Volunteers Needed: Guyana Medicine & Health Education
Seeking: Individuals interested in volunteering their services to a community-based medical development project in Region 7, Guyana. We are specifically recruiting Physicians, nurses, midwives, social workers, public health specialists/educators, family planners, pharmacists, laboratory technologists, and support workers.
Program Period: Two-week placements
Time Commitment: Two weeks, three placement sessions are available: (All dates are subject to change).
Winter session dates: February 7th- February 21st, 2010
Summer session dates: June 6th- June 20th, 2010
Fall session dates: October 17th – October 31st, 2010
Program Cost: February project is $2800 CAD (Tax Deductible). June and October projects are $3000 CAD (Tax Deductible). Cost includes flight, accommodations, meals, ground transportation, and training/orientation.
Program Purpose: Ve’ahavta works in partnership with the Lions Club of Bartica to harness and utilize the technical expertise, diverse experiences and positive attitudes of Ve’ahavta volunteers as resources in nurturing a community-based project model prioritizing local capacity building while providing comprehensive, high-quality primary and preventative health care and education in Guyana.
Ve’ahavta’s programmatic goal for this project is to improve the long-term health of the population of Region 7, Guyana by strengthening existing health care infrastructure at the community level through the implementation of primary care services and preventative health care and education programs.
Program Description
Volunteers will function as part of a multidisciplinary team which will provide clinical care to local patients through a mobile clinic model and will also focus on preventative health education, with a particular focus on sexual health education, diabetes, hypertension, oral hygiene, and maternal/infant health. Volunteers travel together under the supervision of a Ve’ahavta field officer to communities through Region 7, including Bartica & Riverine communities and interior Amerindian communities.
Desired Experience
- Physician, nurse , midwife, social worker, public health specialist/ educator, family planner, pharmacist, laboratory technologist, and/or support worker
- Ability to work well as part of a team
- Responsible, positive, flexible and dedicated
- Cross- Cultural exposure (Experience working with Caribbean and Indigenous communities an asset)
- Ability to speak/present to groups/ experience with community-based health education.
- Ability to work well under supervision
- Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds
- Comfort in different or difficult environmental conditions. Camping experience an asset.
- Experience developing and facilitating educational activities for women, men, and families
- Interest in traveling and learning about different cultures and peoples
- Previous volunteer experience with Ve’ahavta in Guyana an asset (though not a requirement)
Ve’ahavta will provide logistical support, pre-departure training, assistance with travel, full orientation and supervision in the field.
All applicants must complete a volunteer application form, which includes a CV, two letters of reference, a personal statement, and a deposit fee of $500 (fee is non refundable upon your acceptance). All applicants must attend an in-person or phone interview.For further inquiries, or to receive an application form, please contact:
