Amidst Kenya’s stunning landscapes and abundant natural resources, it is easy to forget the realities of life for most of its citizens. Like most African countries, poverty is rampant, with the majority of the population surviving on less than one US dollar a day. HIV/AIDS is endemic, turning thousands of children into orphans each year and leaving bustling settlements nothing more than ghost towns. Malnutrition is also widespread, with millions at the mercy of severe droughts, failing crops and the death of livestock.

These long-standing socio-economic problems continue to plague the people of Kenya, but Tembeza Kenya volunteers, who work with community groups on the projects listed below, have the power to transform this sad truth. While you will be working on small, local projects, the impact you will make cannot be underestimated; for the gesture serves as a symbol of ongoing hope to those whose lives you touch. Whether you are teaching former street-children life skills, reading stories to orphans at a shelter, or spending time with terminally ill AIDS patients, you can be sure of a life-changing experience, for both yourself, and for those you have reached out to.

Volunteers who sign up for our community projects must have, above all, a genuine commitment to helping people. You will need to be flexible and have initiative to face the many hurdles and challenges that you will inevitably encounter. To ensure that you get the most out of and contribute fully to your placement, a pro-active attitude is essential. Any skills or experience that you can bring—whether its social work, acting, fundraising or sports coaching—will be more than welcome, and most certainly put to use.

Location: Nairobi/ Mombasa Duration: 1 to 6 months Costs: from $1,295 Requirements: None Project Brief: Most orphanages we work with have a staff to child ratio of over 30 to one, making the need for volunteer childcare workers greater than ever. Come and help teach these children some of the things their parents never got the chance to.

Location: Duration: 1 to 6 months Costs: from $1,295 Requirements: None : Project Brief: There are untold thousands of children in Kenya living on the streets without the means to make any kind of living. Volunteers participating in this project will work to rescue, rehabilitate, educate and relocate some of these children. You should be prepared to take on a variety of roles, ranging from teacher, to counselor, to mentor, to friend.

Location: Duration: 1 to 6 months Costs: from $1,295 Requirements: None Project Brief: 700 people die each day from HIV/AIDS in Kenya, and some areas of the country have an infection rate of 30 percent. Volunteers will help disseminate information to the public about the transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS at schools, community centers, bars, nightclubs, churches, and women's groups—wherever people will listen!

Location: Duration: 1 to 6 months Costs: $1,295 Requirements: None Project Brief: . Healthcare for thousands of Kenyans living with HIV/AIDS is neither easily accessible nor affordable. Volunteers on this project help to ensure that people living with AIDS receive continuous quality care beyond any initial hospital treatment by getting involved with clinical, social and psychological treatment.