Medical Doctor (MD), Nicaragua

  Nicaragua

Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 7-12 months and 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 7-12 months

Description: Before a child can begin to thrive, they need to be healthy. One of the primary responsibilities of Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos (NPH) is to provide for the physical health of the children living under its care.

Each of the homes either operates an internal clinic on the orphanage premises, or contracts with physicians in the neighboring towns to ensure that the children with ongoing health issues are monitored closely and the rest of the children are kept in optimum physical health.

Highlights: On May 11, 1994, NPH Nicaragua became the fourth NPH home in Central America.

With the arrival of the first four children a small house was rented in the town of Granada, 35 miles southeast of Managua. More children arrived every week and they became part of the quickly growing family. New property was acquired on the Island of Ometepe, a long, rough and wet boat ride from Granada across Lake Nicaragua. It was christened Casa Santiago. Babies, ages seven and under, still remain on the mainland at Casa Asis in San Jorge.

Most of the children at the Nicaraguan home are war orphans. Many of them are Miskito Indians, children from the East Coast of Nicaragua where Spanish is hardly spoken. Some children come to Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos with no real identity.

There is a primary and secondary school on-site for the children of the orphanage. As the school is reported to be the best on the island, students from the surrounding communities are enrolled in both sections. Workshop training is available in computers, cosmetology, welding, carpentry, electricity and sewing. For recreation, the children play soccer, learn the folkloric dances of the region and swim or play on the lake's shore.

Finca San Marcos was the first property bought by NPH in 1994. It was soon too small to serve the needs of children, but continued to be used for farm land. Last year, it opened as a rehabilitation center for the boys of Casa Santiago that demonstrate behaviour problems. They also accept boys/youths from institutions and other referrals.

Every effort is being taken to raise and grow the food consumed by the children each day. Staff receive training in organic farming methods in order to eliminate the use of chemical fertilizers on the farm of San Marcos and in the gardens at Casa Santiago.

Qualifications:
    * Licensed MD.
    * Experience working with children.
    * Comfortable working in another culture.
    * High levels of patience and flexibility.
    * Prefer high levels of Spanish.

Friends of the Orphans International Volunteers must be 21, and we prefer that they speak Spanish and/or Creole. Volunteers serve for at least a year in one of the 9 NPH homes. NPH offers room and board, plus a monthly stipend (US$50-$100, depending on the home), and access to health care. Volunteers are responsible for paying for their travel to/from the country, medical insurance and language school fees (if necessary).

Successful volunteers are cooperative, flexible and extremely patient. They have strong work ethics and are able to work with people from many different cultures.

Minimum Education: Doctorate

Cost in US$: 0.00

Salary / Pay: Volunteer position, but volunteers are provided room and board and a stipend ($50-$100 US).

Experience Required: yes

Experience working with children is required.

Typical Volunteer: The most effective volunteers come to NPH with a positive life-loving attitude, a strong work ethic, flexibility, realism and a sense of humor. Typically, volunteers may arrive with the expectation that living conditions are more primitive than they are. However, they are often not aware of how hard they are expected to work. We also seek candidates whose main motive is to help the children and be models. NPH volunteers are not rebellious to rational authority, disrespectful or insensitive to the cultures where we work and are guests. Affluent Europeans and North Americans can afford to be rebels, with long hair, tattoos and pierced body parts. In Latin America, this kind of self presentation can ruin chances for a job. Please remember, we accept volunteers only if we are convinced that they will be good for the children. We are not judging them as people, only as models for children who need to be prepared for their lives beyond NPH. We have numerous openings for long-term volunteers throughout the year. We are sometimes able to accommodate volunteer groups such as school and church or youth organizations for short-term volunteering as well. See our Volunteer Requirements, Volunteer Opportunities, or proceed directly to our Volunteer Application. If you are interested in helping NPH in your local community, please contact your nearest local fundraising office to find out how you can become involved. There are always positions available for translators, special event staff and office support. Working in your local office is a great way to get to know NPH better.

Age Range: 21+

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

Participants Travel to Nicaragua Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume

Friends of the Orphans's Mission Statement: Friends of the Orphans is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide funds and awareness for Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH)- Spanish for Our Little Brothers and Sisters. NPH serves orphaned and abandoned children in 9 countries in Latin America: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Peru, Bolivia, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. NPH's mission is to provide shelter, food, clothing, healthcare and education in a family environment based on unconditional love. A worldwide community of donors, staff and volunteers enable NPH to help the children become caring and productive citizens in their countries.

Year Founded: 1954