MEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCE & OBSERVATION

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Program Description
Immerse yourself in the reality of healthcare in a developing country with this unique opportunity. Gain invaluable hands-on experience alongside medical professionals and volunteers in hospitals or neighborhood health clinics. Witness the contrast between Western medical practices and the challenges faced in modernization. This exposure may reveal untreated medical conditions at advanced stages. Take part in diverse experiences across hospital/clinic departments, including emergency, pediatric, maternity (for female volunteers), diabetes, HIV prevention, and nursing. Expand your perspective on healthcare while shouldering responsibilities. Combine this medical program with other projects for a comprehensive experience.

Volunteer placement or internship
Our program offers flexible commitment options for volunteers, ranging from a minimum of 4 hours daily up to to 40 hours per week - you decide! If you're joining as an intern, we understand that your school or university may have specific requirements. Please inform us in advance about your internship criteria, enabling us to tailor a personalized work plan to suit your needs. Share your expectations and goals with us, and we'll work together to ensure you achieve them. We are happy to give students academic credit or provide a report outlining the learning outcomes and deliverables achieved during the internship.

What to expect
Your flexibility as a volunteer will have a significant impact, supporting medical services in a developing country setting. Prepare for a dynamic and immersive experience, witnessing diverse cases and tackling unique challenges. Your dedication and adaptability are vital to the program's success and the well-being of the patients we serve. Embrace the opportunity to practice and learn new skills, fostering personal and professional growth. Your commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of those in need of medical care is highly valued. Schedules may change based on patients' and clinic needs, requiring your understanding. Our primary working hours focus on mornings when physicians are available at the hospital or health clinic. Additionally, weekend shifts offer valuable work observation and experience alongside doctors and nurses. Join our program for a rewarding journey, where your passion and dedication will improve the lives of patients in need, while gaining valuable insights into healthcare challenges in a developing country.

Holidays
Christmas Holidays from December 16 until January 06, 2025.

Attention: Volunteers are welcome to stay at our Volunteer Guesthouse during Dominican Christmas and new year holidays! Even though working and business life comes to a halt through this two week period when the whole country is celebrating Christmas, our volunteers are welcome to celebrate Christmas and new year together with us and the Dominican people!

Activities can include but are not limited to

● Participating in patient care: comforting patients and assisting with examinations
● Observing, shadowing and assisting doctors and nurses during their work
● Make swabs for disinfection
● Writing down a list of medications with the time for each patient
● Stocking up on materials and preparing or reprocessing
● Prepare and, if necessary, distribute medications (infusion, pills, ...)
● Checking on the well-being of the patients
● Volunteers may choose to teach English to the doctors, provided that there is a sufficient number of doctors interested
● Empty catheters (hospital only)
● Fold and wrap compresses

Note: Medical experience and understanding of staff instructions are required for direct patient assistance. Inexperienced volunteers can observe and help with small tasks. Longer stays offer more learning opportunities. Experienced individuals like medical students can assist and work independently on some tasks. Graduated medical students or nurses can work independently after proper instruction.

Requirements
We extend a warm welcome to students and professionals from diverse backgrounds, including pre-university students aspiring for a medical career. Medical volunteers should demonstrate initiative, enthusiasm, and adaptability. Specialized skills enable engagement in more focused activities. B1 Spanish skills are necessary, and advanced proficiency unlocks further opportunities. Complimentary Spanish lessons are provided to enrich the experience of our valued volunteers and interns. The program is open to elective students, medical students with available holiday time, pre-university students, and individuals pursuing specialized medical courses. Kindly bring easy-to-clean scrubs and closed shoes for clinic work, as they are mandatory.

Availability
This program is ongoing throughout the whole year and is not paused even through holidays!

Time Commitment
A minimum time commitment of 2 weeks is required and can be extended up to one year

Placement Location
Samana & Las Terrenas

About your Placement Location
The Aldeas de Paz Foundation is based in the charming coastal villages of Samana and Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic. Samana, in the north-eastern corner, has about 15,000 inhabitants and is renowned for its safety, tranquil atmosphere, and beautiful beaches. The community values social responsibility and exudes a secure, small European town vibe. The Dominican Republic's countryside is widely recognized for its peacefulness, making it one of the safest regions in the Caribbean. When you join our program, you'll experience a welcoming and secure environment while contributing to meaningful projects in this picturesque part of the world.

Accommodation
Discover our sought-after volunteer guesthouse apartments in Samaná and Las Terrenas, offering convenience, safety, and scenic beauty. Standard accommodation includes shared rooms for bonding with fellow volunteers from diverse backgrounds. Choose from double, single, or homestay options to immerse in local culture. Enjoy free wifi and access to a washing machine. Collaborate with volunteers worldwide for a rich cultural exchange and lifelong friendships. Join us in creating a respectful and supportive community, ensuring a personally rewarding volunteering experience. Be part of this meaningful journey and leave with unforgettable memories and lasting friendships.

Travel Logistics
Volunteer safety is our top priority. Upon your arrival at the airport, our friendly English-speaking driver will be there to greet you and help with your transit to the bus terminal. They'll ensure you have a direct and comfortable bus ticket to Samana, your placement location (approximately 2 hours). Once you arrive, our dedicated staff and fellow volunteers will warmly welcome you and escort you to your accommodation.

Costs & Benefits
At Aldeas de Paz, we are committed to affordability and financial transparency with our open book policy. Our minimum contribution starts at just €155 per week (after the second week). This inclusive package covers Spanish language classes, comfortable accommodation in fully equipped guesthouse apartments, a dedicated program donation, personal welcome service, airport pick-up, bus transfer, bus fare, and a free transfer to your placement location.

This is included:

• Airport welcome service & transfer to your placement location
• Fully equipped Accommodation in Las Terrenas or Samana depending where you will be placed
• Free WiFi & access to washing machine
• Free regular Spanish lessons throughout your placement
• Placement introduction, certificate & student credit
• Full support and 24/7 backup from local staff
• Information about adventure packages & in-country travel

Special Offer
Enjoy free Spanish language classes for volunteers and interns, emphasizing practical communication skills. Develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities naturally, similar to learning one's mother tongue. From day one, you'll use Spanish in real-life situations with role-plays, situational dialogues, and work projects complementing the basic syllabus. Beyond the classroom, immerse yourself in the Spanish language and Dominican culture for a continuous learning experience.

Program Highlights

• Immerse in the vibrant Dominican lifestyle, embracing the rhythm of Caribbean music
• Master Spanish fluency through free classes and embrace daily life with locals.
• Fuel your passion for learning and boost your career with international experience.
• Create unforgettable memories with weekend excursions alongside fellow participants.
• Relish the stunning beaches of Samana, conquer Pico Duarte's peaks, and explore Santo Domingo's historical colonial town.

What makes the Dominican Republic and Samana unique?
Samana, a captivating peninsula in the northeastern part of the Dominican Republic, boasts breathtaking beauty. With its lush coconut trees extending into the sea, it feels like a secluded island. The town of Samana is a picturesque and tranquil port, where friendly locals engage in tourism, agriculture, and fishing, all accompanied by the lively rhythms of Merengue, Bachata, and Salsa music. A two-kilometer-long Malecon (seaside promenade) offers delightful strolls day and night, leading to a variety of charming restaurants and bars, perfect for relaxing evenings. Surrounding the peninsula, you'll find hundreds of fantastic beaches, ready to be explored on day trips or weekend getaways. Embrace the Dominican lifestyle, enjoying the soothing rhythm of Caribbean music in this idyllic destination!

Contact Information
Project/charity name: Fundación Aldeas de Paz
Address: Samana, Dominican Republic
Whatsapp: +1 829 7055 123
E-Mail: mail@peacevillages.org
Webpage: https://www.peacevillages.org/medicine-healthcare/
Facebook: https://www.facebook/AldeasdePaz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AldeasDePaz
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AldeasDePaz
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Peacevillages