Looking for Advice about volunteering overseas

[Woollie7]

Hi, I'm a 46 year old type 1 diabetic using NovoRapid and Lantus insulin. I take Simvastatin 40mg to inhibit cholesterol and Lisinopril 2.5mg for my leaking kidneys. I also suffer depression for which I am taking antidepressants, Sertraline which although I've only been taking 50mg maintenance for about 2 years now, I've recently had to up my dosage to 100mg as I've been unable to gain employment in the past year and it's really getting me down!!!

I am seriously thinking of selling up all my belongings and heading off to volunteer for places such as Haiti and would like advice/suggestions about this.

Would my age and being diabetic pose any problems with applying for this type of work?
Would there be problems with getting/maintaining my medications?
Does anyone know how best to go about researching this as there seem to be mega tons of sites online?

Whilst being unemployed I've been volunteering at Citizens Advice Bureau doing administration, generalist advisor and financial capability work. I am at present signed off by my Doctor for a month.

I am at my best when helping others but have no specific qualifications apart from 2 years studying Person-Centred counselling, secretarial experience of 12 years in London, and a degree in Photography.

I would really appreciate any advice/ideas/suggestions anyone might have please

 

[Jenni_1984]

Would contacting Oxfam/British Red Cross/UN maybe be a good port of call? I can't see why you would be turned away if you are volunteering your services - hats off to you for wanting to do it in the first place. Obviously your diabetes will be of concern - how much to the aid agencies I don't know. My first thought when I read this was: what if you run out of your medication? Will you be able to get access to what you need if that should happen? Could you get a big enough supply that you could cover all eventualities?

I think contacting any of the aid agencies would be a good step and speaking to your GP/healthcare team to find out about the medication side/effects on your health. Or maybe they could even suggest a route to go down.

I can't see why it should stop you. I admire you for your enthusiasm for wanting to volunteer and doing so already as the CAB's do a fantastic job.

Jenni

 

[maria030660]

Hi,

I have been a diabetic for a long time and spent till last february 2.5 year in the middle east (as i am a fuel engineer) and most of that time in afghanistan and my advise is ....dont....it has been ultimately damaging and regret it up to this day. Diabetic care is not as it is in the west and if problem arise help may not be available. I was lucky enough i could ring a hospital in dubai while i was in afghnaistan but although it was 'quick' fixes it done great damage to my body.


It not worth the money....serious.