Samburu Village, situated in northern Kenya, is inhabited by a semi-nomadic community that is a sub-tribe of the Maasai. This community lives harmoniously with nature while striving to maintain its cultural and religious traditions. They wear traditional attire and reside in small huts constructed by women using cow dung and mud. Members of the Samburu community practice collective sharing of resources, including income and food, fostering a strong sense of fraternity and loyalty among them. This indigenous group offers a distinctive safari experience, and the Samburu village is so friendly, and they love our volunteers so much.
This service-learning initiative offers medical support to residents who require healthcare services in their homes. Participants will have the opportunity to deliver vital health education, preventive care, basic treatments (such as first aid), and referrals for more serious conditions, greatly enhancing access to healthcare in Samuru village. We provide services like screenings, nutritional advice, and disease prevention (including TB awareness) directly to households, effectively bridging the gaps in rural health access.
The role of Community Health Promoters Assistant is to serve as:
- First Point of Contact: They frequently act as the first point of contact for families, establishing trust as reliable community members.
- Health Education: They impart knowledge regarding disease prevention, nutrition, and healthy lifestyles.
- Basic Services: They administer first aid, perform health screenings, and offer basic treatments for common health issues.
- Referral System: They recognize serious health cases and direct them to higher-level healthcare facilities (hospitals).
- Disease Control: They assist in the early detection and management of diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB) by promoting awareness and encouraging testing.
- Community Linkage: They connect families with the wider health system, ensuring ongoing care.
Why is this program crucial in Samburu Village?
- Addresses Health Inequalities: It provides essential services to rural and underserved communities, enhancing healthcare accessibility.
- Empowers Communities: It encourages community participation in health, making health systems more responsive.
This program is tailored for medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, clinical officers, lab technicians, pharmacists, caregivers, and consultants, who aim to serve underprivileged communities, as well as pre-med students seeking initial exposure to a medical career and valuable experience before entering university or the healthcare field. There is a steady need for healthcare providers and childcare professionals in the communities we support. Join us to gain volunteer experience in humanitarian efforts. Students or interns without prior medical experience will have the opportunity to learn by observing
Professionals can take on roles such as community Healthcare Promoters, assistants. This includes house-to-house patient consultations, diagnostic tests, and routine checkups like measuring blood pressure, pulse, temperature, height, and weight.
Below are some of our projects to choose from to assist
1. Free Annual Medical Camp / Outreach Health Campaigns
We periodically run free medical camps across the Samburu Village. We focus on at any given time are determined by the communities with the highest need. The more volunteers we recruit, the more outreach initiatives the local team can implement, allowing us to assist additional need communities. We engage a local doctor to lead these campaigns and oversee the volunteers. Our team consistently provides the necessary medical supplies and equipment. Additionally, an interpreter is hired to assist volunteers in overcoming language barriers when communicating with patients.
Who it serves:
Children, adults, the elderly, and individuals who lack access to basic healthcare.
Main challenges:
Medication shortages and the need for more medical equipment
2. Community Visits
Volunteers will join Community Health Promoters (CHPs) in performing various health checks throughout different community environments. For instance, they may visit local schools to carry out health screenings for students. Volunteers often have the opportunity to provide basic first aid to the children. Furthermore, visits to care homes within the community are carried out to perform health screenings on the more vulnerable and elderly individuals. In this context, volunteers can offer their assistance by helping with cooking and meal preparation for the residents. The primary goal of the local team is to support the underprivileged community to the best of their ability.
3. Group Medical Trips -
We offer cost-effective group journeys for educational institutions and organizations globally. Starting at just 950 Euros per person (with group leaders coming at no cost), our comprehensive 15-day itinerary is meticulously planned, all-inclusive, and guided by our skilled team. Organizing international trips for sizable groups requires extensive preparation. We truly excel in the realm of group overseas expeditions, delivering unique group travel experiences while catering to large student groups with full board arrangements. We assure you of providing reliable and thoroughly vetted medical project environments that offer valuable insights, exposure, and educational experiences for students.
Other ways you Can Help as a Medical volunteer Volunteers play an important role in supporting these communities. You can contribute in the following ways:
1. Supporting Extracurricular ProgramsVolunteers can help establish or run:
- Science clubs
- Mental health awareness sessions
- Organizing Health Campaigns
- Health Education in School and in the Community
- Vaccination Programs:
- Data Collection and Research
2. Establishing Partnerships
Volunteers can use their networks to:
- Connect the organization with a hospital or University for long-term sponsorships
- Source donations of clinical Equipment and Medicines
- Introduce health talks programs in our schools and house-to-house visits
- Support sustainability projects to promote hygiene in the community (e.g., water tanks, hospital gardens)
- Support with medical supplies like medicines and medical equipment for the annual free medical camp.
- Partnerships created by volunteers often lead to lasting, meaningful change.
If You Are Volunteering for 1 Week (Short-Term Projects)These activities are hands-on, easy to integrate, and do not require long-term follow-up
1. One-Time Workshops at nearby schools- Health Talks
- Mental health awareness sessions
2. Hospital Beautification ProjectsShort-term but high-impact:
- Painting the clinic
- Planting flowers/organizing a mini clean-up
- Repairing simple items (tables, shelves)
If You Are Volunteering for 2–3 Weeks (Medium-Term Projects)This timeframe allows you to provide more continuity and build deeper connections
1. Establishing Clubs or Programs- Science club
- Mental health sessions (group discussions)
- Health talks
2. Mentorship & Guidance- Career guidance for teenagers
- One-on-one or group mentorship
- Confidence-building workshops
If You Are Volunteering for 1 Month or More (Long-Term, Sustainable Projects)Longer stays allow volunteers to create lasting, systemic impact.
1. Partnership & Sponsorship DevelopmentVolunteers staying longer are in a better position to:
- Establish partnerships with companies, hospitals, and universities
- Mobilize resources
- Create fundraising structures
- Work on grant applications
- Build sustainability strategies
2. Follow-Up and Impact Tracking- Evaluating program outcomes
- Creating long-term improvement plans with teachers
Ideal for: Volunteers who want deeper involvement and long-term transformation
As you prepare to join us for your volunteer experience in Kenya, please review the following general guidelines.
There are no direct flights from your country to Samburu village; instead, you will first fly to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Your journey to Samburu village will commence in Nairobi, where you will stay for one or two nights at our accommodation for orientation and planning. From Nairobi, you can make your way to Samburu by road accompanied by one of our staff members. Some volunteers opt for public transportation, while others prefer a private vehicle. The journey to Samburu takes approximately five hours and includes three stops: the first at the Rift Valley viewpoint/Equator view, which marks the division between the northern and southern hemispheres; the second at Thomson Falls for lunch, where you can enjoy the refreshing mist from the water falls and access to clean washrooms; and the third stop for potential wildlife sightings, as it is common to see giraffes, zebras, and elephants along the way. For those visiting Thomson Falls, the entrance fee is 5 USD. Lunch options are available, with prices ranging from 10 USD to 20 USD. The other stops are free of charge, allowing you to immerse yourself in nature and appreciate the breathtaking landscapes and wildlife along the route. If you encounter a particularly stunning view, the driver is always happy to stop for a memorable photo opportunity.
Mobile Phones and Internet Connectivity
- Having a mobile phone allows you to maintain communication with your family and friends. Local SIM cards, with Safaricom being the predominant provider, provide cost-effective options.
- Internet connectivity can be accessed through Wi-Fi in accommodations, workplaces, or public spaces such as cafes and shopping centers at Maralal the capital town of Samburu. Additionally, modem sticks for laptops are available as an alternative.
Packing Essentials
Packing Essentials
- eTA-Visa, which can be obtained via this link (https://www.etakenya.go.ke/de/evisa)
- Passport (ensure it is valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry),
- Yellow Fever vaccination certificate,
- credit card and/or cash,
- power adapter for local outlets.
- Recommended items: personal toiletries, travel pillow, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, durable footwear or shoes suitable for outdoor use, fanny pack, compact power bank, hairdryer, and clothing suitable for the weather (check the forecast before your arrival, as conditions may vary from your departure location). Laundry services are available for an additional fee
While in Samburu, you can participate in various leisure activities, such as:
- Visiting local homes to immerse yourself in the culture and connect with families
- Bird-watching for nature enthusiasts
- - Playing football with local children, a fun way to engage with the community
- Collecting water from the river offers insight into the daily lives of Samburu women
- Men can go with the locals to take care of the animals
Orientation and Flexibility
- On your initial day, you will undergo a comprehensive orientation at the Nairobi Office. You will be acquainted with a range of activities and program rotations, allowing you to acquire valuable experience and engage in further initiatives while in Samburu. In addition to construction work, you will have the chance to interact with our children, teach them, and take part in farming projects or programs focused on women's empowerment.
