Volunteer Physiotherapy in Ethiopia

There is a real shortage of skilled physiotherapists in Ethiopia. If you’re currently training, a recently qualified physiotherapist, or on a career break, you’ll provide valuable support and training to both healthcare workers, and the families of people affected by HIV.

You will find that the experience you can gain on this volunteer physiotherapy placement will really help you to get an idea of how a successful community based healthcare programme works, while also giving you hands on experience delivering physiotherapy treatment. Because a portion of your time will be spent passing on your skills to fellow care-givers, you’ll go home safe in the knowledge that you’ve made a real and lasting contribution to this project and the people it serves.

Volunteering Abroad on a Physiotherapy Placement

As a physiotherapy volunteer you’ll work alongside a catholic charity based in Addis Ababa that provides advice, healthcare and education to families living with HIV. The scheme is a highly progressive project that aims to increase people’s knowledge and understanding of the disease, and provide practical physio care to terminally ill children and adults.

During the mornings you’ll usually travel around Addis carrying out home-based care alongside a small team of local staff. You’ll visit families in their homes, treating common illnesses faced by patients such as TB or unexplained paralysis. You’ll help to carry out and explain simple exercises to family members to enable them to keep them up until your next visit. Afternoons will frequently be spent working alongside the local physio staff, passing on your skills and knowledge.

This programme is one where you can gain real satisfaction at having made a difference, while simultaneously gaining worthwhile work experience, and all with the added bonus of getting to know a fascinating and strikingly different culture.

HIV Education Street Sign

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