Kar Geno-Center for Hope, Kenya

Kar Geno – Center for Hope is a grassroots organization based in Kisumu, Kenya, with a mission to restore hope and empower marginalized communities, particularly HIV-affected women and youth. Through our volunteer and internship programs, we bring this mission to life by offering students and professionals the opportunity to contribute directly to women’s socioeconomic advancement through education, skills development, and sustainable livelihood projects.

Our programs allow volunteers to work hands-on with local tailoring and agriculture cooperatives, support health and SRHR education, assist in microfinance and business training, and participate in impactful community initiatives. Whether you're studying public health, business, development, or creative arts, your contribution plays a vital role in helping us empower individuals to build self-reliant, dignified lives—while you gain real-world experience, cross-cultural insights, and the chance to be part of lasting social change.

Kar Geno – Center for Hope is a grassroots, community-based organization located in Kisumu County, Western Kenya, along the shores of Lake Victoria. The name Kar Geno means “Center for Hope” in the Luo language, reflecting our core purpose: to restore hope and dignity among marginalized populations, particularly HIV-affected women, adolescent girls, youth, and orphaned children.

Our work is grounded in the values of community ownership, empowerment, resilience, dignity, and inclusion. We believe that lasting change comes from within communities—when individuals are given the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to build better lives. We serve women who have lost spouses to HIV/AIDS, girls at risk of early marriage or pregnancy, and youth facing social and economic hardship.

Through programs in vocational training (tailoring, agriculture, and microenterprise), sexual and reproductive health education, psychosocial support, and microfinance, we create pathways to economic independence, improved health, and community leadership. We also value cross-cultural learning and regularly welcome international volunteers and interns whose presence brings fresh ideas, mutual learning, and global solidarity to our local efforts.

At Kar Geno, we don't just serve communities—we grow with them.