LOCATION:

Our Work Experience placements are based in Livingstone town, a quaint but lively area very close to the magnificent Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River. Livingstone is a fun town where tourists come for adventure, sports and an adrenalin kick. Because of the Falls and the Zambezi, water sports are everywhere!

The spectacular Victoria Falls Bridge is only about 10km away from Livingstone, and the area surrounding the Falls and Livingstone town have given it the name of ‘adrenaline capital of the world’.

Local attractions also include Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, located adjacent to Victoria Falls, and Livingstone Game Park. Livingstone Museum has displays of historical African artefacts and memorabilia related to Scottish missionary David Livingstone and his exploration of the region in the 1850s. Our medical placement is located about 30km outside of Livingstone town centre, but you'll live in the middle of Livingstone.

 

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:

► An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Zambia and 'real' Africa.

► You'll learn a lot from experts in your field about how they work in a cultural environment that's different to what you're used to.

► New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.

► An entry on your CV or Résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market

► And best of all ... AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE!

 

PLACEMENT OVERVIEW:

The clinic is based on some farmland out in the bush in a fairly remote area which is currently run by American Missionaries. They have managed to convert one of the out buildings into a medical centre enabling them to do some tremendous work in helping the local communities. Although the clinic is fairly small, the work they do is extremely beneficial to the local villagers. The clinic consists of 2 exam rooms, 1 private room for serious cases and two small wards with 3-4 beds in each, one for men and one for women.

They are also trying to obtain some ultrasound equipment to enable them to monitor pregnancies more efficiently. The Clinic provides treatment in their HIV referral clinic which is open every Thursday. An additional part of the community service they provide is a truck which goes round to all the local villages to collect patients for treatment. Many of their cases generally involve pregnancies, snake bites and testing for Malaria or HIV. Currently the HIV centre has 5-6 patients.

You will be assigned to a doctor or nurse and they will show you around and generally demonstrate the type of work they do. Most of your work will involve helping and assisting the local doctors and nurses with their daily rounds, making medical notes and updating records. You may also be asked to help with computer entries, and help clean equipment and various areas within the clinic.

 

A TYPICAL DAY BY A VOLUNTEER:

I would get picked up from the backpackers at around 8am and usually arrive at the clinic before 9am. I would be assigned to a member of staff to work with throughout the day. The duties would vary depending on who I worked with, but no matter who it was, I received the full benefit of their tasks and job.

You get to experience everything and anything possible. You can also ask what you would like to do and see, and they put you in that environment. I usually get picked up again around 4pm to go back home. The day goes pretty quickly and there is always something going on in the clinic.

 

ACCOMMODATION:

You'll live in a small, modern, and lively hostel situated in the center of Livingstone. The hostel has a very large private garden shaded with huge mango trees, and it also has a crystal clear swimming pool. There is a lively, sociable bar area where many activities are arranged. Livingstone has a Colonial feel to it and you will find a wide variety of restaurants, bars, and shops. Your accommodation is ideally situated and can offer excellent trips to places such as Lusaka.

 

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

If you’d like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us! If you’d like to apply for this project, please complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we’ll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.