Volunteer + info about Cheshire
For several years, we have been collaborating with a rehabilitation center in Ethiopia called Cheshire Services Menagesha. Cheshire Services is a non-governmental organization that was founded in 1962 and has since then been offering pediatric rehabilitation with a focus on children who do not have access to private rehabilitation.
The rehabilitation center is located about 20 km outside Addis Ababa and mainly accepts children aged 5-18 who have clubfoot (PEVA), post-polio paralysis, or other orthopedic functional variations. The children live at the center during the treatment period. The treatment period can vary depending on the extent of the condition, but is usually several weeks. Care/rehabilitation takes place both before and after any surgery. There is also some informal education and creative workshops. The center also has a physical therapy outpatient clinic.
https://cheshireethiopia.org/.
Starting in 2026, we will send volunteers to the Cheshire Rehabilitation Center in Hawassa due to the security situation in Menagesha.
The vision is to send volunteers regularly in line with the wishes of our partner. Licensed physical therapists are in demand, but this does not exclude future collaborations with other paramedical professions, such as licensed occupational therapists.
Are you interested in being a volunteer?
Parachute Local is looking for volunteer physiotherapists for 2026. This is a rare opportunity to contribute to improving rehabilitation in Ethiopia. Two Swedish physiotherapists will be traveling at the same time. The assignment is to train staff and further develop cooperation with staff at the Cheshire Rehabilitation Services clinic in the city of Hawassa. As an organization, we have only been in Hawassa for a short pilot project, and those of you who are going now will be the first to carry out a planned training program for the staff. The patients are children with various reasons for needing support from the rehabilitation center. Many of the children have significant habilitation needs and are under 7 years old. There are also likely to be children with orthopedic conditions such as clubfoot. The children come from families who cannot afford to pay for private treatment and rehabilitation.
The primary goal of the training is to support the clinic by training the physical therapy assistants who do a large part of the daily work at the clinic but who have very little or no formal training in rehabilitation and habilitation. This is rewarding work that we have carried out at another of Cheshire Services' rehabilitation homes in Menagesha outside Addis Ababa.
In addition to formal qualifications, applicants should be equipped with a great deal of patience and a positive outlook that together you will be able to create something good.
To apply, you must be a qualified and licensed physiotherapist. Pediatric experience or experience in habilitation is highly desirable. Experience of previous travel to low-income countries and a documented interest in global health are also advantageous when applying.
Travel to Ethiopia and accommodation at the rehabilitation clinic are paid for. The work will be 5 days a week with Saturdays and Sundays off. The trip will last 3-4 weeks and take place in 2026. Apply now, or contact info@parachutelocal.se for more information. Registration is open.
Link to the application below.
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/The Board of Parachute Local
Application through the link
Sofia
one of the first volunteers 2018.
"There are fantastic opportunities at Menagesha but also a lot of challenges and work of progress to be made. With a somewhat thick skin and an open mind, you will be able to give a lot and at the same time experience something truly life changing.”
Agnes
volunteer 2019
“Seeing the children's curiosity and desire to improve is what drives me. It feels rewarding to be there and to create conditions for knowledge to remain in the community by training staff who live in the area.”
Josefin
one of the first volunteers 2018.
"I truly recommend to take the chance of volunteering at Cheshire, you will carry that experience for the rest of your life.”
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