Juani

Why choose Juani?

Juani was founded by a group of women's health champions seeking to improve reproductive and maternal health outcomes in Siaya County, Kenya. Our mission is to improve the lives of women and girls in rural Kenya through healthcare, education, and empowerment. To address the needs of our community, our initiatives target four focus areas: (1) lack of access to women's preventive health services such as cervical and breast cancer screening; (2) high maternal mortality rates; (3) low health literacy; and (4) pervasive intimate partner and gender-based violence. Our name is derived from Swahili and literally means "in the sun" while the verb Kujua means "to know." We're a project of 501(c)(3) non-profit Empowerment WORKS and a registered community based organization in Kenya.

Website

www.juani.org

Community Photos

Reviews

When my sister and brother-in-law insisted I come to Kenya and meet the extended family, I resisted for quite a while. Heat, mosquitos, limited electricity… not for me. But when I finally agreed to come, I was able to see the work they were doing through Juani and how impactful it has already been to their community and surrounding communities. The family and friends I met were so special, and I missed them as soon as I left. As different as the day to day activities were from what I was used to, I adapted better than I (or anyone in my family) expected. And I didn’t get any sunburn or mosquito bites! If you are for a unique experience that will offer meaningful assistance to a great organization, Juani is the program for you.

What was your funniest moment?

We were relaxing outside in the shade when we heard a loud bang. All of the sudden, about 30 chickens burst out of their shed and ran straight for us! 😂 They were rounded up and put back in their shed with impressive speed.

Pros

Meaningful work
Wonderful people
Unique experience

Cons

Long travel time

I have been volunteering with Juani since 2023 and this is one of the most impactful volunteer experiences I have had. The Juani team is responsive, passionate about the work they do, open to new ideas, and dedicated to their mission of improving heath care access to women and girls in Kenya. I have been able to help with various projects and find what fits my interest best. There are opportunities to volunteer at the clinic in Kenya and also opportunities to volunteer from wherever your home may be. I plan to continue volunteering with Juani for a very long time!

Being part of Juani is very fulfilling. I assisted with health education in the community. The team is very dedicated and works hard to make strides in a community that is lacking access to healthcare. The local team was outstanding to work with and very welcoming. The lodging is nice, with many children nearby on the surrounding compound. You get to help out with meal preparation if you choose, and the food served was delicious… mandazi, chapati and ugali are some staples. You’ll have a great experience!

Pros