KAMBIA APPEAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME

Since the very beginning of The Kambia Appeal, our relationship with Kambia has been based on visits to Sierra Leone by medical personnel from the UK. Such visits have provided training for local hospital staff and district health workers, as well as much needed clinical work at the hospital.

Midwife Maud Hardy, CHO Mohamed Kamara and Doctors Per and Janaki Brolin at Kambia Hospital in March 2009

Our volunteer programme has recently been restructured and successfully awarded an HPS grant, funded by UK DFID and THET. The aim of the programme is to improve health outcomes and quality of healthcare delivery within Kambia District by empowering UK health volunteers through skill sharing to train and teach local healthcare workers, develop quality improvement tools, and provide clinical support. In addition to this we strive to contribute to the personal and professional development of UK health volunteers with an opportunity to volunteer in a resource poor setting and further develop their skills and abilities.

Please note that the volunteer opportunities offered as part of this programme are only available to UK-based health professionals.

Successful volunteers will be placed at Kambia Government Hospital and will work across the following core areas:

  • Teaching/training local staff
  • Quality improvement activities
  • Clinical support
  • Community health education
  • Support the wider activities of the Kambia Appeal within Kambia District

Read further information about the Kambia Government Hospital

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We are interested in qualified healthcare professionals from the medical, nursing, midwifery and public health fields who are based in the UK. We are looking for volunteers able to go for a minimum of 6 months or more. We are particularly interested in doctors with experience in paediatrics and obstetrics and gynaecology. We previously facilitated short term volunteers for periods of time less than 6 months, but are no longer facilitating this type of placement.

WHAT ARE THE COSTS?

Volunteers going for 6+ months will have all sensible costs covered, including the following:

Pre-departure training weekend, Flights & transfers, visa, insurance, vaccinations, malaria prophylaxis, accommodation & food in Kambia.

HOW DO I APPLY?

We are currently recruiting for volunteers to start their placements from July 2013.

We review applications twice a year: our next application deadline is 24th May 2013. We will confirm the date of our Summer training weekend by the end of May, and contact successful applicants by the first week of June 2013.

Please complete an application form and send it along with a copy of your CV to: volunteering@kambia.org.uk.

Click here to download the application form: ka-volunteer-application-form3

NOTE: Applications from paediatricians, obstetricians and midwives will be considered at any time of the year!

Please note our next application deadline will be the end of November 2013 for placements starting around January/February 2014. Dates to be confirmed.

REQUIREMENTS AND SELECTION

Prior to selection volunteers must meet the following requirements:

Essential: You MUST be a UK-based health worker and have at least 2 years postgraduate experience

Desirable: Diploma in Tropical Medicine & Hygiene or Diploma in Tropical Nursing, previous experience of working abroad, teaching experience, quality improvement experience.

Selection of volunteers is based on:

  • Professional experience
  • Relevant skills
  • Personal attributes
  • Motivations

SUCCESSFUL VOLUNTEERS

All successful volunteers will be required to attend a pre-departure training weekend prior to placement.

CONTACT US

The volunteer programme is managed by Dr Clare Adams and Dr Stacey Mearns and they can be contacted at volunteering@kambia.org.uk.