Medical Opportunities in Ghana, Tanzania, and Benin
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Hi everyone,
I'm writing to inform you about international internship oppor-
tunities to help restore eyesight and prevent blindness in rural
villages in Ghana, Tanzania, and Benin.
Apply for a Unite for Sight Volunteer Program in Ghana, Benin,
or Tanzania! Mailto:JStaple@uniteforsight.org for an application
and details. All persons over the age of 18 are welcome to ap-
ply, including premedical students, medical students, public
health professionals, nurses, graduate students, doctors, and
others.
Dates:
Ghana Fall 2004 -
November 1, 2004 - December 20, 2004 with optional extension un-
til January 15, 2005. - Rolling Application Deadline
Ghana Spring 2005 -
February 1 - March 30, 2005 - Application Deadline is December 1
Tanzania 2005 -
January 15 - March 15, 2005 - Rolling Application Deadline
Benin 2005 -
January 15 - May 15, 2005 - Rolling Application Deadline
In Ghana and Tanzania, volunteers will receive training and will
then screen patients for operable cataracts, arrange for cata-
ract surgeries, distribute eyeglasses and conduct eye health
education in local schools. These programs are a continuation of
very successful 'Unite For Sight' cataract surgery program in
Humjibre and Nyamuswa during Summer 2004. In Benin, volunteers
will distribute eyeglasses, conduct eye health education in lo-
cal schools, and coordinate a new cataract surgery program. This
program is also a continuation of a successful Summer 2004
'Unite For Sight' program.
"Unite For Sights volunteers announced the eye clinic at church
and beat the gong gong to spread the word. As the clinic went on
for the second week, word spread to other communities, and pa-
tients came to the clinic from as far away as two hours. Even
after the clinic ended, people brought blind relatives from long
distances." Alison Polk-Williams, Summer 2004, Humjibre, Ghana
"My experience in Tanzania this summer was life-changing. It has
solidified my commitment to pursue international public health
and to reach out to underserved communities who cannot get care
on their own. By screening people for cataracts, distributing
eyeglasses, providing medications, and teaching eye health in
schools, I gave hope to the village of Nyamuswa. Where advanced,
high-tech care was but a dream, I showed that ophthalmic care,
and health care in general, can be a reality for them, despite
the poverty and lack of access to services. I can't imagine do-
ing anything more worthwhile with my summer." -- Sachin Jain,
Unite For Sight Volunteer, Summer 2004, Nyamuswa, Tanzania
"It was a wonderful experience working in Tanzania. The need for
eyeglasses and other eye services is real and urgent. You sense
it from the questions people ask, the requests they make and the
stories they tell. Average wage is Tsh 48,000 (USD 43) while a
pair of eyeglasses costs Tsh 30,000 (USD 27). People cannot af-
ford eyeglasses. Misconceptions about eye surgeries remain. Yet,
every Tanzanian I met has been very receptive to our programs.
From the policy makers to the villagers, everyone supports our
work, appreciates our efforts and invites us back to Tanzania.
Sensing a need in the community is one thing, being supported
and respected by the people made the internship very much more
fulfilling." Sally Ong, Summer 2004, Tanzania
Contact <JStaple@uniteforsight.org> and <www.uniteforsight.org>
for an application and details.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Staple
Founder, President & CEO
Unite For Sight
mailto:Jennifer.Staple@aya.yale.edu
http://www.uniteforsight.org