Transform your leave

into a "Leave of Purpose"

The Tshemba Foundation is taking the idea of a ‘Leave of Absence’ even further and championing for healthcare professionals to take a ‘Leave of Purpose’ instead. Join us for a unique medical volunteering experience, which will not only uplift and support rural healthcare in South Africa, but also help you renew
your love of the healthcare profession.
I just want to say thank you – you have reignited my passion for medicine and made me reconsider my career path. I leave with a full heart, tears in my eyes, and absolute gratitude for a life-changing month. I hope to be back if you will have me.
- Dr Nikita Fensham, South Africa
Apply now
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We uplift the quality of rural healthcare in South Africa

The Tshemba Foundation’s medical volunteer programme connects healthcare professionals across a range of disciplines with knowledge, skills, experience and a deep desire to give back to rural communities in need.

Tshemba augments and upgrades the capacity of hospitals and clinics in rural northeastern South Africa by filling in the gaps with the support of local and international healthcare volunteers.
Learn more about the Tshemba Foundation

Supporting healthcare services

We provide ongoing clinical support to local partners, the Tintswalo Hospital and surrounding clinics.

Clinical training and education for healthcare professionals

We offer formal clinical education to local healthcare professionals through continuing professional development sessions and informal clinical teaching, ensuring we make a sustainable impact.

Community outreach, health promotion and education

We partner with local schools and clinics to provide screening and health prevention education, and work with a community radio station on health promotion programming.

Specialised services and programmes

We are constantly exploring opportunities to improve and strengthen local healthcare delivery, as with our quality improvement programmes for both women's and eye health.

Change lives, including your own

This is a life-changing opportunity where you can be genuinely useful, which is often not the case in the administration-heavy daily grind of high-resource medicine. Rural medicine is an unpredictable and exciting mix of disciplines and limitations that requires quite a bit of flexibility, creativity and good humour.
Dr Mary-Anne Hartley
Every time I’ve volunteered at Tintswalo I’ve returned home feeling grounded and reset. Even though we’re working the entire time, the lodge and its surroundings actually de-stress you, and the overall experience really gives you perspective and gratitude. It’s a deeply humbling experience.
Dr Sachin Bawa
I've been doing this for many years, and I'm not used to getting a lump in my throat when I'm treating patients. You have this deeply fulfilling day even if it was pretty exhausting and, in the evening, we were all together at a stunning lodge. We've already booked our next Leave of Purpose as a group. It's food for the soul.
Dr Caroline Gooding
This is a life-changing opportunity where you can be genuinely useful, which is often not the case in the administration-heavy daily grind of high-resource medicine. Rural medicine is an unpredictable and exciting mix of disciplines and limitations that requires quite a bit of flexibility, creativity and good humour.
Dr Mary-Anne Hartley
Every time I’ve volunteered at Tintswalo I’ve returned home feeling grounded and reset. Even though we’re working the entire time, the lodge and its surroundings actually de-stress you, and the overall experience really gives you perspective and gratitude. It’s a deeply humbling experience.
Dr Sachin Bawa
I've been doing this for many years, and I'm not used to getting a lump in my throat when I'm treating patients. It was just such an incredible experience. You have this deeply fulfilling day even if it was pretty exhausting and, in the evening, we were all together at a stunning lodge. We've already booked our next Leave of Purpose as a group. It's food for the soul.
Dr Caroline Gooding

Filling in the gaps of the South African healthcare system

The focus of Tshemba’s volunteer effort is Tintswalo Hospital, which is based at Acornhoek, about 38 km from the Kruger National Park’s Orpen Gate. We also support a number of primary healthcare and NGO clinics in the area, as well as a growing community outreach programme. Acornhoek and the immediate surrounding villages have a population approaching 500 000 people; the broader area has well over a million.

Creating an unforgettable volunteer experience 

Tshemba not only facilitates the placement of volunteers where they are needed most, but also ensures that volunteers are accommodated and supported throughout their experience and enjoy unlimited opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Learn more about our volunteer programme

We have the potential to create big change

South Africa’s public sector is overwhelmed by chronic staff shortages, which is further exacerbated by the majority of South Africa’s public sector doctors also working in urban centres.
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84
%
of South Africans rely on public healthcare
30
%
of doctors work in public healthcare
12
%
of doctors work in rural areas