Which organisation/aid agency to work with?

tallaght01

I'm hoping to go overseas next year for a year to work in a developing country.

Anyone else done this, or have colleagues who've done it?

I'm aware of the agencies that are out there, but not sure who's the best, in terms of training before departure, exfil if things get too ropey, givin me a few snots to spend in the local massage parlours on me weekends off :P etc etc.

Been reading the sites for MSF, GOAL, IRC, UNAIDS etc, but not really sure what the unique selling points of each are.

Anyone done it? Or have any thoughts?

Peace out.

opinion guy

What about Partners In Health and their sister org Zanmi Lasante ??

http://www.pih.org/

Vorsprung

Are you hoping to do paeds or public health?

tallaght01

Vorsprung wrote: »

Are you hoping to do paeds or public health?

I need to do something with a significant amount of public health, as it would be basically the final year of my public health training, and the college won't accredit a 100% clinical job. So they'll let me do some clinical work, but there should be a public health element....like working in a cholera epidemic, or measles, or in a vaccination programme etc. But I can still do a lot of clinical work. There just has to be some element of a bigger picture approach.

opinion guy

So then like I said partners in health/zanmi lasante

THey are currently hiring doctors to deal with Haiti's cholera outbreak

Also they are oozing public health cred. Their founder Dr Paul Farmer, is they guy responsible for the DOTS program of giving TB meds and is very much a public health giant.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Farmer

tallaght01

Just been to an MSF talk, and they seem top notch.

Vorsprung

tallaght01 wrote: »

Just been to an MSF talk, and they seem top notch.

How's your French/Spanish/Portugese!?

tallaght01

Vorsprung wrote: »

How's your French/Spanish/Portugese!?

Unbelievably bad.

Gonna start up French classes though. Ya don't need it to volunteer though. The doc giving the talk tonight doesnt speak any languages.

opinion guy

tallaght01 wrote: »

Unbelievably bad.

Gonna start up French classes though. Ya don't need it to volunteer though. The doc giving the talk tonight doesnt speak any languages.

Presumably he speaks a least one language ? Otherwise it was problably more of a mime than a talk

Traumadoc

The best I saw in the field were handicap international.

Also try MERLIN in the UK

canice

i have worked with a number of organisations like concern, merlin and msf for a collective period of nearly 5 years. My feeling is alot depends on luck with regard to the current field staff... Also you need to know what job your skills are best suited too what project. long term development, emergency.
I would strongly advise you to do a short couse with one of the development agencies to figure this out prior to seeking a job.
You need to prepare yourself mentally for this challange.
T

ztoical

tallaght01 wrote: »

I'm aware of the agencies that are out there, but not sure who's the best, in terms of training before departure, exfil if things get too ropey, givin me a few snots to spend in the local massage parlours on me weekends off :P etc etc.

Go with GOAL. My Dad worked for a number of them over the years including UNDP, the World Food Program etc etc in East Timor, Kosovo, Sri Lanka etc etc and he always said GOAL was the best one to work for and the one he enjoyed working for the most. They do the work they say they are going to do, they keep their costs low and treat the locals like people not animals in a petting zoo like a number of the religious NGO groups do [World Vision for example is called Blind Vision by other NGO groups for their ultra american christain view point of the world]

GOAL people are known as Goalies by other NGOs and everyone wants to go to the Goalie parties so it wouldn't be all work

If you go as a UNV you'll get a better standard of accomadation and an 'allowance' rather then a wage but it will miles above the actual amount you need to live on. You will have to take R&R every two months even if you don't want it so it would be a comfortable expirence but ask yourself why do you want to do aid work? Is it to be comfortable or to really help people and also expirence what that country/area is really like?

drzhivago

opinion guy wrote: »

What about Partners In Health and their sister org Zanmi Lasante ??

http://www.pih.org/

Wouldnt advise it

been there given the T-shirt and wasnt impressed

Lots of pr, delivery on the ground ??????

drzhivago

tallaght01 wrote: »

Just been to an MSF talk, and they seem top notch.

Hmm

Pm for more info

drzhivago

tallaght01 wrote: »

I'm hoping to go overseas next year for a year to work in a developing country.

Anyone else done this, or have colleagues who've done it?

I'm aware of the agencies that are out there, but not sure who's the best, in terms of training before departure, exfil if things get too ropey, givin me a few snots to spend in the local massage parlours on me weekends off :P etc etc.

Been reading the sites for MSF, GOAL, IRC, UNAIDS etc, but not really sure what the unique selling points of each are.

Anyone done it? Or have any thoughts?

Peace out.

Training ropy in many

Been to few as you know for work and on relief, know which pays and why

Exfil or pop smoke plan non-existant in most but where they exist and are practiced it is relatively safe

Support when defecation hits rotary oscillator patchy for many NGO some rely on USG for help which is no goo if you are Irish citizen, often referred to consulate and getting access can be difficult

Personally have a project might be of interest, PM will have details within the month, contract signing soon for a mid-long term option with medical/psychosocial education and sport slant

opinion guy

drzhivago wrote: »

Wouldnt advise it

been there given the T-shirt and wasnt impressed

Lots of pr, delivery on the ground ??????

Really ??
Care to tell us more. I gave them some money for Haiti earthquake.

drzhivago

opinion guy wrote: »

Really ??
Care to tell us more. I gave them some money for Haiti earthquake.

Its a public health organisation for decades, tried tested and delivered-- no argument there

It is NOT a disaster relief organisation and showed up major deficits in staffing, training, knowledge of disaster requirements, logistics, capabilities, communications and most importantly safety BUT they do know how to draw in the cash and how to do PR

was very disappointed with the Haiti set up

Incidentally if you Google you will find one of their American Trained Haitian Medical officers was murdered last year in a secure compound !!!!!!

enough said