Medical Project
IT Assistance
- Middle East
- Minimum 3 months
- to be determined
Country
This country is located in the Middle East and has a climate characterized by hot, dry summers and cool to relatively cold, wet winters. The culture is conservative Arab, with strong community values and hospitality playing a central role in daily life. The team is based in a medium-sized town, offering an authentic experience of local daily rhythms and traditions.
Project
We are a hospital with a well-equipped compound that serves the local community by providing quality healthcare. Our ultimate goal is to share the Good News through our service, compassion and relationships.
Task
You would support the hospital and local NGOs by providing technical assistance and developing solutions that improve workflows and services. Possible tasks include:
- IT Troubleshooting: Resolve issues related to networking, printers, and computer systems.
- Develop IT Solutions: Collaborate with clinic staff to understand workflows, design, and implement practical solutions.
- Data Migration: Assist with migrating data to a new version of the Electronic Medical Record system (advanced task).
- System Replication: Attempt to replicate parts of the IT software system to identify challenges and improve documentation.
- IT Training: Plan and deliver training sessions for clinic staff (e.g., MS Word).
- Website Development: Help create a website for a local NGO
Requirements
- A love for Christ and a desire to serve Him alongside others is the most important qualification.
- Some level of English is necessary to communicate effectively with staff and team members.
- Helpful technical skills include:
- Networking and IT hardware (PCs, printers)
- Windows Server and Active Directory
- Linux server, virtualization, Docker
- Experience with Odoo ERP system
- Programming: Java and/or JavaScript (AngularJS, React)
- Database management (MySQL/PostgreSQL)
Other opportunities
These are potential ideas to enrich your short-term ministry experience. Not all may be possible, but they can add value to your time here:
- Language Learning: Incorporate language study during your stay. We recommend one month of intensive language learning before starting work, which can be done in the same city with the same team.
- Community Engagement: Build relationships with patients and consider planning simple activities to encourage interaction.
- Practical Support: If you’d like a break from IT tasks, you could assist the maintenance crew with practical projects around the compound.
Team
You will be part of two interconnected communities.
The Sending Organization Team: A multicultural team that primarily functions in English.
The Hospital Staff and Volunteer Community: Around 50 people from diverse backgrounds. The hospital team mainly communicates in English, though Arabic may also be used in some contexts.
Male short-term workers are housed in a men’s residence on the hospital compound. The residence offers individual rooms with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. Depending on timing, you may have the residence to yourself or share with up to three flatmates.
For female short-term workers, we offer different housing options, such as living with a female long-term worker.
Challenges
While the hospital compound is pleasant and offers a strong sense of community, short-term workers may sometimes feel isolated, as traveling into town requires extra effort. Please note that short-term workers are not permitted to drive local vehicles.
Volunteers must be willing to follow the guidelines and cultural and safety recommendations provided by the local team and hospital. These guidelines are reasonable but may feel restrictive at times. The local culture is very conservative, and the hospital expects all workers to make a genuine effort to respect these norms.
Churches
Depending on your comfort level and preferences, fellowship options include:
- Local Churches: Two potential local congregations, sometimes offering English translation.
- On-Campus Fellowship: Sunday gatherings on the hospital campus.
- English House Church: Informal fellowship in homes for English speakers.
The hospital also provides opportunities for spiritual growth through regular times of worship and prayer together.
Leisure activities
Depending on the length of your stay, you may have the opportunity to visit some of the region’s many tourist destinations and archaeological sites, or enjoy outdoor experiences such as hiking—season permitting.
The local expat community occasionally organizes social events, and there is a group that meets weekly for sports activities.
For security reasons, all leisure activities must be discussed with and approved by the Team Leadership before taking place.
