Quick Facts

  • The largest city in Kenya is the capital city of Nairobi. Mombasa is the second largest.
  • Many languages are spoken in Kenya, English and Kiswahili are the official.
  • Kenya is a sizeable country – slightly smaller than Texas – with a population of around 54.7 million people.
  • Adult (15-49 years) HIV prevalence is estimated to be at about 4.8% (2019 est.)
  • Kenya’s literacy rate is 85% for men and 78% for women.
  • Kenya has extreme income inequality despite its noticeable economic growth, and 36.1% of the population live below the poverty line.
  • Over 1 million primary school-aged children are still out of school. That’s the eleventh highest number of any country in the world.

Kenya

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To walk the land of Kenya is to walk the history of humankind. Did you know some of the earliest fossils of prehistoric humans have been discovered in Kenya? A former British colony, Kenya achieved independence in 1963. Since then, the country has seen vast economic growth both in agriculture and technology. 

Education in Kenya: Primary school education is free in Kenya, but many schools charge fees for supplies or other expenses, which places a burden on families. All students have to pay for secondary (high) school, but it is subsidized by the government for very high-achieving students. Our partners in Kenya include Rongo University and Kibabii University.

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Kenya flag

Kenya

To walk the land of Kenya is to walk the history of humankind. Did you know some of the earliest fossils of prehistoric humans have been discovered in Kenya? A former British colony, Kenya achieved independence in 1963. Since then, the country has seen vast economic growth both in agriculture and technology.

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Uganda flag

Uganda

Uganda, officially known as the Republic of Uganda, is one of the youngest countries on earth with half of its population under the age of 14. Although control of the country passed to the British Colonial Office in 1905, Uganda was never fully colonized.

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Botswana flag

Botswana

Botswana, a former British protectorate, gained independence in 1966. The country’s economy depended primarily on livestock until the 1970s when Botswana became a major exporter of diamonds. Currently, Botswana has one of the most successful economies and stable democracies in Africa.

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Lesotho flag

Lesotho

Lesotho is a tiny country nestled in the middle of South Africa. Founded as a kingdom in the 1820s, Lesotho was a British protectorate for almost 100 years before regaining independence in 1966. Today, the country is one of the world’s smallest constitutional monarchies known for its beauty and unique culture. Since 2000, primary school education in Lesotho is free and as a result, enrollment has increased.

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Malawi flag

Malawi

Known as “The Warm Heart of Africa”, The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country with a population of 18.7 million. The history of Malawi goes back to the 10th century, when the area was first settled. Today, Malawi is one of Africa’s poorest and most densely populated nations. Malawi’s economy is based on agriculture. Maize (corn) is the country’s main staple food while tea, coffee and sugar are some of its biggest exports.

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South Africa flag

South Africa

South Africa (pop. 60.1 million) gained its independence in 1910. There are eleven official languages including IsiZulu, IsiXhosa, Sotho, Afrikaans, and English, the most common languages. South Africa is roughly one-eighth the size of the United States or five times larger than Britain.

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Ghana flag

Ghana

Previously an African Empire and then a British colony, Ghana gained independence from the UK in 1957. It was the first sub-Saharan nation to achieve autonomy from colonial rule. Ghana was also the first place in sub-Saharan Africa where Europeans arrived to trade - first in gold, later in slaves. Archaeological evidence shows that humans have lived in present-day Ghana from about 1500 BC. Today, Ghana is a model of democracy for the continent and the world.

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Sierra Leone flag

Sierra Leone

According to archeological findings, people have been residing in the Sierra Leone for at least 2,500 years. In the sixteenth century Sierra Leone was a very important center for the transatlantic slave trade. However the country’s involvement with the slave trade ended in 1787 after Freetown was established by repatriated former slaves. Due to its rough beginnings, over 70% of the population in Sierra Leone lives under the poverty line.

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