Support us: community holistic palliative care, enabling children with disabilities to fulfil their potential in Lesotho

Detalles

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  Descripción

  We are an NGO based in Teyateyaneng Berea, Lesotho. We were founded in February 2017 by group of medical professionals and non-professionals whose main agenda was to offer free palliative care in rural areas of Lesotho.
  Until today, our vision has broadened and our activities have increased a lot. Not only are we providing free and holistic palliative care services to the people in our communities, but we offer inclusive education to children who have nowhere else to go. But let us go more in detail:
  
  For the majority of the citizens in Lesotho, who are suffering from life-threatening conditions, the availability of appropriate holistic palliative care services which include effective pain relief and symptom management is basically non-existent. Only now some guidelines are being implemented by the government nationally. However, the government department is severely underfunded and there is still tremendous work to do for catching up with international standards.
  
  But what exactly are we doing? The association is currently operating in different villages around Teyateyaneng, Berea. Our approach aims to provide holistic, family-centered support for these communities, as well as the palliative care given to our patients. For the patients themselves, we try to improve their quality of life, guaranteeing medical support, ensuring social inclusion creating a strong network around them capable of providing essentials, as well as psychological and spiritual support. Our aim is to relieve pain and suffering from the patient and their families’ providing doctors, nurses, counselors, social workers, pastors and others to help ensure the best patient care possible. This helps to not only relieve physical suffering from the patients, but also to provide them with support to avoid other illnesses linked with a lack of effective palliative care, such as depression that could lead to an early death.
  Further, after having introduced our pre-school in 2023, we are proud to have opened our gates to about 70 children with different needs in the beginning of 2024. This includes the provision of boarding for some of those, who cannot come here on a daily basis. Many children with disabilities in Lesotho have little to no chances to live-up to their full developmental potential. Rather, they are often hidden away or neglected in their homes. Thus, however challenging, providing these children with some opportunities fills us with exceptional joy and pride.
  
  We are still a "newborn" organization and we are facing the typical restrictions of a small, self-sustained mission. In order to send out doctors, nurses, pastors and volunteers in the field, or to fulfil with individual needs to each child in our care, as well as giving out medical supplies and holding training meetings for nurses and teachers alike, we are in need of a strong economic base and most importantly, a strong network of independent, curious, proactive and caring volunteers. So please, feel free to text us and to tell us a little bit about yourself! We would be thrilled to welcome you here with us and to show you our beautiful Lesotho including all its challenges and opportunities. If you are interested, please also visit our website for more information about volunteering and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or TikTok.
  
  Please note that we are really looking for support in our school and boarding facilities, be it from experts in special education or highly motivated people who love working with kids between the age of 3 to about 12 years.
  Pre-School (private):
  
  In January 2023 we opened a pre-school for children with special needs, which until now consists of one class. If you have any experiences with kids, please feel free to come and bring in your own ideas, you are most welcome to support our teacher. (Especially teachers with the knowledge in Early Childhood Education are needed.)

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  Tipos de ayuda y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  Trabajo de caridad

  Compañía para ancianos

  Enseñanza

  Cuidado de niños y juegos creativos

  Mantenimiento general

  Ayuda informática
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  Objetivos de sostenibilidad de las NU que intenta conseguir este anfitrión

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  ¿Que es esto?
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  Intercambio cultural y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  Going out to the field with the local staff is definitely a fulfilling experience; volunteers are able to be in contact with patients and their families which is a great opportunity to get in contact with Basotho people and their culture.
  The association and the hospital work closely together and we have a multidisciplinary team. There are many different nationalities living and working together which makes it more interesting.
  If you want a real cultural exchange, be ready, this is a wonderful place for it. But don’t forget real cultural exchange comes with the need of being flexible and understand and respect local culture and costumes. Don’t expect to find a holiday resort, expect to find a place where you will need to be proactive and flexible. You will be welcomed as part of a big family and expected to respect the family you join in.

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  Proyectos con niños

  En este proyecto podría haber niños. Para obtener más información, consulta nuestras directrices y consejos aquí.

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  Ayuda

  Volunteers ‘tasks are various and different. We ask volunteers to be proactive during their time with us. Furthermore, we are in Africa and especially for volunteers coming from developed countries, be aware that the restrictions here to do anything can be frustrating due to that volunteer are expected to be flexible and to accept cultural differences and timing. According to volunteers' preferences, proactivity and skills the jobs can be:
  
  In the palliative care project:
  
  - patient visits (if you are qualified)
  → completion of nursing and social assessment
  → bring in your own skills according to your profession
  - Provide training to volunteers and staff about relevant information out of your profession (psychotherapists,
  physiotherapists, occupational therapists, etc.)
  
  - create and participate in fundraising activities (very important) – be creative, bring ideas in how to help a newly
  organization to raise money and grow independently e.g. liaise with local and international organizations to get funds,
  materials, etc.
  - creation of NGO procedures, guidelines, resources that make NGO work smoothly
  
  - update webpage and social media accounts
  - admin work – data capturing, etc.
  
  - maintenance and building jobs around the compound (compound belong to a hospital, our partner and big donor of
  human and financial resources)
  - gardening – create a community vegetable garden (be aware that tools are limited)
  - Youth group’s creation – (children which family is supported by us or for example support the creation of a library to
  the community)
  - others
  
  In the pre-and primary school:
  - Teaching children
  - Bring in own ideas regarding activities for pre-school children
  - Supporting our staff with daily activities
  - Providing support in the boarding facilities
  - Train our teachers in matters of inclusive education
  
  We are very flexible with the support you give us, but please when you come be aware that we need people that are willing to adapt themselves, be flexible and proactive. In the association you find a family for life, but like in all families, things are not perfect all the time.

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  Idiomas

  Idiomas hablados
  Inglés: Fluido
  Sesotho: Fluido

  Este anfitrión ofrece intercambio de idiomas
  We would love to be able to teach our children different languages, such as French or Spanish. In return we love to show you the world of Sesotho and teach you Sesotho language and Basotho culture to the best of our abilities.
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  Alojamiento

  We are located in the same campus of the local private hospital. Volunteers are able to live in staff accommodation on the compound, which is also used by local medical staff. Volunteers are provided with basic houses (rooms, including bathroom and shared kitchen and living room). Volunteers may be asked to share the bedroom with other volunteers at times. You will enjoy the best view you’ve ever had
  
  We do have access to the internet in the accommodations (R50/month) and in the hospital (free).

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  Algo más...

  How to get to us:
  
  To get to Lesotho you can either fly to Maseru airport or use other transportation to reach the border points. Therefore, we can recommend the Intercape buses, which are reliable, safe and cheap.
  If you need help with arranging the transport from the border to our location in T.Y. we will give our best in supporting you. Because our organization does not have an own driver/car we can not guarantee a private transport but can otherwise try to send a taxi driver to pick you up. The price can range up to R1150 (Ladybrand) or R760 (Ficksburg) For further information please contact us.
  
  Exploring Lesotho:
  
  During the days off, the volunteers are encouraged to explore the magnificent land of the Kingdom in the sky, which has so much to offer.
  
  - Maseru (capital city) with shopping malls and lots of traffic is 1h away with local transport.
  - Right in front of your door, there are a lot of incredible hiking opportunities which lead you e.g. to a natural pool on
  top of the mountain via rural and shepherds used roads
  - For longer trips and hiking routes, highlands east to Teyateyaneng are the best option; places like Semonkong, Katse
  Dam, Bokong Nature Reserve, Sani Pass are perfect to spend some days in the mountains.
  
  The Lesotho Mountains together with the friendly Basotho people make it a memorable place to visit. A country so many times unknown by tourists that think is just another section of South Africa make it a special place with special people.
  
  If you couldn't find enough answers to your questions, please feel free to contact us!

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  Un poco más de información

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    Acceso a Internet

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    Acceso a Internet limitado

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    Tenemos animales

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    Somos fumadores

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    Puede alojar familias

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  Puede acoger a nómadas digitales

  Este anfitrión ha indicado que le encanta acoger a nómadas digitales.

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  ¿Cuántos voluntarios puedes hospedar?

  Más de dos

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  Horas esperadas

  4 hours a day, 5 days a week

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