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CARE WITH CHILDREN AT THE RED CROSS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN CAPE TOWN |
SOUTH AFRICA |
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This rewarding Care project takes place
in the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital in South Africa.
The Red Cross is the only dedicated Children's Hospital in
sub-Saharan Africa. Children of all ages from a few months to 12 years
old attend the Hospital for specialised treatment. Internationally it is
regarded as the 'one-stop shop' for excellence in child health care and
treatment.
The Children’s Hospital is affiliated to the University of Cape Town and is a leading teaching and research institution. The first liver and heart transplants on children in South Africa were performed in this hospital, as well as other groundbreaking achievements.
PROJECT OVERVIEW As the staff at the hospital have mentioned many times, having the volunteers give the children some extra love and care is wonderful … but the extra hands are very welcome as well.
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PLACEMENT:
An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into
Africa and Sough African culture.
You'll learn a lot from experts in your field
about how they work in a culture that is very different to what
you're used to.
New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding
of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional
development.
An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head
and shoulders above most others in the job market
And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!
WORK CONTENT: "Just wanted to drop a quick note at the end of my placement at the Red Cross to say thank you for all the organising that you put into it. It far surpassed my expectations and I was able to gain hands on experience in all areas of the hospital. The staff were very friendly and accommodating, and I was given access to stuff I just wouldn't have managed in the UK. My host family too have been quite incredible, treating me like their own son, which has no doubt augmented the experience." Andy Hamilton ABOUT THE RED CROSS CHILDREN'S
HOSPITAL The Red Cross Children's Hospital is the centre at which undergraduate and postgraduate medical students receive their core training in paediatric disciplines. Specialist paediatric nurses and allied paediatric health care providers, such as physiotherapists, child psychologists, speech and occupational therapists are also trained here. The Hospital is equally active in preventative health care, and plays a critical role in educating community health workers, thereby facilitating the exportation of models of good practice to the community. Several services are provided, including education of children, parents and community health care workers in, for example, HIV, Aids, family planning and contraception, rehydration and nutrition. The Hospital has also established and maintains three significant national information database resources:
The new medical emergency entrance was completed in June 2001. The new specialist outpatients wing was built in phases and completed in June 2001. The Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital’s new specialist outpatients and medical emergency facilities is a lasting symbol of community generosity and fundraising success. The staff education building was completed in 1998 and includes the Johnson and Johnson Hall for functions and lecture rooms for the training of nursing staff. The “Ikhaya la Rotary” (Home of Rotary) section was completed in 1998, specifically to provide accommodation for out-of-town parents whose children are being treated at the Hospital. The Ikhaya has rooms of all sizes, ranging from double rooms to rooms with 6 bunks … and all 63 beds are often in use! The rooms are comfortable in the hopes of alleviating just a little some of the stress of having a child in hospital The Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital performs many operations on children, e.g. Conjoined twin separations, liver and kidney transplants, to name a few. The theatres are busy 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. This care placement is not suitable for medical undergraduates or graduates unless you are prepared to accept the limitations of the project. Got any questions? Please email us: info@travellersworldwide.com |
List of all CARE projects in South Africa
 Enhance your Programme with some exciting activities:              
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| RECOMMENDED COMBINATION! Care for Children with Autism and Special Needs |
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Why not think about combining this placement with a month Caring for children with Autism. This is a very worthwhile and satisfying placement where you can also make a tremendous difference. The Autism Centre desperately needs the help of our volunteers and you will be made very welcome. Adding this element would be an excellent addition to your time in the City, not to mention an excellent entry on your CV! You can also help in other centres where you'll work with children with Special Needs, children with Mental and Physical Impairment, or with children from disadvantaged homes.
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| COMMENTS FROM TRAVELLERS LOCAL CO-ORDINATOR ELEANOR ABOUT THE RED CROSS HOSPITAL: | |
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"Last week I visited Cindy at the hospital in the ward (special permission from the ladies in charge). The wards are beautifully decorated – murals everywhere, pictures, mobiles and bright attractive curtains. Everything possible is done to take away that sombre depressing look hospitals usually have. There seemed to be nearly as many volunteers – all wearing special aprons to show who they are – as nurses! The children in that ward were mostly small babies, and were being cuddled and comforted. Many of the mothers were sitting with their children – but of course some have to go to work, so the volunteers take over. There had been a large number of gastro-enteritis patients recently – seems to have been a serious tummy bug in Cape Town affecting children in townships and the hospital had been caring for lots of them. There were also lots of other little babies with various syndromes and illnesses – malnutrition, foetal alcohol syndrome and so on. Volunteers only get told briefly about the medical conditions of the children – their job is to hug, comfort, play and try to take their little patients’ minds off how ill they are. Cindy was finding it very interesting to work there. Cindy has made a number of friends at the hospital. Her weekend with the group of Dutch volunteers to !Khwa ttu - The San Culture Education Centre – was very interesting. They visited a traditional village where they learnt about the life of the San people and could go on walks or drives to view antelope and wild life. The talk on the San language with its fascinating clicks was something new and unusual. Yesterday I took Cindy and Hannah (Travellers volunteer at Observatory Junior School) for coffee and cake. We chatted about Cape Town, transport, languages and customs of different people. They all seem to be finding living in Cape Town a wonderful experience." OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO WHILE ON THIS PROJECT:
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Got any questions? Please email us: |
| ACCOMMODATION AND TRAVEL | |
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Nestled under the mountain near the
city, is the trendy and arty suburb of Observatory, the student Mecca of Cape
Town. We have chosen this location as an accommodation base and make use of 33
South Backpackers Lodge, where you will be staying. It’s distance from the
projects, safety conscious attitude and very friendly staff make this the ideal
home away from home.
TRAVEL:
Support & Backup:
To read about the excellent
Support
& Backup we provide before you leave and during
your programme,
please click here. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO WHILE ON THIS PROJECT:
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| IF YOU LIKED THIS, YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN THESE PROJECTS TOO ... | |||
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CARE FOR CHILDREN IN
A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN MENDOZA, ARGENTINA: The Hospital is for very young children who suffer from malnutrition. Work with the paediatricians, nutritionist, social worker and nurses to help combat infantile malnutrition. the hospital achieve this aim. You'll help through giving meals to the children, playing, reading, singing, and stimulating them as they recover. Read more... |
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CARE PLUS RURAL COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT IN KZN, SOUTH AFRICA: This project is full of choices! You can work with orphans and vulnerable children, or work on a farming project teaching young people how to grow their own food and live a sustainable life, and/or take a training course in care work - you choose! You'll be based in the lively city of Pietermaritzburg, capital of KwaZulu Natal and you will fall completely in love with the children, the schools, and the country ... you have been warned! Read more... |
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Suite 2A, Caravelle House, 17/19 Goring Road,
Worthing, |
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