Volunteering in Africa

Nurses General Nursing

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Hey everyone,

I'm trying to find out if anyone on here has ever volunteered in Africa or knows someone who has and what your/their experience was.

I'm very interested in doing some volunteer work in Africa so I'm trying to gather as much information as possible. Anyone with any ideas or recommendations on good agencies would be greatly appreciated! I have ICU, PACU, and ER experience, if that helps any. Definitely no maternal/child work.

Thanks!

~Michelle

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 ;)

Specializes in PACU, OR.
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;

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/new-grad-volunteer-517005.html

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/international-nursing-volunteer-441968.html

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

http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=CbuVx1gifTYmME4vqvwOP2szODubUsNUB_uWivBa_pZmNAhABIISFhQIoCVDxsP-5_f____8BYMfdhI6cJsgBAakChzF6CS0muD6qBBhP0L4WJJfphe_ROGNim-nN49zKNqwRyMY&num=1&sig=AGiWqtyk4x9EMQEsiom26tEapNS8pAJ2bg&adurl=http://www.africall.co.za/volunteerprojects.html

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

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/

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