Volunteering

Welcome to the St. Camillus Mission in Karungu.

We are a Catholic Mission where you will share the day with Religious. For more information about the possibility of volunteering at our Mission as a doctors, nurses and more …) you can contact:

THE CURRICULUM VITAE AND A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THEMSELVES IS REQUIRED FOR THOSE WHO ARE AT THEIR FIRST EXPERIENCE

Useful notes for volunteers

  • Starting from January 2nd, 2024, it will be mandatory to obtain the new electronic travel authorization (ETA) from the etakenya.go.ke website in order to enter Kenya. The cost of the ETA will be 31 euros.
  • Currency: Euro. All banks in Kenya accept Euro and US Dollars. In Kenya, banks do not accept dollars issued and dated before the year 2000
  • Upon arrival in Nairobi, it is recommended to exchange €100-150 at the bank branches in the arrivals area for expenses. In Karungu, there is a bank where you can withdraw money with your credit or debit card.
  • Italian cell phones work; however, at Nairobi airport, the internet connection is free, and volunteers can use our Internet connection and WhatsApp.
  • Purchasing a Kenyan SIM card at Nairobi airport may be advisable to save money and manage payments easily.
  • If you plan to enter Kenya via Ethiopia, it may be necessary to get vaccinated for yellow fever.
  • There is a minimum contribution of €25 per day for food and accommodation. Those who stay at the Nairobi seminary are also asked to offer the same amount.
  • Please let us know if you will be accompanied by a partner so we can arrange for a double room.
  • Bring some proper clothing items for Dala Kiye children (aged 4 to 15), especially shorts and towels.
  • If you are coming from Italy, we would appreciate it if you bring some cold cuts (salami, hams, etc.) and parmesan cheese.

For healthcare volunteers

  • Bring a photocopy of your degree.
  • For a more convenient and efficient experience at the hospital, it is recommended that you bring your uniform, which includes clogs, and plan to offer it once your visit is over.
  • Some medications you can bring, if possible:
    • Antibiotics: Rocephina (ceftriaxone, Zithromax (azitromicina), Klacid (Clarithromycin), Augmentin (Amoxicillina + clavulanic acid), Fucidin, Ofloxacina (Tarivid)
    • Antifungal and antiviral antibiotics: Fluconazole (diflocan), Aciclovir (Zovirax)
    • Dermatological therapy: Gauzes and creams for burn therapy: connectinin-hyaluronic acid, antibiotic gauzes, gauzes with silver sulfadiazine.
    • Topical antibiotics/steroids such as Fucidin, Fucicort or similar
    • Varies: Lasonil, Citotec, Tranex-ugurol, Novalgina drops, Hydroxyurea, Metformin, Vitamin D, trace elements and other polyvitamins for children.
    • Here you will find a detailed list of medicines and pharmaceutical products that are difficult to obtain locally.
  • We remind you not to bring any medications to Karungu that could be damaged during the trip, especially intravenous ones. Also be careful not to bring drugs that are considered narcotics so as not to have problems at customs.
  • Since you will speak English with the hospital staff, a minimum knowledge of this language is required.
  • To make it easier to read medical records, consult this list of acronyms commonly used at our hospital.
  • Kenya’s official pediatric care manual for pediatric therapy and an official government book for adult medicine can be downloaded for free.
  • We remind you that most of our patients are HIV positive.

TRANSPORT IN KENYA

FLIGHTS FROM EUROPE TO NAIROBI AND FROM NAIROBI TO HOMA BAY OR KISUMU

Transportation from Nairobi to Karungu has improved.

The airlines arriving in Nairobi from Italy are Turkish, Egyptair, Emirates, Qatar, KLM, Air France, and Kenya Airways. You must book your flight from Europe, arriving in Nairobi in the morning and returning in the evening to subsequently take the domestic flight from Nairobi to Homa Bay or Kisumu, which departs from Wilson Airport and not from JKIA International Airport.

We would like to remind you that the distance from Karungu to Homa Bay is only one hour, while it takes three hours to get to Kisumu. This affects the cost of the taxi, which is Ksh 10,000 from Kisumu to our mission and Ksh 5,000 from Homa Bay.

The domestic flight to Homa Bay is currently operated by Renegade Air on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays. Further and more up-to-date information on arrival and departure times is available on the AIRLINE WEBSITE. We can directly book your outbound flight to the mission because credit cards are not accepted. We will book the return flight to Nairobi when you arrive in Karungu.

In case of loss of baggage on the claim, write: G4S to Tabaka hospital Kisii

There is now a new domestic flight from Nairobi (also Wilson airport) to Migori operated by the Skyward Express airline on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Further and more up-to-date information on arrival and departure times is available on the AIRLINE WEBSITE.

BUS FROM NAIROBI TO SORI-KARUNGU

If the domestic flight to Karungu is costly, consider the possibility of using the bus that connects Nairobi to Sori (approx. 3 km from the hospital) with a daily ride in the morning and evening.

The bus ride to Karungu station, which is located adjacent to the hospital, takes approximately 8 hours.

A taxi ride from the airport to Nairobi Station costs Ksh 2,000, which is approximately USD 15, and payment is only accepted in local currency.

N.B. Timetables and prices may change without notice

ENA COUCH BUS SERVICE recommended

The scheduled rides are as follows. Approximate time.

NAIROBI BUS STATION: WAKULIMA HOUSE PRICE PER RIDE: Ksh 1,300. = approximately 10 USD TAXI FROM AIRPORT TO NAIROBI STATION: Ksh 2,000. = approximately 15 USD) to be paid in local currency. The bus company offers a shuttle service departing from Nairobi at 10 am.

NAIROBI TO SORI-KARUNGU SORI-KARUNGU TO NAIROBI
Partenza 7.30 19.30 Partenza 6.30 18.30
Arrivo 17.00 5.00 Arrivo 17.00 5.00
TRANSLINE BUS LINES

The scheduled rides are as follows. Approximate time.

NAIROBI BUS STATION: AT KOBILI PETROL STATION, BEHIND AFYA CENTRE, TOM MBOYA STREET PRICE PER RIDE: Ksh 1,300. = approximately 10 USD TAXI FROM AIRPORT TO NAIROBI STATION: Ksh 2,000. = approximately 15 USD) to be paid in local currency. The bus company offers a shuttle service departing from Nairobi at 10 am.

NAIROBI TO SORI-KARUNGU SORI-KARUNGU TO NAIROBI
Partenza 06.00 19.00 Partenza 06.00 19.00
Arrivo 16.00 03.00 Arrivo 16.00 04.00

Directions to St. Camillus Seminary in Nairobi

Bogani Rd. Langata South  Karen-Nairobi

  • Tel. Fr. Fred +254-729 800598        
  • Tel. Fr. Dennis +254-724 938212
  • Taxi company: +254-722 697690