Malindi District Hospital Volunteer

  Kenya

Rural

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: on going

Description: Malindi town is approximately 120 kilometers north of Mombasa and 600 kilometers from Nairobi city. It is the district headquarters of Malindi district. Since the elevation of Malindi to a district, the hospital received district status and thus the facility had to be expanded.

* New wards were built raising the bed capacity from 80 t0 250 beds.
* A maternity shelter was built to cater for pregnant women.
* A paedriatic ward
* A HIV/AIDS fully equipped wing with voluntary counseling and testing services.
* A theatre
* A maternal child healthcare department.

All this expansion was made possible with the help of:
* Danish development agency (DANIDA)
* United states agency for international development (USAID)

All this expansion was done but the number of staff addition was very minimal; thus there is a very big staff shortage at the center. It's the only referral government hospital in a radius of 70 kilometers. The nearest such institutions are in Kilifi 70 kilometers south and Garisa 300 kilometers north. This makes the hospital have a lot of patients that the staffs are not able to cope with; thus the administration is welcoming any type of medical volunteer, intern, and professional to come and help out.

What kind of volunteer are we looking for:
1. Any Volunteer who can do any of the work above.
2. Medical students.
3. Medical proffessionals.
4. Nursing students.
5. Nursing proffesionals.
6. Pre meds
7. Social workers

Volunteers will be staying with a local host family in order to experience the culture of the local people at malindi.

Activities During the Volunteer/Intern Period

1. Active participation in the various wards in the hospital based on the career objectives of the volunteer
2. Visits to the community and community centers with the option of of oganizing medical camps for groups more than three persons
3. Participatory learning where the volunteer will be allowed to make notes and ask questions with their supervisors and other staff
4. A chance to make contributions to the hospital that will be used to buy medical equipment for use of the volunteer and other staff

Benefits to the Volunteers

1. Learn more about tropical diseases in Africa eg malaria.
2. Learn more about infectious diseases and issues to do with public health
3. See hands on the effects of HIV/AIDS.
4. Learn more about the medical systems and procedures here in Kenya.
5. Apply for academic medical credits in the school back home.
6. Learn about the culture of the local people.
7. Visit many other places while in Kenya e.g. historical sites.
8. Make a vivid comparison of Kenya and home country.
9. Help in alleviating the shortage of medical staff thus contributing towards reducing the mortality rates.
10 .Open up doors for many other interns all over the world to participate by being part of the pilot project.
11. Make long lasting friendships with the local people.

Length of Commitment: minimum of two weeks and a maximum of 1 year before renewing the commitment.

Accomodation: It is our policy that all our volunteers to stay with an African host family to learn more about day to day living of an average African home. We have trained selected host families with an experience of handling volunteers with all the care that they need. Some volunteers who come as a group are allowed to stay in the home. We have guest rooms that can be used by visitors.

We receive volunteers at the airport and take them to an already booked hostel. We will have a big paper with your name/names on it e.g. JOHN They then rest for one day in the city. The following day we travel by day bus to the community. All this time you will be with a Touch Africa guide.

For young volunteers who are under the age of 18 need Either A letter from parent or guardian to Touch Africa indicating that they have agreed for you to come to this program. This letter can either be mailed to us or you come with it yourself as you come to join our program. Or A letter from the patron of your school club (e.g. interact volunteering club, model UN, community service club, school travel club etc) who should be an adult to tell us that he /she have released you to come to join our program. Or A letter from your school; to tell us that they are happy you have chosen and agreed to come to volunteer and learn more about Africa.

Donations: We want to give everybody a chance including those who do not have a donation to give. however the hospital is in need of medical suppliers on a constant basis thus fund raising is allowed to the same effect

Highlights:
* Visit to historical sites and other tourist attractions
* A homestay program that allows volunteers to learn the local culture and language

Qualifications: Any general volunteer who can help in any way; we would also like persons in the medical profession.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: US$480 two weeks, US$780 for a month +US$100 per every extra week

- Transport from home to the work placement cost less than a dollar per day.
- You need to Get a valid visa for your stay here.
- Get vaccination/treatment against malaria.
- Tell us the local date and time of your arrival.
- Tell us the Flight Company and number.

Experience Required: yes

for the volunteers no experience at all just a love to help others

Typical Volunteer: Students, couples groups and individuals

Age Range: 18-50yrs

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

Participants Travel to Kenya Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of maximum 20

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Touch Africa International's Mission Statement: To empower orphans and vulnerable children with quality knowledge to enable them contribute positively towards our national development. To provide shelter , care and education to our children. Revolves around issues of poverty, particularly the lack of education, economic opportunity and environmental concerns. Our goal is to train people to be effective business entrepreneurs, community leaders and global citizens through organizing of community work camps, internships, volunteer programs, community development projects and educational tours which focus on Four key issues of our work foundation namely Reducing poverty; Increasing global cooperation; Sustainable development; equality & social justice; Environmental conservation and protection; we believe in giving everyone a chance to contribute to a better society by organizing affordable programs as listed above and we ensure that they are interactive ,enjoyable ,educative and most of all life changing in short meeting real people in the real world to bring a real change in peoples lives.

Year Founded: 2005