurance for the duration of your placement which must include cover for repatriation • All transport by air or bus to Nairobi • All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing (work and other) • Email/Internet and telephone calls • Soft drinks, wines an spirits • All visas for border crossings • Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary in Kenya e.g. Safari in the Masai Mara, etc. • Transportation that is not related to the project » back to top Day in the life... This is a typical day in the life of a volunteer working on the HIV/AIDS Orphans, Work in Hospitals & Slums in Kenya project: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 7:00 Get up and start getting ready for your project 7:30 Breakfast at Brackenhurst (your volunteer base in Limuru) 8:00 Head off on the short drive to your project 8:30 Start work at your allocated placement - Kikuyu hospital or Limuru orphanage. 12:00 Lunch break. You will be picked up from your project, and taken to your volunteer house, where lunch is waiting for you. Alternatively, you may spend your lunch time at your placement (e.g. Kikuyu Hospital). 13:30 Return to your placement or your allocated ward 16:30 - Home Time You will be collected by your coordinator/driver and taken back to the volunteer cottage at Brackenhurst. Here you will be able to check your emails, watch TV, socialise or just relax and unwind in the beautiful gardens of Brackenhurst Evenings are very sociable affairs. Generally, volunteers discuss their days amongst each other whilst having supper together, prepare for your project the next day. Enjoy sundowners overlooking the Rift Valley – amazing viewpoints are only 20 minutes drive away... Tuesday & Thursday 6:00 An early start to the day as we prepare for Nairobi's traffic! Get up and start getting ready for your project 6:30 Breakfast 7:00 Leave for the slums – this is quite a long drive (1-1.30hr), but Nairobi traffic is an experience of a lifetime!! 8-8:30 Help in the local clinic, schools or orphanages 12:00 Break for a local lunch 13:00-15:30 Get involved in surrounding orphanages, the feeding program, and clearing of drains 15:30 Pick up Afternoons & Evenings as above » back to top Volunteer Support Throughout your stay at your placement you will have the support and guidance of experienced field-workers and coordinators. They are part of our greater African Impact support team, and will provide you with competent 24-hour field support and assistance. Volunteer Orientation Upon your arrival in Nairobi you will be met by an African Impact representative, who will escort you to your new 'home'. Once you have settled in, you will be briefed on the itinerary of the orientation program which will be run over the next 2 days. You will receive a detailed Welcome Pack, which will contain all important information you may need. In the next 2 days you will be orientated to the area that you will be living in, as well as be shown the areas that you will be volunteering in. You will visit the project sites and be introduced to the relevant project and volunteer coordinators that you will be working closely with. You will receive relevant information about common diseases & illnesses that you will probably come into contact with (e.g. HIV/AIDS, water-bourne diseases, cataracts etc.) You will be given a crash course in Swahili, which will help you along in your placement. Although English is widely spoken in Kenya, knowing a few basic Swahili phrases is a great way to befriend the local people. » back to top Accommodation You will be staying at the Brackenhurst Baptist International Centre, where 2 x 2-bedroomed cottages are kept for our volunteers. Brackenhurst provides secure accommodation with everything that you will need. Internet and phone services are readily available. You will be sharing a room with other volunteers (maximum of four in one room). Your room is fully furnished. A cook will be provided to cook for you in the kitchen of one of the cottages. Included are laundry and house keeping services on a regular basis. One of the cottages also provides a great lounge area with a fireplace and satellite TV, which will be a wonderful social area for all volunteers. Brackenhurst has beautiful grounds that are perfect for having an afternoon nap in the sun, playing sports, such as ultimate Frisbee or soccer, or going for a jog. On a clear day, you will be able to see Mount Kilimanjaro in the one direction, and Mount Kenya in the other from the Brackenhurst grounds. Brackenhurst is a Christian conference centre that forms part of the greater Limuru community. In this culture, drinking alcohol is seen as 'taboo' by the local Christian community. There is therefore no alcohol allowed on the premises of Brackenhurst. However, 20 minutes drive away is a lovely restaurant where you can have a couple of drinks in the evenings. Meals You will be provided with three meals a day. Breakfast is on a help-yourself basis and usually consists of cereals/porridge, toast, tea and coffee. Lunch and dinner are full meals, and will be provided for you. Lunches may also be packed or may be local lunches at your placement. » back to top Getting There Limuru, in the lush hilly outskirts of Nairobi. Fly direct to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, where you will be met by one of our experienced African Impact team. International flight routings include direct from London or via Johannesburg in South Africa or Harare in Zimbabwe. » back to top Make an Enquiry Volunteer Project in Kenya - HIV/AIDS Volunteer Work in Orphanages - Medical & Community Work in rural clinics and slums, Nairobi     print this page | bookmark this page (CTRL-D) | send to a friend back to top