The Billys

Since we first arrived in Cape Maclear and opened The Billy Riordan Memorial Clinic the volunteers who have come to work with the organisation have been known locally as “The Billys.” The Billys is a term which includes all volunteers both medical and non- medical. Our volunteers range in age from twenty six years old to seventy five years old. They come in the most part from Ireland and the U.K. However Dutch Canadian and Australian volunteers have also joined us from time to time. We welcome applications from all parts of the world. Completion of the application form, available elsewhere on this site, is the first step. We personally interview all applicants before offering a placement. All applicants must be prepared to spend at  four/five months with us in Malawi. A period of orientation in a local hospital and registration with the local professional bodies, The Medical Council of Malawi and The Nursing and Midwives Council (NMCM) is required for all volunteer doctors and nurses.

Many of the volunteers (The Billys) on returning home have maintained contact with each other. Known as The Friends of Billys they stay in touch with each other and in many instances remain in contact with those who are on long term placements with the Trust in Malawi. There have been several get togethers held in Ireland and U.K. when ex Billys meet and reminisce happily about their time in Cape Maclear.

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