Healthcare Experience

location
4 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Participants get hands-on experience working alongside professionals, from conducting patient assessments to assisting in surgeries (under supervision), interns gain invaluable practical skills.
  • Doing a placement in Africa challenges one to step out of your comfort zone, encouraging personal growth and self-discovery, overcoming language barriers and navigating unfamiliar healthcare systems.
  • Interning and volunteering in Zanzibar fosters adaptability, resilience, and cross-cultural communication skills, essential attributes for healthcare professionals in an increasingly global world.

Highlights

  • Participants get hands-on experience working alongside professionals, from conducting patient assessments to assisting in surgeries (under supervision), interns gain invaluable practical skills.
  • Doing a placement in Africa challenges one to step out of your comfort zone, encouraging personal growth and self-discovery, overcoming language barriers and navigating unfamiliar healthcare systems.
  • Interning and volunteering in Zanzibar fosters adaptability, resilience, and cross-cultural communication skills, essential attributes for healthcare professionals in an increasingly global world.
  • Beyond clinical duties, participants immerse themselves in this vibrant island culture exploring historic sites, enjoying local dishes and gaining a deeper understanding of Swahili culture.
  • So much fun for the weekends! Enjoy the night food market at Forodhani Gardens, snorkel at Mnemba Atoll, visit a turtle sanctuary or take a boat to Prison Island to see the giant tortoises.


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Our Healthcare Experience project gives an opportunity to interns and volunteers to assist in hospitals in the island paradise of Zanzibar

    Many diseases are regularly found in most of sub-Sahara African countries including malaria, cholera, HIV/AIDS, accident-related injuries, mental illness, etc so volunteers and interns get opportunities to experience situations on the ground that they may not have access to in Europe, the UK, USA ...

    About the program

    Many diseases are regularly found in most of sub-Sahara African countries including malaria, cholera, HIV/AIDS, accident-related injuries, mental illness, etc so volunteers and interns get opportunities to experience situations on the ground that they may not have access to in Europe, the UK, USA and other western areas. 

    Zanzibar presents a unique healthcare landscape, where interns may encounter diseases and conditions not commonly seen in their home country. This exposure broadens their medical knowledge and hones their diagnostic skills as they learn to recognize and treat tropical illnesses.

    This Healthcare Experience project is designed to support treatments for these diseases and improve general public health for the well-being of the community of Zanzibar.

    Interns and volunteers of the following study fields and research are welcome: pharmacy, nursing, psychology, surgery, medicine and other related field.

    The role of the volunteer and interns are to support a local hospital and assist trained medical staff, help protect and promote the health of the hospital patients and the visiting public, take care of the patients, contribute to teaching and training doctors and other healthcare professionals if qualified, act as a positive role model, engaging with hospital colleagues to maintain and improve the safety and quality of patient care and use healthcare resources efficiently for the benefit of patients and the public, etc.

    Volunteers and interns assist Monday to Friday for roughly 6 hours a day in the morning shift.

    The hospitals you will be appointed too has several areas that you could be assisting in namely a women’s ward, ICU (emergency) Paediatric (children ward) and others like radiology depending on the hospital. You will be assigned a hospital on arrival after discussion with the volunteer coordinator.

    Your volunteer and intern duties could include these areas:

    Clinical Duties:  Participate in direct patient care under the supervision of attending physicians and senior residents. You may conduct patient assessments, perform physical examinations, and assist in medical procedures.

    Patient Management: You may be involved in developing and implementing patient management plans, including ordering diagnostic tests, interpreting results, prescribing medications, and coordinating follow-up care.

    Medical Documentation: You may be responsible for maintaining accurate and up-to-date medical records, including progress notes, orders, and discharge summaries, in compliance with hospital and regulatory requirements.

    Team Collaboration:  You may work closely with multidisciplinary healthcare teams, including nurses, therapists, social workers, and consultants, to coordinate patient care, address clinical concerns, and facilitate smooth transitions of care.

    Quality Improvement:  You may be involved with improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing patient safety, healthcare delivery efficiency, and clinical outcomes. They may participate in root cause analysis, data collection, and implementation of evidence-based interventions.




    Typical day

    06h00- wake up, have a quick shower and help yourself to breakfast

    07h00- leave for the hospital

    07h30- arrive at the hospital to start the day.

    13h00- finish the morning shift

    13h30- arrive back at the volunteer accommodation and help yourself to a late lunch

    14h30 – enjoy the afternoon with a good ...

    Typical day

    06h00- wake up, have a quick shower and help yourself to breakfast

    07h00- leave for the hospital

    07h30- arrive at the hospital to start the day.

    13h00- finish the morning shift

    13h30- arrive back at the volunteer accommodation and help yourself to a late lunch

    14h30 – enjoy the afternoon with a good book, take a beach swim, stroll the maze of alleys in Stone town or visit a local market. Or just catch up on laundry.

    19h00 – Dinner time and a chance to watch a little TV and catch up with the other volunteers and coordinators how their day was.

    Please be aware though as you are in Africa, things might run at a slight slower pace than what you are used too.


    Free-time activities

    Most volunteers will enjoy the opportunity to swim every day and/or take part in the nightly community football games on the beach. Watching the sunset in the evenings (we have some spectacular ones) and visiting the beach at daybreak to watch the fishermen bring in their catch are special ...

    Free-time activities

    Most volunteers will enjoy the opportunity to swim every day and/or take part in the nightly community football games on the beach. Watching the sunset in the evenings (we have some spectacular ones) and visiting the beach at daybreak to watch the fishermen bring in their catch are special pleasures.

    Weekends are the perfect time to take in some day trips to visit the turtle sanctuary in the northern parts of the island, take a boat trip to  see the giant Aldabra tortoises on Prison Island, hike Jozani National park to view endangered Red Colobus monkeys, visit the butterfly farm, tour the fragrant spice farms, take a boat trips, visit the Freddy Mercury Museum at Mercury House, snorkel one of the hot spots like Mnemba Atoll, visit heritage sites like the old Slave market or House of Wonder or buy spices and other goods at Darajani market. 

    Stone Town has been named a world heritage site by the UN and wandering through its maze of narrow alleyways and visiting its museums, marketplaces, gardens, coffee and tea houses and wharf is another pleasure. Not to mention some of the best seafood and traditional local curries to be sampled in the various eating establishments doted around the town or at the night food market at Forodhani Gardens.

    There are frequent outdoor musical events in the Old Fort and at various venues in the city and at the local dance clubs. Once a year there is the well-known Dhow Festival that takes place. 

    Zanzibar has a wealth of beautiful beaches, world class snorkelling, diving, and fishing, spice farms and numerous other interesting places to visit while you are volunteering...a true African island paradise. 


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (intermediate level)

    Education Requirements

    Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacology at High school and studying towards a qualification in some form of HealthCare. level

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Required Documents

    CV and qualification in a related field or proof of studying a related field in order to apply for the nursing permit

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 07:30 - 13:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Volunteer Int. Adventures

    Meeting you at the airport in Zanzibar on arrival, airport transfers to and from the airport, shared accommodation at the volunteer house, registration and application of visa if needed, nursing permit for Zanzibar hospitals, pre-departure admin and support, orientation and induction, in-country staff with 24/7 support, three meals a day (Monday to Friday), drinking water at the volunteer house, WIFI at the volunteer house, transfer to and from the school you are placed and any additional running costs.

    Airport Pickup at Zanzibar International Airport

    Your arrival and departure airport is Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar. You will be met warmly by our representative and taken to the volunteer house during daylight hours. Please wait at the arrivals entrance to be collected by them and do not leave the airport area. 

    The airport is approximately a 17-minute drive (8km) from the volunteer house in the Malindi region outside of Stone Town. 

    Airport collection and drop-off days are Monday to Friday with your arrival flight landing any time before 17h00 and your departure flight leaving any time after 10h00. 

    If you would like flights outside of these guidelines, please confirm with us so we can make suitable arrangements for your airport transfers if possible.

    Accommodation

    The volunteer accommodation is in a house in Malindi on the outskirts of Stone Town. It has free Wi-Fi that volunteers are able to use, and the office of the local team is also located within the same building. It is well situated allowing easy access to all the various project sites- and not too far from the beach. Travel time from the volunteer house to project sites is therefore a maximum of 30 minutes’ drive.

    The volunteer house can accommodate up to 15 volunteers at one time with a kitchen, living area and several bedrooms and bathrooms shared with other volunteers.

    Bedrooms are shared with two to three other volunteers of the same gender. Married couples can be accommodated too, and single bedrooms are possibly with an upgrade charge. Bed linen and mosquito nets are provided and electric fans for the heat.

    Bathrooms are equipped with western style toilets and showers. Volunteers will need to bring their own towels and toiletries. There is a washing machine to do laundry if volunteers bring laundry detergent. 

    As the accommodation is a shared living space, all volunteers are expected to help keep the accommodation tidy. To assist with the cooking and cleaning there is a local “mama” who works several days a week. The accommodation also has a sitting room (common room) where volunteers can relax, socialise with other volunteers and the local team as well as watching TV, Netflix or just relaxing on the sofa with a good book. There is a curfew if volunteers go out in the evening to be back before midnight.

    As volunteers become familiar with the project site, they are encouraged to use public transport (buses – dala dala) to experience local life.

    Food & Beverages

    Volunteers are provided with three local meals per day during weekdays (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Breakfast is self-serve at the accommodation and includes tea, coffee, fruits, bread (with Nutella & jam), eggs, etc. Lunch and dinner are prepared in the volunteer house. Drinking water is provided.

    Your stay will typically include daily breakfast and dinner (although self-catering may be arranged in some instances). Depending on your schedule and the location of your placement, self-served (“raid the refrigerator”) lunches will be available at home or you may want to bring a bag lunch. You will eat traditional Zanzibari/Swahili cuisine (simple but healthful foods including fresh fish and chicken, rice-based dishes, chapati and bread, fresh vegetables and fruits and juices). We can accommodate vegetarians if you let us know in advance

    During weekend, volunteers are free to use the kitchen if they wish to cook but they can also go out with or without volunteer coordinators for meals.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) in Zanzibar. We assist you to find cheap flights to Tanzania. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Tanzania provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Tanzania you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Tanzania. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Starting days are Monday to Friday all year around except and Ramadan. 

    Your arrival flight to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar, needs to land before 17h00 and your returning flight can depart any time after 10h00. If you would like flights outside of these guidelines, please confirm with us so we can make suitable arrangements for your transfers if possible.
    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    4 weeks (min. stay) 1,805€
    5 weeks 2,158€
    6 weeks 2,511€
    7 weeks 2,865€
    8 weeks 3,218€
    9 weeks 3,571€
    10 weeks 3,925€
    11 weeks 4,278€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 4,631€
    Average fees 418€/week

    Program fees

    418€ per week 4 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    4 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Volunteer Int. Adventures during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Volunteer Int. Adventures

    Brilliant 4.7 rating (70 reviews)

    Agency - founded in 2020

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Excellent response rate

    Coordinated by

    Sharon

    Spoken languages: Afrikaans, English

    About the project

    We are a hands-on volunteer organisation with 16 years' experience of working with volunteers in animal care, veterinary, conservation and youth projects.

    Meet your organization

    Volunteer International Adventures is dedicated to youth and animal projects, which are areas of great passion for us. We recognize the need for assistance from international volunteers in developing countries and have witnessed the transformative impact of their hands-on involvement on communities and conservation efforts.

    "Empowering Change Through Ethical Volunteer holidays"

    Our core priorities are as follows:

    1. Culture and Cultural Sensitivity:

    We encourage our volunteers to fully immerse themselves in the culture of the country they are volunteering in, understanding that volunteering differs significantly from being a tourist. By working closely with local communities and project partners, our volunteers gain profound insights into the challenges faced by the country. We actively support and facilitate opportunities for volunteers to engage in various activities, interact with locals, and educate themselves about the nation's history, no matter how difficult it may be. Cultural sensitivity is paramount, and we ensure that our approach is collaborative rather than imposing our own ideas. We welcome suggestions and creative ideas from our volunteers, as they often prove to be feasible and enrich the communities we serve.

    2. Fulfilling Volunteer Experiences:

    We strive to ensure that all our volunteers leave with a sense of accomplishment. Whether it is helping a child grasp mathematics, teaching cricket to school children, providing sewing classes to uplift youth, participating in wildlife conservation efforts such as satellite collaring African wild dogs or rhino relocation, collecting data on great white shark populations, treating sick indigenous wildlife, assisting with animal sterilization in disadvantaged communities, instilling a love for reading in children, or teaching marimba classes—the list is diverse and extensive. We want our volunteers to develop a deep connection with the country they are assisting and forge lifelong friendships that can serve as future ambassadors for their respective nations.

    3. Ethical Projects:

    We strictly oppose trophy hunting and the breeding of lions for commercial gain. Our wildlife and animal projects take place in free-roaming reserves, registered rehabilitation centers, or sanctuaries where the animals are non-releasable due to injuries, human habituation, or being non-indigenous to the area. We support local and ethical animal sanctuaries and reserves, which our volunteers can visit during their free time. When working with children in teaching, care, or youth development projects, we require a recent paper copy of a background check (CRB check) from volunteers' countries of origin. This precaution ensures the safety and well-being of the children we serve, who often come from challenging socio-economic backgrounds and have been let down by adults in the past. We prioritize the protection of innocent animals and children who cannot advocate for themselves.

    4. Responsible and Sustainable Approach:

    We take pride in implementing responsible and sustainable projects that involve local community members, ensuring the continuity of operations even when volunteer numbers are low. While some projects rely heavily on volunteer support due to limited funds, we strive to strike a balance by involving sufficient local participation.

    5. Cost Effectiveness:

    Having collaborated with volunteers on projects for nearly 15 years, we recognize that volunteering can come at a significant cost. Therefore, we are committed to making volunteering more accessible, reasonable, and inclusive. Our projects encompass various extras, and we maintain affordability by keeping costs low and encouraging increased hands-on assistance. We offer negotiable family, friends, and group discounts, as volunteering together enables us to further reduce expenses. Loyalty is rewarded, and returning volunteers receive special recognition in our projects. Additionally, our costs include donations to our projects, contributing to their sustainability and impact.

    6. Safety:

    The safety of our volunteers is of paramount importance. We thoroughly vet and assess all our projects, ensuring adequate safety measures are in place. While certain areas may be off-limits due to potential risks, it is important to note that complete safety guarantees are impossible in any location. We have established channels for reporting incidents and maintain close relationships with in-country support on the ground. Furthermore, we possess liability insurance and require all participants to have personal travel insurance. To provide comprehensive support, we arrange airport collections and drop-offs, ensuring our volunteers are assisted throughout their entire journey. We pride ourselves on delivering a personal touch and remain available 24/7 to address any emergencies.

    Please remember to arrange your comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking your trip, as it is an essential aspect of ensuring your well-being and peace of mind.

    We sincerely appreciate your interest in Volunteer International Adventures and our commitment to making a positive impact through responsible volunteering. Should you have any further questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

    70 reviews · rating4.7

    Kemly Yambay rating5

    2024 at Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation

    An experience that I will never forget and forever in my heart thanks to all the team of the Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation. Amazing team and good people My best wishes for the new farm and see you guys very ...
    Lynn van den Broecke rating5

    2024 at Ethical Predator Sanctuary Assistant

    A massive thank you to everyone who was involved in this project! I felt safe and well taken care of. I think about this experience a lot. I would definitely recommend it to everyone! ...
    It is difficult to know where to begin, this process has utterly changed my life in the most positive ways. During my stay in Knysna I got the opportunity to volunteer at a local NGO that offers so many people the support they need. The work involves engaging and educating prisoners to working in ...
    I have absolutely loved my experience in South Africa volunteering with Endangered Wildlife Monitoring and Research, and I am sad that I have to leave in a few days. By the time I leave I will have spent six weeks in South Africa, so I've been lucky enough to volunteer at all three of the reserves ...
    Esther Burden rating5

    2024 at Big Cat Sanctuary on a Wildlife Reserve

    I would 100% recommend this excellent volunteer programme to anyone interested in big cats. I know now that i didn’t do enough research about the lion industry and ethical vs non-ethical sanctuarys before my three-month stay at this sanctuary, but i was very lucky to end up somewhere where the ...
    Karine Bottiglieri rating5

    2024 at Whales, Sharks and Penguins Conservation

    truly exceptional, Where to start, the warm and sincere welcome. I am French, my English is average, but they made themselves available to me, they took the time to explain to me so that I understood, always with a smile and patience. the whole team goes out of their way to show you the wonders of ...

    Location

    Africa > Eastern Africa > Tanzania > Stone Town, Zanzibar

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    Contact Sharon
      Excellent response rate
    Afrikaans, English

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