Kaya Health Care Volunteering Projects in Belize

  Belize

San Ignacio

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: The first Saturday of every month

Description: Whether you are a student, on a career break or retired there is a placement to suit your level. Those entering the medical profession will find volunteering in a developing country invaluable and inspiring. You will see what it is like not to have top level facilities and equipment available to you. Placements available range from hospitals, rural field clinics, house visits, nutrition, health education and public health research.

Malaria Research in Belize:
Conduct important public health research in malaria-prone areas of Belize. Collect water samples and study mosquito breeding grounds to better understand the spread of malaria in villages. Interview villagers to see the impact malaria has had. Help dispense prevention information and educate villagers on how to clear their houses of mosquito breeding grounds.

Work in a Public Hospital in Belize:
Lend a hand in a free public hospital that serves all Belizean citizens regardless of income. Gain clinical experience in a hospital in San Ignacio or in the capital city of Belmopan. The volunteer's medical knowledge, skills or background will experience will determine his/her responsibilities, but all areas of the hospital need help.

Clinical Medical Practice in Belize:
Gain clinical experience at one of the local hospitals in Santa Elena. This hospital is a charitable, non-profit medical facility with a mission to provide quality health care to even the poorest of Belize's citizens. A volunteer's previous medical or health-care experience will determine his or her specific responsibilities in the hospital.

Physical Therapy Project in Belize:
Physical therapy and special education is often not available to disabled Belizean children, this project was founded to give much-needed care to children who qualify for it. This project provides a therapeutic environment with special attention that disabled children need to overcome their challenges and live more independently in society.

Public Health Research in Belize:
Participate in ongoing research projects that seek to further understand the specific health care needs of communities within the Cayo District of Belize. You will work with Kaya staff and health care professionals, local organizations, and community leaders in an effort to conduct scientifically sound and relevant research.

Research projects seek to determine the prevalence of specific diseases, to elucidate risk factors for such cases, and to pinpoint possible areas for appropriate and effective intervention. Results from such research will be used to formulate and guide health education initiatives, as well as be prepared for publication in public health journals.

Family Planning & HIV Education in Belize:
Help improve family planning and pre-natal services in San Ignacio. At the Belize Family Life Association family planning clinic (BFLA), you can assist staff with the daily running of clinic, pre-natal and post-natal workshops, HIV educational outreach, and preparation of educational materials in Spanish and English. Spanish language skill is a plus.

Volunteers can also get involved in work to prevent HIV and AIDS. BFLA educates young people on sexual and reproductive health. The goal of the project is to get young people involved in educational activities and community service, encouraging them to make a change in their community and country. There is a youth group that works on promoting sexual and reproductive health to other young people by conducting education sessions, running radio shows and using theater/drama/dance to convey their message.

Highlights: Nestled between Mexico and Guatemala is the peaceful and ecologically diverse country of Belize. Spanning the length of the coastline is the second largest barrier reef on earth, which is a world heritage site. The ancient Maya ruins in the mountains date back to 500 BC, and the ethically diverse population of Maya, Mestizo, creole, Mennonite and Garifuna make for a unique and culturally rich experience.

Track Jaguars at Cockscomb Basin:
The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best undisturbed nature centers in the country and easily one of the most beautiful with 600-1000 Jaguars prowling the land. Get involved in mapping and distribution research to help protect Jaguars and their prey.

Glovers Reef Atoll:
70 miles southeast of Belize City brings you to Glovers Reef, named after the pirate John Glover. The atoll is a circular necklace of almost continuous coral reef around an 80-square-mile lagoon with depths to 50 feet; the various colors of blue in the water are so intense they seem unreal. Within the lagoon, divers will find 700 shallow coral patches and the remains of at least four sunken ships.

Kayaking the Belizean Waterways:
Raft a 20-mile stretch of the Macal River. This small, steep, and technical route brings you through drop pools, mazelike channels, and big waterfalls in class IV whitewater. Led by guides who have rafted all over the world, you know it's got to be good when even they get excited about it. Groups are small (six people), and the wildlife abundant -- tapirs, iguanas, and river otters are just a few of the species to be seen.

Belize's fragile ecosystems are under threat from deforestation, improper agricultural practices, irresponsible tourism and development, and forest fires. The people of Belize are very conscious about conserving their natural habitat and have used eco-tourism as a means of preserving their fragile ecosystems. It is very important to the communities that these ecosystems survive as they use them for food, medicine, shelter and water.

These are just a few of the wonderful activities and experiences a volunteer will accomplish in a few weeks of their stay in the majestic Belize.

Qualifications: Experience and passion for working in the community and interacting with the people are needed. Participants must also possess enthusiasm and a willingness to learn about the environment and the place's culture.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A Kaya volunteer shows enthusiasm, spirit and life to stimulate and bring something new to the residents; love, patience and a listening ear for the people; and a good motivator with a positive and optimistic attitude.

Age Range: Must be more than 18 years old

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

Participants Travel to Belize Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Kaya Responsible Travel's Mission Statement: Kaya's mission is to promote sustainable social, environmental and economic development, empower communities and cultivate educated, compassionate global citizens through responsible travel.

Year Founded: 2008