The AIDS epidemic in Kenya began in the early 1980s among the prostitute population. It has since spread to most areas of the country. By 1997, some urban and rural areas and rates higher than those in Nairobi among pregnant women; 17% of pregnant women have AIDS in Nairobi. However, the prevalence of HIV remains at the highest level in western Kenya.
The Government have proposed a budget of government funds to earn over $30million in 5 years to help conquer the immense problem of HIV and AIDS in Kenya. In addition to this, many charities subsidise these funds. Kenya is the 6th most affected country in the world with 150,000 deaths. As the rate of poverty is increasing in Kenya, so is the rate of AIDS diagnosis amongst Kenyans.
One of the key problems in Kenya is that people have no been educated correctly on safe sex and exactly what AIDS is and how it works. Many people are born with AIDS, the disease having been passed from mother to baby during pregnancy. Harrowingly, it is estimated that 500 people die of AIDS each day in Kenya and a further 730,000 children are orphans due to AIDS.
Get involved with successful projects that aim to give children and families the means to sustain themselves. You can help provide food, shelter, clean water, training and health care – and most valuable of all, emotional support.
Learn about the ways of the African wilds and the culture of the Massai by volunteering on this incredible project. You can help to gather vital data about wildlife activities, immerse yourself in the nomadic culture, and explore the stunning landscapes of Kenya.
Make a small but meaningful difference to people in Nairobi. Work in a hospital or orphanage, reaching out to people who live in poverty. You can teach and care for the children, help repair infrastructure and learn Swahili too.
Teach English and computer skills in the morning and organise sports sessions in the afternoons. The lessons will greatly improve the children’s prospects, while sport will keep them fit and give them a chance to enjoy themselves.
Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. Join this trip and feel a real sense of achievement as you reach the peak and witness spectacular views over Tanzania and Kenya.
Immerse yourself in Kenyan life and become part of a project to improve life in a rural village. Live and work with the community, helping with tasks such as construction, teaching, landscaping and painting.
Family Friendly! A rewarding two-week experience for families looking to give something back to underprivileged African communities. Plus, you’ll experience the beauty of Kenya through a varied activities programme. Minimum age 6 years.
Janet Horsley had an incredible time on her tailor-made gap year, blazing a trail through Africa, Asia, Australia and Latin America, read her story here.
Gap Year for Grown Ups have many Career Break Voluntary Projects in Africa for grown up gappers. Because Gap Year for Grown Ups is the leading authority and only specialist source of ideas and options for grown up gap years, it has the widest range of volunteering programmes in Africa. These include animal/wildlife conservation, teaching English in Africa, community volunteering in Africa and Voluntary work with children in Africa.
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