Medical Work for AIDS Orphan Clinic, Zambia

  Zambia

Livingstone

Term: Throughout the year 
Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: Year-round

Description: Zambia is one of the world's poorest countries and as a result health care and provision suffers as much as any other public service sector in the country. Whilst structures are in place for an effective heath service, there is an enormous deficit in terms of staff and resources. Which is why our help is very much appreciated by the nurses and doctors we work with. As a volunteer, you will spend every morning in the clinic or hospital you are assigned to. This gives you the chance to both make a positive impact on the health service in Livingstone, and to gain unique medical experience.

Clinics
We work in four different clinics; Maramba Health Center, Mahatma Ghandi Clinic, Linda Health Center, and Libuyu Clinic. These clinics are primary healthcare facilities and the first point of call for un-well residents in the area. Here decisions are made as to whether patients need just reassurance, treatment, observation, or emergency referral to a hospital. The clinics are often very busy. Therefore, the presence of helping hands in almost every area of the clinics is more than gratefully received by the staff, who are working at an immense pace in an attempt to keep up with the demands placed on them. Volunteers themselves will never be required to make decisions regarding patient treatments, but will be invaluable in reducing workloads for the staff and will have the opportunity to learn from the clinicians too. Volunteers' assistance is invaluable in the following areas:

* Out patient department
* 'Under Five's Department'
* Maternity Ward
* Observation Wards
* Laboratory
* HIV/AIDS Support Groups
* Community Outreach

Some volunteers, particularly those studying or considering a career in the medical profession, may also wish to join clinicians in consultations, where there is an enormous amount to be learnt about tropical and infectious diseases.

Livingstone General Hospital
If you have medical qualifications, or are studying to get them, you have the opportunity to work in Livingstone General Hospital. Depending on your field of interest and expertise, you will be assigned to a specific ward, where you will be able to offer a great contribution to the treatment of patients, and to gain very specific medical experience.

Community Project
After having spent the morning in a clinic or a hospital, you will help out the local community in different areas in the afternoon. You will rotate between the following community projects:
(Please note that if you prefer to spend every, or several, afternoons a week helping out in the clinics or hospital instead of working on the community projects, this can be arranged.)

* LISCA Orphanage/Linda Community Centre
The orphanage, run by LISCA (Livingstone Street Kids Community Association), is a place that will warm your heart. Not only is it home to 20 boys who have lost their parents to AIDS, it also serves as a community centre for dozens of disadvantaged children in the neighbourhood. Volunteers have the chance to make a real impact on the lives of these children and to assist with their learning experience. Whether it is by organising simple classes, drawing pictures, playing sports, or simply sing songs, the attention you give to these children is of invaluable importance to them.

* Build and Paint Schools
Schools in Livingstone deal with a great shortage of classrooms, and as a result most children do not receive the full day of class they need. With the help and guidance of professional builders, we are building new classrooms for as many schools as possible. As a volunteer, you will help with mixing cement, laying bricks, laying floors, plastering walls, and painting. It is hard, but highly rewarding work! In addition, we refurbish and paint existing classrooms.

* Elephant Pepper Project
The Elephant Pepper Development Trust is an organisation that aims to reduce the conflict between farmers and elephants. Particularly in the dry season, elephants raid peoples crops, which often cause farmers to loose their whole years income in one night. The elephants are often shot as a result. To save the lives of both people and elephants, the Elephant Pepper Trust has developed ways to use chilli peppers to keep elephants away from peoples land, as the animals dont like the taste and smell of chilli. The project gives farmers free seedlings and explains to them how to use the peppers. Elephant Pepper then buys the surplus of the chilli peppers back from the farmers, which gives the farmers a good extra income. As a volunteer, you will be involved in the project by helping build green houses for the seedlings, setting up demonstration sites around town, and building shops where women can come and sell their peppers.

* Home Based Care Project/Farming
The Maramba Home Based Care Project is run by a group of 30 local women who are all volunteers. The women spend each morning visiting patients in different 'zones' in the local community. The patients generally have HIV, TB and Malaria and often cannot afford to go the clinic or hospital. As well as bringing food and medical supplies, the patients are given advice on nutrition and the correct way to take their medication. The support group also sometimes cooks and cleans for patient's who have no family. The women have their own land that they use to farm for the purpose of raising money for the project, which they then spend on food and medical supplies for the patients that they support and visit. As a volunteer, you have the opportunity to join the women on their visits to patients in the community, and contribute to the help they offer. In addition, you will help the women out with the farming.

Please note that as this can be a shocking experience, this project is entirely optional. This is a relatively new project, but so far the feedback from volunteers who have been taken part has all been positive! We visit some very deprived areas which can be quite upsetting, but all the volunteers so far have said that it's been a valuable experience that offers a deeper insight into the lives of those suffering from terminal illness, and the chance to bring a small glimmer of hope into their difficult lives.

Highlights:
* Gain medical experience in local clinics or hospitals under our staff supervision
* Assist at LISCA orphanage a truly heart-warming experience. Enhance the orphans educational experiences, and work on drama productions and other extra mural activities
* Immerse yourself in local Zambian culture
* Make friends for life

Zambia Travel Highlights:

* Experience the 'adventure capital of Africa'
* The world's most exciting white water rafting on the Zambezi River
* Bungee jumping and gorge swings over the Batoka Gorge which the water cascades into below the Falls
* Sunset Cruises on the Zambezi River above the Falls this tranquil activity transports you back in time to the Africa of old and the excitement of cruising amongst crocodiles and hippos
* Elephant back safaris (half day or full day excursions)
* Canoeing Safaris on the Zambezi River above the Falls with experienced guides

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.

Cost in US$: 1 month - USD 2,150 / 2 months - USD 3,230

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

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

Participants Travel to Zambia Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Resume
• Written Application

African Impact's Mission Statement: African Impact facilitates cultural exchange programmes through volunteer work. We awards you the opportunity to immerse yourselves in local schools, health institutions, communities and wildlife conservation programmes. In this way as a volunteer you are able to leave your mark on a corner of Africa whilst at the same time experiencing a lifestyle that will shift your perspectives and allow you to see our world in a different light. We invite you to join us on a journey to Africa to explore, to inspire and to impact. We invite you to be more than a tourist, but to be a traveller, a conservationist and a humanitarian.

Year Founded: 1999