Outreach with ZOP
Built on the spirit of volunteerism, the story of ZOP is that of success. Realising the importance of bring services closer to the underserved communities, ZOP aims to reach every resident of Zanzibar who cannot easily access the healthcare services, being the reason of distance or finance. ZOP stands for Zanzibar Outreach Programme, a registered non-profit NGO that in addition to healthcare service provision, provides other social services to the Zanzibar population. These services include extending tap water distribution network to the needy, collecting and distributing charities like clothes and food, distribution of medical supplies to hospitals, renovation of healthcare infrastructure, providing health services to school communities, etc.
Joining this success story, Vision Synergies has officially comes to agreement with ZOP to attach elective students to attend the scheduled outreach programmes. At the outreach camp, you learn and at the same time you have participated in one of the most important services provided by them. There are two types of medical outreach:
1. A day outreach with mobile clinic in Unguja. This is mainly an ENT and eye check up and treatment camp. Doctors and nurses from Mnazi Mmoja Hospital together with ZOP staff, student and professional doctors and nurses from abroad participate in the camp. In average, a day camp give services to around 300 patients coming from the surrounding villages where the camp is located. Treatment and all medicines are free of charge. Only patients contribute a small amount for glasses. To participate in this camp you contribute USD 20 to ZOP.
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Not just a bus, it is clinic! |
Elective students at work |
Not headmaster’s office, a pharmacy! |
2. Three days camp outreach in Pemba hospitals. Although Pemba is better in terms of healthcare infrastructure, staff and supply is still a big problem compared to Unguja. ZOP routinely conduct three-days camp to one of the district hospitals there: Mkoani, Chake Chake and Wete. The outreach in Pemba is more for the hospital level and involves ENT head and neck, Eye, Obstetric and Gynaecology as well as Surgery (Genral and Orthopaedic). This is a chance to learn how medicines is practiced at lower level hospitals and it is a great opportunity to serve the people who are usually waiting for someone to help. To attend the three days camp, our stuedents contribute USD 350 to ZOP to cover return air ticket (Zanzibar/Pemba/Zanzibar), airport transfers, hotel accommodation, food and all hospital expenses.
We also play our part!
Yes, we at Vision Synergies and the entire clientele are also committed to be part of the effort. We plan to conduct an online fund rising programme once a year, sometimes around November/December. This is for Vision Synergies staff, stuendts and alumnis together with their ffriends and families. Also we encourage donations at any time for those who wish to do so. All funds and equipment collected shall be directly channelled to ZOP. Our duty is only that of mobilisation and organisation, and we always communicate with the ZOP administration when donations are to be sent to them.
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Distributing clothes to the needy |
Community water project |
ZOP's School for the Deaf |
ZOP is also always welcoming volunteers to all service areas, apart from the medical services.
To learn more about ZOP please pay a visit to their website: www.zopzanzibar.com
Please also check out at ZOP facebook page to see pictures and discussions: http://www.facebook.com/ZanzibarOutreachProgam