Do your medical internship in Malawi is a unique experience that opens our eyes to life's real problems. Our personal problems of "luxuries" lose importance when we realize how different their lives are from ours. These are people who live without electricity, without running water, who die of diseases that are considered eradicated in our countries. Despite all this, the people don't seem unhappy, and they are above all grateful for what we bring them.
What I particularly liked was that Naturally Africa is a project that emphasizes sustainability. Their idea is not just to provide ephemeral care by volunteers who are only there for a certain time, but to educate groups of villagers so that they themselves can take over. Sharing know-how and scientific knowledge is an important part of the project.
When I think back to Africa, the first thing that comes to mind is the project team. We're very well supervised and spend a lot of time together, which helps us to get to know the people we're working with. They're not just translators during the activities, but a friendship develops. After that, I remember the children's smiles and the beautiful scenery. One of my best memories is of a weekend I spent virtually alone in a village at the foot of Mount Mulanje, among the local people. The people were generally very friendly and at no time did I feel in danger, even alone, as a girl.
- pre-departure information: 5
- registration process: 5
- Management / project coordinators: 5
- Timetable for volunteers and trainees: 5
(work from Monday morning to Friday lunchtime, free time on Friday afternoons and weekends, allowing you to travel and see the country)
- Food and lodging: 4
Yes, absolutely. I realized that in Malawi (and I suppose in many other places on Earth) there are people who need our help. Little by little, our presence enables people to move forward, evolve and progress in their lives. Even if it feels like we're doing very little, especially as time flies! I was there for 4 weeks, which is the bare minimum in my eyes. Personally, I'd have liked to have had two or four weeks more to intensify the ties I'd established with the villagers.
After 4 weeks, I felt I'd gained the locals' trust, I was beginning to remember their first names, to understand a few words of chechewa, and when the routine started to settle in, it was already time to say goodbye. I'd advise the next ones to sign up for 6 weeks if they can.
What's more, outside the project we have a lot of free time, which has enabled us to travel a lot (a small reward for the work we've done during the week :)). Malawi is a beautiful country, with lots of nice places to visit (safari, beach, mountains, there's something for everyone!).
On the other hand, a fairly good level of English is essential for this project, as apart from their official language, English is the only foreign language spoken by people who have been lucky enough to receive a full education.
I recommend Freepackers for internships abroad because the information given before departure is complete and you feel supported even before you leave, which is reassuring, especially when you're embarking on an adventure of this type for the first time.
=> See the medical internship in Malawi (project also available in India, Nepal, Thailand, South Africa and Sri Lanka).
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