Description

Assist in surgery, burns unit, ICU, Physiotherapy and X-ray.

Departments of interest: Radiology, Minor major theatre, Pharmacy, Wards & Facilities, Out Patient, Laboratories, Pre- and post-natal care, Morgue and a care unit for people with HIV/AIDS.

Volunteers with a medical background will be placed at one of the public health centers or hospital while those with no medical background will spend time at one of the orphanages, pre-schools or community projects.

You will be offered a personal and customizable placement service. You will be supported throughout the duration of your placement. Customized placements that volunteers have asked for in the past include volunteering in mobile clinics, volunteer in mental health clinics, amongst the handicapped, HIV/Aids or doing volunteer work in specific areas like nutrition, dental services and working amongst the Maasai or Samburu.

Preview:

* Gain medical experience under the supervision of qualified doctors and nurses at our project Hospitals and in the public health centers. Please note that this is only applicable to those who are currently studying medicine or who are qualified in a medical field suited to the hospitals needs and requirements.
* Assist in helping to improve facilities in the many orphanages and pre-schools.
* Enhancing the actual facilities as well as taking a role in teaching and looking after the children.
* Take a look at life in the slums of Nairobi and then use the time to make a real difference to this poor and desperate community.
* Learn some Swahili and get a taste of the culture of Kenya.

Highlights

VLM Medical centre overview in Bungoma

In Kenya, there is no free health care and government hospitals who supported by taxes, provide 45% of the country's health services at a nominal fee. Between them, there are the church hospitals which have the reputation for providing good quality care at affordable prices. The remaining health care is private, which is for profit.

VLM medical center was started in the early 21st century, which was a welcome chance for the people of Bungoma. It is situated 3km from Bungoma town.

The clinic, which is a level 2 hospital, has seven main departments, and they include casualty, pediatrics, maternity, Laboratory, pharmacy, family planning, child-welfare and also mobile clinics department. The in and out patient numbers are roughly around 30-50 people in a day whilst not forgetting an HIV/AIDS - testing and counseling center available within the premises.

On site, VLM has a clinical officer, nurses, pharmacists and 2 lab technicians.

Hospitals such as VLM are able to raise around a fifth of costs from donations, but otherwise patient fees account for the majority of income. As such VLM Medical center relies heavily on both donors and volunteers in order to keep fees to a minimum.

Common diseases within this area include: pneumonia, malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and other equatorial rain forest diseases.

Qualifications

* A medical background.
* Experience in any medical field.
* Respect of the local culture and systems.
* There are no specifications on the Dress code as long as it respects the weather.
* Western Kenya experiences heavy conventional rain and has two rainy season.
* Other items to bring include: a torch/flashlight (this is because they operate on generators), lightweight medical books, games, radio or other evening entertainments. Cameras are also essential in order for the volunteer to capture those memorable moments that are found only in rural Africa.

Languages

• English
• Swahili

Cost in US$:

Program Fees Include:

* Food
* Accommodation
* Emergency evacuation services
* In-country orientation/Training
* In-country staff support
* Airport pick up and drop offs
* Security within the project
* Registration fees
* Written materials abroad
* Written materials Pre-departure
* Language instruction
* Pre-departure orientation/Training

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

18 - 88 years

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Dormitory
• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of 10

Application Process Involves

• Essay
• In-Person Interview Required
• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Phone/Video Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

2-3 weeks

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Tope Africa's Mission Statement

Throughout Kenya, nonprofits organizations promote the ideals that attract so many and include protecting the environment to developing our future community leaders and entrepreneurs, to supporting the early care and education of our children, to protecting our most vulnerable citizens, nonprofits are key to our present and our future, but if no assistance goes towards them then chances are high that the level of poverty will increase, crime and other social atrocities will become eminent due to the communities depleting the resources already present.

Year Founded

2005