Description

Medical Volunteers spend their time providing much needed assistance with Home Based Care, HIV education, Old peoples home and other community projects within the village of Livingstone, just near the Victoria Falls. You do not need to be medically qualified for this project, although a basic first aid is highly recommended.

The Medical Project consists of 3 main areas of work

* Home Based Care
Our volunteers accompany community volunteers as they visit bed ridden or immobile patients across Livingstone, many of whom are suffering from HIV/AIDS. It is their duty to provide basic advice, comfort and assistance to members of the community with little to no access to clinics or hospitals. This may mean basic First Aid or chatting to patients about the importance of hygiene, a healthy diet and exercise. Home Based Care is also about assisting those incapable of taking care of themselves by making a patient's bed, doing a bit of simple house work for them, and generally trying to improve their circumstance in the most basic yet effective way.

* Health Education
Many health issues in Livingstone could be improved with a little education. HIV is a serious problem that continues to grow and the trend can only be reversed through education. Numerous health issues could be reduced through improved hygiene and nutrition. Volunteers work in small groups to teach about communicable diseases, healthy living, and HIV awareness and prevention.

* Maramba Old People's Home
The home is poorly funded by the government and the residents mostly have no family or carers to look after them. Volunteers assist by taking vitals - blood pressure, temperature and weight - to monitor health, treat bed sores, increase mobility and general health of the residents and address any medical issues that arise.

Please note: You must ensure that you bring originals or certified copies of your medical qualifications in order for you to be allowed to work in specialized sections of maternity wards or laboratories.

Highlights

- Gain medical experience in the Livingstone Community
- Assist with vital HIV/AIDS education programs in the Community
- Work on school refurbishment and building projects
- Train local people how to care for the sick in their communities
- Immerse yourself in local Zambian culture
- Make friends for life
- Visit the Victoria Falls and enjoy some of the amazing tourist activities that Livingstone has to offer including Bungee Jumping, White Water Rafting on the Zambezi, Helicopter Flights over the Falls, Zambezi River Cruises, visits to Botswana's Chobe National Park to experience Africa's highest density of elephants and weekend excursions across to Zimbabwe and much more.

Qualifications

No particular qualifications, but medical students or those in the medical profession may be able to contribute to, and hugely benefit from this programme. Also those with a keen interest in the effect of AIDS on communities would find this project incredibly rewarding.

Intern Types

• Nursing
• Medicine

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 1185 +

Program Fees Include:

- Project Fee: this entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with. This project fee facilitates funding for items such as building materials, equipment, supplies, foodstuffs, etc. Project fees are also used to buy vehicles/equipment and for developing new housing for volunteers to provide for the expansion of the project.
- All airport transfers from Livingstone International Airport upon your arrival and departure
- Orientation program
- All daily transfers to and from your projects during your stay
- Full board and lodging which includes 3 meals a day at our volunteer house
- Weekly laundry service during your stay
- Assistance in your projects by various African Impact staff and volunteer coordinators. Full support from African Impact and your coordinator throughout your time on your Livingstone placement
- Any visits to other AI programs based in Livingstone

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

An adventurer, a traveler who is open to having their perspectives changed and immersing themselves in the local culture of Zambia and experiencing Africa first-hand. Volunteers will also have an interest in the medical field, and have a desire to play a part in the upliftment of the Livingstone community.

Age Range

Minimum 17 years, maximum decided on potential participants' health

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

2 working days

Year Founded

2004