Volunteers participating in this program will work as health assistants helping the local nurses and doctors take care for patients. You’ll do various activities like taking temperature, blood pressure, observing operations, checking patients and many other duties. Exact tasks will depend on volunteers’ capacity and skills. Although no previous background is required, volunteers who plan to study medicine or who have already have begun their medical or nursing studies are best suited for this project. It is helpful if you know a few basic Hindi words. For that, volunteers can join a one-week language and orientation class before the start of their program. The language will also help volunteers better understand the culture and the mentality of local people.
What Difference Does This Project Make?
India’s poor and deprived rural tribal communities face many challenges. The socio-economic progress being witnessed in other parts of India has not yet reached these areas yet and consequently they continue to live in desperate condition. They are also mostly illiterate and such social practices that are frowned upon, like child labor and child marriages, are very common. These practices contribute towards the prevailing low rate of education. These poor communities are malnourished and seldom seek help from doctors as their charges can be quite high. At the same time, because of lack of doctors and nurses, they are often flooded with patients. Our volunteers will help the local doctors and nurses and cure the local people of their disease. This project will also provide them a wonderful opportunity to learn about the health practices of rural India.
Highlights of the program
Working as assistant to the doctors and nurses, volunteers will experience firsthand medical practices in India. Volunteers will also become involved in awareness generating activities on issues of health and sanitation and learn about diseases and medication system. As part of the program, you’ll also have opportunity to enroll in Golden Triangle Tour, where you’ll come across Taj Mahal, symbol of eternal beauty.
Project Location
This volunteer program is organized in Delhi and Jaipur. Delhi with its 13 million inhabitants is the India’s capital and contains a mix of old and new and is spread over a huge area. The city is divided in two parts: Old Delhi with its pulsating life through the crowded bazaars – and New Delhi, India’s modern capital, with Green Boulevard, large office blocks, the parliament etc. Jaipur is a popular place for tourists and contains many forts, palaces and buildings. It’s also a thriving economic center.Â
Field Conditions
The accommodation is basic but clean and located within easy access of the city and the project sites. Volunteers will be sharing rooms while staying in the hostel. The hostel has electricity, running water and volunteers will have access to internet and phone facilities within walking distance. Your country coordinator will help you if required any travel information.
During the project, you’ll mostly stay with a host family. There, you’ll find a warm and welcoming family and they’ll treat you as one of their family members. This will also provide volunteers with a wonderful opportunity to learn about the local culture and practice your newly acquired skills in Hindi language, though at least one member of the family will be able to speak in English. |
