Be part of the team that halts the HIV/AIDS virus in its tracks! In Kenya, the rate of the HIV/AIDS infection continues unabated. Due to this deadly disease, many families have been plunged into poverty as they lose their sole breadwinners. There have been campaigns to stop the rate of infection but many have been unsuccessful. New Hope works with the grassroots communities that are actively initiating programs that are creating awareness halting the spread of the disease. With your help, these organizations can reach out to more people through awareness and prevention campaigns. Volunteer in Kenya, and be part of the team that contributes to the fight against the virus. While you’re there, take the opportunity to explore the renowned wildlife safaris or hike Mt Kilimanjaro!

As a volunteer working in the HIV/AIDS project in Kenya, you will be providing care to patients infected with the diseases and also engage the community in educational and training activities. Depending on your skills, experience and interests, and also the needs of the local staff, your daily activities involve, but are not limited to:

• Counseling infected patients
• Travel with organization to educate communities
• Help organization give presentations
• Help in daily activities at health clinic
• Educating locals
• Assisting clinics/hospitals
• Increasing the personal risk perception through active participation in HIV/AIDS preventive education in the community
• Assisting community HIV/AIDS organizations with outreach programs such as hospice care, recreational and educational programs
• Treat small opportunistic diseases such as headaches, stomach aches, skin diseases or diarrhea
• Assisting with voluntary HIV counseling and testing
• Organizing and leading educational seminars and conferences about the virus
• Providing friendship to patients
• Take part in support groups for those who are infected
• Assisting local organizations with administrative and organizational tasks
• Fundraising
• Promote human rights and discourage discrimination
• Lead lessons on personal hygiene
• Promote health education and nutrition

By volunteering in Kenya, you'll be working alongside the local professionals to spread awareness and prevention knowledge to the community. Volunteers will be trained together with the local experts for a period of one week. For the following weeks, volunteers and local experts will work together to engage in training, education and demonstration activities to increase HIV/AIDS awareness in local Kenyan communities. This project is very challenging, but extremely enriching for participants. Participants should be prepared to learn and train others as this project goes forward. This is also the perfect opportunity for you to gain experience in the healthcare industry in Africa. You'll also be able to learn about the medical system in a developing country, and gain better understanding on how healthcare is perceived.

There is no specific education, experience, skills and/or qualifications needed to join our fight against HIV/AIDS in a volunteer project. However, your understanding of Kenyan culture and Swahili language can help improve the experience for both you and your patients. Consider enrolling in our one-week Language & Cultural Immersion program.

Those with medical credentials will be able to help according to your certifications. If you are interested in the healthcare field, this is a good opportunity to gain professional experience. Volunteers are expected to be flexible and patient as well as passionate and have love for the poor and HIV-infected people of Kenya. Volunteers will also need to be open-minded and will need to respect to local culture and customs.

This project is located in Nairobi. Nairobi is the capital and the largest city in Kenya. The colorful combinations of culture and modern living are living examples of past meets future. There is a solid tourist infrastructure in place that supports day trips and city tour planning, and volunteers can spend free time in the National Museum or Nairobi National Park. The city is a hub for safari launches and there are many opportunities for different excursions. There are also crocodile farms and nature trails to explore, along with the standard pulsing city options for travelers.