Location
Antelope Park (Private Game Farm), 10km from Gweru town centre, in the heart of the Zimbabwe Midlands
About the project
The majority of Gweru's population does not have access to private healthcare facilities so most are totally dependent on the poorly staffed and serviced local clinics. The clinic that volunteers will assist at currently is estimated to be catering to over 90,000 people. It is ill equipped and poorly funded and above all, severely understaffed.
Whilst on this project, the volunteer's biggest service will be the manpower that they offer and how they will be able to get involved in not only this clinic but others in the nearby area as well. Volunteers do not need to be qualified in any particular medical field.
Away from the clinic, volunteers will participate in health education campaigns and national immunization drives. Volunteers will also be able to visit a local preschool and help children with art work, painting, sports, drama and singing.
Volunteer work and contribution
Volunteers will be involved in the following tasks:
- Gaining basic medical experience in local clinics through interaction with nurses and local staff
- Playing a role in HIV/AIDS education and awareness
- Getting involved in tasks such as baby weighing, taking blood pressure and body temperate etc.
- Opportunity to do home visits and night duty at the clinics
- Nutrition awareness and general counselling
- Participating in national immunization campaigns; health outreaches or education drives
- Repairs and Maintenance
Accommodation
- Comfortable, shared thatched accommodation with safes for the storage of valuables.
- Daily room servicing on request
- Free use of the laundry service available to volunteers
- Other facilities available include internet facilities, swimming pool and access to all other activities available to guest at Antelope Park including lion walks, elephant rides and swims, horse rides, game viewing, bird watching, canoeing and boat cruises
Not just work...
During the stay at Antelope Park, volunteers will have the opportunity to enjoy an excursion to some of the other spectacular spots that Zimbabwe has to offer. These trips are also a great time for volunteers to interact and to get to know each other better. Other activities available are:
- Walk with lions – Founded right here at Antelope Park
- Ride elephants – Antelope Park has 4 elephants and sunset or sunrise rides will be available
- Game viewing – by horseback, carriage, vehicle or on foot
- Sunset cruises on the lake in front of the camp
- Cub sitting and feeding (subject to availability)
- Horse rides – Antelope Park’s horse rides are regarded as some of the best secure wildlife horse rides on the continent
- Full moon elephant and horse rides
Minimum requirements
- Min age 18
- Good level of English
- Medical background (optional)
- Flexibility and open mindedness
- High level of independence and emotional strength
- Motivation to work with children
- Full travel & medical insurance
- Immunizations (please consult your doctor)