Gap years and voluntary work overseas
If you’re thinking about doing some voluntary work overseas, your diabetes isn’t necessarily going to stop you, but you will need to consider quite closely the implications of managing your diabetes if you decide to work in a developing country.
While many voluntary organizations will not exclude you from volunteering, do be prepared for some extra checks, as they will look into each application on an individual basis.
You will probably need to have an initial medical assessment and a report from your doctor. This will help the organization decide whether a specific position overseas is safe and suitable for you. You may also be a little restricted in the areas that you are allocated to work - most organizations will want you to be in easy reach of medical facilities in case of any problems, so that may well mean capital or major cities.
While many voluntary organizations will consider the implications of your diabetes quite carefully, it is always worth thinking through potential issues for yourself. This isn’t intended to put you off, more to make sure that you’re fully prepared. This way you, the voluntary organization and the people you are helping all get the best out of it.
You will need to consider the following
- How would you guarantee a regular and safe supply of insulin and other supplies?
- How does the food differ?
- Will you be more or less active than usual?
- How confident would you feel at managing high / low blood glucose if there was no nurse or doctor to call for advice, and the local hospital may be some journey away?
- Things like diarrhoea and vomiting are more common in developing countries. Would you be able to mange sick days on your own with no advice from your doctor or nurse?
- In many rural areas living conditions are very basic. How would you keep your insulin cool when there’s no guaranteed electricity supply or running water?
- The equipment and resources you need for your annual review may well not be available in a developing country. If your placement is over a year, how would you get your annual review and checked for possible complications of your diabetes?
- What languages are used in the host country and how confident are you in speaking and understanding them?