About CHEEERS: DHT 

 

Q: What is CHEEERS:DHT?

 

A: CHEEERS: Developing Healthcare Together (CHEEERS: DHT) is an Irish non-profit professional multidisciplinary volunteer sending organisation that works together with developing communities to improve healthcare services and promote education and training of local healthcare professionals in Kisiizi, Uganda. 

 

Since 2015, CHEEERS: DHT has coordinated 10 volunteer programmes, sending multidisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals from Nursing, Medicine (Psychiatry), Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Therapy, Pharmacy, Dietetics and Clinical Engineering, to develop healthcare projects in Kisiizi. 

 

For our 2027 project, we are seeking to recruit healthcare professionals from Clinical Psychology and Dentistry to the programme in addition to our existing disciplines. 

Q: How often does CHEEERS:DHT run volunteer programmes?

 

A: At present, CHEEERS: DHT runs one volunteer programme per year. The programme usually runs from November to May, with a two-week project trip to Kisiizi Hospital, Uganda taking place in March or April.

 

Project dates may vary from year to year depending on the needs of and staffing availability at Kisiizi Hospital.

 

Recruitment

 

Q: How do I volunteer with CHEEERS:DHT?

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A: To volunteer with CHEEERS:DHT, please complete the application form available under ‘Volunteer With Us’. Applications are generally open from early September to early October. Please refer to our website and social media channels for application details, opening dates and deadlines.

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Q: Who can volunteer with CHEEERS:DHT?

 

A: CHEEERS: DHT is a professional volunteer-sending organisation. Volunteers must be qualified healthcare professionals and registered with the relevant professional body (e.g. CORU in Ireland) by the time of the project trip to Kisiizi. Students who will not yet be qualified and professionally registered by the time of the project trip are not eligible to apply.

 

Q: How does CHEEERS:DHT select volunteers?

 

A: All applications are reviewed by our Recruitment Team and shortlisted for interview based on the information provided in your application, including:

• Your qualifications and clinical experience 

• Demonstrated experience in service development 

• Skills and experience in change and project management 

• Experience working in developing countries or a similar setting 

 

Selection is also guided by the desired clinical experience and skillsets identified by Kisiizi Hospital. Please see the ‘Desirable Clinical Experience’ document on the application page for further details. Desired clinical experience can change from year to year depending on the needs identified by Kisiizi Hospital. We encourage unsuccessful applicants to consider applying again in the future. 

 

Q: Does CHEEERS:DHT take interns?

 

A: Unfortunately, as an entirely voluntary organisation, CHEEERS: DHT does not currently have the capacity to facilitate internships.

 

Project Planning

 

Q: What does the CHEEERS: DHT programme involve?

 

A: The CHEEERS: DHT programme runs over several months and includes recruitment, pre-departure training, project planning, fundraising and a two-week project trip to Kisiizi Hospital in Uganda.

 

Volunteers work as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop projects in partnership with colleagues at Kisiizi Hospital. The focus is on supporting locally identified needs and developing sustainable improvements to healthcare services, education and training.

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Q: Where can I find more information about the programme timeline and project dates?

 

A: Please see the ‘Project Timeline’ and ‘Sample Itinerary’ documents on the project application page for further details.

 

Project dates may vary depending on the needs and staffing availability of Kisiizi Hospital.

 

Training

 

Q: How many training days do I have to attend?

 

A: There are three required pre-departure training days before travelling to Uganda, followed by a debrief day after returning from the project trip.

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Q: Why do I have to attend training?

 

A: Our training programme is guided by the Comhlámh Code of Good Practice for Volunteer Sending Organisations. As a signatory, CHEEERS:DHT agrees to provide appropriate pre-departure training to volunteers.

 

Training provides an opportunity to:

 

• Learn about Kisiizi, Kisiizi Hospital and the local context

• Understand your role and responsibilities during the project

• Discuss expectations for the project trip

• Cover health, safety and practical travel information

• Explore global citizenship, ethical volunteering and the causes of global inequality

• Develop and plan your project with your team

• Meet the other volunteers you will be travelling with

 

Following the project trip, the debrief day includes both an operational debrief, where project outcomes are reviewed, and a reflective debrief, where volunteers have an opportunity to reflect on their experiences.. 

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Q: Where can I find more information on training and the project trip? 

 

A: Successful applicants will be provided with an induction booklet containing general information about the programme. 

 

You can also find useful information and resources online, including:

 

• Kisiizi Hospital: https://www.kisiizihospital.org.ug/

• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: https://sdgs.un.org/goals

 

We can also put you in touch with previous CHEEERS: DHT volunteers from your discipline where appropriate.

 

Fundraising

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Q: Do I need to fundraise to volunteer with CHEEERS: DHT?

 

A: There is no minimum individual fundraising target for volunteers. However, fundraising is an important part of supporting the ongoing charitable work of CHEEERS: DHT in Kisiizi Hospital and the surrounding community.

 

We expect all volunteers selected to participate in the programme to contribute to fundraising for their project.

 

Q: How do I fundraise for the project?

 

A: Online fundraising and fundraising events have been core fundraising streams for previous CHEEERS: DHT teams.

 

All volunteers are asked to set up a personal iDonate fundraising page. The volunteer team is also expected to organise a fundraising event, such as a table quiz, raffle or sponsored event, as part of the programme.

 

These events are a great opportunity for volunteers to involve their friends, family and colleagues and to build support for the project in the lead-up to the trip.

 

Further information, guidance and support with fundraising will be provided during the pre-departure training days.

 

Q: What does fundraising go towards?

 

A: CHEEERS:DHT aims to support requests from Kisiizi Hospital that contribute to service development and have a broad and sustainable impact for as many patients as possible.  

 

Examples of projects and requests that have recently been supported through CHEEERS: DHT fundraising include:

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• A €25,000 contribution towards fundraising for a new ambulance for the hospital

• A digital X-ray machine

• An echocardiogram 

• A bronchoscopy scope and accessories, alongside training for staff

• Funding for a Kisiizi staff member to complete a Masters in Clinical Education

• Funding for a Kisiizi staff member to complete a Diploma in Clinical Anaesthesia

• New bunk beds for the rehabilitation ward to replace previous beds that were no longer fit for use

• A prosthetic leg for a teenage patient with an amputation

 

Q: Do I need to fundraise to cover travel and living expenses while on the project in Kisiizi?

 

A: No. A core part of the CHEEERS: DHT ethos is that all fundraising efforts go towards projects supported by the charity. 

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Volunteers are responsible for self-funding their travel, accommodation and living expenses. This allows funds raised by CHEEERS: DHT volunteers to go directly towards supporting healthcare projects and service development in Kisiizi, Uganda.

 

Communications

 

Q: Where can I find more information about CHEEERS: DHT and our work in Kisiizi Hospital, Uganda?

 

A: You can find more information about CHEEERS: DHT and our work through our website and social media channels. You can also contact us by email at cheeers.info@gmail.com.

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CHEEERS: DHT Social Media

Instagram: @cheeers.dht

Facebook: @CHEEERS.DevelopingHealthcareTogether

LinkedIn: CHEEERS: Developing Healthcare Together

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