Are you planning a mission trip to Kenya? This guide will help you prepare for a meaningful and impactful experience. You will discover Kenya’s top ministry needs, understand the necessary travel documents, and learn how to pray for the people both before and after your visit.
Understanding Kenya's Needs
Kenya faces numerous challenges that your mission trip can address:
Political Peace
From terrorism to drug trafficking, government corruption continues to widen the gap between the rich and the poor.
Stable Ecosystems
Droughts in the northern regions destroyed over 80% of livestock and desolated pastures.
Training and Discipleship
There is a desperate need for more comprehensive health care that includes education. Diseases spread quickly here and quickly become unmanageable.
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Youth in the Nation
Most of the people in Kenya are underage youth. Over 100,000 youth survive in the slums as street children.
Unreached People Groups
Our partners are giving sacrificially, doing everything they can to spread the Gospel and meet the needs of their people every day.
But, they are in need of encouragement and support from their brothers and sisters in Christ around the world.
These pastors are already praying for your team to come and partner with their church.
They are ready to receive your mission team with open arms.
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As you serve alongside them, you'll also be supporting them in their ministries ranging from men's and women's Bible Studies to school ministry, sports ministry, children's ministry, and construction.
Know that every gift or talent that your mission team brings will be an encouragement to the local church and to the community that surrounds it.
Mission Trip - Kenya 2022
Travel Requirements and Preparations
Visa and Immunizations
Yes, you can apply for a visa online. It takes two business days to receive an e-Visa for Kenya. Travelers must provide proof of immunization for yellow fever. Other required vaccines include measles, polio, and current status on routine vaccines.
Travel Advisories
Kenya has experienced crime, terrorism, and kidnapping in remote areas of the country, making the nation jump to a level two, increased caution, state of travel.
Travel Insurance
If you get travel insurance before you leave, you can access 24/7 assistance. Travel insurance can assist you during an emergency evacuation and help cover unexpected medical costs that could happen while overseas.
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Health Precautions
Given the huge time difference and rustic accommodations, getting a good night’s sleep will be critical.
You will be seeing hundreds of patients with infections, wounds, stomach issues, headaches, dehydration, and more.
The dental and medical needs are never ending in this patient population - and health education plays a major role in sustainability.
Also from Sawyer, I purchased a twin pack of travel-sized Picaridin Insect Repellent. For one final bit of protection, I’m taking a mosquito net for my bed.
You can expect to see infections of every type, snake bites and wounds, some chronic, others quite acute, and the hypertension and diabetes that plagues the world today.
Unintended injuries are in the top 10 causes of death in Kenya today and HIV/AIDS still devastates families for generations.
Based on several recommendations, I purchased some hydration packets and opted for the variety pack.
I’m fortunate that I don’t require any daily medications, but I did pick up two prescriptions just for this trip.
My doctor also prescribed a few Azithromycin pills…just in case I fall victim to Traveler’s Diarrhea.
While I do plan to bring home a variety of cool souvenirs from Kenya, bug bites and the various diseases they carry are not something I want to bring home! This spray from Sawyer works great!
International Medical Relief (IMR) in Kenya
International Medical Relief started to serve in Kenya back in 2006 to help alleviate the burden of communicable diseases that Kenya was facing, specifically with HIV/AIDS. IMR was able to provide resources that broaden treatment options among many communities. IMR worked along Kenya in their efforts to expand HIV/AIDS treatment, assist in malaria control initiatives, and work with programs focused on maternal and child health. During 2010-2019, a total of 563 volunteers and staff treated over 19,000 patients. IMR continues to serve the communities in Kenya to keep decreasing the burden of both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
IMR continues to provide education towards sanitation and hygiene measures, as well as help increase access to clean water. IMR works to elevate vulnerable populations through shoulder-to-shoulder care with our local partners, creating workforce density, and a cadre of future healthcare and public health leaders in association to UNSDG 3: Good Health & Wellbeing. IMR's medical mission teams also work toward UNSDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation by supporting and strengthening the participation of local communities in improving their water quality, and installing water filtration systems that supply communities with clean drinking water and providing education on hydration and hygiene. In correlation with UNSDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, our organization works in collaboration and at the request of local hosts where we are under their direct influence and affluence. International Medical Relief continues to make a difference in Kenya thanks to our amazing IMR volunteers!
The leading causes of death in Kenya HIV/AIDS, lower respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, tuberculosis, and malaria. Since 2019, Kenya reported an infant mortality rate of 35 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Daily Life During the Mission
Each day will be a new opportunity to see the beauty that surrounds Lake Victoria. Keep your eyes open to see the children riding bikes 3 sizes too big, the old women carrying impossibly large loads of straw on their heads, and the small motorcycles, with their riders holding 12′ long pieces of wood as they ride in and out of traffic.
You will find the comforts of our beautiful hotel and grounds to be a warm welcome after a long day of clinics. The facility boasts a beautiful dining area where the team will enjoy breakfast and some dinners. You will stay in beautiful double occupancy rooms with twin beds and en suite bathrooms. If you are flying independently you will meet the team in Kisumu, the third largest city in Kenya. Transportation will be by bus or van to wonderful villages near Lake Victoria each day.
All food is typically provided during your stay. We may hire local people to cook for the team during our visit, or we may eat at restaurants or hotels. Lunch in clinic may include sandwiches made by the team or a feast prepared in your honor by community leaders. We recommend bringing snacks to eat during the day or evening or to supplement your lunch. High protein/high fat/high energy snacks are best. IMR also provides all of the drinking water for the team. Hydration and nutrition are extremely important for the health of the team.
Cultural Immersion and Activities
On your safari, you will witness the harmony of numerous species of wildlife rarely found in any large quantity anywhere but Kenya. See the abundant wildlife first hand that has made Kenya the leader for adventure wildlife seekers and renowned photographers. In this place like no other, you will have the opportunity to see up close the world’s most amazing animals.
Spend a day at Lake Nakura National Park, where you’ll have the opportunity to spot lions, leopards, buffalo and zebra. Lake Nakura is also home to both white and black rhinoceros. Venture to Maasai Mara, host of the famous Wildebeest Migration each year as 1.7 million wildebeest, more then 500,000 zebra and antelopes cross the swollen Mara River in hopes of finding safety on the Maasai Mara’s sweeping plains. Bare witness to a once- in-a-lifetime Maasai Mara sunrise and early morning game drive while you try to spot Africa’s ‘Big Five’ taking advantage of the cool morning temperatures on the hunt for their breakfast.
During this mission trip, I will be traveling into several Maasai villages. In these villages it is customary for women to wear long skirts, so I am packing several. On the days when we are not in the local villages, skirts are not required. Kenya is located on the Equator so it can get quite warm during the day, so lightweight capris are the way to go.
Fundraising and Donations
Your generous donation helps to save and change lives everyday. Your charitable investment will go toward ongoing global relief to care for the underserved and vulnerable people of this community. As a member of this medical mission team, you will elevate the long-term impact of sustainable, capacity-building efforts that improve the health, wellness, and quality of life of those most in need.
IMR provides a fundraising packet to all registered trip applicants that is full of ideas on how you can raise support for your trip or for supplies to be utilized on this specific mission. When soliciting donations for any of our trips, success is completed through telling your personal story. Why do you want to go? Who will you help? Why their donation can help you achieve the ultimate goal. Tell your story to anyone and everyone.
Partnering with Local Ministries
Servant Life partners with a local ministry in Nairobi, Kenya serving in the Kibera slums; taking a holistic approach that is committed to the spiritual and physical transformation of marginalized, underprivileged, and destitute communities living in the slums and rural areas. There are approximately 2.5 million slum dwellers in about 200 settlements in Nairobi representing 60% of the Nairobi population and occupying just 6% of the land. Kibera houses about 250,000 of these people. Kibera is the biggest slum in Africa and one of the biggest in the world.
Teams join our missionaries leading sessions of Evangelism and Discipleship Programs in schools, visiting families with Food baskets and sharing the gospel with them, ministering to Young Offenders at the Young Offenders Reception Center, speaking in Purity Clubs in High School, and organizing sports outreach sessions in the community. Sunday. Worship with the local church.
Volunteer Opportunities
During global community development volunteer program, the volunteers are assigned duties and stations. Helping at orphanages (duties include: providing food and education desperately needed by the children. You will also have the opportunity to share God’s love with them and provide hope in an otherwise difficult life. The most important attribute needed for these placements are open mindedness, flexibility with regards to time , a strong work ethics, willingness to follow directions ,love for people. You also need to be ready to help those less privileged in overcoming various life challenges. Participating in our mission projects will offer you the opportunity to help others and make a positive contribution to the local community as you gain experience and foster personal growth.
Final Thoughts
I recently returned from Kenya. I was fortunate to travel and work with a wonderful group of individuals. The experience enriched my soul and changed my perspective of the world. I know now that we are all here to serve and care for one another regardless of our backgrounds. We can all make a difference. IMR did a great job connecting people who want to serve with people in need.
Ready yourself for a wild African safari in some of the world’s most renowned parks. Don’t miss the chance to explore some of Africa’s most wild places. Join IMR on this three night, four day program extension to adventure to stunning Kenya for an experience of a lifetime!
Our dedicated Praying Pelican Missions staff members will serve alongside you on your East Africa missions trip and assist you as you plan and prepare your group for a life-changing mission trip. We will work with you to train and equip your group mission team as you prepare for your trip to Kenya. From cultural sensitivity education to daily devotions, we will provide you with training and guidance pre-trip, during the trip, and post-trip. Prior to serving, our seasoned mission trip consultants will work with you to help determine which ministries are best suited for your unique mission group. We're ready to host your team in Kenya as you explore a new place full of incredible people and leave inspired to affect change in your own home, carrying back with you a piece of the resilient spirit that is the heartbeat of Kenya's story.Year-Round MinistryPPM's ministry is an ongoing effort to build up, encourage, and assist the local Church 365 days a year. Nearly every week of every year, we have a team serving short-term somewhere in the world.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Predominant Religion | Christianity (over 80% of Kenyans identify as Christian) |
| Infant Mortality Rate (2019) | 35 deaths per 1,000 live births |
| Major Challenges | Political corruption, droughts, youth in slums, communicable diseases |
| Top Causes of Death | HIV/AIDS, lower respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, tuberculosis, malaria |
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