Volunteer with tiba
“Working with Tiba in rural Africa has been the privilege of my medical career.”
– Peter Sherris, MD, MPH
Volunteer in Kenya
Volunteer in the US
FAQs
Are you looking for a way to share your skills and experience in a medically underserved part of the world? Tiba has sent over 200 medical professionals, many of whom are repeat volunteers, to western Kenya since 2004.
Volunteer in Kenya
At the request of our partners, Tiba sends more than 40 medical volunteers each year to share their expertise with local practitioners, creating sustainable change for the people of Western Kenya.
Volunteering with Tiba helps build the capacity of our programs while enabling critical medical services to thousands of local Kenyans. Our volunteer surgical teams perform more than 150 free and low-cost surgeries annually at Matibabu Hospital. It’s not just the patients who are impacted. Experiences like these are enlightening, with past volunteers sharing that volunteering felt purposeful, enabling, and valuable, making long-term contributions while building lasting friendships. We take pride in delivering well-organized and impactful trips, with over 50% of our volunteers completing at least one return trip!
As a Medical Professional, you have the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way by offering your expertise to local practitioners who are eager to develop professionally, to better care for their communities. Are you ready for a life-changing experience?
Volunteer Spotlight
Volunteer in the US
Volunteers serving in the US also play an integral role on the Tiba team, helping with communications, community outreach, event management, participating in Tiba’s Global Health Webinars series, and more.
Global Health Webinars
Determined not to lose steam when Covid hit, we launched our virtual Global Health Webinar series in collaboration with Matibabu Foundation. Connecting Matibabu’s nursing students, staff, and professionals across the globe, our webinars offer expert perspectives on the issues of global health. See past events below and volunteer your expertise for a potential future panel discussion.
Share your Expertise
Not a Medical Professional? You can still help. We are looking for US-based volunteers with expertise in graphic design, communications, media, healthcare administration, fundraising, and more! Please consider volunteering with Tiba in the US and fill out the application below.
Past Global Health Webinars
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is eligible to volunteer in Kenya?
A: Licensed physicians, surgeons, researchers, medical students, RNs, nurse practitioners, and other medical professionals. Please click here to read our volunteer handbook.
Q: When do volunteer visits take place?
A: Continually. Our partner organization in Kenya, Matibabu Foundation, coordinates volunteer visits according to work schedules and patient needs. Tiba aims to send quarterly surgical camps each season. Contact the Tiba Executive Director for these dates.
Q: Where would I be working?
Q: What kinds of cases do volunteers see?
Q: Do medical volunteers get a chance to teach?
Q: Whom exactly do volunteers work for?
Q: How does the process work?
A: Prospective volunteers start by filling out the online volunteer application form. Tiba checks home country credentials, conducts orientations, and passes the information along to Matibabu’s cordial, capable volunteer coordinators. Matibabu arranges for Kenyan licensing, in-country transportation, and medical scheduling on the ground. Click here for a full outline of the process.
Q: How do financial arrangements work?
Q: What about orientation and training?
A: Volunteers participate in several orienting interviews with Tiba executives, volunteer leads, and Matibabu head staff before departure. You will also receive an in-country orientation from Matibabu’s staff, as well as an exit interview from Tiba’s Executive Director.
Q: Where do volunteers stay?
Q: What help do you need in the US?
A: Tiba currently needs the following expertise:
- Medical, research, and public health advisors who can advise on projects and connect us to partners
- Speakers for monthly online webinars for hospital staff and for college students
- Communications, marketing, and social media
- Equipment and supply procurement
- Volunteers who can support events
- Administrative support for mailings
Q: How can I make the biggest impact as a Tiba volunteer in the US?
A: Help raise awareness and funding:
- Join or form a fundraising chapter. Lead a small group of friends to generate awareness and raise money for Tiba’s programs. Currently, we have chapters for Boda Girls and the Nursing Promise; you can join one of these or form another chapter in your area. Reach out to Tiba, Executive Director, for more information.
- Connect us to others: introduce us by email, invite us to speak with you at events, and promote us to your community live and online.
