ASHIA

Clinical internships, Research and Social Work in Africa!

ASHIA agency is a Dutch based foundation, specialized in providing amazing and adventurous internships placements for students or volunteers. It was started in 2006 and since then we have had over 200 student volunteers and professionals take part in our placements. We facilitate students from all over the world towards an amazing experience! Placements are currently offered in Cameroon and South Africa. 

ASHIA is unique in providing clinical internships in African rural areas. The placements are flexible and affordable. Not only can you experience as much as possible during your stay but also take time to travel and explore the beautiful and diverse culture countries have to offer. There is possibility to combine certain placements. 

Placements are suitable for medical students, including physiotherapists and nurses!

We have developed a fund, the ASHIA fund, through which a part of your placement fee is converted into a gift to the local hospital and community. With this you support local developments and the education of local students and doctor's. We aim to create an environment where students, volunteers and the local community can benefit from each other’s experience and knowledge. This approach not only enables you to do something great, but it also lowers the total costs.

Before going to your desired location, we will provide you with al necessary information for a solid and safe stay. In order to make that happen we offer you a full-day workshop, in which we will guide you through everything you need to know an do. This personal approach assures the individual guidance we offer you, as you will be one of the team.

In order to find a placement with us, you need to follow these

three simple steps:

• Step 1    Read our placement opportunities.
• Before selecting a placement make sure you are able to answer the following questions: 'Do I have a specific goal to achieve during my placement?', 'How will I cope in this new surrounding?', 'Have I got enough information to make a decision concerning the placement I would like to do?'
• Step 2    Fill in the ASHIA registration form.
• The main goal of filling the registration form is not necessarily the date of arrival, but you should provide us with enough information to reserve a placement for you. Also this registration form gives you a better idea of how much your costs will be.
• Step 3    Be prepared.
• For those living in the Netherlands, there is an opportunity to take part in a Workshop. The workshop provides a great opportunity to ask more questions, meet other volunteers who you might be travelling with and engage in some cultural interactive sessions. If you are not able to attend the workshop, once you have registered with ASHIA you will have access to volunteer blogs. This is the best way to get stories from students who have taken part in our ASHIA placement.

Since January 2008, ASHIA collaborates with the International Federation of Medical Student Association (IFMSA) in the Netherlands. For all student’s that have received a placement through the IFMSA, ASHIA gives a discount on the registration and confirmation of a placement. Once you have been selected, you will be matched to a placement that suits your needs and/or skills.

ASHIA is also locally registered in Foumbot, Cameroon. The local head office is situated here. We have partners in 4 different locations of Cameroon such as Baigom, Foumbot, Bamenda, Akum and Foumban. A selection process ensures that placements meet certain criteria. Our goal is to ensure continuity in projects and development. We try to achieve this by first of all selecting placements that have the basic facilities to accommodate for students and secondly ensuring an environment to learn new cultures, ideas and tradition.

Before you engage in any placement, ASHIA hopes that you are aware of the time and dedication it takes to travel, engage and get accustomed to a different environment. Each volunteer is asked to provide a motivation letter or project proposal. With this, we can be sure of your commitment to your placement.

The ASHIA team is here to assist you every step of your way. We are dedicated to making your trip an adventurous experience with a meaningful purpose.

April 2012

The loss of an ASHIA member

It is with great sadness to share the news that on April 5th 2012, the coordinator and contact person Bernadette tragically passed away. Bernadette was the contact person in Foumbot. Without her efforts ASHIA would not have grown to what it is now. She will be greatly missed by her family, children by ASHIA.

Given the difficult circumstances ASHIA is suspending placements in Foumbot until the ASHIA members have assigned a new contact person. Nonetheless, all medical placements will continue in Limbe. 

ASHIA thanks everyone for their touching words of sympathy. We still look forward to seeing you in Cameroon this year. 

March 2012 

ASHIA celebrates international Women's day on March 8th 2012

Help celebrate this day by thinking of the millions of rural women around the world who are suffering from hunger and poverty.

In 2007 I went to Cameroon and met a lady in the hospital.

She was suffering from complications of HIV/AIDS and had been admitted into hospital for treatment.

Her family could not afford the full treatment and within 2 days she left the hospital and the chance is very high that she passed away shortly after.

Many women are faced with such situations in rural parts of Africa.

According to the United Nations, healthcare, education, gender inequality and limited access to credit, have posed a number of challenges for rural women. Furthermore, it is estimated that 60 percent of chronically hungry people are women and girls.

Hunger and poverty are risk factors to poor health and diseases.

What can be done?

We at ASHIA believe that you can take something with you to your placement to help this situation. No matter how small the item, it will help.

Ideas include: Sterile needles, gauzes, surgical instruments , surgical gowns, disinfectant solutions, mosquito nets, (sterile) gloves, gynaecological instruments, syringes.

Many hospitals in your neighbourhood are more than happy to donate such items.

Donate a mattress

Donate mosquito nets

We are happy to hear suggestions from you.

February 2012

ASHIA volunteers can now go to an online document and edit their arrival/departure dates. This way we can plan your internship. Also we encourage that you travel in small groups. Imagine going on a trip in Cameroon or South-Africa with a group? That is much more fun than alone. Sign up to the online document throuh this link: ASHIA arrival/departure dates 

ASHIA thanks AETHON ZORGT for the sponsoring of the South Africa trip in january 2012! Because of you students can now also follow internships in Blomefontein. Many thanks!

January 2012

Juliette returned from what has been a very useful trip to South Africa. Three new projects will be enrolled this year. ASHIA will send you a notice of these new possibillitites.

ASHIA volunteer Sjoerd is now at the district hospital of Foumbot taking part in a neonatal resuscitation research.

ASHIA has received a donation of surgical uniforms from Rentex Floronto help promote safe and hygienic operation conditions in the district hospital of Foumbot. Thanks to Joanne (previous ASHIA volunteer) for her initiative.

M*A*S*H, panaceahas donated medical equipment to ASHIA. These will be sent directly to the district hospital of Foumbot. Thank you for your efforts.