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MODULE 8: 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, high-impact difference. Those traveling to developing countries must first be educated about local culture and familiarize themselves with their target communities. Without such preparation, volunteers can fail to relate well to local patients and workers, which can undermine the relationship between a global health organization and its partners.

The second component to volunteer training is pragmatic. Volunteers must be competent to carry out their duties, which may include education, basic medical tasks, and more. Incompetent volunteers can do more harm than good by propagating false information, or interfering with proper medical care. All global health volunteers must therefore have a basic knowledge of international development and best practices in global health.

Volunteers reduce barriers to care

• Education: Volunteers are indispensible in educating communities in both the developing and the developed world. Volunteers who travel to developing countries with global health organizations reduce the educational barrier to care by teaching about healthcare access, basic disease prevention measures such as proper hygiene and nutrition, and treatment options for patients’ afflictions. The educational role of domestic volunteers is equally important. As economist and international development expert Jeffrey Sachs observes, "There are two overwhelming barriers in this country [the United States]: People think there are no solutions other than what we are doing, and that we are doing enough.”(1) Through education and advocacy, volunteers can open the eyes of general public to the realities of global health needs.
• Basic healthcare: Volunteers can be trained to perform basic healthcare tasks, such as vision screenings and vital signs. In this way, volunteers improve efficiency by reducing the burden on local nurses and healthcare workers and maximizing the number of patients seen.
• Transportation: As global health organizations aim to bridge the gap between clinics and patients, transportation becomes a significant barrier. Volunteers are vital assistants in transporting patients to hospitals and health outposts for procedures, as well as in bringing clinical supplies into hard-to-reach villages and communities.
• Financial: Fundraising is a large component of volunteerism in global health. Global health organizations subsidize medical costs, pay community health workers, and provide medical equipment and supplies, all of which cost money. A network of volunteers can tap an even larger network of funding sources, 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 micro-enterprise 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 their 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. Anyone can become part of a global solution.

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.”(2)

If the proper infrastructure is in place, volunteers’ idealism can be harnessed and spread. Networks of volunteers can translate their energy into highly effective support and 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 developing countries also inspire those in the developing world. The simple fact that people from thousands of miles away care about local patients’ problems can be incredibly encouraging. Moreover, those suffering in developing 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 you [volunteers] tell them that the conditions that they [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.”(3)

Go To Module 9: The Significant Harms of Worst Practices >>

Footnotes

Global Health Course

• Table of Contents
• Module 1
• Module 2
• Module 3
• Module 4
• Module 5
• Module 6
• Module 7
• Module 8
• Module 9
• Module 10
• Module 11
• Module 12