Kenya Medical Mission

HIV/AIDS PROJECT 

Kenya has been hit hard by the HIV/AIDS epidemic with approximately 1.25 million adults and over 100,000 children infected. The aim of the HIV/AIDS program is to decrease the spread of HIV through raising awareness and education, increasing access to homecare, and providing emotional support to those affected by HIV/AIDS within the community. I will have the opportunity to work in a community HIV/AIDS organization to assist with homecare visits to HIV positive people, and educate and counsel community and school groups and individuals.

MEDICAL CLINICS

 Malaria, typhoid, pneumonia, and tetanus are treatable diseases, yet many still die in Kenya as a result of not receiving proper medical care. Government-run hospitals and medical clinics are ill-equipped to handle the volume of people in need of care. As a medical volunteer I will help by sharing my medical skills and working alongside local staff to provide those in need with basic medical care. Volunteers have the opportunity to work in the areas of general medical practice, maternal health, minor surgery, and laboratory work.  Kenya has been hit hard by the HIV epidemic with approximately 1.25 million adults and over 100,000 children infected.

Throughout Africa, the AIDS crisis is placing serious strains on societies in a number of ways. First of all, it is draining the already limited health services as greater numbers of HIV patients become in need of care. HIV/AIDS has also increased the mortality rate of healthcare workers making their already depleted numbers in even shorter supply.

HIV/AIDS is also affecting the young adult group in society who are the prime income earners for their household. When young children lose their parents, they are often forced to leave school in order to work. Households with one or more HIV patients have to spend a greater amount of their meagre income on care and funeral costs and cut back on basic necessities and, in order to cope, they may be forced to borrow from other households and use up their savings. This causes many families to fall into further poverty.

Other long-term barriers to economic development in Kenya include electricity shortages, the government's continued and inefficient dominance of key sectors, corruption, and the country's high population growth rate.

Volunteers provide assistance to disadvantaged socio-economic groups within Kenyan communities, focusing primarily on orphaned children, HIV/Aids groups, the Maasai people, and school children.

As a volunteer in Kenya I can provide love, affection, education and support to disadvantaged children.  I will be able to will help to improve education in schools ensuring children learn and flourish.  As a volunteer I will practice and teach preventative healthcare, and hygiene.  I will also provide education, inter-cultural exchange and understanding in Kenyan communities.

MY PROGRAM COST IS $1997; Does not include flights, transfer fees and daily expenses that incur. The in-country fee covers my accommodation and 2 meals per day, my transfer to my program, and transport to my worksite if necessary. I will need to have additional money for bottled water, extra food, for days off, departure from the program, airport departure tax.