Kenya is one of many sub-Saharan African countries that battle various life-threatening diseases that can be prevented by the right combination of education and resources. HIV/AIDS affects at least seven percent of the population and is a major obstacle to the general development of the country and its people. In Kenya, the national HIV/AIDS prevalence doubled from 5.1 percent in 1990 to 10.6 percent in 2002. Over 100,000 children live with the virus, while some 650,000 children have been orphaned as a result of the disease. The situation is particularly striking in the Kakamega region, where awareness levels remain low, traditional customs that quickly spread HIV persist, and medical facilities are few and far between.

Although arguments are made that incidence rates are now declining, it is clear that Kenya has a major epidemic on its hands. Grassroots solutions are making substantial progress in generating HIV/AIDS awareness, increasing condom usage, and reducing high-risk behavior. However, cultural resistance and a lack of trained personnel at the community level consistently undermine these efforts. Funding is also a major issue, as antiretroviral drug therapy is prohibitively expensive to most Kenyans and generic, locally produced drugs are scarcely available. As of June 2005, only 38,000 of the more than 230,000 people in need actually received proper drug therapy.

Malaria is an often ignored—though no less serious—disease, which kills more Kenyans than any other communicable disease. Around 70 percent of the population is susceptible to the threat, showing that malaria is a countrywide problem. The resulting losses in worker productivity and family/community erosion are resolvable problems with the mobilization of proper resources.

These health issues and many more are being addressed by FSD at the community level. Volunteers and interns immerse themselves with underserved populations, offering education, research, expertise, treatment, or simply time and support for the improvement of health initiatives in Kenya.

Read more about Health programs and opportunities initiated by our Community Partners in Kenya.

Click here to return back to the Health home page.