Opportunity Title: Medical Team Participant
Location: Proposed communities: Islitas, Tiguilotada, El Naranjo, Laure, Agua Sarca , Honduras
CRCNA Agency: Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC)
CRWRC Partner Group Involved: CRWRC works in partnership with Diaconia Nacional since 1986. Diaconia works in the areas of environment, micro-enterprise, diaconal training, preventative health, agriculture, and community credit unions. Diaconia has worked well with integrating many US and Canadian volunteers into their work over the last 20 years.
Purpose: Assist Diaconia Nacional in providing medical attention to low income people in rural communities along with preventive trainings in health issues with a Christian perspective. Diaconia Nacional has a preventive health programs in nine communities in the southern part of Honduras, the program provides a quality service to communities by measuring and weighing children under the age of 5 and trains mothers and local leaders to improve their health. The program has been successful in: institutional credibility, diminishing malnutrition indexes, good assistance to trainings by mothers and a good established leadership.
Number of Positions: 2 teams per year
Expected Length of Service: 10 days
Dates Opportunity Is Available (approximate): July and August, 2009
Application Closing Date: April 3, 2009
Specific Responsibilities:
1. Physicians are needed to provide clinical services and preventive trainings in health issues. Visiting physicians will work alongside a health centre nurse. Diaconia Nacional clinics serve people of all faith backgrounds but request that volunteers be Christians.
2. Dentists are needed to provide clinical services and preventive training. Visiting dentists will work alongside Diaconia Nacional Nurse Coordinator to provide services to low income people in rural communities. Diaconia Nacional clinics serve people of all faith backgrounds but request that volunteers be Christians.
3. Nurses are needed to provide clinical services and preventive training in health issues. Visiting nurses will work alongside Diaconia Nacional Nurse Coordinator to provide services to low income people in rural communities. Diaconia Nacional clinics serve people of all faith backgrounds but request that volunteers be Christians
4. Participate in daily devotionals, trainings, planning sessions, etc;
5. Complete daily reports as required regarding work.
Qualifications:
1. Mature Christian committed to serving and following Christ, who is a Canadian or US resident;
2. Licensed in specific area of medical expertise and a member of good standing;
3. Fluent in conversational Spanish; fluency in reading and translating written Spanish, a plus.
4. Experience serving in the church and/or community;
5. Respectful of and ability to thrive in cross cultural settings or another culture;
6. Demonstrated interest in learning about Christian community development;
7. Commitment to CRWRC development values;
8. Self-starter and able to work without constant supervision during busy periods.
9. Able and willing to work in a team setting;
10. Ability to invite others into his/her ministry through prayer and financial support;
11. Ability to work effectively while dealing with the ambiguity of adjusting to another culture;
12. Able to nurture own faith in a sometimes isolated environment;
13. Good oral communication and writing skills;
14. Flexible, adaptable and able to view life with a sense of humour.
Financial Requirements of Volunteer:
Projected costs: approximately $750.00USD plus airfare
Benefits:
1. Active exploration of Honduran culture;
2. Improve your conversational and written Spanish;
3. Increase your international work experiences.
4. Learn community development from a local indigenous community leader.
5. Explore complexities of poverty in Honduras;
7. Learn how to work in a cross-cultural team based environment;
8. Learn or increase skills of living in a developing country;
9. Develop a "greater appreciation for diversity";
Support and Services Provided for the Volunteer:
*Pre-departure orientation (Required)
*Cultural Orientation (Required)
*Internet Access (When available)
*Field Supervision & Mentorship
*Ongoing Field Support
*Debriefing
*Assistance and training materials on raising prayer & financial support
* Recognition in CRWRC’s various communication to supporters
If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, please contact us today at volunteer@crcna.org.
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