Midwifery Volunteer and Internship Placement Abroad

🔴 Important Eligibility Note:

This is an onsite, self-funded international volunteer and internship placement located in Ghana. This opportunity is open ONLY to international applicants traveling from outside the African continent (including Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica). Because SFLIG operates on a sustainable, grassroots model, participants must fully fund their own experience, including international flights, visa arrangements, and the program fee which covers safe community housing, daily meals, airport pickup, and 24/7 onsite support. Local applications cannot be considered for this international framework.

Program Overview

Gain a profound understanding of global maternal health and clinical obstetrics by joining SFLIG Volunteers’ Midwifery track in Ghana. Structured as a volunteer and internship hybrid placement, this program is specifically designed to provide robust clinical exposure that students can utilize to fulfill university internship requirements, complete required clinical shadowing hours, or earn school credit.

Tailored for midwifery students, aspiring labor and delivery nurses, OB/GYN residents, and pre-health majors, this immersion offers an invaluable look at pre-natal, labor, and post-natal care in resource-limited settings. Participants shadow skilled local midwives and obstetric nurses in bustling regional hospitals and rural clinics, witnessing firsthand the resourcefulness, cultural practices, and clinical challenges unique to maternal healthcare delivery in West Africa.

Key Responsibilities

• Clinical Observation & Shadowing: Shadow skilled local midwives and obstetric staff during prenatal consultations, active labor, deliveries, and postnatal evaluations.
• Maternal & Neonatal Triage Support: Assist staff under direct supervision with routine tasks such as measuring maternal vitals, tracking fetal heart rates, and charting patient progress.
• Postnatal Care Assistance: Observe and assist with newborn checkups, maternal recovery monitoring, and educational support for new mothers regarding breastfeeding and infant wellness.
• Community Public Health Outreaches: Participate in local community health caravans focused on reproductive health education, family planning resources, and neonatal care in rural villages.

University & School Credit Integration

We highly encourage participants to use this placement for their academic progression. If you are looking to secure school credit or satisfy internship hours, SFLIG will gladly collaborate with your university department. Our onsite supervisors will assist in signing required paperwork, tracking clinical hours, and providing performance evaluations to ensure your placement meets your institution’s academic criteria.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Current student or graduate in Midwifery, Nursing (with a focus on Labor & Delivery), Pre-Med, Public Health, or a related field.
• A deep commitment to patient privacy, clinical ethics, and respect for cultural birth practices.
• Emotional resilience, high adaptability, and the ability to maintain composure in fast-paced, high-stakes clinical environments.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an eagerness to learn from local, experienced midwives.
• Onsite Commitment & Self-Funding: Ability to travel to and reside onsite in Ghana for the duration of your placement, with the financial capacity to cover all associated travel and program expenses.

Cultural Experience & Weekend Tours

Volunteering with SFLIG Volunteers is more than just clinical work; it is a full cultural immersion. Beyond your hours in the clinic, you will experience the famous warmth and hospitality of Ghana through local language lessons, traditional cooking sessions, and community gatherings.

On the weekends, you will have the opportunity to join coordinated group excursions to explore Ghana's rich history and breathtaking landscapes. Depending on your placement region, weekend tours can include:

• Walking the canopy bridges at Kakum National Park.
• Exploring the historic Cape Coast and Elmina Castles.
• Visiting the vibrant cultural markets of Kumasi.
• Relaxing on the beautiful beaches of the coastal region.

Program Flexibility & Hours

• Flexible Start Dates: This is an all-year-round opportunity. Volunteers and interns select their own arrival and departure dates to align with their personal, professional, or academic schedules.
• Customizable Schedules: You have the flexibility to determine your daily hospital/clinic shift lengths and the total number of hours you wish to commit each day, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the local culture.