Are you thinking about volunteering abroad? Take on this amazing opportunity to add depth to your work experience and portfolio. Work with some of the most underprivileged, at risk and vulnerable people to learn compassion, care and the complexities of healthcare in a developing nation.
Your Mission
This is a placement working in a large outpatient mental health department as they receive patients from the community, asses, diagnose and refer them to in-patient facilities. Volunteer alongside a mental healthcare professional to deliver vital services to patients and their families.
This is a heavily medically led treatment facility centered around mostly medical treatment i.e psycho-pharmaceuticals. There is talk therapy and counselling involved which you can participate in through translation.
Work alongside psychiatric nurses, mental health clinicians and social workers
Observe mental health assessments and treatments
Assist with counselling and psycho-educational sessions; services often limited due to lack of resources
Assist with delivery of care to people in mental health crisis
Assist with delivery of health promotion and health education
Observe the effects of long term mental illness on day to day living amongst the most underprivileged
Observe the widespread impacts of mental illness on the local community
Deliver small scale observational report on your experience and findings.
Will you make a difference?
Yes. Many bright and motivated volunteers have shone the light and shown the difference that can be made through volunteering. By providing time and care, volunteers introduce new ideas, hope and healthcare at ground level, adding to the work already being done by clinical teams.
This placement can include outreach/community work with people in the wider community. Contact us for more details on outreach..
So, what exactly is medical volunteering?
It takes truly committed people to this abroad! With medical volunteering, you will be volunteering to work with patients or in a healthcare specific area on a voluntary basis. Unlike other types of volunteering, medical volunteering is a difficult, challenging and profound area. Medical volunteers will witness and experience things other volunteers never will or what they never would have at home. This can be a huge challenge as often times volunteers experience situations that can leave them feeling sad, shocked or confused. But for the most part volunteers are often left amazed at the resilience of their patients and at the skill and dedication of their new colleagues. It truly is a hugely moving experience and one most Medi Trippers never forget.
Why Tanzania?
Tanzania is a bright, beautiful country to visit, the people are warm and gracious. Tanzania is multicultural and has hundreds of various tribes and ethnicities, the most famous being the proud nomadic Maasai tribe. Rich in culture and stunning to see, it really is an exciting part of Africa to visit. That is why thousands of travellers pass through every year. It's capital Dar Es Salaam sits on a breathtaking coastline, an hour from paradise island of Zanzibar. In the north, Arusha sits under the shadows of the great Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. Tanzania is home to many famous Safari parks and game reserves where people from all over the world come to visit the spectacular wildlife.
What about COVID 19?
Tanzania has received the safe travel stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council in the wake of the current pandemic.
Aside from that, you will receive safety guidance and protocol once you have registered with us. If you would prefer to participate in this project remotely from home, please get in contact for details.
Where will you stay?
You will stay in Siret Hostel, is an award winning bed and breakfast, one of the highest rated and reviewed guesthouses in Arusha. We provide safe, clean and comfortable accommodation, comfortable bedding, excellent breakfast and dinner and housekeeping. This will be a quiet and friendly neighbourhood only 15 minutes from the main hustle and bustle of town. You will have wifi, hot showers, 24 hour gated security, a domestic/cook (who will happily do your laundry for a small fee) and a coordinator who will ensure you settle in quickly and comfortably into your new town. This is a shared home where you will be staying with other volunteers and guests from across the world, so you will never be on your own in your new environment. The house is impeccably clean, well kept, modern and spacious.
How will you get around?
For your placement, you will travel like a local and walk or take public transport. You will need to set a small budget aside for this (around $1 per day by local minibuses, 4 to 5 days per week). It is important you are prepared and comfortable to travel around town, this is a demanding role that requires dedication.
To get around town you will have the choice of local taxis (we have contacts of affordable, trusted drivers) who can get you around town or you can use the famous ‘dala dala’ mini buses that most Tanzanians use to travel locally everyday. Some people adapt very fast and choose to walk around, it is safe to do so however like with any new environment we strongly advise you to be aware of pickpockets and thieves. Always be safe and ask your coordinator before going anywhere new to you.
Important VISA & Permit Information
You will be required to pay a for a VISA & Permit for voluntary work assignment. Please enquire for details.
CLINICAL PRACTICE FEE
$50 usd per week. This is a payment all medical volunteers in Tanzania must make (Ministry of Health, Tanzania).
Where do my fees go?
Most of your fees are spent locally. Fees ensure you have above standard accommodation, that you have a personal coordinator picking you up at the airport, orientating you and you have a coordinator day to day and your program is planned and facilitated specifically for you, to match your skills and get you to provide the very best to those that need you.
Do any fees go directly to the projects?
Yes they do. Although we don't necessarily think that making financial contributions solve the complex issues faced by deprived areas, we do make a charitable donation on your behalf to your project placement. This is not mandatory. We do this as we know how challenging it can be for our partners to host, supervise and very often teach volunteers. We want our partners to know they are valued and respected for their time as best we can.
Is Africa safe for me to travel alone? Do I need to be with other volunteers?
Regardless of whether you're volunteering on a clinical mission, you're still a tourist. Forward planning is key to protecting yourself from risk as you would anywhere in the world. As a group or a solo traveller from abroad, you will attract attention but, you will also have a great support system in your volunteer coordinators, fellow travellers/volunteers and supervisors. It's important to try and be conscientious of your new surroundings and respect and follow local customs as much as possible and insure yourself from any possible risks.
Africa is a large continent with every country varying greatly in local culture, customs, rules and regulations. Research your destination as much as possible and ask as many questions as possible. We would never place you at risk or in harm's way, however it is important you take ownership of your journey and behave responsibly.
Still have more questions? Ask away and get in touch!
