Medical And HIV/AIDS Orphan Care Detail

Medical And HIV/AIDS Orphan Care

Africa's 784 million people continue to suffer from a huge burden of potentially preventable and treatable diseases, which not only causes high levels of unnecessary death and suffering, but also stifles economic development and damages the continent's social fabric.
It is estimated that 2.4 million people die from HIV/AIDS each year, 600 000 from Tuberculosis and more than one million from malaria. The burden is there in spite of the availability of many of the tools needed for prevention and treatment, and technological advances being within range, largely because the diseases are rooted in poverty and in weak health systems.

HIV Orphan Villiage and Rural Child Feeding Project
The effect of HIV/AIDS on the Namibian population has been devastating. Each year, millions of children are being orphaned, or abandoned, in third world nations as a result of war, poverty, neglect, and the AIDS Pandemic.

While extended family and communities will try to support these children, the over strapped communities are too often unable to, leaving children without medical care, school, adequate nutrition, or sometimes even a roof over their head.

Orphan Care Centre
The Orphan Care Centre feeds over 160 orphans one nutritious meal a day, five days a week.  In addition to daily meals for the orphans, preschool is offered to 40 children who cannot afford the cost of a public school.  While the centre does receive some financial aid daily operations are conducted by local volunteers.  The centre is a heart-warming place and the increasing number of children is overwhelming! 

Volunteers will help take care of the orphans and give them the individual attention they desperately need.  Activities will include giving the children simple English lessons and reading books to them, as well as participating in activity sessions with them, such as playing games, drawing sessions and sing-a-longs.  Whilst at the project, volunteers will also contribute by helping with the development of the basic facilities and cooking for the children.

Hospitals and Rural Clinics
Volunteers will be able to observe and assist resident doctors and nurses in the following areas:

-Paediatrics                    
-HIV Clinics/Rural Clinics
-Primary Health Care Issues       
-Eye & Dental Clinics
-Social & Rehabilitation             
-Surgery
-Maternity                   
-Casualty and Emergency
-Male / Female General Ward     
-Mortuary

As a summary, volunteers are able to assist the project in the following areas:

-Take care of the children and give them individual attention
-Medical - Psychologists, Nurse or Training Doctors
-Assisting handing out medication
-Prepare daily lunch, serve food, and participate in feeding programmes
-Assist the teaching staff, Remedial / Special Needs
-Play with the children, read one-to-one during story time
-Assist in Preschool Centre / Preschool Teacher required
-Assist in Building and Maintenance
-Art: volunteers gifted with different artistic talents can teach the children, movement and dance, drama, crafts, weaving, painting etc. Music training (flute, guitar, drumming and piano instruments are available)
-Teach on health issues
-Sports Coaching
-Equestrian: Training, Grooming, Schooling
-Agriculture
-Animal care skills with horses, goats, chickens, sheep, and ducks
-Trade: tailoring, auto mechanics, electric, woodworking
-Computing, administration or finance