A placement can be found between one week to one month depending on your specific wishes. There are fixed placements which include all medical internships in the following towns: Bafoussam, Baigom, Bamenda, Foumban and Foumbot. If you wish to widen your experience and learn for example on how to give advice and counselling to youths on topics such as HIV/AIDS, ASHIA will need more time to find a more 'flexible' placement. You should keep in mind that taking part in a voluntary placement abroad is time consuming and needs a certain amount of preperations. However, once you have located your placement and have fixed a date to start, the rest will involve getting the appropriate visa, vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis.
Many students have enjoyed combining their medical rounds with awareness activities and campaigns in nearby villages or towns. One benefit of doing this while you are in Cameroon is that you will learn a great deal about traditions, cultures and most importantly beliefs of people. ASHIA is now taking part in organizing awareness activities and distrubition of bednets against malaria in Baigom.
In order to find a placement with us, you need to follow these steps:
Send us a letter of motivation. Please include your full name and date of birth and why you would like to take part in placement in Cameroon. Also include answers to the following questions:
What are your previous experiences
What do you intend to do during your time
How will you deal with issues regarding culture and language
Once you have provided us with a motivation letter, ASHIA will send you a choice between 2 placements that fit your requirements. Attached to this will be your application form. Please fill this out along with your choice of preference.
For Dutch students and volunteers, there is an opportunity to take part in a Workshop held in The Netherlands every 3 months. The workshop is a great occassion to ask more questions, meet other volunteers who you might be travelling with and engange in some cultural interactive sessions.
Before you send your motivation letter, read more about the costs and services ASHIA offers