Volunteer Kenya
Grassroots Impact Since 1998 ★★★★★ 4.9 / 5.0 (80+ Google Reviews)

Fighting HIV/AIDS & Poverty in Western Kenya

Partnering overseas volunteers with local Kenyan development experts to transform healthcare, education, and women’s economic independence across rural communities in Bungoma District.

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SJ
Sarah Jenkins Medical Student Volunteer
★★★★★

"Volunteering at the Bill Selke Clinic and running mobile clinics in rural Bungoma was a life-changing medical rotation! The staff and local community in Kabula are so welcoming."

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Dr. Marcus Vance Physician Volunteer
★★★★★

"An incredible grassroots organization. Hank & Reuben built something truly sustainable. Working hand-in-hand with Kenyan clinical officers was deeply rewarding."

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Emily Thorne Education Volunteer
★★★★★

"Teaching Math & English at Epico Jahns Academy was the highlight of my university career. The children's energy and passion for learning is unforgettable!"

DC
David K. Chen Microenterprise Advisor
★★★★★

"Advising women's microenterprise groups in tailoring and bee-keeping was inspiring. 100% of your effort directly empowers local families."

JT
Jessica Taylor AIDS Education Volunteer
★★★★★

"The EMPOWER peer-training campaign changed how I view community health. Breaking the stigma through education is grassroots development at its finest!"

CM
Claire Montgomery Volunteer Alumna
★★★★★

"Spent 2 months living in Kabula. The farm homestay, 3 daily meals, and welcoming warmth of the community made this an unforgettable journey."

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People Reached with AIDS Awareness
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Volunteers from 24 Countries
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Students at Epico Jahns Academy
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Women's Microenterprise Groups
Rev. Reuben Lubanga Co-Founder Volunteer Kenya
Rev. Reuben Lubanga
Co-Founder & Kenya Director
A Note From Our Founder

"Karibu! We don't bring volunteers to 'fix' Kenya — we invite you to work shoulder-to-shoulder with us."

When Hank Selke and I began this work in Kabula in 1998, we had no grand offices or big budget — just a VCR in a wheelbarrow and a deep desire to protect our families from HIV/AIDS. Over the past 25 years, more than 1,000 volunteers from around the world have joined our community family.

Whether you are treating patients in our mobile clinics, teaching primary students at Epico Jahns Academy, or supporting women's microenterprises, you will leave Kenya with lifelong friendships and the knowledge that your contribution truly mattered.

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Why Choose Volunteer Kenya

Grassroots Impact Built on Trust

We are not a commercial voluntourism agency. We are a community-owned non-profit operating continuously in Western Kenya since 1998.

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Teaching From Within

All programs are led by local Kenyan directors Rev. Reuben and Betty Lubanga. Visiting volunteers support local experts — never replace them.

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Authentic Farm Homestay

Live in clean, traditional farm huts on our Kabula compound with 3 fresh daily Kenyan meals prepared by our compound chef.

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100% Fee Transparency

Program fees ($1,500/mo) directly cover your housing, food, local staff stipends, clinic medicines, and mobile vehicle fuel.

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25+ Year Legacy

Founded in 1998, trusted by over 1,000 international volunteers from 24 countries with verified 4.9★ Google reviews.

Our Mission Statement
“To fight HIV/AIDS, provide primary school education, encourage microenterprise development for women and provide healthcare for the people of Western Kenya without regard to religion, politics, ethnicity or nationality.”
— Volunteer Kenya (ICODEI) Guiding Purpose Since 1998
Sustainable Programs

Where You Can Make a Difference

Choose from six interconnected impact areas based on your background, clinical interests, or passions.

Medical & Care Healthcare & Mobile Clinics

Healthcare & Mobile Clinics

Operating the Bill Selke Memorial Clinic and rotating mobile clinic vans that travel into remote villages, treating up to 100+ rural patients daily for malaria, typhoid, and infections.

  • Mobile clinics in underserved remote villages
  • Clinical rotations for doctors, nurses & med students
  • On-site pharmacy & diagnostic triage
Prevention & Awareness HIV/AIDS Education

HIV / AIDS Education & EMPOWER

Fighting myths, silence, and stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS through school presentations, film screenings, condom distribution, and our EMPOWER peer-educator training curriculum.

  • Reached 200,000+ Kenyans across Western Province
  • EMPOWER peer educator training for high schools
  • Dispelling dangerous myths and reducing stigma
Primary Education Epico Jahns Primary School Students Celebrating

Epico Jahns Primary Academy

Providing top-ranking primary education for over 450 children from preschool to Grade 8. Volunteer teachers teach alongside local staff in math, science, English, and geography.

  • Over 450 enrolled students (Pre-K to Grade 8)
  • Ranked among the top primary schools in Western Kenya
  • Classroom teaching opportunities for all backgrounds
Economic Empowerment Microenterprise Development Women Group

Microenterprise Development

Empowering over 100 women's self-help groups with seed capital, business training, and equipment for tailoring, bee-keeping, sunflower oil extraction, horticulture, and boda-boda taxis.

  • Seed capital grants ($500-$600) for group businesses
  • Over 100 independent self-help groups supported
  • Hands-on business advisory & progress tracking
Community Health Women's Health Program & EMPOWER Women

Women’s Reproductive Health

Interactive seminars and educational lectures tailored for rural Kenyan women, focusing on maternal health, reproductive hygiene, nutrition, and family wellness.

  • Maternal & child health seminars
  • Reproductive hygiene & nutrition education
  • Open to pre-med & health education volunteers
Direct Impact

Sponsor a Child's Education

Cover a child’s annual tuition, school uniform, books, supplies, hot lunch, and transportation at Epico Jahns Academy so no child is ever turned away.

Learn About Sponsorship
Life on the Ground

What Your Day Looks Like in Kabula

From morning farm breakfasts to village outreach and starlight conversations — here is what living as a volunteer feels like.

07:30 AM — Morning

Farm Breakfast & Daily Briefing

Wake up in your farm hut to fresh local tea, fruit, and mandazi. Join Rev. Reuben and compound staff for your daily project assignment and team briefing.

09:00 AM — Afternoon

Field Placement & Outreach

Head out into your primary program — running mobile medical clinic triage in remote villages, co-teaching Grade 4 Math at Epico Jahns, or visiting microenterprise groups.

06:30 PM — Evening

Homestay Dinner & Swahili Practice

Return to the compound for a freshly prepared dinner of ugali, chapati, and vegetables. Relax under the stars, practice Swahili with staff, and share daily highlights.

Clear & Transparent Pricing

Volunteer Program Fees & Calculator

All volunteer fees go directly to housing, meals, Kenyan staff salaries, clinic medicines, school supplies, and vehicle fuel.

Program Fee Estimator

What's Included: 3 home-cooked meals daily; lodging in farm huts in Kabula; Nairobi airport pickup; local program transportation; and full field coordination.
Total Estimated Cost
$1,500 USD
  • Room & Board (3 Meals/Day): $350
  • Mobilisation & Field Coordination: $150
  • Program Operations, Fuel & Medicines: $1,000
Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to the most common questions prospective volunteers ask before applying.

Yes, Kabula Village is a peaceful, rural community in Bungoma District. Volunteer Kenya has operated safely in Kabula since 1998, hosting over 1,000 international volunteers. You live in a secure, enclosed compound with 24/7 staff support and local leadership.
No medical degree or formal teaching certification is required for general volunteering! Clinical rotations (doctors, nurses, med students) work alongside licensed Kenyan medical staff. For classroom teaching, you co-teach alongside qualified Kenyan primary school teachers.
Volunteers live in clean, traditional 4-person farm huts on the Volunteer Kenya compound with electricity and running water. Three fresh home-cooked meals (including vegetarian options) are prepared daily by our compound chef.
Our team meets you directly at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. We coordinate your domestic transfer to Bungoma and provide local vehicle transportation to all program activities and mobile clinic sites.
Yes! While 1-to-3 months is standard, we accept flexible stays starting on the 1st or 15th of any month. Contact our coordinator to arrange customized arrival dates.
Start Your Journey

Ready to Make a Real Impact in Western Kenya?

Join over 1,000 international volunteers who have transformed lives in Kabula. Applications are reviewed year-round.

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