Rural Medical Outreach Madagascar Volunteering-done right! Page 1 About Us Why choose to volunteer on this programme? EDGE of AFRICA combines a visit to breath-taking Africa with a life-changing volunteer experience. EDGE of AFRICA started making a direct positive impact on the lives of underprivileged South Africans and the country’s environment in 2007, since then EDGE of AFRICA branches have also been opened in Madagascar and Zimbabwe. Our award winning, organisation has continued to grow from strength to strength and now boasts the involvement of volunteers from over 30 different nations globally. Provide medical assistance, making a real difference to poor local communities Live and work in an authentic Malagasy village Gain insight into the Malagasy medical challenges and practices Who should apply? About our Rural Medical Outreach Programme Although specific qualifications are not required for this project, medical students will definitely benefit from this project and gain a large amount of experience, as well as learn to adapt to a rural environment. Medical professionals are very welcome too and would find the work extremely fulfilling. There is a serious lack of trained medical professionals and manpower in the rural villages in South East Madagascar. No matter what your level of health care knowledge is, there is a large amount of work that needs to be done. Volunteers need to be hard working, mature, motivated and able to show initiative. Good health and physical fitness are also required. Volunteers also need to be confident with speaking English and knowledge of French is a benefit, though not essential. It is extremely difficult for many people to travel to their closest clinic and so they often leave visiting a health care facility until they are very sick. As well as this, the locals do not have a varied diet and often it consists of mainly the Cassava root vegetable, which does not nourish pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, leaving many malnourished children to attend. Page 2 Comfort level Adventurer You will not have access to most amenities like indoor plumbing, electricity, well-stocked shops or banks, except on town days Rural Medical Outreach You will be immersed in a rural village just outside of Fort Dauphin, where there is a huge need for medical assistance. The local clinic is lacking in manpower, skills and equipment and your involvement will provide the local villagers with health care that they would not normally have access to. We focus on a small village approximately 30km from our base in Fort Dauphin. From this clinic we are able to assist the surrounding communities in everything from minor aliments to more serious illnesses and injuries, as well as offering a pre and post natal service to mothers. Typical Weekly Schedule Saturday Arrival & Orientation Sunday Time off to explore the area Monday Orientation/Training & Clinic Work Tuesday Clinic Work& Community Health Awareness This is only recommended for those who have experienced volunteering or travelling in a developing country and are up for the challenge of living outside their comfort zone. “I found it fascinating to learn about the health challenges in Madagascar and I feel I gained invaluable experience to bring back to my 3rd year of nursing” Stacey Davidson, Canada, Rural Medical Outreach Wednesday Clinic Work & Community Health Awareness Thursday Clinic Work & Community Health Awareness Friday Saturday Clinic Work & Cultural Activity Optional Excursion *Timetables may vary depending on your arrival day and time of year. Page 3 Fort Dauphin, Madagascar Fort Dauphin, Madagascar The town is very run down but full of character, giving volunteers plenty to explore and an ideal introduction to island life, as it is surrounded by beautiful beaches and some interesting architecture Madagascar is a much desired holiday destination because of the beautiful coastline and tropical forests, ideal for relaxing weekends off The area is famous for hosting unique and sometimes extremely endangered insect, reptile and mammal species – a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness The quaint villages surrounding the town are an amazing reminder of how simple life should be, with very few amenities, but happy smiling children to welcome you to their home You can fly into Antananarivo, and spend a few nights exploring the incredible French Architecture, interspersed with fresh fruit and fish markets and a colourful array of woven products You can combine any of our Fort Dauphin initiatves and have a full, unique volunteering experience Optional Excursions Nahampoana Reserve Andohahela National Park Saint - Luce Page 4 Accommodation During the week, you will be staying with a local host family. You will have the opportunity to experience rural life first hand and witness the struggles such as access to healthcare and education that the families have to go through. There is not often running water in or access to hot water or electricity. You can expect to use pit toilets which is always an experience first time around! On weekends you will stay at our Fort Dauphin Volunteer House. Facilities in Fort Dauphin Include: Showers (no hot water) Electricity Communal Kitchen Communal Lounge Area Dorm Style Sleeping Arrangements Arrival and Departure Information Unless your international flight arrives in the morning early, it is usual that you will need to stay in Antananarivo overnight to wait for your connection and sometimes it might be preferable for you to do so. Please ask EDGE of AFRICA for confirmation of arrival and departure dates before booking your flights! There are a number of carriers flying into Madagascar, but only one domestic carrier, Air Madagascar. EDGE of AFRICA has a global travel services partner that can assist with all your travel plans including offering a best price guarantee on flights! Fort Dauphin, on some maps is called Tolagnaro or Taolagnaro or Tolanaro. We most often stick to using Fort-Dauphin. From Antananarivo you can reach FortDauphin by road, or by air. International flights into Madagascar with few exceptions land in the capital Antananarivo (Airport code TNR) which is the central highlands of Madagascar. We are based at Fort-Dauphin or Tolagnaro (Airport code FTU) so you need to ensure that your international flight arrival leaves sufficient time for you to catch an on-going flight to FortDauphin. Although there is a worthwhile and adventurous trip by road to Fort-Dauphin from Antananarivo, it requires a 4x4 vehicle and first time visitors we recommend flying. If you would like to do the road trip, please contact us for advice. Page 5 Get Started! What’s Included? 1. Ask us for a Booking Form and we will email it to you. You then need to fill it out and send it back to us. All project operating costs, equipment, tools and resources Pick up & drop off from Fort Dauphin airport 24/7 emergency support Orientation & Training Accommodation 3 Meals a day Project Related Transport Project T-shirts Dedicated coordinators to assist you daily Project support and feedback sessions throughout your stay Assistance with optional activities and tours Assistance obtaining a local SIM Card for your phone Additional cultural and outdoor activities on Friday afternoons (and some evenings) Post-project involvement, and an exclusive return volunteer discount 2. You need to make sure that you confirm the exact arrival/departure dates with EDGE of AFRICA before you book your flights. 3. Once we have received your 25% deposit we will send you a pre-departure form which you need to fill out (with all your flight details, food requirements etc.). We will also send you a predeparture information pack detailing everything you need to know about your trip. 4. You may have to fill in some confidentiality agreements and indemnities before your arrival depending on your project. 5. Full payment is due 14 working days before your arrival. We're also on all the main social media channels, including: Facebook : www.facebook.com/EDGEofAFRICA Twitter: www.twitter.com/EDGEofAFRICA YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/edgeofafrica Please sign up and follow us! Contact Details Office: +27 (0)44 3820122 Fax: +27 (0)86 615 1857 E-mail: [email protected] Page 6 Address: EDGE of AFRICA - Suite 88 Private Bag X31 - Knysna – 6570, South Africa.
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