Module 7: Ethical, Quality Volunteering

Training

Proper training is essential for volunteers. Volunteers who are not both practically and psychologically competent to work abroad can end up being a burden to the global health organization and its local partners. On the other hand, well-prepared volunteers can make an immediate, substantial difference. Those traveling to low- and middle-income countries must first be educated about local culture and familiarize themselves with their target communities.

In addition, volunteers must be proficient at carrying out their duties, which may include providing education or completing basic medical tasks. Incompetent volunteers can do more harm than good by propagating false information or interfering with proper medical care. Thus, all global health volunteers must have a basic knowledge of international development and best practices in global health.

Volunteers reduce barriers to care

• Education: Volunteers are indispensable in terms of educating communities. Volunteers who travel with global health organizations to the Global South can reduce the educational barriers to care by teaching about healthcare access, basic disease prevention measures (such as proper hygiene and nutrition), and appropriate treatment options. In addition, volunteers can open the eyes of the general public to the realities of global health needs through education and advocacy.

• Basic healthcare: Volunteers can be trained to perform basic healthcare tasks, such as performing vision screenings and taking vital signs. In this way, volunteers improve efficiency by reducing the burden on local nurses and healthcare workers, which maximizes the number of patients seen.

• Transportation: Volunteers are vital assistants in transporting patients to hospitals and health outposts for procedures and in bringing clinical supplies to hard-to-reach villages and communities.

• Financial: Fundraising is often a large component of volunteerism. Global health organizations must raise funds to subsidize medical costs, pay community health workers, and provide medical equipment and supplies. A network of volunteers can tap into a large pool of potential donors, providing much-needed funds to global health NGOs and nonprofits.

Skilled Volunteers

Depending on their area of expertise, some volunteers can apply their skills abroad. Qualified medical professionals can provide healthcare alongside local physicians and nurses. Photographers and filmmakers can document global health endeavors and later publicize global health needs and activities to raise funds and awareness. Business professionals can teach about microenterprise in an effort to build local economic capacity. When volunteers have relevant special skills, they should be applied to maximize the impact of a global health initiative. No volunteer, however, should ever provide services beyond his or her level of expertise.

Innovation

Volunteers who have been educated about global health and development are valuable observers on the ground. They are in a position to witness global health initiatives in action, draw their own conclusions about the failures and inequities of global health systems, and develop their own ideas to contribute to the public health field.

Inspiration

Unite For Sight volunteer Dr. Aron Rose comments on the inspirational energy of global health student volunteers:

“It’s a fabulous idea – tapping into youth who have energy and idealism, but don’t necessarily have an application for that energy. This is such a satisfying experience and such a vital experience for young people to become involved in. The world becomes a larger place, one feels a sense of purpose working with needy people, and it expands one’s horizon, working in the developing world.”(1)

If the proper infrastructure is in place, volunteers’ idealism can be harnessed and used to create positive change. Networks of volunteers can translate their energy into highly effective assistance to local medical clinics and health programs. Inspiring others to become volunteers is the foundation of any successful grassroots effort.

Volunteers who travel to low- and middle-income countries also inspire the very people they seek to help. The simple fact that people from thousands of miles away care about local patients’ problems can be incredibly encouraging. Moreover, those suffering in low-income areas often feel their afflictions are permanent, which can be depressing and isolating. Dr. James Clarke, a Ghanaian ophthalmologist and Unite For Sight partner, explains how visiting volunteers can uplift and mobilize local communities:

“An advantage of having volunteers is that when [the volunteers] tell them that the conditions that [the local patients] have occur all over the world, that it’s not unique to them, it’s very encouraging for them to hear that. They then come in for treatment.”(2)

Footnotes

(1) “Ophthalmologist Dr. Rose speaks about the importance of volunteering with Unite For Sight.” Online video clip. Uniteforsight.org. Accessed on 14 October 2008.

(2) Interview with James Clarke by Unite For Sight (2007).