Physical Therapy Work in Ethiopia with Projects Abroad

  Ethiopia

Addis Ababa

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: Year Round/Rolling Starts

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.

You will find that the experience you can gain on this volunteer physical therapy placement will really help you to get an idea of how a successful community based healthcare program works, while also giving you hands on experience delivering physical therapy treatment. Because a portion of your time will be spent passing on your skills to fellow care-givers, you'll go home safe in the knowledge that you've made a real and lasting contribution to this project and the people it serves.

Volunteering Abroad on a Physical Therapy Placement

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

During the mornings 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, treating common illnesses faced by patients such as TB or unexplained paralysis. You'll help to carry out and explain simple exercises to family members to enable them to keep them up until your next visit. Afternoons will frequently be spent working alongside the local physical therapy staff, passing on your skills and knowledge.

This program is one where you can gain real satisfaction at having made a difference, while simultaneously gaining worthwhile work experience, and all with the added bonus of getting to know a fascinating and strikingly different culture.

Highlights: 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.

All accommodation is organized, paid for and monitored by Projects Abroad. All project placements are regularly visited and checked. We require high standards of supervision and accommodation, which are verified before you arrive in Ethiopia.

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

Cost in US$: From US$3,245 Up

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 16-80

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

Participants Travel to Ethiopia Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of 2-5

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• 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