subject: Volunteer/gap year abroad in Kenya [print this page] Volunteer/gap year abroad in Kenya Volunteer/gap year abroad in Kenya
Kenya's incredible natural environment and cultural heritage is almost unmatched in Africa. If you're adventurous it promises the globe's most magnificent wildlife parks(e.g. Masai Mara is home to worlds eighth world wonder in wild beast migration), beaches, coral reefs, memorable mountain scapes, and ancient Swahili cities. Volunteers in Kenya will have no shortage of activities to fill up their free time.Visit the indigenous masai people and learn their culture, shop at a masai market and buy traditional souvenirs exclusive belonging to masai people, wildlife parks which are quite a number, experience the hustle and bustle of market shopping, go on Safari and spy the Big 5! To cool off you can take a trip to theKenyan coast and soak up the sun and surf at the beach.
About Kenya
Kenya is a country in East Africa. Kenya lies along the indian ocean to its southeast and named after Mt Kenya a significant landmark the 2nd highest mountain peak on Africa. It is bordered by Somalia Ethiopia Sudann Uganda & Tanzania. Kenya its capital city in Nairobi. Kenya has numerous wildlife reserves containing thousands of animal species and home to 7th world wonder the great wild beast migration in Masai Mara wildlife reserve and the country is also believed to be cradle of mankind. The country's area is 583,000 km2, Kenya is in the East African Standard Time zone which is +3 hours.
Religion: 40% Protestant, 36% Roman Catholic, 16% Muslim, 6% Animist
Government: Republic (multiparty state)
Currency: Kenyan Shilling (Kshs)
CLIMATE.
Considerably good with generally warm sunny days, minimal humidity and cool evenings- except at the coast. Close to the equator, there are no real seasons and every time has its special attractions. There are two rainy seasons; April- June and Mid September- November. It is normally pouring early morning or late evening giving some space during the day for some activities. Temperature and humidity vary a great deal with altitude and it can get really chilly in the mornings or evenings.
CURRENCY.
Kenya uses the shilling as the medium of exchange and there is no limit to the amount of foreign currency a visitor can import as long as it is exchanged through authorized dealers. Most premises and even bureaus do not accept Travelers Cheques [TC's]. Most major currencies (US$ and Euros Australia and Canadian dollar, yen..etc) are widely acceptable.
Development in Kenya
Kenya's population has tripled over the past 30 years widening income gap and rising poverty levels that erode gains in education, health, food security, employment and incomes. Kenya has the world's greatest gap between the rich and the poor. On average, there are over 50% Kenyans living beneath the poverty line. HIV/AIDS is most prevalent among young and middle-aged Kenyans, the most productive segment of the population. Almost half of the people in Kenya are under 15 years of age. An estimated 700 Kenyans die daily of HIV/AIDS-related causes. HIV/AIDS leaves orphans and woman-headed households even more vulnerable to poverty. The burden of diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and water-borne diseases weighs heavily on both the country and Kenyan families, affecting income, food security and development potential. Life expectancy is down to 46 years, from 59 years in 1989.Women are particularly vulnerable because they do not have equal access to social and economic assets. For about 70 per cent of women, subsistence farming is the primary and often the only source of livelihood.
Editor's Note: The Maralink Eco-Volunteers (TME) provides volunteer abroad programs opportunities and tour in Kenya. For more free information and affordable volunteer abroad programs visit http://www.themaralink.com
