Overview of the Project

In South Africa, health care conditions vary sharply among large cities and rural areas. While large cities boast of state-of-the-art facilities for health care, rural areas often have health services which are noticeably deplorable. Global Crossroad has partnered with these local hospitals to develop programs for volunteers that would greatly benefit these understaffed and overcrowded facilities. Medical volunteers have the chance to gain firsthand experience in the medical field and great satisfaction in knowing they’ve helped patients as well.

Role of a Volunteer

Volunteers' duties may include assisting the staff in many tasks at the clinic and hospital. Volunteers will help the staff do outpatient department services, dispense medications, and injections/immunizations. You will also help teach health education at community outreach programs and, assist with family planning and antenatal services.

(NOTE: Above are sample activities and vary from day-to-day, depending up on the schedule of the project. The local project's staff members may request assistance in various activities deemed necessary or beneficial to the clinic or those in need.) . Generally, the head of the clinic develops a work plan for volunteers upon arrival. The daily work plan depends up on the individuals' skills, interests, and knowledge

Skills/Qualifications Requirements

All medical volunteers interested in this program are required to show proof of qualification as a health care professional, medical student, or nurse. A background in medicine is necessary for this project.

Room/Food/Supervision

Most of our volunteers live in a homestay with local host families and they are provided a private room and three meals. The family and volunteers share use of the bathroom and kitchen facilities and you might also have another volunteer living with you. This also provides a local support network beyond the volunteers and program staff. A lot of the volunteers consider their home stay a vital component of their South African experience.

Ongoing South Africa Volunteer Programs

Projects with orphaned and impoverished children Teaching English in Rural School Street Children/Youth at Risk HIV/AIDS Education Medical/ Healthcare Project Disabled Children/Special Education/Old Age Care Project Day Care Center African Horse Back Experience – Kruger Area Born to Be Wild Lion Project