The Most Affordable Volunteer in Kenya - 25K happy Volunteers Since 2006

I am applying to Physician Assistant school soon and wanted to have a better perspective with global healthcare. I felt that I needed to see the health disparities with my own eyes to understand that I was fortunate enough to receive excellent care when I had surgery, recovery, and currently today, but it was not the case for the non-privileged patients of these developing countries. Many healthcare professionals in developing countries face the challenge of having inadequate facilities, limited resources, and understaffed clinics and hospitals. Being out of my comfort zone and working in the challenging settings in Kenya has helped build my character, enhance my abilities, and encourage me to collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide the best possible health care keeping in mind the circumstances. The last weeks have allowed me to develop adaptability and resilience in these clinics will make it easier to navigate a profession in the health field. The PAs and nurses welcomed me apart of their team and communication to direct patients to diagnosis and treatment options. Being exposed to this environment has given me a better perspective on healthcare. I felt safe in this environment since my accommodation was in a gated community with security guards. I missed home, and to have a home cooked meal every night in my program coordinator's home allowed me to feel comfortable and consider it a home away from home. I knew that if I came to Nairobi that I had to experience a safari and the culture. I was amazed by the beauty of the big five in Nairobi National Park, the elephants from the David Sheldrick orphanage, the giraffe center, and the Bomas of Kenya. This volunteering trip has been one of the greatest things I have had the privilege to experience and I am leaving taking all of the knowledge I have learned to apply in my future profession.

I do enjoy the program. At the first day of my arrival, the in-country coordinator has a lot of patience to wait for me at the airport. He picked up me even I did not call him (the net in the airport doesn't work). He helped me buy a sim card and also exchange money, and then directly sent me to the program. I live in an intern house, which is very quiet and safe. And one lady cooked breakfast and dinner for me. The food is delicious and nutritional. The program I do volunteer encourages women who are HIV positive to build them new life. They already supported a considerable number of women and their families. I think it inspired me a lot. I will 100% recommend this program to my friends, hope they can help more Kenyan women. Overall, it is an excellent experience in Kenya, worth to try in your life!

I served with IFRE volunteers for two weeks total, spending one at the construction project in Machakos, and the other split between AlGadhir and Revivial Med Clinic in Kibera.
Agape school is an excellent fit for anyone with teaching experience, and the kids love spending time playing soccer or learning from you. The construction project I went for was very hands on, as I was able to spend two work days working right alongside the stone mason crew as we constructed a new school building.
At AlGadhir, I was able to volunteer in any specialization for three days, but it was much more of a shadow experience for me and a marketing one for IFRE. The staff was very welcoming, and I’ll miss working there even though it took a couple days to find a niche. If you want to volunteer for a medical clinic work at Revival Med clinic in Kibera. There I was able to assist hands on with a trauma and help delive a child on the same day. The staff there is also very welcoming and I found your time is more necessary in Kibera than AlGadhir. For the price, IFRE provided many incredible experiences that I will never forget.

It was an incredible experience in Kenya, it is hard to describe in words. From the moment I arrived I felt at home and very welcome in the centre. I volunteered to teach English & Math to during my 2 weeks stay at the centre & I was given the teaching aids that were necessary for classes. If I had problems or needed assistance other teachers were always there to help me. Barnabas was a fantastic source of information and advice during my stay. I found the students to be very eager to learn and very courteous in class. It was just such a pity to find them with only one book to work from for the whole class. Nonetheless, the teachers manage with what little resources they have & they are a great inspiration for the children. I extended my stay there by another week but that was still far too little time to be spending with such great children. I will definitely go back as soon as I can organize for it.
I was welcomed into the host family as their own. It really felt like home. My host sacrificed her own time at weekends to bring me to the Giraffe Centre & the Bomas of Kenya. She also helped me to buy provisions for the orphanage – taking another whole day of her personal time. In terms of the livings conditions I found the house to be most comfortable and the quality of the meals I received was excellent.
On the last week of my stay in Kenya I did the Safari as well. It was absolutely fantastic. The driver, Sammy, was very competent – I felt very safe in the vehicle on such rocky roads! He was also very knowledgeable with respect to the wildlife – in terms of both identification and giving us information about specific animals. The campsite was well run – it was clean & even had hot showers on our second day! The food was also very good.

Volunteering abroad ethically, has been an aspiration for my wife and I and we took a chance after a ton of research. Unfortunately we didn't get what we paid for in IFRE's Kenya placement with Boundless Loves, which didn't match their online description of Cultural Conservation. On top of that, communication issues, cost overrun and lack of direction made us leave our project early.

IFRE didn't communicate costs well, and the money we paid for our program placement didn't have a portion go to the project there as the IFRE website claimed. Boundless Loves’ projects didn't have a lead or any actual projects for us to join, and we had to create our own. They put us in front of cute children, trying to make us feel sorry for them so that we would donate more, and “coordinators” were constantly asking for more money. For any project we wanted to start, we had to make our own plans, fund and direct help for them--which from everything we've read is not very helpful because we're simply forcing our biased fixes that may not fit the local needs or culture. Without leadership or proper oversight, and not receiving useful information, we were left bewildered, frustrated, and unable to help in a meaningful, long-term way.

Finally, IFRE or known as Global Crossroads in EU isn't a volunteer organization, they're a volunteer placement group, so if you can connect with a group on the ground, you can save $300+ per person. Additionally, extra services come at a premium, for example our safari cost twice the going rate in Kenya with no difference in experience for the other safari goers who paid half the cost.

In regards to our experience, I can say it was very positive. The work with school in Mitaboni was very rewarding, the children and the school have great needs and we were glad to help. They kept us very busy throughout our time there. The children instantly bonded with us, very quickly we had several "best friends".
The host family was very accommodating, all our needs were attended to and every effort was made to make us feel at home and welcome. It was a great way to immerse ourselves in Kenyan culture and truly learn how they go about their daily lives.
Our reception was good, Barnabas was waiting to meet us when we arrived and we always had someone at our disposal to advise us or meet our needs or answer any questions. Arriving at the airport in Kenya can be quite overwhelming and a little bit of a culture shock if it's your first time there.
The safety of us and other volunteers was always a priority. We were always kept informed and updated on our surroundings, travel plans, routes and times. At no time did we feel uncomfortable or in any danger. Barnabas and his staff as well as the staff of the school and hospital were always looking out for us.
Local support was top notch. The people we came in contact with were so friendly and accommodating. Kenyan people in general were so friendly and welcoming. Always willing to go a step above what was needed. They are happy to explain things about their culture, give directions and offer suggestions, even complete strangers.
I would absolutely endorse this project to other people looking for an authentic way to experience a new culture, while helping others who have great needs. Kenya is a beautiful country, rich in cuture, friendly people and traditional ways. They will whole heartedly greet with a "jambo" or "caribu" and a big smile. The costs and expenses are very reasonable. Saftey is a priority. You will get an education, do rewarding work and you will want to return.

I volunteered at Al Gadhir Medical centre in Kenya for four weeks through IFRE. My major responsibilities included dressing wounds, taking patients' histories and vitals, counseling patients, providing assurance and moral support to patients' families, and disbursing medicines. I was placed in the orthopedic department. It would be very safe to say that I gained intercultural skills and qualifications for my personal and professional development from this volunteering program.

My host family was very helpful and supportive. They were some of the nicest and genuine people I've met. They welcomed me into their house and family whole-heartedly. Barnabas, the country coordinator was responsive and was always making sure that my experience in Kenya was a nice one.

Application and preparation process was also very smooth. I appreciate all you did for me! You have such an important contribution to the world in your position. Thank you IFRE Team for organizing this experience for me!