Description

There is a real shortage of skilled physical therapists in Ethiopia. If you're currently training, a recently qualified physical therapist, or on a career break, you'll provide valuable support and training to both healthcare workers, and the families of people affected by HIV.

The experience you can gain on this physical therapy internship will really help you get an idea of how a successful community based healthcare program works while delivering physical therapy treatment. Since a portion of your time will be spent passing on your skills to fellow caregivers, you'll go home knowing that you've made a real contribution to this project and the people it serves.

As a physical therapy intern, you'll work alongside a charity based in Addis Ababa that provides advice, healthcare and education to families living with HIV. This is a highly progressive project that aims to increase people's knowledge and understanding of the disease as well as provide practical physical therapy care to terminally ill children.

Your Role as a Physical Therapy Intern

In the morning you'll usually travel around Addis carrying out home-based care alongside a small team of local staff. You'll visit families in their homes and treat patients with common illnesses who have TB or unexplained paralysis. You'll help carry out and explain simple exercises to family members that will enable them to keep them up until your next visit. Afternoons will frequently be spent working alongside the local physical therapy staff as you pass on your skills and knowledge.

Interns also have the opportunity to work at another charity treatment center which provides treatment to over 120 patients. Interns are involved in all aspects of patient care as well as providing advice and training to the family members of the patient.

This program is one where you can make a difference while gaining worthwhile work experience in another culture.

All Physical Therapy interns in Ethiopia must have completed at least two years of related studies or training by the time they join this project. We will request to see a copy of your resume once you have applied in order for your internship to be tailored to your level of experience and interests.

Highlights

During the weekends, you can take time off from your volunteer work to explore the attractions of Addis Ababa. It's fascinating to see the mud huts basking in the shadows of lavish high-rise hotels. Priests in traditional dress hurry along the streets alongside suited businessmen chatting on cell phones, avoiding the passing donkeys and speeding Land Rovers.

The choice of entertainment is equally varied with plenty of activities to choose from. You can spend hours exploring the Merkato, one of the largest markets in Africa, visit a tej beat - a traditional local pub - or catch the latest Hollywood blockbuster at a movie theater. Addis Ababa is also home to some of the best museums in Africa as well as great restaurants, serving some of the most highly seasoned food anywhere on the African continent. Popular traditional Ethiopian specialties include the stew-like wat and the staple bread, injera.

At the end of your international volunteer experience, you can take the opportunity to travel to Lalibela, a place of pilgrimage with churches hewn straight out of the bedrock, located 2630m above sea level. Although Lalibela is one of Ethiopia's main visitor attractions, it still remains very isolated and you'll feel like you've traveled back many centuries.

Independent travel in Ethiopia is hugely rewarding, even though the infrastructure of the country is fairly basic. You'll get used to the curiosity that you attract as a Westerner and you'll make many warm and genuine friends here.

This project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications

none

Intern Types

• Physical Therapy
• Health Sciences
• Admin (Health Services)

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Medical services
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Experience Required

yes

at least two years prior education or experience

Volunteer Types

• Aids
• Health
• Health Care
• Health Education
• Medicine

Age Range

16 and up

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of 2-5

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992