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Project Age Limit
Minimum 17 years, maximum decided on potential participants’ health
The Volunteer Project
This is the ideal project for medical students (preferably second year or above) or anyone one with medical qualifications looking for experience in health care in lesser developed nations. Volunteers who do not have medical experience will spend their time on equally worthy work with young orphans in the Monkey Bay area.
In terms of GDP per capita, Malawi is one of the world’s poorest countries – the average daily income of just 30p a day puts half of the population way below the poverty line. Most of the population live rurally and are afforded free health care by the government’s health care system. This system is organised into three different levels. The first level of health care is supplied by Health Centres, which take care of the most common and easily treatable ailments as well as maternity services. Cases that are too much for this level are referred to the district community hospitals for level two health care that provides secondary treatment, including basic surgery. Level 3, tertiary care is offered at three central hospitals, each one situated in a different region- north, central and southern.
Local Community Hospital and Clinic: Work in this area of the project is ideally suited to those with prior medical experience. But there is also work for unqualified volunteers – this will involve shadowing the local doctors and helping out with admin duties and patient data entry.
We are currently working with two hospitals; one in Nkope (about 30 minutes from your accommodation) and the other is in Monkey Bay Town itself. The hospital in Monkey Bay is funded by an Icelandic organisation, so you will find yourself working with a mix of African and Icelandic doctors and nurses.
Malawian Community Hospitals have two main roles to play. As well as providing the primary health care for members of the local communities, they also receive patients for treatment who have been referred from the four Level 1 health facilities in the local Health Zone. Much like the health centres, community hospitals have a staff of nurse-midwives, a medical assistant and additional staff such as clinical officers and a lab technician. These hospitals also have a range of departments, such as outpatients, separate wards for men, women and children, a maternity ward and a nursery for children aged 1 to 14 days.
There are about 60 beds in total for inpatients (* for maternity) of the Monkey Bay hospital. The laboratory can carry out some of the more simple tests such as measuring haemoglobin, as well as equipment for blood transfusions and the appropriate tests. Volunteers who are studying for/considering a medical career may also be able to sit in on consultations with the clinicians – an excellent way to learn a bit about the prevalent tropical and infectious diseases.
Your main role on this project will be assisting the nurses and doctors in the day to day care of the local people. You can typically expect to work with expecting mothers and newborns, administer injections, clean and dress wounds, do small medical procedures and other roles that are required of you whilst you are there. There is also a very important lab technician role that will involve carrying out vital tests.
Your working hours will typically be from around 8am to 12.30pm each day at the hospitals and clinics.
Local Orphan Centre: This work is available for all volunteers, regardless of medical skills. Currently, 70- 100 orphans are housed at the orphan day care centre – many of them have been affected by the spread of HIV/AIDS and are orphans of the pandemic. Here, you will be involved in a wide range of activities, these include some pre-school teaching to prepare the younger orphans for their future education, helping with the daily feeding, teaching how important health and nutrition is as well as ways to prevent HIV/AIDS.
Generally, your day will be focused on keeping the children entertained and smiling through giving lots of love and support. Your hours here will typically be from 8am to 12pm every day. The afternoons are free for you to use to develop sports and games with the children.
Please Note: This orphan centre is really under funded so any extra donations/ financial support you can offer through doing a bit of fundraising before you leave for Malawi would be extremely welcome. For example, just £10 would buy enough grain to feed all the children for nearly one month!
HIV and AIDS workshops and Home Based Care: This is one of the latest of the project initiatives and we are keen to generate interest and support from the medical volunteers. The programme was founded by five local Malawians, who have developed an interactive workshop on the subject of HIV/AIDS, for the purpose of education and raising awareness. They also run an important Homebased care unit.
They visit the areas surrounding Monkey Bay including around 100 smaller communities presenting drama workshops (done in English). During the visit to the community, they also carry out home-based care activities such as offering support, medical supplies and aid to the families who are too ill and are unable to make the journey to the closest health care centre.
This project aims to raise the awareness of HIV/AIDS, which will reduce the stigma that is associated with the disease and also educate on the prevention of the virus. This project is partnered with a support network that is now in great demand amongst the poorer communities on the area.
Sanitation and Building Projects: Another new initiative within the communities local to Monkey Bay – any number of volunteers are welcome to take part on this programme. You will be involved in developing water sanitation projects and this will involve inspecting boreholes and pit latrines, supplying cement to line pits, collecting sanitation data for analysis and training the village health committees in water and sanitation. There is also the opportunity for you to develop some educational programmes to get the locals aware of the benefits of healthy living and nutrition whilst also contributing to some vital building work. This work will include building classrooms for local schools, doing work around the orphanages and any other new schemes that happen to be going on whilst you are there.
Outreach Clinics: Available to all medical volunteers, these clinics run on Fridays between 8am and 3 or 4pm. You will head out into the poorer, rural communities with the local mobile medical team visiting and assisting the sick and using support networks and aid relief. This work is very rewarding and will give you a glimpse at life in the rural Malawian communities and the poverty that they face on a daily basis, whilst you are working to alleviate their hardships.
Your role on this particular project will involve the following; providing medical advice, administering immunizations, wound dressing, helping expectant mothers/newborn babies, collecting data, distributing supplies and educational schemes promoting AIDS awareness, health and nutrition.
Please Note: It is very important to be flexible throughout your time on the project and be prepared to help out where necessary, especially areas that are developing. Use your own initiative to instigate new project areas. We do ask that you have an open-minded attitude towards the work and a strong work ethic so that you can make the most of your time and that those you are working to help reap the maximum benefits.
Project Support
Throughout your time in Malawi you will have guidance and support from out native Malawian project manager Francis and the team. They will be on hand to give you competent assistance and to help you by answering your questions and giving you nay advice that you may need throughout your stay. The house staff will also be about throughout the day and Francis himself lives within walking distance of the volunteer accommodation in the local village.
In addition, you will also be given a 24 hour emergency telephone number so that you can contact a member of the UK office staff at any time should you need to.
Project Orientation
On your first full day after your arrival into Monkey Bay you will have a comprehensive orientation given by Francis or another project coordinator. The orientation will cover things such as:
- Malawian culture and values: An introduction
- Basic lessons in the local language
- Health and safety
- Ethics of the workplace
- Money and getting around
- Introduction to the area, the project and the staff
- Local food and practices
- Places to visit
- Local town excursion
Project Accommodation and Meals
Your accommodation on this project will be in one of two shared volunteer houses, both of which are within walking/cycling distance from the health centres and just a short drive to the hospital. Situated on the beach of Lake Malawi, just 7km south of Monkey Bay Town, the houses have great views out over the lake. The property is fenced, gated and has a lovely big green garden.
Bedrooms range from twin share to dormitory and there is running water, a shower and western style toilets. Whilst both electricity and water are pretty reliable there are the odd power cut and water shortage from time to time, that you should be aware of.
The house has staff that includes a cook, a housekeeper (volunteers are expected to do their bit to keep the house clean and tidy) and there is also a night watchman.
All of your three meals today are provided. Breakfast is usually a get your own cereal and toast affair, though there might be the odd occasion where the cook treats you. Lunch is either packed or get your own (if you plan on returning to the house at lunchtime). The cook will prepare the evening meal for you.
Please Note: The fridge in the house is used to store the food from which your meals are prepared each day as well as additional drinks that you will be able to purchase from the staff. You are welcome to buy your own food/ snacks and drinks but you must be aware that you will not be able to store them in the fridge.
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