Info

Volunteer with children in India, providing affordable medical care, teaching English

Overview:
Volunteers are needed for a community hospital, which not only provides affordable medical care, but also runs a school for children and a special needs unit.

Volunteering with children in India a great chance to be a part of an organisation that's really making a difference in an underprivileged community.


Project description:
After arriving at New Delhi airport, a driver will be waiting to take you to your accommodation, where your host family will ensure that you settle into your new home. Starting on Saturday evening, our local coordinator will host an induction for all recently arrived volunteers. You will also have an opportunity to tour the city and take in the sights and sounds of your new home. Regular social events are also held, giving you the opportunity to meet other volunteers and local people, including a free weekend trip on your second weekend.

This non-governmental organisation (NGO) was founded in 1952 by a voluntary women's group, whose membership now includes 500 women from all over the world. There are 41 regular doctors and a voluntary executive committee, which changes each year. All funds come from their own fundraising efforts and the hospital receives no funding from the government.

The hospital provides affordable medical care to people from low-income families. Hospital facilities include clinics for both children and adults. There are no hospital beds as all are outpatients.

The nursery school (4-6 yr-olds) inside the hospital grounds is for children (approx 30 - 40) from local families and has a unit for children with special needs.

Community outreach programmes take place with a mobile medical unit, which leaves from the hospital to regularly visit deprived areas offering affordable diagnosis and medicine.

--> Your role will depend on your experience, qualifications and interests. For volunteers with no previous medical training you could divide your time between: teaching at the school; observing in the hospital; dispensing medicines; giving basic treatments; and giving your support at community outreach programmes.

This is a great project for volunteers who want to get exposure to the medical profession as you will be able to spend time observing how things are done in the various hospital departments, as well as visiting and assisting with community health initiatives.

Volunteers with medical experience can have more hands-on involvement in such areas as patient care, dispensing medicine and taking blood samples. Those taking a career break that have experience in the medical profession can bring huge benefit to this organisation, as you can play a much more direct role in patient care.

Duration

From 1 month to 4 months

Start Dates

2nd Monday of every month

Requirements

*Volunteers need to be mature, confident and demonstrate initiative with effective communication skills.
*Volunteers without medical experience can join this programme and volunteer principally in the school and the out-reach programme. You may also observe in the hospital.
*Volunteers with medical qualifications/experience are very welcome to participate in all areas of the project. This is an ideal project for pre-med students wishing to gain exposure and experience.
*Minimum age 18 yrs. No maximum age.
*Good spoken English is required.
*International volunteers welcome