Zanzibar - Medical Placement

Stone Town is the capital of Zanzibar and about 20 minutes by car away from the volunteer house. It has a labyrinth of chaotic alleyways interposed between towering limestone houses with ornately carved arched hardwood doors with brass finishings and terracotta roofs. Stone Town is a melting pot of cultures and one of the last remaining ancient towns in Africa. It offers a rare cultural and historical insight into a former era of trade and exploration.
As a primary trading post on the spice, silk, and slave trade routes for over a millennium, Stone Town has been a unique meeting place, blending African, Indian, Arabian, and European cultures. It is one of the few remaining ancient towns in Africa.
Not only is this city visually beautiful, with old colonial buildings and exquisitely carved Zanzibari doorways, but your senses will be overwhelmed with the scent of the sea and spice and the calls to prayer echoing from the minarets. For history buffs and culture addicts, Stone Town offers plenty of activities for 2-4 days of exploration. Swahili is a local language used by people and is spoken extensively in Zanzibar. English is also spoken by many people.

- Support the hospital staff with medical assistance
- Add to your practical healthcare work experience
- Observe the medical practices of local staff at the hospital in Zanzibar
- Broaden your perspective of international medical care and treatment

On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to familiarize you with the surroundings as well as local culture. Your program will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.

Schedule
- Introduction meeting, House rules, Setting Expectations, Health and Safety Advice and handling of documents.
- Stonetown City Orientation
- Spoken Orientation
- Lunch
- Swahili Language lesson

Monday
08:00 - 08:30 /Joint Meeting - Weekly Schedule Overview All Participants
09:00 - 12:30 Orientation, Do's and Don'ts, Paperwork, Culture Lesson - New Arrivals Only
10:00 - 12:30 Core Program Activities - Old Participants Only
13:00 Lunch at the hospital (Canteen)
13:30 - 18:30 Swahili Lesson, Placements schedule review, Stone Town Tour - New Arrivals Only

Tuesday
08:30 Depart to the programs - All Participants
09:15 - 12:30 Placements - All Participants
13:00 Lunch at the hospital (Canteen)
14:00 - 16:00 Continue with your placements
19:00 - 20:00 Dinner

Wednesday
08:30 Depart to the programs - All Participants
09:15 - 12:00 Placements - All Participants
13:00 Lunch at the accommodation
14:00 - 16:00 Group Beach Trip (Paje or Nungwi)
19:00 - 20:00 Dinner

Thursday
08:30 Depart to the programs - All Participants
09:15 - 12:30 Placements - All Participants
13:00 Lunch at the hospital (Canteen)
17:00 - 18:00 Mandatory Weekly Meeting with Local Team - All Participants
19:00 - 20:00 Dinner

Friday
09:00 Depart to the programs - All Participants
10:30 - 16:00 Placements - All Participants
Lunch at the hospital (Canteen)
19:00 - 20:00 Continue with your placements
Dinner

***These activities can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions, and unforeseen circumstances.***

This program can also include a Culture Week which is highly recommended but not mandatory - just inform your travel advisor if you wish to include it. Get to know Zanzibar! Explore the rich culture, the complex history, and meet amazing people who call this fantastic place home.

This once independent island nation has actually put the “Zan” in what we now call Tanzania. As you learn more about this unique location you will enjoy the warmth of the weather and the local community. You will visit local sites and enjoy breathtaking views during this week long introduction. During the Culture Week you will be participating in various activities to get you acquainted with the local culture. You will have language lessons, visit a local market, enjoy a city tour, try your hand at a local cooking class and lunch (Swahili house visit), explore Prison Island (including snorkelling, G.Tortoise visit and prison visit and history), a spice plantation visit, a day trip to the beach, and much more.

Aims & Objectives of the Culture Week
Help you learn helpful phrases in the local language
Broaden your knowledge of the local customs, history and culture
Enjoy local sights and activities
Provide a full induction, preparing you for a longer stay

Please note that ALL programs are closed during public holidays except Constructions and Renovation Program and Medical Placement. Therefore, these two programs are still running or on-going during those dates/holidays mentioned below. However, during the Eid al - Fitr on 31st March to 08th April 2025, only the Constructions and Renovations program is still running.

Public Holidays 2025
31 March - 08 April - Eid al-Fitr

Minimum age of 18
Basic level of competency in English
Educational requirements: You must have an established medical background - studying on a pre-medical track, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, occupational/physical therapy, or working in a relevant field.
Police Clearance Certificate on sign-up
Copy of CV/resume on sign-up
Recommendation letter from University for students
If you are volunteering for longer than 3 months you will need a Work Permit (USD 250). Our partner can help with the necessary paperwork once you are in Zanzibar, to enter the country you just need the regular tourist visa. Please note that volunteers need to be qualified nurses, doctors or students. Qualified nurses and doctors need to have a license to practice in Tanzania and this needs to be applied for in advance.
If you are volunteering for less than 3 months you can join on a tourist visa.
Passport copy required on arrival
Travel & medical insurance

Volunteers need to be flexible and keep an open mind concerning their placements as situations can arise beyond our control which could require you to be placed at a different project than the one you have initially chosen. We will of course always do our utmost to fulfill your initial wishes but do remember that where you are going is quite different from where you are coming and as such one should be prepared for things not always going according to plan.

Volunteering and intercultural travel share a common trait: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. This program is designed for proactive individuals and groups that are prepared to adapt to the local environment and its current needs. Naturally, the scheduling and activities of our program are subject to change. Alterations in activities are mainly due to changes in local conditions, which we believe is part of what makes overseas programs the interesting adventure and incredible learning experience that they are.

Our projects range from 1 week up to approx. 30 weeks. Projects have a specified minimum stay, then it’s up to you how long you can commit. In our experience the longer you stay the more you will gain, as your understanding of the project broadens and you take on more responsibilities. Every volunteer will be given a certificate of appreciation at the end of their stay as a symbol of volunteering stay.