While considering volunteering with us at Galmi Hospital, there are many questions that arise.  We hope you will find these answers helpful.  If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

1. Do you take students?

   Yes . . . sometimes.  We do accept medical students in their final year of study on a case-by-case basis. We are also open to students from other disciplines such as pharmacy, occupational and physiotherapy. There are times when we have staffing constraints or other circumstances that prohibit our acceptance of students.

2. What language do I need to speak?

   French and/or English . . . Niger is a Francophone country, so having even a basic level of French is considered to be a valuable asset. We are a very diverse team with members from multiple countries, cultures and language groups. For those without the local language of Hausa, we have translators available for some roles.

3. Where will I live?

   The hospital maintains housing for expatriate volunteers to rent during their stay.  Contact us for more specific information.

4. Are there paid positions I can apply for?

   We do not offer paid positions to expatriate staff.  However, if you are a Nigerien interested in working at the SIM Galmi Hospital, please contact us.

5. How do I give a donation?

   For financial contributions, please visit our giving page.  If you have supplies or equipment you would like to donate, please contact us so that we can confirm that your item is something we can use. Also, we would ask that you not ship any materials to the hospital without collaborating with us first as the country of Niger has very complicated taxation laws that we abide by. Bypassing this process could result not only in a delay of your shipment, but also a heavy fine for the hospital.  Thank you for your cooperation.

6. How do I apply to come?

   While our hospital is owned and operated by SIM we partner with several organizations which mobilize international volunteers. Before buying a plane ticket, contact us and we will help you determine which of our partner organizations is right for you.

7. How much does it cost to be a volunteer?

   This will vary based on the length of time you are able to come, the cost of plane tickets from your home country, and other factors such as in-country travel. This will be discussed with you by the organization that you choose to serve through.

8. For how long can I come?

   We offer very flexible terms of service, however do prefer that volunteers serve for at least one month.  We are willing to accept some professionals for shorter lengths of time at certain times of the year and under certain circumstances. Please contact us to see if we are able to accommodate your availability.

9. Can I bring my family?

   We do have the capacity to host families for varying lengths of time. Our family-sized housing is not always available, so please contact us to be certain that we can accommodate you and your family.  We also have educational options for your school-aged children should your visit be during a school term.

10. What should I pack?

    When we have worked out the details pertaining to your visit you will be sent a list of suggested items that you should bring for your stay. Please remember we have plenty of sand in the Sahara Desert, so you will not need to bring any of your own.