Trusted by partners across the world
A quarter-century of measurable change
Real numbers behind real communities — built patiently, year after year.
25 years of purposeful service
From a single idea in Kisumu to a nationally recognised volunteer network.
CIVS Kenya Founded
Established in Kisumu as a grassroots community service organisation.
First International Workcamp
Welcomed volunteers from Europe for the first international work exchange.
Ahero Resource Centre Opens
First permanent base for food security and agricultural development programs.
Youth ICT Program Launches
Digital literacy training reaches youth in Awasi and surrounding villages.
90,000 Lives Impacted
Two decades of sustained community development across western Kenya.
25th Anniversary
Celebrating a quarter-century of service with expanded partnerships worldwide.
Kenyan communities
Locally-led development, powered by volunteers
The Center for International Voluntary Service connects committed volunteers — local and international — with communities driving their own change. Through workcamps, placements and exchange programs, we build lasting relationships that strengthen livelihoods and open opportunity.
- Community-led programs across three resource centers
- Five development pillars from food security to youth ICT
- A trusted home for international voluntary service
Five pillars of community development
Delivered through our resource centers in Ahero, Awach and Awasi — plus international voluntary service.
Food Security
Food Security
Agro-economic development for resilient livelihoods through community farms.
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Water & Sanitation
Water & Sanitation
Expanding access to clean water, handwashing stations, and sanitation facilities in villages.
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Orphans & Children
Orphans & Children
Providing safe educational spaces, balanced nutritional support, and care for children.
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Youth Development
Youth Development
Empowering youth through digital literacy, job readiness, and vocational enterprise training.
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Emergency Relief
Emergency Relief
Delivering rapid-response resources to disaster, floods, and health crises in western regions.
Read moreThree ways to make a difference
Whether you can give your time, your support or your partnership — there's a place for you here.
Volunteer
Join a placement, workcamp or exchange and work hand-in-hand with communities driving real change.
Start volunteeringDonate
Fund clean water, education and opportunity. Every gift is transparent and goes straight to the field.
Partner
Organizations, schools and institutions — let's build lasting community impact together.
Become a partnerStories from our community
Volunteers, partners and the people we serve — in their own words.
“My weeks in Ahero changed how I see development. CIVS put the community in the lead and I just helped — it was the most meaningful work I have ever done.”
Lena Marek
Volunteer, Estonia
“The youth ICT program gave me real skills and the confidence to start my own small business. I am now training others in my village.”
Brian Otieno
Programme alumnus, Awasi
“Partnering with CIVS Kenya let us reach families we never could have alone. Their roots in the community are deep and genuine.”
Mondo Team
Partner, Estonia
“Clean water close to home meant my children could go back to school instead of walking for hours. That is everything to us.”
Aoko W.
Community member, Awach
“As an exchange volunteer I arrived to teach and left having learned far more. The orientation and support were outstanding.”
Daniel Fischer
Exchange volunteer
“The food-security training transformed our farming group. We harvest more, waste less and finally have something to sell.”
Mary Adhiambo
Farmer, Ahero
Watch Our Story
See the impact in action
Real stories, real change — watch CIVS Kenya volunteers transform lives across Western Kenya.
Our reach across western Kenya
Three resource centres, dozens of active projects and the communities we serve every day.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Explore Detailed Interactive MapLatest stories & updates
News, impact and reflections from our programs and volunteers.
Youth & ICT
Digital skills open new doors in Awasi
How the Mondo digital-competencies program is helping young people find work and start enterprises.
Read story
Water & Sanitation
A new water point transforms daily life
Closer, cleaner water means more time for school, work and family across the Awach community.
Read story
Volunteering
What a workcamp season really looks like
A behind-the-scenes look at volunteers and communities building something lasting together.
Read story
Give once. Change a community for good.
Every contribution helps fund clean water, education and opportunity in marginalized communities — and we show you exactly where it goes.
$25
Clean water for a family
$50
School supplies for a child
$100
A week of ICT training