Kaya Health Care Volunteering Projects in Brazil

  Brazil

• Salvador: 
Salvador

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.

HIV & AIDS Prevention:
Kaya aims to equip young people with skills and knowledge to make informed choices about HIV/AIDS, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, basic health and sanitation. In doing so, volunteers are creating a better life for young people in developing countries.
Brazil was the first country in the world to successfully break international patents on HIV/AIDS medication in order to provide comprehensive treatment to those living with HIV/AIDS. Despite this Brazil remains third in the world for the number of infected people with the HIV/AIDS virus, and it is estimated that there around 800,000 with the virus in Brazil. Over 70% of new aids cases since 1994 have come from illiterate or high school drop-outs.

Kaya projects aim to infiltrate the poor minorities and lead community programs to raise awareness, educate and provide direct preventative measures in the form of psychotherapy, hospital visits and different forms of contraception. Our projects aim to create a space not only for policy action but also for the growing responsibility of other social movements and NGO's confronting the AIDS crisis.

Community Health and Sustainable Sanitation in Brazil:
Kaya has also partnered with organizations implementing green, self-sustaining sanitation solutions on the island of Itaparica. The main objective of a sanitation system is to protect and promote human health by providing a clean environment and breaking the cycle of disease. In order to be sustainable, a sanitation system has to be not only economically viable, socially acceptable, and technically and institutionally appropriate, it should also protect the environment and the natural resources.

Our health promotion strategy focuses on what causes the health-illness process, such as violence, unemployment, lack of basic sanitation, inadequate dwelling, access to education, hunger, and poor quality of air and water.

Public Health in Brazil:
Brazil is a middle income country dealing with developing country health issues like high infant mortality and low life expectancy but also has high levels of obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Help the people of Salvador improve their health and increase their knowledge of preventative measures. In-country staff and volunteers work with the local department of health and small NGO's to provide community members with access to qualified health care, preventative health care education, and training to combat the above problems.

Primary Care and Oral Hygiene in Brazil:
Primary healthcare in Brazil is under great strain as the health system is dominated by hospital care with much of the public funding going to the private sector. Doctors are paid poorly in the public sector and few wish to work in primary care and this coupled with short nurse supply leads to high numbers of the public assigned to one doctor meaning many do not receive the care they need.

Oral hygiene is of great concern in Brazil and much work is needed. Data revealed by the Ministry of Health has found that 30 million Brazilians have never been to a dentist, 60 million do not brush their teeth and 8 million have lost all their teeth. One of the main reasons for this is because people simply do not have the money to buy basic instruments for oral hygiene.

Our Kaya projects aim to provide provisions to enable preventative education to be implemented and to increase the amount of care given to rural communities and relieve pressure on local services in Bahia.

Highlights: Salvador is one of that select band of cities which has an electricity you feel from the moment you arrive with the magnificence of its natural setting on the mouth of the enormous bay of Todos os Santos.

Salavador Wreck Diving:
Salavador is a haven for wreck divers. In the mouth of the bay there are over 90 wrecks from the Dutch invasion and is an archaeological site. Salavador also has the largest ship wreck in Brazilian waters, the 'Cayo Artemidi'. It is 160 meters in length and has gaping holes for easy access and searching of the wreck. With clear, warm waters and amazing marine life nestled in over 100 ship wrecks this truly is a divers paradise.

Salvador Carnival:
Spanning several kilometers through the streets is the Bahia Carnival. So, it is not a surprise that Salvador has one of the best carnivals in Brazil. According to Guinness, with 2,000,000 people (including 800,000 tourists), Salvador has the largest street carnival in the world. Salvador is home to capoeira, the Brazilian martial art; to acaraje, the bean and shrimp fritters that make for delicious street food; and to a particularly devilish strain of caipirinha cocktails.

Amazon Rain Forest:
The world's largest tropical rain forest, Amazonia covers more than half of Brazil. The Amazon represents over half of the planet's remaining rain forests, and it comprises the largest and most species-rich tract of tropical rain forest in the world. Float down lush river corridors teeming with rain forest birds and wildlife. Experience the warm tropical water via raft, kayak or dugout canoe. Enjoy the South American birds, wildlife, flora and fauna unique to the Amazon. Hike through the jungle with a shaman or naturalist and discover medicinal plants, spiritual traditions and the history and politics of the Amazon rain forest. If you've ever wanted to visit the Amazon basin, now is the time before it changes forever and its culture and wildlife disappear.

When you're not working one of the best things to do is to relax, eat, socialize, exercise, surf and swim on the beautiful beaches of Bahia. The main beach you will get to know is Porto da Barra, which is set within the bay and the water is much calmer than on the Oceanside beaches; it's good for swimming.

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 Brazil 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