Volunteer Nurses needed in Senegal

Volunteer as a nurse in Senegal

This voluntary nursing project helps to provide medical care in centres for street children and a hospital in St Louis, Senegal.

We work with the District Sanitaire hospital and other smaller clinics. These clinics treat street children, otherwise known as Talibés. All of these institutions have very basic facilities and need help from qualified nurses.

Your help is needed for staff training, educational campaigns and providing treatment to patients.

Here you will find answers to the following questions:

How can volunteer nurses help in Senegal?

What will I gain from this project?

What will Projects Abroad PRO provide?

What skills or qualifications do I need?

How do I apply to join this project?

How can volunteer nurses help in Senegal?

You can use your knowledge and training to help local staff as a volunteer nurse. You can work on tasks such as:

• Helping existing staff at a hospital to treat patients, including:
  • Dressing wounds, monitoring pulse, blood pressure and temperature etc.
  • Checking and administering drugs and injections.
  • Setting up drips and blood transfusions.
• Helping to provide basic treatment for children at a Talibé centre. You will also be able to provide first aid training for local staff and volunteers.
• Assisting with educational campaigns on issues such as hygiene and disease prevention.
• Observing and providing advice to a health care assistant at the Talibé centre.

Your main project will be at the District Sanitaire hospital, the second largest hospital in St Louis. You can also combine this with working at the Talibé clinic if you wish. These clinics are based in our centers for the street children. They consist of one room which is dedicated to giving the children the healthcare they desperately need.

Your shift pattern can be agreed with your supervisor and our local staff. Most volunteers choose to work Monday to Friday so they have their weekends free.

It is important to note that you will need to speak French to at least an intermediate level to take part in this project.

This project runs all year round. You decide how much time you can spare and we will help you get the most out of it.

What will I gain from this project?

Nursing volunteer work in Senegal

This voluntary work abroad will give you the chance to learn about diseases and conditions that are uncommon in your home country. You will also witness how nurses work in the developing world and the challenges they face. Local professionals will want to share ideas with you and discuss treatment methods. All of this will be valuable experience for both you and them.

Working at the Talibé centre will give you a unique insight into Senegalese culture. The local people will all want to hear about your life back home and your family and friends. We call this ‘cultural exchange’ and we think it helps our volunteers gain a new perspective on life.

What will Projects Abroad PRO provide?

We have over 20 years’ experience of running volunteer projects. We provide you with the following support to make sure your time in Senegal is successful and enjoyable:

• Safe accommodation with a Senegalese family.
• Friendly and dedicated local staff available to help 24 hours a day.
• A member of staff to meet you at the airport when you arrive.
• Comprehensive medical and travel insurance.
• Social events with other volunteers such as a weekly quiz night.

What skills or qualifications do I need?

You need to be fully qualified as a nurse and have a relevant licence to practice in your country of residence.

Volunteers working with Talibé children should be prepared for a period of adaptation. Working in a different country, with a different health system requires patience and understanding. Local staff want to learn new skills but they too take time to adapt so you need to be understanding.

It is important to note that you will need to speak French to at least an intermediate level to take part in this project.

Please contact us if you think your knowledge may be useful on this project but do not have the required qualifications.