COVID-19 response and return to service

In late March, much like the rest of the world, Tanzanians became concerned about the risk of COVID-19 and a number of our local partners made the difficult decision to temporarily close their rehabilitation clinics. This was done to protect staff and patients, but also to allow for the reallocation of staff and physical facilities to an anticipated increase in COVID 19 cases. As a consequence, we paused our volunteer program overseas and launched an online learning program in clinical kinesiology. It has been received with great interest by clinical staff in Tanzania. Since 2024, we have been welcoming volunteers back to the clinics.. If you are interested in an opportunity, we invite you to email. Preparing for the trip takes time and orientation, which we can do now.

Volunteer positions

The Volunteer Experience

Dr. Ryan Tagaki is our most recent full time clinician, working at our clinics at Kanyama Village, Magu District Hospital and with our partners at SOS Childrens’ Villages and Villages of Hope. He left in March 2020, at which time, we withdrew our volunteers for their safety during the coronavirus pandemic. While in Tanzania, Ryan worked with many of the children with Cerebral Palsy and in the villages, with adults suffering from musculoskeletal conditions as well as osteoarthritis. He was busy every day and says there are most often several patients waiting at the clinics. He had help from Clinical Officers employed by local government at the clinics and several volunteers from Hands on Health Australia. During his time off, he connected with VSO and CUSO volunteers and had some opportunity to travel, including to a nearby wildlife sanctuary.

Clinical volunteers wanted

Pos+Abilities is looking for clinical volunteers who can commit approximately 3 months to assist children and families affected by disability. Physiotherapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, nurses and prosthetists will find this the experience of a lifetime, working with multidisciplinary teams in rural and semi-rural clinics in northern Tanzania. We provide some assistance with travel and accommodation, and volunteers will work under the direction of a resident clinician/clinical instructor. Tanzania is a peaceful country with some of the most striking natural attractions in Africa – think of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti Plains. We have been working with local governments and communities for more than a decade, and have a great network to provide support for volunteers. These positions would especially suit new graduates and those looking for a short, but meaningful sabbatical from their normal clinical routine. Contact brian@globalpeacenetwork.ca

Opportunities in Canada

We are also looking for volunteer help in fundraising, publicity and technical support in delivering our online programs. Contact brian@globalpeacenetwork.ca