African Impact
Through our volunteer programs, we invite you to be more than a tourist - to be a traveller, a conservationist and a humanitarian. Explore, Inspire, Impact.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
These pictures are courtesy of Zoe Cartwright, another recent Kenya Medical Volunteer.
Sarah Weintraub who wrote the article below is not featured in the pictures above.
I am a research student/scientist from the states who also researches the bio-medical aspect of Health Communication, but the majority of the work I do stems of AIDS epidemiology in Africa. African Impact was a great forum for me to gain experience abroad with epidemiology inherent to a certain region of the world, learn technique (both bio-medical and social) in which to deal with such circumstances, work in a variety of locations and contribute to a region of the world that is buckling under the stress of an incurable epidemic.
African Impact provided me with a placement at a hospital (I worked in the ART-AIDS ward only) in the region we stayed in, a volunteer position at an orphanage and a volunteering position at a slum clinic in Nairobi with the ability to participate in home based care outings and other social work aspects.
One thing I really enjoyed about working with African Impact was the malleability of the program curriculum: that is, there was always some degree of flexibility in everything we did. If we saw that needs were present at a school in the slums or with a certain aspect of the volunteering (i.e. feeding program etc.) We could approach a program leader with a plan and often they would express support both mentally and sometimes financially. If you felt your needs were better utilized in a certain area than another after a few days the leaders of the program were always glad to hear your input and facilitate any changes so that you would be in the place where you could best serve the population at large.
I did two service oriented trips: the 1st with African Impact an
Overland trip through Kenya and Uganda refurbishing schools in Uganda and also getting to do a bit of travel/safari (which was ace!) and the 2nd I went into immediately after which was a Medical Placement in Kenya (we stayed at a gorgeous compound- which was friendly, safe, fun and very westernized). The Medical placement has everything you could possibly be looking for even if you are not a doctor, it has the option to establish social initiative programs and work in orphanages, help in schools (in the slums) or even start your own community initiative (teaching, paiting schools). The theme of the organization is best characterized by "Impact through Aid." But I certainly left feeling like I had made an impact and like I was ready to return as soon as I got a chance. The program also leaves time and space for individuals to travel the Masaai Mara, Malindi, Mombasa and other such amazing locations are travel options in Kenya) and on weekends I was never bored.
I always felt safe, cared for, never felt neglected and I was always looked after by the team of administrators there who are young, relatable and an all around great bunch with amazing hearts. I thought traveling to Kenya would be terrifying because It was so far away but I quickly found that all the comforts of home were there (maybe not in the form I was used to them!) and the ones that weren't I soon found that I didn’t need after all.
This program changed my life, allowed me to step out of a society that was just oozing with excess and focus on regions of the world that
needed aid. Since I have been back I dream of Africa almost every night.
Its hard to get that infectious air of freedom (life free from constant cell-phones and laptops) and get back to basics- but not TOO basic as we did have all the comforts of home) out of your head! I made friends that I love and adore, both in and outside of Kenya and I learned more about AIDS/HIV than all my experience combined from previous research studies.
It is eye opening, thought provoking and all around the best travel experience I could have hoped for! Don't miss out!!
Regards,
Sarah
[Sarah Weintraub volunteered with us in Kenya in July and Augst 2007]
Feedback from Sarah Weintraub, Kenya Medical Volunteer
These pictures are courtesy of Zoe Cartwright, another recent Kenya Medical Volunteer.
Sarah Weintraub who wrote the article below is not featured in the pictures above.
I am a research student/scientist from the states who also researches the bio-medical aspect of Health Communication, but the majority of the work I do stems of AIDS epidemiology in Africa. African Impact was a great forum for me to gain experience abroad with epidemiology inherent to a certain region of the world, learn technique (both bio-medical and social) in which to deal with such circumstances, work in a variety of locations and contribute to a region of the world that is buckling under the stress of an incurable epidemic.
African Impact provided me with a placement at a hospital (I worked in the ART-AIDS ward only) in the region we stayed in, a volunteer position at an orphanage and a volunteering position at a slum clinic in Nairobi with the ability to participate in home based care outings and other social work aspects.
One thing I really enjoyed about working with African Impact was the malleability of the program curriculum: that is, there was always some degree of flexibility in everything we did. If we saw that needs were present at a school in the slums or with a certain aspect of the volunteering (i.e. feeding program etc.) We could approach a program leader with a plan and often they would express support both mentally and sometimes financially. If you felt your needs were better utilized in a certain area than another after a few days the leaders of the program were always glad to hear your input and facilitate any changes so that you would be in the place where you could best serve the population at large.
I did two service oriented trips: the 1st with African Impact an
Overland trip through Kenya and Uganda refurbishing schools in Uganda and also getting to do a bit of travel/safari (which was ace!) and the 2nd I went into immediately after which was a Medical Placement in Kenya (we stayed at a gorgeous compound- which was friendly, safe, fun and very westernized). The Medical placement has everything you could possibly be looking for even if you are not a doctor, it has the option to establish social initiative programs and work in orphanages, help in schools (in the slums) or even start your own community initiative (teaching, paiting schools). The theme of the organization is best characterized by "Impact through Aid." But I certainly left feeling like I had made an impact and like I was ready to return as soon as I got a chance. The program also leaves time and space for individuals to travel the Masaai Mara, Malindi, Mombasa and other such amazing locations are travel options in Kenya) and on weekends I was never bored.
I always felt safe, cared for, never felt neglected and I was always looked after by the team of administrators there who are young, relatable and an all around great bunch with amazing hearts. I thought traveling to Kenya would be terrifying because It was so far away but I quickly found that all the comforts of home were there (maybe not in the form I was used to them!) and the ones that weren't I soon found that I didn’t need after all.
This program changed my life, allowed me to step out of a society that was just oozing with excess and focus on regions of the world that
needed aid. Since I have been back I dream of Africa almost every night.
Its hard to get that infectious air of freedom (life free from constant cell-phones and laptops) and get back to basics- but not TOO basic as we did have all the comforts of home) out of your head! I made friends that I love and adore, both in and outside of Kenya and I learned more about AIDS/HIV than all my experience combined from previous research studies.
It is eye opening, thought provoking and all around the best travel experience I could have hoped for! Don't miss out!!
Regards,
Sarah
[Sarah Weintraub volunteered with us in Kenya in July and Augst 2007]
