Lake Malawi Medical Project - My Medical Elective 2018

Ratings
Overall
5
Impact: 5
Support: 5
Fun: 5
Value: 5
Safety: 5
Review

I spent 4 weeks in Malawi volunteering with Naturally Africa Volunteers and it was everything that I hoped it would be and more. Everything from applying to landing back in the UK was organised and ran smoothly. The whole team including Marc, the team in the UK and the team in Malawi were amazing and were always on hand to help me with any questions or problems. The volunteer house was great and I felt safe and extremely well looked after throughout my whole time there.

I spent some time in Monkey Bay Community Hospital and some time volunteering on the medical projects in the community including treating people at wound clinics and teaching Home Based Care groups and HIV support groups. The medical projects were by far my favourite aspect of my volunteering. These projects are extremely important for the communities involved and I really felt that I was helping - no matter how small my contribution may have been in the grand scheme of things I knew that my work was appreciated by the patients and members of the community.

Aside from the volunteering, I had amazing weekends out in Malawi which again were organised by Naturally Africa Volunteers. Malawi is such a varied country and there are lots of things to do in your free time. Hiking and horse riding on the beautiful Zomba plateau was one of my favourite weekends and I would urge anyone volunteering in Malawi to go.

I really can't pick a favourite memory...it was the best thing I have ever done and I didn't want it to end. I'm writing the review 3 weeks after my return to the UK and I am still missing it so so much. I was so nervous beforehand and I wasn't sure how I would cope but I am so happy that I did it and I cant wait to do something similar again soon!

I honestly cannot recommend the Naturally Africa Volunteers Lake Malawi Medical Project enough. Do it! I promise you wont regret it. It was the experience of a lifetime!

Would you recommend this program?
Yes, I would
Year Completed
2018
Media
Photos