The Midwife Program
OPEN NOW!
Morocco has reopened to international arrivals. See the 'Additional Info.' section for procedures in place during the pandemic.
This essential program places volunteers right where help is needed. Participants can experience a new country and culture, while also gaining first-hand experience and developing useful skills within their field. Internships are available within local hospitals and will be arranged based on the students’ skills and experience. Once on-site, interns can expect to be working alongside local medical personnel and will have the opportunity to shadow and observe their work. Hospital staff will be supervising the interns at all times and will be providing on-going support and assistance. Although this is not a hands-on position, interns will be involved in births and will have the opportunity to learn a great deal from these experiences. In some cases it may be possible for interns to have a more active role, but this will be dependent on their experience and the relationship they have built with the local staff. Hands-on responsibilities will be given to those who have proven they are ready and competent.
Goals of this Project:
- Provide essential maternity care in Morocco
- Provide volunteer labor in busy under-resourced hospitals
- Provide interns with valuable knowledge and experience in maternity care – Moroccan-style
- Enable inter-cultural exchange which benefits both locals and international volunteers alike.
How You Can Help
Volunteers will find this program to be hugely beneficial – for themselves and to the hospitals they support. Interns will be working alongside local doctors, absorbing knowledge and supporting where their skills allow, providing essential additional assistance for hospitals who are short-staffed. There will be many opportunities to witness procedures and due to this developing Northern African nation’s health needs, interns may come across health issues rarely, if ever, seen in developed nation’s health care systems. Participating volunteers will find that overseas internships are a great way of enhancing CV’s and employers generally regard this highly when recruiting. Volunteers who wish to partake in this exciting program will need advanced French language skills, and need to provide documentation confirming their involvement in a medical related degree. Interns are also required to submit their CV and a letter of motivation which must be presented in French.
Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways on this program and can expect to undertake the following tasks:
- Shadow doctors and staff
- Support staff with medical and administration functions
- Provide care and support to patients as their training and experience allows
Requirements
This program offers an amazing opportunity for suitable applicants who are 18 years and over to work alongside qualified medical professionals and gain first-hand insight into the Moroccan healthcare system. It is open to those with experience and/or education in the field of medicine, as well as med-school and pre-med students. Volunteers on this project will need at least an intermediate understanding of French in order to communicate effectively with patients and staff. Naturally, all applicants must also have a genuine willingness to help, show drive and initiative, and bring a positive 'can-do' attitude. If this sounds like you, we want you on the team!
Additionally, volunteers applying to join this program will be required to supply to following documentation:
- Emergency contact
- Passport
- Police check
- Resume
Project Location
Rabat is a modern city with wide boulevards, gardens and light, white buildings, for the most part a far cry from the hectic warrens of the other Imperial cities of Marrakech and Fez, but no less steeped in history with its origins going back to the 7th century. The King of Morocco lives here in his palace amid trees and flowers..Ohh! Being an administrative capital, the city is somewhat conservative and serious, but there is some local color to be found in the old part of the city, the Medina, and the Kasbah, where there is a more relaxed atmosphere. Recreational opportunities abound too and a few lovely beaches at hand.
With the city center of Rabat being very compact, all the points of interest are in walking distance. Local Bus services can be very useful and they are marked very clearly. Petit and Grands taxis can be found at the airport, the train station and at Boulevard Hassan.
Rabat Ville’s main train station is right in the middle of the Ville Nouvelle, just a few minutes’ walk to most of the hotels, so it is best to arrive in Rabat by train. There is even a bureau de change and a car rental office on the station platform. The main bus terminal is situated in Place Zerktouni - three kilometers west of the center by the road intersection for Casablanca and Beni Mellal Grand taxis from Casablanca and Fez will drop you off at the main bus station. Rabat’s airport is seven kilometers km north of Rabat and although grand taxis are the only public transport operating from here, it isn’t difficult to catch one. Rabat is a seriously cool place to volunteer!
Start Dates & Duration
This project is available year-round and programs start every FRIDAY. Volunteers can choose to participate for periods ranging from 4 weeks to 12 weeks. Longer stays can be arranged directly with the local team, but will be subject to availability and individual visa conditions.
Spaces on this project are limited and therefore subject to availability. Early booking is recommended.
For current available start dates please check the calendar on the right.
Arrival & Orientation
Upon arrival into Rabat-Sale airport volunteers will be collected by a representative of the local project team and transported to the volunteer house accommodation where they will join a full orientation session where a representative from the local team will fill you in on local and regional customs, traveling, rules and recommendations, and of course, what to expect from your volunteering experience in Morocco. This is a great opportunity to get to know your hosts, meet your fellow volunteers, and ask any last questions you may have.
- Program Arrival Day: FRIDAY
- Program Departure Day: FRIDAY
- Arrival/Departure Airport: Rabat-Sale International Airport, Sale, Morocco (CODE: RBA)
While it is best to fly directly into Rabat, many volunteers choose to arrive at Mohamed V Airport in Casablanca. An airport pickup is not included from this location, but a train runs directly from the airport every half hour and takes 1h 50 minutes to Rabat Ville Train Station, our local team will collect you from here. Train tickets from Casablanca to Rabat cost about US$10.
Accommodation & Meals
Volunteers on this program are accommodated within a large and spacious volunteer guest house, located in a safe and convenient suburb of Rabat within walking distance to all the main attractions of this fascinating city. Volunteers are provided with a comfortable shared bedroom separated by gender and a shared bathroom including showers with hot water. Thanks to the variety and popularity of this program, they will have the opportunity to meet and socialize with other like-minded people from around the world. Linen is provided and Wifi is available onsite, though service may not be as reliable as most are accustomed to at home. As with most parts of Africa, laundry facilities are basic and most volunteers simply use the services of a local laundromat.
While the accommodation is basic by western standards, this is part of the challenge and experience of volunteering in a developing country. With a little patience, and a flexible attitude, you will quickly get used to your new surroundings. The volunteer house is well managed and is a perfect home away from home. A wonderful base for your stay in Morocco!
Volunteers are provided 2-3 meals per day at the volunteer house and depending on where they are working, lunch may need to be bought at a small cafe during the day. The meals provided are mostly vegetarian, local dishes. Conveniently, there is also a fridge and basic cooking facilities if volunteers would occasionally like to prepare their own meals. Easy!
Fees
That’s just USD 49 per day* for:
*In addition to the program fees listed above a Registration Fee is payable to secure your place. The registration fee is USD 299 for those volunteering with Love Volunteers for the first time or USD 149 for any subsequent volunteer placements. The registration fee includes: lifetime LV Alumni Membership, fundraising support & advice, dedicated pre-departure support, certificate of completion (on request), and exclusive access to the LV Trip Planner.
Some things are not included in the program fees listed above, such as flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, additional foods and snacks, spending money, local transport, in-country trips and excursions, return airport transfer (unless mentioned above).
Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. Please ensure you have read the Love Volunteers Terms and Conditions & Refund Policy.
Additional Info
COVID-19 requirements:
All international arriving flight passengers will need to adhere to the following:
- A negative PCR Covid-19 test result, taken no more than 72 hours prior to their departure. This is required to be shown on arrival into Morocco.
- Face masks are to be worn at all times.