Quick Links:
What's new at GAPS?
- Volunteer in Australia: work on programs from Australia with GAPS
- Volunteer Africa 2009: Get involved in the field
- Kenyan Village-Based Medical Educators Program (KVME): targeting simple solutions
See GAPS in action
Volunteer Africa 2009
See things like you've never seen them before - volunteer in East Africa with GAPS this year, make a difference and see the real Africa
with projects in partnership with UNICEF Kenya, the Aga Khan Foundation, the University of Melbourne and others
Rural Development in Kenya
A nation on the brink of starvation
In spite of its dense rainforests and spectacular water features, the majority of Kenya's land is arid or semi-arid. These areas are home to the millions of nomadic people, who survive by subsistence farming. Most farms are small private plots and 38 per cent of the population is dependant on agriculture for their survival. They daily battle with starvation has worsened due to unstable rain patterns and drought. The drought has also caused an escalation of violent land disputes as the area's ethnic groups compete for scarce water resources.
How much is 40 hours a week worth?
Water and electricity - commodities taken for granted in the developed world -are hard to come by in rural Kenya. Only 6 per cent of rural Kenyans have access to electricity and more than 60 per cent of Kenyans use wood fuel as their main cooking fuel. This not only has severe health and environmental repercussions, but also means that women spend up to 8 hours a day (40 hours a week) collecting firewood to cook and water for drinking and washing.
Internally displaced peoples
Ambiguity over minority ethnic rights in the Kenyan constitution has created both political power clashes and local violence. Over 400,000 people have been displaced within Kenya, and often little provision is made for their rights.
Women in Kenya
Violence against women is widespread. It has been estimated that as many as 50 women are being raped every day, of which few cases are reported and even fewer prosecuted. The custom of female genital mutilation is still followed in some rural areas.
You can make a difference in Kenya by entering a partnership, donating or volunteering.