Volunteer with us

Volunteers are central to FAME’s Mission.

The Volunteer Program at FAME is a rich learning experience for both our Tanzanian Medical Team and our Volunteers. Western trained Doctors, Nurses, and Laboratory Specialists from overseas medical communities work side by side with our Tanzanian medical professionals, sharing knowledge and expertise on behalf of patients. However, working in medicine in rural Tanzania isn’t for everyone. While education, experience, and expertise are very important in this environment, equally invaluable are certain attitudes and characteristics.

Our most successful volunteers have been those who bring with them a very open and curious mind, a flexible attitude, a learner’s spirit, patience, an ability to say “I don’t know,” a willingness to rely on clinical skills and instincts when a definitive test isn’t available, and a genuine desire to cultivate relationships with our doctors, nurses, and support staff. 

We have a wonderful group of people working at FAME Medical. They have a great deal of knowledge and experience to share with anyone who has not yet faced the unique challenges of working in a developing country. While we welcome doctors from all specialties, we need physicians who are also willing and able to do primary care. We also ask our volunteers, doctors and nurses, to come prepared to do some teaching in their areas of expertise.

While we welcome short-term volunteers (i.e. 3 weeks), those who can stay 1 month or more are ideal. Unfortunately, we are not able to accept medical students at this time. We give priority to medical volunteers but occasionally need non-medical volunteers for special projects and needs that arise. 

For more information about our Volunteer Program, email our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@fameafrica.org and request our Volunteer Packet.

Specialties We Prioritize:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

  • Family Practice

  • Pediatrics

  • Hospital Management (experience in small facilities and developing countries a plus)

Non-Medical Volunteer Needs:

  • We are not currently seeking non-medical volunteers, but if you have a specific idea for how your skills could support our mission feel free to get in touch with our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@fameafrica.org.

 
 

Get involved with FAME’s Global Fellowship program today! Nurse Barb, a FAME board member and volunteer for more than 6 years, sat down with Dr. Michael Krychman, MD to talk about FAME’s skilled medical volunteer program. (Video Credit: Medical World News)

 

CONSULT FOR US FROM HOME

If you are not in a position to volunteer your time in Tanzania, you can volunteer your time from right where you are.  We currently have a number of medical specialists who consult with Dr. Frank and our medical team, using telemedicine via email.  With very few medical specialists in the country, our overseas medical consultants have been absolutely invaluable.  Our consultants, together with our physicians on the ground, have saved lives and helped hundreds of people get well.  For more information on how you can help in this way, email info@fameafrica.org.