Home-based nursing in Moshi/Kilimanjaro

Angela Mwashi has been working all her life as a nurse and midwife. She spent many years at the KCMC (Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre) in Moshi, one of the country's leading hospitals. Angela got retired in 2002. But she continued following her lifelong vocation, because in her home place Chekereni Weruweru in the suburbs of Moshi, just next to the huge Coca Cola bottleworks, the medical care is not satisfying at all: Expecting mothers have to walk half-day distances to get medical check-ups, many children are born handicapped because mothers are suffering from infections during pregnancy, the workers in the ricefields are battling bilharzia, and AIDS is a serious problem.

Therefore Mama Mwashi started using her small government pension to open a maternity and medical centre in her private home. She is financing the largest part of her private medical centre from her own pockets. Twice a week her centre is open for consultation and check-ups of pregnant women, newborns and sick people. As a professional nurse, in Tanzania she is allowed to prescribe standard drugs. The remaining days of the week she spends visiting patients at their homes or accompanying them to KCMC hospital. Due to a lack of funds she has to do this by foot, meaning she spends long hours walking every day.

Her commitment is financially supported in very limited terms from the local NGO "WODEF" (Widows, orphans anddisabled development foundation). As this NGO is supporting three further comparable medical centres in the Moshi area and is only funded by the membership fees of its local members, Angela's monetary means are not sufficient at all to offer a satisfying medical care in her suburb.

Angela is looking for students and professional volunteers from the medical and nursing field to support her. This volunteering position will give valuable insights into the reality of medical situation in an African country. 

Info box:

Location: Moshi/Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Duration: 2 weeks - 12 months

Special qualification required: Yes 

Costs: free of charge (Trouble-free package for 500 € is optional)

Accommodation & Meals: Not included. Angela has prepared one room at her centre for the accommodation of volunteers. They have to pay US$250 per month for rent including all food. This money also helps to support her centre. Alternatively it is possible to live in Moshi town centre at  higher standard and higher cost.

Included: Placement in the project; if you opt for the trouble-free package the whole range of services which is part of the trouble-free package is included

Not included: Travel, health insurance, visa, work permit

Book this placement now!