Where We Work: KENYA

Do you have a sense of adventure and a desire to serve in Africa? Would you like to live a simple lifestyle close to the people and share your faith and talents with the poor? Would you like to work on a pastoral team and live in a small community with other lay missionaries? If so, we would like to invite you to consider joining us in our mission work in Kenya.

We are currently recruiting lay missionaries to work in the slum areas of Nairobi which are called Kariobangi and Korogocho. These areas are considered to be among the worst slums in the world.

Korogocho & Kariobangi: What are they like?
These slum areas on the outskirts of Nairobi have a swelling population, and are among the densest areas of the city. Many people living in the rural areas of Kenya move to the city in the hopes of new opportunities that cities afford. Unfortunately, there is little work, and families struggle to make ends meet. They live in settlements without access to basic necessities like food, water, electricity or sewage disposal. 

Because opportunities to earn money are scarce, families can rarely afford to send their children to school. The education of girls is a much lower priority than the education of boys. As a result, many girls often have no choice but to turn to prostitution.

Kariobangi Women Promotion Project: Comboni Missionary Sisters became involved with the project in 1993. It was begun to address the needs of young women in the community who are poorly educated and have few skills. There are several components to the project, all geared toward improving economic independence, literacy, and well-being. 

The lay missionaries work on a pastoral team with a Comboni priest, a Comboni Brother, and several Comboni Sisters. The lay missionaries will live in rented apartments on the edge of the slum area and close to the Comboni parish church in Kariobangi. The newly arrived lay missionaries will have 3-4 months of language training in Swahili.

What Kind of Work Would You Do?

  • Provide computer training for the teachers at the Catholic high school in Kariobangi and the primary school in nearby Korogocho.

  • Assist with the Women Promotion Center in Kariobangi (helping with computer training, developing new designs for their sewing projects and other job skill training, and helping with writing applications for grants.)

  • Provide administrative support for the parish clinic in Kariobangi. (We will be looking for a nurse with administrative experience.)

  • Help with home visits and care for AIDS patients and their care givers in Kariobangi and Korogocho.

  • Help with social programs and education for "street children."

What Kind of Candidates Are We Looking For?
We are looking for candidates with some skills and experience in the following areas:

  • Some experience working with parish and/or community groups, and at-risk populations.

  • Skills and talents in education, health care, job training, parish youth ministry, and community development.

What Does The Comboni Lay Mission Program Provide?

  • Preparation: We provide a solid 14-week preparation for mission program at our center in LaGrange Park, IL. It includes classes and workshops in mission theology, skills for cross-cultural living, area studies, methods of popular education, communication and team building skills, mission spirituality, and community.

  • Language Training: New lay missionaries assigned to Kenya will have three to four months of Swahili language training.

  • Orientation and Ongoing Support:  The lay missionaries will be part of a pastoral team made up of missionary priests, sisters, and local lay leaders.

  • Room and Board: Housing is provided for the lay missionaries, along with a monthly stipend for personal expenses and for food. (Approximately $100 for personal expenses and $175 for food expenses.) The lay missionaries also receive an annual allowance of $300 for professional growth, retreat, and vacation expenses.

  • Health Insurance and Other Benefits: Lay missionaries are provided health insurance and transportation to and from the mission site in Kenya. Upon successful completion of their three-year contract, they will also receive $1800 for relocation expenses.

How Do You Take the Next Step?
If you would be interested in serving as a lay missionary for three years in Nairobi, Kenya, please take a look at our Requirements for Admission. If you think you meet the requirements, fill out the Preliminary Form and we can begin to discuss the possibilities.


See other site descriptions: Peru, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Zambia, Malawi





Images from Nairobi:

Read a reflection by Susan Coopersmith, one of our current lay missionaries in Nairobi, here.