Volunteer - Healthcare & Community Development Project

Bring hope and health to a community where medical resources are limited, in and around the town of Livingstone, Zambia - a stones throw away from Victoria Falls.

This project is a great way to gain insight in the healthcare /medical field where clinics here are vastly different to the healthcare facilities we are use to at home. You will assist in providing vital community education to encourage healthy lifestyle choices, along with assisting in various community development projects from building and painting to HIV education and reading clubs. There is something for everyone.

You can expect to be involved with any of the following, during your stay. This is not a comprehensive list, and you may not get to be involved with everything, as obviously it depends on your length of stay and your previous experience and ability.

MORNING HEALTHCARE / MEDICAL PROJECTS

Health and Nutrition community Education
Volunteers assist in conducting community education about HIV, health and nutrition topics using approved syllabuses, with the help of local staff to translate. We believe education is vital so that community members have the knowledge and ability to make healthy lifestyle choices within the context of their environment. Access to information about HIV, health and nutrition is the key to improving health and empowering people who are facing so many challenges on a daily basis.

We know from community feedback that the presence of our volunteers achieves several aims in terms of motivating community members to attend education - not only for the knowledge shared, but also as a means to connect with people from around the world and have an informal opportunity to hear and practice English. Volunteers can help facilitate courses on a variety of health education topics, including HIV/AIDS, hand hygiene, dental hygiene, nutrition, cervical cancer and women’s health.

After School Clubs

Many children living in these communities are forced to grow up really quickly. They are expected to take on the household chores and at times older children are obliged to look after their younger siblings. Volunteers run structured playtimes with children at pre-selected locations, taking along balls, jump ropes, colouring books and crayons. This time allows children an opportunity just to be children; to play games, be carefree and expend some of their boundless energy.

The "Project Contribution" included in your overall fee will contribute to the long-term sustainability of the project during your actual volunteer stay on the ground.

All of our Projects require you to be in good health, be reasonably fit, and on this particular Project, a minimum of 18 years old.

PLEASE NOTE THIS PROJECT RUNS EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER YOUR OASIS OVERLAND TRIP.

Prices

A £300 deposit is required to book this project. Please note the average weekly price reduces for every extra week booked. All prices are in Pounds Sterling (£GBP) and are per person (pp). Once requested your volunteer project cannot be refunded or exchanged.

No. of Weeks & Cost

2 weeks -------£1030

3 weeks -------£1308

4 weeks -------£1585

5 weeks -------£1862

6 weeks -------£2139

7 weeks -------£2416

Dates

Please contact Oasis Overland in regards to Start dates for this project. Advertised price based on 2 week project, please ask for a price if you have more than 7 weeks to spare.

Included

• Shared Accommodation in same gender rooms
• Project donation - It facilitates funding for items such as resources, building materials, equipment and project supplies. It also covers operational costs such as housing, communication, and project vehicles
• Comprehensive Orientation and induction Program
• All transfers to and from Livingstone airport
• Full board and lodging which includes 3 meals a day at our volunteer house – please note – weekend meals are self-catered on this project
• All daily transfers to and from your projects during your stay
• Support and guidance of experienced field-workers and co-ordinators

NOT Included

• Flights
• Visa costs
• Travel & Medical Insurance (must cover volunteer work)
• Costs and items of a personal nature
• Email, Wi-Fi and telephone calls made during your placement (charged out at cost)
• Any activities and excursions outside of your planned itinerary
• Soft drinks, wines, spirits, between meal snacks, and weekend food

During your stay you will have the opportunity to enjoy excursions in and around the area. Victoria Falls, the adventure capital, where you can take safari's on foot or by boat, scenic flights, raft the mighty Zambezi or throw yourself off Victoria Falls Bridge. There is no shortage of activities in and around Livingstone. Additional sight-seeing can be arranged directly through your project.

Project Orientation

• Introduction to Livingstone and the surrounding area
• A half day workshop and induction to the Medical and Healthcare Project
• Q & A to answer any questions or concerns you might have
• Overview of the volunteer project, roles and responsibilities

Volunteer Highlights

• Participate in health promotion activities, such as health and nutrition education using approved syllabus guidelines.
• Conduct HIV Education within the communities of Livingstone where the disease affects vast proportions of the population
• Accompany caregivers to provide home based care to members of the community in need
• Help alleviate the busy workload of staff by assisting with non-clinical duties in local clinics, and gain valuable healthcare/ medical experience by observing patient care being provided by local staff
• Help provide support for the residents in the local old peoples’ home
• Work on building and construction projects within the community
• Work on community-based projects in the afternoons, e.g. art, mathematics or reading clubs in the local schools, and work in the local old Peoples’ Home, help on community farms or teach adults English

Accommodation and Hours

Livingstone volunteers reside at a comfortable and secure complex, The Livingstone Backpackers, a 5-minute walk away from Livingstone town centre. This accommodation features a dining area, bar, swimming pool, large garden, and even a rock-climbing wall. The accommodation is mixed gender, but males and females will be sleeping in separate rooms, bedrooms sleep 4-8 people, with bunk beds in each room.

Hours are normally between 07:45 until and 18:00 followed by dinner, although this can vary depending on season. Monday to Friday, with Saturday and Sundays 'off' to explore the area.

Transfers

You will be met at Livingstone International airport on arrival and transferred to Livingstone to start your project.

Insurance

It is a compulsory requirement that you have adequate travel insurance before you join any Oasis Trip & at the very least are insured for all necessary medical & repatriation costs incurred overseas with a recommended sum insured of £500,000. It is also wise to leave a copy of your insurance policy with a friend or relative for safe keeping.

Please ensure that your policy covers you for Volunteering work and activities. We believe that your safety and holiday enjoyment are very important. It is a mistake to think that "it will never happen to me". It is also very important that you are covered for all the activities that you may wish to undertake while on our trip.

For further information on the insurance we offer, the activities covered, costs and how to book - please check out the Insurance section of our website.

Visas and Vaccinations

Most nationalities require a Visa for Zambia, you will need to apply for a business visa if you are volunteering, this can be obtained on arrival. Please contact us for the relevant supporting letters.

As we are not medically trained - we are unable to give detailed or professional advice on vaccination requirements, therefore please consult a reputable travel clinic or GP for advice on any medical issues. We suggest allowing 8 weeks to get all your vaccinations. For more information visit: www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk or www.nomadtravel.co.uk  Oasis travellers receive a 10% discount on vaccinations, medical kits, clothing and camping equipment from the Nomad Travel Clinic - you will receive your discount code on your booking receipt.  Medical advice should also be taken regarding Malaria risks.

Clothing and Equipment

Please see our full list of Clothing and Equipment, in the Essential Trip Information on each trip page, for the Overland trip that you are undertaking before or after this project.  This should more than cover the items you will need for your Project. You will also receive a full Welcome Pack from our Project Provider, after booking, that will list any other items.

Responsible Travel

Before you go

• Remove unnecessary packaging before you go - waste disposal facilities are often stretched in the places we visit.
• To avoid unnecessary pollution of local water supplies take environmentally friendly toiletries with you.
• Why not invest in a wind-up or solar-powered torch or media player before you travel or at least rechargeable batteries.
• Learn some of the local language and read up on the local history / culture before you go. You'll get so much more out of your trip. Why not pack some pens / pencils exercise books in your rucksack and they can be donated to a local school or project while you're away.
• Take a sturdy water bottle with you from home that you can re-use throughout your trip.

While You're Travelling

From experience gained in running trips, we have developed our own practical and a manageable environmental policy.  We welcome your input on this, plus any new ideas you may have, to improve our existing procedures. As a guide here's a few tips to bear in mind.

• Don't waste water. It is a scarce resource in many of the places our trips visit.
• Never buy endangered species or endangered habitat products. Apart from the fact of it being illegal it also encourages the trade to continue.
• Look after and preserve the areas we visit. Be careful about stepping on coral reefs or trekking on undesignated tracks.
• Buy locally made crafts and products helping to support the local economy.
• Don't feel when bargaining that you have to get the cheapest price possible just for the sake of it. Pay what the item is worth to you.
• Try the local food and drinks - this will help to support local farmers and food sellers. Sitting in a local cafe is also a great way to meet local people.
• Dispose of litter appropriately on your trip. This includes cigarette butts. Not only does litter look unsightly it can be lethal to wildlife.
• Where any toilet facilities exist, however unsavoury they might seem to you, they should be used. Where they do not, always bury your waste and make sure it is never near, (at least 30m) from a water source.
• When game viewing do not encourage your guides to get too close to the wildlife so that their natural behaviour is impeded.
• Respect local customs, traditions and beliefs of the people in the different regions that you travel through.
• Do not take photos of people, ritual events or special places unless you have asked first. Dress appropriately according to local codes and show respect around religious festivals.
• Recycling is almost non-existent in many of the areas and countries we visit - we do the best we can with limited resources & space on our vehicles.

For books dedicated to travelling more responsibly & ethically see: www.tourismconcern.org.uk

Please note that you will be required to fill out an application form prior to being accepted on the Project. You may also be asked for references.

This Project can be combined with any other African Project.