Regional Hospital of Abomey (Ages 18+)

Project Details
The large public hospital serves the city of Abomey and other patients who come from near and far to receive medical attention. There are many departments for volunteers to work in including physical therapy, emergency, maternity, pediatrics, general medicine, and surgery.

Program Costs

4 weeks: $1,630
6 weeks: $1,760
8 weeks: $1,950

Volunteer Abroad Program Fees

Fees may be paid by personal check, money order or credit card.

Included	Not Included
Lodging/3 meals per day	Airfare
Arrival pick-up at airport	In-country transportation
Medical/accident insurance	Phone cards
24 hour emergency staff	Internet
Predeparture and Arrival Orientation

Volunteer Responsibilities
Volunteers will be working closely with hospital staff to help with routine check-ups, special procedures, administrative duties, and taking care of long-term patients in any area of the hospital they find most interesting.

Location
The hospital is located in Abomey, about 65 miles from Cotonou. All volunteers will be taken to a host family upon arrival and participate in a three day orientation to Beninois culture and their project.

Accommodations and Meals
Volunteers will stay with carefully screened host families for the duration of the program. Two meals during the week and three on weekends with your host family are included in your stay.

Transportation and Travel Arrangements
All travel arrangements must be booked according to Greenheart Travel instructions. Booking travel is your responsibility, but we are more than happy to help you as needed. A volunteer coordinator will meet you at the airport in Cotonou upon your arrival and arrange your transportation to your host family. Upon arrival in Cotonou you will have an orientation for about two days before arriving on the volunteer site.
Depending on the location of your host family you may be within walking distance to your work site or a short bus ride away. Greenheart Travel does not cover any bus fare used in transit to the work site.

Local Support
Greenheart Travel always provides you with a thorough network of support before departure and during your time abroad. You will be provided with pre-departure orientation materials that will walk you through every step of your program. Your local coordinator, host family, and volunteer site supervisor are more than happy to address questions or difficulties that you may have at anytime during your program.

Dates, Duration and Application Deadlines
Projects run 2-12 weeks in length.

2010 Start Dates:

March 8, March 29, April 12, April 26, May 10, May 23, June 7, June 21, July 5, July 19, August 2, August 16, September 6, September 20, October 4, October 17

Applications are due at least 8 weeks prior to your intended date of departure.

Requirements
Volunteers must be trained health care professionals or sufficiently advanced in their studies of medicine and be comfortable working with patients. An intermediate level of French is required. French lessons are available prior to the volunteer project for an additional fee.