Medical Volunteering in Tanzania
Have you ever considered travel nursing? Have you ever considered volunteering in Africa? Tanzania, in central East Africa has a number of nursing opportunities that will give you the chance to help the local people as well as gaining valuable experience in your career.
If you were interested in this worthwhile cause, your first port of call would be one of the many travel nurse agencies or voluntary medical charities. They will be able to identify where your skills are needed, help with the administrative details and be able to advise you on many aspects of the work.
There is a wide range of specialties to choose from including paediatrics, obstetrics, gynaecology and general medicine. You will be allocated to an area that best suits your skills. You will help with the daily running of the hospitals and clinics, treating patients and helping the local staff. Health education on issues such as HIV/AIDS and other STDs is also a critical part of the work in Tanzania.
Medical clinics and hospitals vary in size and the number of patients who attend. In some parts of the country there could be 200 patients per day whereas in others it may be only 5. In certain places the equipment or facilities may not be the most modern and you will require to use your knowledge and skills to overcome the difficulties.
You will be expected to work five days a week, anywhere between 4 and 8 hours a day, depending on the facility. Dependant on your speciality, your day may include pre-natal care, immunisation, maternity care, general patient care and offering support or advice to patients. In some facilities, you may be treating accident and emergency patients.
With an infant mortality rate at over 100 in 1000, work with pregnant mothers and young children, is a vital part of health care in Tanzania. Malaria is the leading reason for child deaths, with pneumonia and rotavirus also significant contributors. Quality health care can significantly impact on the health and well-being of the most vulnerable groups in Africa.
Africa offers unique challenges in medicine. Tanzania has the kind of challenges that will broaden your horizons, test your skills to the extreme and help you to grow as a person and as a nurse. The lack of equipment or facilities will mean you are tested to the full and you will come back a better nurse, less reliant on modern technology.
Travelling nurse jobs in Tanzania are a genuine opportunity for you to use all that you have learned as a nurse, take your skills and apply them in a country that desperately needs them. You can make a significant contribution to the lives of the people, you will learn new skills and maximise those you already have. Most importantly, you will have an experience you will never forget, creating memories and helping people who will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Construction / Building Project
Volunteers are needed for the on-going construction and expansion projects at local orphanages and for primary schools in disrepair. Volunteers work along side skilled and unskilled local workers. Tasks including digging holes, stacking bricks, hauling rocks and dirt, cement work, painting. Prior experience is not necessary, but skilled workers are very welcome. This is a very hand on, hands dirty sort of program. Enthusiasm, a good sense of humor and helping spirit are required. Volunteers are asked to raise extra funds ($200-$300) to help with buying materials, paints, gloves and other needed supplies.
Medical Needs In Arusha
We are partnered with hospitals and local clinics in various destination here in Arusha and around the nearby small town and village located in Arusha region.
A wide range of clinical and medical opportunities are possible including: pediatrics, obstetrics / gynecology, General Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmaceuticals or Physiotherapy, but we can also arrange more for specialist fields on request. The type of work you will be allocated will depend to an extent on your own abilities and capabilities, which is understandable given that you will be dealing with patient health and safety. You will be involved in aspects of the day-to-day running of the hospitals, observing or directly assisting, where possible. You can help out in simple but practical ways, vastly increasing your own knowledge and understanding of medical practice. You will get a good general feel of the hospital by working and/or observing in most departments. You will be given basic and general on the job training by your supervisor, and further jobs should become available for those with medical experience. (Pre-medical and pre-nursing students will be limited to observation, non medical tasks, assisting the nurses with patients etc)
HIV / Aids Awareness in Arusha
Work with a local grassroots HIV/Aids organization helping in rural communities around Arusha. As a volunteer you will support the home based care projects to hundreds of families living with HIV/Aids including teaching about nutrition and health, providing food, basic amenities and micro-grants, cleaning and caring for the patients.
In some occasion Volunteers will be helping to distribute food and medicine when large international donations are received. Volunteers may also visit local Clinics however their daily activities will commonly be conducting home-based care to people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The home-care will include counseling to the caretakers and distributing medication and food supplies to people suffering with HIV or AIDS. Other duties will depend on which projects the organization is working on when you are there.
*This is a good program for public health students and professionals, pre-med and pre-nursing students.
Volunteers will have the opportunity to travel to small remote villages outside of Arusha. You will need to budget $25-$30 a week for transportation cost. Working with this grassroots organization you will see how one person can truly help and change the life of someone in need.
Experience not necessary, those wanting to make a difference and help with the HIV/Aids crisis in Africa are welcome.
Teaching Opportunities in Arusha
Teachers are need to help in an orphan school outside Arusha. Volunteers support local teachers that provide free education to orphans and vulnerable children in the community. Volunteers needed to teach English and mathematics. Placement also available in primary schools in the rural communities.
Typical work schedule: 5 days a week from 8 AM to 12 PM, 2PM-4PM. Schools are on break for 2 weeks in April/May, during August, and December/January. Prior experience is not required, guidance will be provided as to what subjects to cover, but volunteer teachers will be expected to come with ideas to prepare lessons. This is a great opportunity to help orphan children gain an education, while experiencing life in northern Tanzania. Volunteer should have an open mind, caring spirit and a compassionate nature. We do recommend you learn a few words and phrases of Swahili, which will be very helpful and appreciated by the children. Bringing teaching aids (flash cards, picture books, alphabet and number games, maps) with you is highly recommended, and needed.
Orphanage Assistance
Volunteer at a local orphanage on the outskirts of Arusha. We work with two orphanages, each having 15-25 children, mainly 4yr-15yrs old. The orphanages are run by a loving dedicated couple who opened their hearts to the vulnerable kids and orphans. They provide shelter, food, love and education to orphans, abandoned and street children of surrounding community.
Volunteer tasks: As a volunteer, you will primarily assist with the daily care of the kids; including preparing meals, bathing and brushing teeth. You can play games, arrange activities, create arts & crafts projects and share your time and caring with these wonderful children. Prior experience not necessary, volunteers should have a lot of patience, an open mind and a sense of adventure. We do recommend you learn a few words and phrases of Swahili, which will be very helpful with the children
Volunteer In Arusha Tanzania
Volunteer Abroad in Arusha Tanzania: is located in northern highlands of Tanzania and is surrounded by some of Africa’s most celebrated landscapes and national parks. The bustling town lies in the shadow of Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley. Arusha is called the safari capital of the country, and hosts many international visitors embarking on the popular northern safari circuit.
With its pleasant year round climate and close proximity to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha is considered a great place to visit and volunteer. We offer volunteer placements within Arusha town, and in the surrounding rural communities. Arusha has its own airport, mainly serviced by domestic flights from within Tanzania. International travelers mainly arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. There are also regular buses from Nairobi, and Dar El Salaam.
With our volunteer programs we allow you to discover the wonders of East Africa, while doing meaningful and rewarding community work. This is a great opportunity to explore life in rural Tanzania, live and work amongst the locals and realize one person can make a difference.
