African Impact Launches Medical Volunteer Project in St. Lucia, South Africa

Nov. 10, 2008 - PRLog -- Cape Town, South Africa -- African Impact has launched a Medical Assistance and HIV / AIDS Awareness Project in St. Lucia, South Africa, which will begin operating at the beginning of January 2009.

This volunteer project gives international travellers the chance to work at a local medical clinic, and to provide sick and underprivileged people with medical assistance in their homes. The clinic struggles to consult all of the patients each day, as it supports a vast rural community, and volunteers’ support is, therefore, very valuable.

Volunteers will assist in areas such as the children’s clinic, the antenatal clinic, registration of patients, and the family planning department. Volunteers are never required to make decisions regarding treatments, but their presence and assistance is so appreciated. On some occasions, volunteers will join Home Carers when they visit sick people, unable to get to the clinic, at their homes. Volunteers will assist by preparing food for the patients, and administering their medication.

In addition, volunteers on the project will be involved in
•   HIV / AIDS awareness education
•   Refurbishment of clinics
•   Farming projects
•   Community social projects

During HIV / AIDS courses, which are open to anyone in the local community to attend, African Impact’s volunteers raise awareness about the virus using a UN approved method. A huge proportion of the community is affected by HIV / AIDS and there are a number of prevailing stigmas surrounding the virus, which this awareness course aims to break down.

Also, volunteers may be involved in painting and / or refurbishing run-down clinics, and encouraging the local community to participate in sustainable development by growing and eating vegetables from farming projects. In participating in this project, volunteers can be assured that their contribution to this local community will be a very positive and important one. A lady who volunteered at the St. Lucia Teaching Project described her experience as such: "I think the aims and objectives of the program are absolutely wonderful, a life-changing experience with so many feel-good factors that I will take with me for a very long time.”
   
The cost of a 4 week placement on the Medical Assistance and HIV / AIDS Awareness Project is: GBP 1295 or USD 2590. The project fee includes accommodation, all meals, all daily transport, materials and equipment for refurbishment / building work, and 24-hour in country support from the African Impact coordinators.

African Impact - http://www.africanimpact.com - began working in the communities surrounding St. Lucia in September 2007 and are involved in conservation education, orphan day care, teaching, as well as building and painting projects. This new project aims to further benefit and improve the lives of the local rural community in St. Lucia.

For further information about this project, visit http://www.africanimpact.com/article/st-lucia-medical/1/
or call Jolene Harris on:
South Africa direct: +27 71 081 4990
UK Toll Free: 0800 520 0926
USA Toll Free: 0877 253 2899

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African Impact is the largest African-based volunteer organisation. We possess a genuine care for the people and environment of Africa and strong track record of sound placements for volunteer work in Africa. Explore. Inspire. Impact.

www.africanimpact.com

South Africa direct: +27 71 081 4990
UK Toll Free: 0800 520 0926
USA Toll Free: 0877 253 2899