Volunteer in Kenya

Volunteering with International Volunteer HQ alongside the incredible team at my placement in Kenya has been one of the most humbling and grounding experiences of my life.

I arrived thinking I was coming to give time, energy, skills, support. What I didn’t expect was how much I would receive in return. Every day here has been a reminder of the power of dignity, resilience, and community. I have witnessed strength that doesn’t shout, hope that doesn’t give up, and kindness that shows up even when resources are limited. The people at the women's education placement lead with heart, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to uplifting others not just for today, but for generations to come.

This experience has slowed me down in the best possible way. It has invited me to listen more deeply, to be present, and to remember that real impact starts with human connection. The smiles, the conversations, the shared moments they stay with you. They change you.

I am deeply grateful to IVHQ for creating a bridge that allows volunteers like me to step into meaningful, respectful, community-led work. And I am endlessly thankful to my placement in Kenya for welcoming me with open arms and trusting me to be part of their story, even for a short time.

This is not a trip I will “return from” unchanged. It is an experience I will carry forward into my work, my relationships, and how I show up in the world. Thank you for reminding me that service is not about saving, it’s about standing beside, learning together, and honoring the shared humanity that connects us all.

I’ve always wanted to travel to different countries, help people and learn about different cultures. Growing up I was always a super anxious person and struggled to do things by myself. When booking my trip with IVHQ I realised this wasn’t something my friends or family wanted to do, instead it was something I’d have to do by myself. The whole process of booking, travelling and meeting new people completely pushed me out of my comfort zone. It taught me to be confident in myself. I learnt so many things about Kenya, and its people. But I also learnt that I’m so incredibly capable of doing big things alone. It’s something you’ll always remember, and something you’ll want to do again.

Volunteering with IVHQ has honestly changed my life for the better - I feel as though I am much more open-minded as a person and willing to try things out of my comfort zone as the reward, in the end it is so worth it. I felt so welcome and learnt so much about how other people and cultures live their lives and I feel extremely thankful to have been a part of that (even if it was only for a short period of time).

It was a good experience. I felt secure and safe. It was valuable to work within the slums and be able to contribute towards their cause. The housing conditions were much better than anticipated and the people wonderful to work with.