Volunteering in Africa - Page 2

No, I was actually based at Victoria Hospital in Wynberg. We went to Carinus and Groote Schuur for our blocks. Lived in Plumstead at the time, but was last from Fish Hoek where my folks and sister still live. So we just missed each other at Carinus! Those were the days!

Hello. I was very fortunate to be able to travel to Nairobi, Kenya for a month to help with a maternal child nursing education workshop as part of my job at an Agency For International Development program. I agree with the African writer who kindly explained that there is a mix of "...well established infrastructure...but also harsh and heartbreaking..." situations with regard to medical care in Africa. In Nairobi, I saw a huge contrast between the modern patient care at the hospital in the city and the heart breaking, severely limited patient care in a few bush clinics just outside of the city! One of the USA doctors in my group became tearful and said: "I just realized that even if I donated my entire salary for one year it would only be a drop in the bucket for the medical needs here!" I was so very touched by the medical care needs, however I was not willing to leave my family to do volunteer work in Africa. I agree and sincerely respect the thoughtful comments by the African writer who warmly honored the "calling" to help plus she advised that one "do homework and get some good first hand information....before making a commitment". Best wishes to you.

Cross-Cultural Solutions has lots of opportunities for Volunteering including in Africa and Healthcare.

I am also very keen to travel to third world nations to do what I can to help as an RN. I'm not sure yet where I will go, perhaps africa or south east asia. GHGoonette, does south africa have many opportunities for volunteering?? Also, do you guys think it is best to sign up with an agency, or just go travelling (which I am almost more keen for) and see where I end up and just find my way as I go? OOh and anyone done Mercy Ships??? I think this looks like a fantastic organisation.

By the way, GHGoonette, I'm an ex-South African, but now living in Australia Family have a holiday house in eersterivier, beautiful part of the world!!! Haha any chance you know wilma or simon bekker? Or the kuschkes? Never know, its a small world

Here's a couple of threads that go into more detail regarding volunteer organisations;

http://allnurses.com/general-nursing...er-517005.html

http://allnurses.com/general-nursing...er-441968.html

Here's a Google ad that popped up while I was searching:

http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=C...rprojects.html

In what suburb is the holiday house? And are you referring to the Penhill Bekkers?

A google search should be able to help you in what you're looking for, but of course it depends how much you're willing/able to spend to volunteer! These are the one's I've favorited on my computer

http://www.goabroad.com/
http://www.abroaderview.org/inclusions.php
http://www.volunteerabroad.com/searc...nteer-abroad-1
http://www.serveyourworld.com/articl...teering-Abroad
http://www.imva.org/Pages/orgdb/wblstfrm.htm
http://www.volunteerhq.org/programmes.html
http://www.kayavolunteer.com/
http://www.medicstoafrica.com/

i have a been granted 3 months leave from work (beginning in feb 2012) and i am looking for a suitable project in africa to join. Does anyone have any ideas? there are soo many out there.. i would be interested in HIV hospice work and education, working within hospitals or clinics. I dont want to pay for an "experience" but really to get an idea of health care in africa, learning about how local medical staff work in their country and offer my skills and perhaps get involved in educating. I have looked at a lot of projects but really struggling to find the right one... has anyone perhaps been involved in a project or hospital volunteer that coudl give me some advice?
thanks
sophie

Hey Sophie, I'm in a similar situation, but hoping to leave in Jan 2012. I'm curious if you've found anything?

Don't know if you are still looking, but I ran into this organization. It is run by a nurse. You can read the site and decide what you think.

http://projecthelpinghands.org/