Volunteering in Africa

nipa · Jul 18, 2007

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 looking to start a group interested in volunteering in Africa. A group mainly made of nurses. Myself being from Africa and a nurse, I know firsthand the need back home. So if you are interested in volunteering somewhere in Ghana, Africa let me know. I can do most of the homework as far as finding hospitals or clinics where we can volunteer , lodging, transport etc. I am planning on going to Africa next year. If anybody is willing to work with me just drop me an email or a private message. As I said, I can do most of the home work. I need people to assist me in this undertaking. Who knows? This might be Nurses without borders.

newlvngrad · Oct 6, 2007

hello, I tried sending you a private message but it didnt work. Anyways, I am an lvn new grad and interested in volunteering in africa. What are the requirements?? do you take lvns? I am looking for all the experience I can get, and i think going to africa to work as a nurse would be incredible. Since I would be volunteering what would I be able to do to support myself?

hitch73 · Oct 13, 2010

Nipa- I am looking to volunteer as a nurse in Ghana, but am having a hard time finding information. I know your post is many years old, but I would love any information you might have about organizations that go specifically to Ghana. Thanks!

GHGoonette, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2010

I commend all of you for your courage; yes, Africa is in dire need of comprehensive, effective health care. Unfortunately, far too many African countries are also in need of honest, dedicated leaders who are committed to improving the lot of their people, instead of just themselves and their own families and friends.

The problems you will encounter are the conditions under which you will be forced to work. The larger cities, depending on the country, have fair hospitals, but usually there is a serious shortage of medicines and supplies. The rural areas are pretty backward.

Research it very carefully before you commit yourselves, and try and get some first hand information from someone who has been there. I realize that you all have a calling which needs to be answered, but do not be fooled by any romantic dreams about Africa; it is a beautiful, fascinating continent with equally fascinating people, but it is also harsh, heartbreaking and deadly to the innocent and unwary.

I am speaking from the viewpoint of a South African, so I cannot claim first hand experience. Although we also have many of the conditions that you will encounter further north, such as AIDS and poverty, we have a well-established infrastructure and a huge network of public clinics and hospitals. However, I have come into contact with many Africans, especially those from Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Somalia, who have migrated to our country in search of a better life. Do your homework first, and try to get your info from someone in the Ghanaian health care system.

2bRNot2b · Nov 28, 2010

Hi - from a fellow South African... RN-trained at Carinus and then went to England to do midwifery. Now trying to get certified in the US... what fun!

GHGoonette, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2010

Hi - from a fellow South African... RN-trained at Carinus and then went to England to do midwifery. Now trying to get certified in the US... what fun!

Hallelujah! I was beginning to think I was the only one...! What year were you at Carinus? You do know the genii have closed the old place down, don't you?

:yeah: :yeah::yeah:Someone who understands Afrikaans jokes!!!

2bRNot2b · Nov 28, 2010

Hallelujah! I was beginning to think I was the only one...! What year were you at Carinus? You do know the genii have closed the old place down, don't you?
:yeah::yeah:Someone who understands Afrikaans jokes!!!

I was there centuries ago - graduated in 1982. Yes, I found out they had closed the place down when I tried to trace my transcripts. WHAT a palaver! It took about 18 months to get all my paperwork together, not to mention that every place I needed stuff from wanted money for the privilege of passing on my qualifications. I am in a position here in the US of verifying dozens of medical residents' GME training - and there is no charge for that service!

Where are you in Cape Town?

Sorry, I don't qualify for private posts yet, otherwise we could carry on the conversation that way. GREAT to meet you! :)

GHGoonette, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2010

I live in Eerste River, midway between Bellville and Somerset West. I was at Carinus from 1984, qualified in 1986. I did my training at Tygerberg. I suppose you were at Groote Schuur?

2bRNot2b · Nov 28, 2010

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!

ocean waves · Feb 12, 2011

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.

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Mar 5, 2011

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