Our volunteer eye care programs are perfect for ophthalmologists, (or those still in training), nurses, doctors or any other persons with a medical background and an interest in traveling abroad to volunteer their time and services. The optometry volunteer abroad projects we provide will give you the chance to help the less fortunate in Jamaica to receive free eye care, support and advice.
Oftentimes Jamaicans are unable to afford the necessary eye exams and treatment needed to care for their eyes, and as a result, volunteers are needed to lend their skills and experience to local clinics and eye doctors.
By joining our volunteer eye care programs you can go out into local communities to put on free eye exams, and also have a chance to work in local eye clinics/doctor offices and work with experienced ophthalmologists to diagnose and treat patients. Eye care volunteer opportunities in Jamaica will award you with a priceless learning experience, as well as the chance to test and hone your skills in real-world situations.
You do not need prior experience to join our volunteer eye care programs, however, if you wish for more advanced placements where you will be doing medical work, such as eye exams, using medical machinery or other tasks you need qualifications and experience.
Ophthalmologists and eye care professionals will need to provide such qualifications during application to secure advanced placements.
We encourage all volunteers to pre-plan for their optometry volunteer abroad projects. This ensures you will make the biggest impact during your project. When you are accepted to join the project, we will advise and assist you with brainstorming about the activities you wish to do during your project. We can also schedule a Skype meeting with you to go over the activities you have planned.
These are just some examples. Feel free to discuss any other activities you would like to engage in during your project.
The first day of your volunteer eye care project will see you visiting your volunteer site accompanied by your Project Advisor. You will get a tour of the property, get introduced to your team members, receive a brief project orientation and learn where to get lunch.
On some afternoons and weekends when you do not have any volunteer work planned, you can purchase a tour and adventure package to have some fun during your ophthalmology volunteer abroad project.
After your optometry volunteer programs are done, we will award you with your Volunteer Certificate, signed by our Managing Director. If you have any documents that verify your volunteer or service hours, we will be happy to sign those as well.
We strongly encourage all volunteers joining our ophthalmology volunteer opportunities to do some form of fundraising back home to gather resources that can be donated to your project. These include glasses frames, eye drops, reading glasses, contact lenses etc.
We will send you a list of needed resources for your volunteer site.
An option of accommodation for our optometry volunteer programs where you can stay with Jomo, the owner of Jamaica International Projects and his family. This option houses up to 5 volunteers comfortably in dorm rooms equipped with air conditioning.
Another boarding option for ophthalmology volunteer abroad projects that is ideal for couples and groups of all sizes. You will receive our full support while staying at this hotel.
For groups, you will be able to choose from a wide list of guest houses or hotels in Kingston or St. Catherine to accommodate your members. You can choose from small guest houses to fancy business hotels, depending on your group’s budget. Of course, we can handle the booking of group accommodations for you if you desire.
Each day during your optometry volunteer programs abroad you will receive breakfast and dinner. We work with volunteers with all dietary needs, such as gluten allergies, diabetes, vegans etc.
Each weekday we provide you with training and lessons on the Jamaican culture. These daily lessons run for about 30 minutes each and include areas such as traditions, history, food, government, religion and more.
All volunteers joining this project will receive orientation and support documentation on your date of arrival. Once you are settled into your accommodation, you will be given your finalized itinerary and your orientation guide. During orientation, we will go over project dates and times, transportation, meal times, cultural/excursion activities and you will be given tips on Jamaica.
Our eye care volunteer abroad projects also include lessons on how to read, write and speak our local dialect called Patois (pronounced Pat-Wah).
At the end of each day, we provide daily mentorship sessions for younger volunteers or a general review of the work day for more mature volunteers. We will discuss the day’s activities, the challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and your plans for the following day. You can also ask any questions that you may have. This session lasts about 30 minutes or less daily.
To start your eye care volunteer opportunities, we will pick you up at the hotel nearest to your accommodation with a sign saying “Jamaica International Projects”, and you will be transferred directly from the airport to your accommodation.
We will take you to and from your optometry volunteer abroad work site each day. You can also arrange stops to pick up groceries, change money, embark on cultural tours etc.
Our eye care volunteer opportunities include a Project Advisor accompanying you on your tours, adventures and cultural field trips and function as your guide.
After your project is complete we will take you back to the airport.
NB: All prices below are quoted in USD and are based per person
1 Time Payment – $300
(Per Person)
We arrange your volunteer project & provide you with pre-arrival support
Cost – Varies
We arrange eye care volunteer abroad projects for 1 day only that are perfect for volunteers with little time.
1 Person – $150
5 or more people – $100 per person
1 Week – $780
2 Weeks – $1,360
3 Weeks – $1,990
4 Weeks – $2,620
Extra Weeks – $550 per week
1 Week – $900
2 Weeks – $1,650
3 Weeks – $2,450
4 Weeks – $3,250
Extra Weeks – $800 per week
You can choose between 2 payment methods to secure your international ophthalmology volunteer opportunity in Jamaica:
Credit Card: If your package total is less than $8,000 USD, you may choose to pay with a credit card. All credit card payments will incur a 4% processing fee.
Wire Transfer: If your package is greater than $8,000 USD, you will have to pay via wire transfer. This method of payment will also incur a processing fee that you will be responsible to cover, which may vary depending on your bank of choice.
Once you have decided to join our eye care volunteer opportunities, proceed to the booking form, enter the relevant info, select your preferred payment option (30% deposit or full payment) and submit. After submission, you’ll be sent a list of documents to be submitted, payment instructions and a link to the volunteer application form.
If you are interested but not ready to book, please contact us or submit a message using the enquiry form.
Note: By submitting the booking form you will NOT be making a binding commitment to join the project.
We will review your booking and application within 24 hours and reach out to you via your preferred means of contact. You will get to discuss your goals, the areas you are interested in teaching, and ask us questions. This is where you will learn of your acceptance into the program.
Once you are accepted into the optometry volunteer abroad project, you will be required to submit your documents as soon as possible. These Include:
You will then be notified to clear up all outstanding fees and balances (if you made a 30% deposit or made any additional changes to your package).
WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE. This was a life changing experience. The children were so great. They gave me and taught me so much more than I gave them. This was one of the most satisfying trips I’ve ever done. Jomo, his mother and Dwayne were great hosts and caretakers. Jamaica and its people will forever be in my heart.
Unforgettable experience! All of you should try it. It was only my first-time volunteering and I’d love to do it again through the same Jamaica International Projects.
