Cape Town Medical and Clinic Assistance, South Africa

  South Africa

Cape Town (Kaapstad)

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: 4 - 6 weeks. Inquire for dates

Description: * Medical Programs
In a city of contrasts, Cape Town's private sector health care and provision is extensive, but it is the rural communities that suffer from an immense lack of facilities. Whilst there are some structures in place for an effective health service, there is an enormous deficit in terms of staff and resources. This is why the volunteers' help is very much appreciated by the nurses and doctors we work with.
As a volunteer, you will spend each morning of the week in the clinics at the various communities, assisting the supervisors with the many people desperately needing help. There are many sick children, whose only support and means of medical care is from these clinics. The clinics run from 08h00 12h30 daily.
Both qualified and non-qualified volunteers can join this project.
Furthermore, volunteers (qualified as doctors, nurses, ENT's, first aid personnel) would be able to offer advice to the day care and after care centers that they will be working with in the afternoon. There are many children at these centers with special health care needs.

* Community Projects
After having spent the morning at one of the clinics that we are involved with, you will assist in the local community in various aspects in the afternoon. You will rotate between the following community projects:
- Building and Painting Schools / Extra-mural Involvement and Reading Programme
Schools in Red Hill deal with a great shortage of classrooms and facilities, as a result of which they are limited to the amount of children they can accommodate. As a volunteer, you will assist with fixing fences and windows, and rebuilding and painting classrooms.
- Masakhane Educare Center
Volunteers will assist teachers with after school care by helping with game playing, reading (both one-on-one with the kids and to the group during story time), and with other activities they engage the children with i.e. art, music, and dancing.
- Ukhanyo Primary School
Situated in the township of Masiphumelele, Ukhanyo has over 1300 students from grades 1 to 7 in classes of up to 40 learners per class. Volunteers assist with coaching various sports, which range from volleyball, netball, and basketball, to soccer and, he also ultimately hopes, to rugby.
- Masiphumelele Library
Masiphumelele has been blessed with a wonderfully-resourced library and great facilities. The library offers many services to the community and volunteers slot into some of the existing programs offered at the library.

Highlights: - Assist and observe in community clinic
- Assist in various rural pre-schools and day care centres during afternoon community work
- Reading to and doing crafts with children
- Working with HIV / AIDS orphans and vulnerable children
- Helping to uplift the community through education, health care, building projects and sports coaching
- Immerse yourself in local "Capetonian" culture
- Make friends for life

Qualifications: Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants' health

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: 2 weeks-USD 1290; 4 weeks- USD 1990

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Age Range: Minimum 18 years

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

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Written Application

African Impact's Mission Statement: African Impact facilitates cultural exchange programmes through volunteer work. We awards you the opportunity to immerse yourselves in local schools, health institutions, communities and wildlife conservation programmes. In this way as a volunteer you are able to leave your mark on a corner of Africa whilst at the same time experiencing a lifestyle that will shift your perspectives and allow you to see our world in a different light. We invite you to join us on a journey to Africa to explore, to inspire and to impact. We invite you to be more than a tourist, but to be a traveller, a conservationist and a humanitarian.

Year Founded: 1999