1. Please read through these FAQs. This will provide you with important information.
2. Check out the volunteer calendar on our website to see when volunteers are needed (we can have more than 1 volunteer at any time).
3. Fill in the expression of interest form on our website (find link at bottom of FAQs). 
4. To find out more, please join one of our online group information sessions. These will be held every two months, in February, April, June, August, October, December. Please note the month of your preferred information session in the message box when submitting your expression of interest. The link to the session will be sent to you via email.
5. Once you commit to volunteering, we will then request your CV, proof of registration (or confirmation of your university enrolment), a personal reference, as well as a Police Check and Working With Children’s Check (or the equivalent in your country).
6. Once your volunteering dates are finalised, you will be added to the volunteer calendar on our website.

Yes, you are still welcome to volunteer even if there is another doctor or volunteer registered for that time period. You could both work in the clinic together, or alternate days if you prefer. The volunteer calendar is mainly to give an indication of when volunteers are needed for those that have the flexibility to choose dates.

Doctors, nurses, medical students, and allied health professionals are all welcome to join. Each brings valuable skills to our team, whether general or specialized.

Friends of Nias is located in Sorake Bay/Lagundri Bay, a small village at the southern end of the island of Nias off the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia.

The Friends of Nias clinic provides primary care to the local people free of charge, and to tourists in exchange for a donation.

The most common conditions for locals seem to be gastritis, diabetes, hypertension and arthritis, as well as infected wounds, viral illnesses and more. Tourists often visit for fin/reef cuts, infections, and gastro. For more complex health issues, patients are referred to nearby medical services. Clinic staff will be there to advise on this.

The clinic has a sphygmomanometer, pulse oximeter, BSL tester and urinalysis as well as an auroscope/ophthalmoscope. . The clinic also stocks a variety of medications. Patient records are filed on site too.

Doctors, nurses, medical students, and allied health professionals are all welcome to join. Each brings valuable skills to our team, whether general or specialized.

There is a government clinic in Lagundri Bay called the Puskesmas. The closest hospital is in Tuluk Delam, 30 minutes away. There is a larger hospital in Nias’ only city Gunungsitoli with more facilities, 2.5h away.

The clinic operates from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday to Thursday, and 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

There are 7 local staff in Nias who are employed to work in the clinic. They alternate each day, so there is one local worker alongside the volunteer. The staff help with interpreting for the volunteer.

his local team includes three nurses, two midwives, one pharmacist, and one manager. We are also onboarding two local doctors who will be on-call when not in the clinic. This is alongside the team in Australia, including members of the Surfing Doctors, who will be in touch with you throughout the application process and for any troubleshooting during your stay.

Volunteers participate alongside the local staff in primary care clinics, which are held Mon-Sat each week. The clinic provides essential healthcare to the local community. Volunteers with specialised interests can run the clinics in the interest of their choice (if you let us know in advance, we can inform the local staff and community).

Whether you are a doctor, nurse, paramedic or medical student, all help is welcome as are any skills you can teach to the local staff.

There is no minimum time commitment for volunteering. You may stay weeks, months or years – we appreciate any support that is offered. However, it is preferable for volunteers to stay for at least 1 week.

We appreciate volunteers that are able to offer their help for the 6 days the clinic is open. However, you are welcome to volunteer as frequently you like.

No prior experience is required. Familiarity with tropical medicine and primary care is beneficial, but specialized skills are also welcome and can be highly useful.

You will need to arrange your own flights to Nias.
 

1. Fly to Medan airport (KNO) in Indonesia.
2. Fly from Medan airport (KNO) to Gunungsitoli airport (GNS) in Nias. (There is also a boat trip which takes much longer.)

• Please note: If you are flying with Wings Air from Medan to Gunungsitoli, there is an extra handling fee for surfboards. Boards typically cost ~$100AUD/board to bring on the flight. Alternatively, you can organise through your accommodation for boards to be transported directly from the airport in Medan to your accommodation via ferry for ~$120/boardbag (regardless of the number of boards).

3. From the airport in Gunungsitoli, it is a 2.5 hour drive to Sorake Beach, Lagundri Bay. This transportation can be arranged through us or your accommodation.

Volunteers are required to get a tourist visa, not a business or working visa. The requirements for your visa will depend on your country of origin, including whether you are eligible for a Visa on Arrival (VOA). If eligible, a Visa on Arrival allows a stay of up to 30 days. However, we encourage you to organise your visa prior to travel. These Visitor Visas allow for a 60 day stay. Please visit the Indonesian Immigration website here for more information and to apply for your visa.

Medical students will be asked to pay a $500.00 AUD registration fee (through the https://friendsofnias.org/donate-now/ page – which takes you to the website of our partner organisation World Relief Australia), while other volunteers incur no fee.

This donation is tax-deductible – you will receive a donation confirmation to your inbox. This fee is also non-refundable, so we will ask you to pay this once your registration is confirmed and you have sent all required documentation.

Transportation from the GNS airport can be arranged from approximately $AUD60 each way (for up to 3 passengers and boards). When you finalise your itinerary we can book this private transport for you to be met at the airport. Alternatively, you can arrange this through your accommodation provider.

The clinic, surf, accommodation and restaurants are all within walking distance in Sorake. However if you would like to explore the island or nearby towns you can speak to your accommodation provider about hiring a motorbike or a driver.

Basic accommodation is available onsite at the clinic for the volunteer and a partner/single guest, free of charge. It is modest and clean, with two single beds (these may be pushed together to make a double bed). However only cold water is supplied.

Alternatively, local surf camps offer reasonably priced lodging, with costs ranging from $AUD20-200 per night (often including 1-3 meals per day), and food options are available locally. You can find accommodation options on www.booking.com.

Personal data / telephone SIM cards can be purchased in the village. It is recommended to download the Telkomsel app which allows you to purchase more internet for your SIM card at a cheaper rate. The app is simple to use.

We recommend consulting your primary care provider about vaccinations and mosquito-borne disease prevention at least two months before departure.

Additionally, long clothing and mosquito repellent are recommended.

Yes, medical students are welcome and play an important role in our team. If another volunteer doctor or other qualified health professional is present, students may also be on the roster at the same time, allowing them to gain valuable experience under their guidance.

Supervision will be provided at varying levels for medical students. If a volunteer doctor is available during your placement, they will provide direct supervision. You can check the current roster here: Friends of Nias Calendar Roster Page.

If there is no volunteer doctor at the time, the clinic will be run and supervised by our experienced local nursing staff, with local doctors on-call for serious or complex cases. For remote troubleshooting, logistical support, or other concerns, our offsite doctors are available via WhatsApp to provide guidance as needed.

We are unable to provide supervision for residents on electives.

Yes, please ensure your medical indemnity provider is aware and able to cover your services, primarily support and education to local health professionals. Unfortunately, the insurance at the clinic does not cover volunteers.

You will also need to organise your own travel insurance prior to departure.

Yes, the area boasts quality waves that attract surfers from around the world, making it a fantastic destination for surf enthusiasts. There are also reasonable waves for learners nearby or those wanting to improve their skills.

While there are usually rental boards available locally, we recommend bringing your own board if you’re an experienced surfer. For learners, rental boards are usually sufficient.

In addition to surfing, Nias offers a variety of unique cultural and natural attractions:

• Beaches and Nature: Nias is home to beautiful beaches. You can enjoy swimming, snorkelling or just relaxing and soaking up island life. The Keyhole is a great place to swim and snorkel too.
• Stone Jumping (Lompat Batu): We recommend a trip to the King’s Village (Bawomataluo) where you can watch locals perform the traditional and thrilling stone-jumping ritual, a rite of passage unique to Nias.
• Traditional Villages: Visit villages like Bawomataluo to experience traditional wooden architecture, local handicrafts, and the distinctive lifestyle of the Nias people.
• Museum Pusaka Nias: Located in Gunungsitoli, this museum offers an in-depth look at the history, culture, and artifacts of the Nias people. The museum is fascinating and its curator (Father Johannes) is very knowledgeable. There is a hotel attached to the museum too.
• Visit the local medical centre: If you wish to visit the local medical centre (Puskesmas) this can be arranged.
• Waterfalls: there are waterfalls nearby including Helaowo Waterfall Gomo, Namozihono Waterfall, and Sihugu-hugu Waterfall.
• Watch the sunset: Heading into the village to view the sunset is also recommended. 

To explore the island or nearby villages you can speak to your accommodation provider about hiring a motorbike/moped (please wear a helmet) or a driver.

Local currency is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).

ATMs and cash facilities are limited in Sorake Beach. There are ATMs located at most airports on the way to Nias, the last of which is Medan airport (there are no ATMs at Gunungsitoli airport). Or, you may be able to ask your driver on the way down from Gungunsitoli airport to stop in Teluk Dalam to withdraw cash to cover your spending needs during your stay (be careful, some ATMs do not accept visa cards). Teluk Dalam is only a 20-30 minute drive from the clinic in Sorake beach, so it is relatively easy to get there to access an ATM during your stay.

Clothing in the clinic is casual at all times.

Bringing a snorkel is recommended, as the Keyhole is a fantastic spot to explore when the waves are small. Additionally, lightweight, breathable clothing, sun protection, mosquito repellent and any essential medications or first-aid items are advised. Medical supplies, in any form, are also appreciated and can greatly benefit the clinic’s resources.

The local shops in Sorake beach have limited variety of goods, however if you require items not available here there are more shops in Teluk Delam (30 minute drive from Sorake).

Before you arrive, we will advise the team in Nias of your arrival. As Sorake is a small village, you can ask your accommodation host where the clinic is located and they will show you. On the first morning of your volunteer placement, the local nurse/midwife rostered on for the day will meet you at the clinic when it opens and show you around.

If you have any issues with this, you can introduce yourself to Raffiel/Alvin/their family across the road from the clinic at Raffiel Nias Surf Camp and they will open the clinic and show you around.

After you commit to volunteering, we will send you a volunteer information document with further information about the clinic along with contact details for the team members.