Medical Volunteer at HIV and TB Clinics

  South Africa

Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Please Visit our Website for updates

Description: As a volunteer in this project, you will have the chance to work in different sections of the medical industry and play a very important role in local health awareness. Also you will have the chance to learn about the effects of HIV/ AIDS and TB in Africa.

Project Location
The medical project is located in Knysna on the Garden Route. This area is one of South Africans top tourist destinations due to its diversity, beauty and climate.

From the immaculate coastline, to great wetlands, salt marshes, rivers and mountains crowded very close to the shoreline. There are also amazing indigenous forests. You can also explore the colourful culture with South African's indigenous Zulus, Xhosas, Rastafarians and communities from distant places such as Malawi and Somalia.

In Knysna you will find all the usual amenities like banks, hospitals, internet cafes, etc...

Highlights: As a volunteer, you can expect to learn about the HIV/ AIDS effects in Africa, be part of an extremely dedicated team of medical professionals, helping in the creation of awareness in rural communities, collaborate in static and mobile clinics and make a big difference in the fight for the TB-HIV/AIDS endemic.

Your duties as a volunteer in this project include:
* Educating patients
* Developing income generated projects and their business plans
* Administrative tasks
* Data research
* Simple health care tasks, such as measuring patients weight and checking adherence to therapy
* Establishing vegetable gardens
* Support pregnant mothers and their children

Please note that:
* Due to the nature of this volunteering your daily tasks may vary
* You will need to sign a confidentiality agreement
* The mobile clinic work is variable but it generally works twice a week
* There are no forecasts of the amount of work on a daily basis. There are very busy days with a big number of patients and quite days when you will be asked to collect data, also a vital task

As an extra, please feel free to bring things like clothing, bottles for babies, nappies, toys for babies, blankets, etc...
During the weekends, you are able to book extra activities locally such as: bungee jump, animal sanctuaries, whale watching, beach trips, canoeing, hiking (beach and forest), para gliding and skydiving.

Qualifications:
* Minimum Age: 18 years old.
* Volunteers from all backgrounds are needed. Having a background in health care is not mandatory.
* If you are a medical or a nursing professional, you will need to be registered with the South African government regulatory bodies in order to perform invasive procedures.
* Due to the type of tasks and the volunteering nature, medical insurance is mandatory. As in any health care facility there is a risk of the transmission of infectious diseases, even when standard hospital infection control measures are implemented. Immunisation against Hepatitis B before arriving is strongly recommended.
* Good spoken English.
* You should be mature, confident, demonstrate initiative, be open minded and tolerant
* International Volunteers are welcome.

Cost in US$: 1200

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Phone Interview
• Resume

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

Twin Group - Work and Volunteer Abroad's Mission Statement: To provide the highest quality and the best value services to students, clients, suppliers, agents and partners in the worldwide delivery of language courses, travel, training and employment services.

Year Founded: 1993