Intern or Volunteer with a Grassroots Health Organization in Kenya

  Kenya

• Other Cities in Kenya: 
Kakamega
• Mombasa: 
Mombasa

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Trimester, Winter 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: See FSD Website

Description: Examples of how you can support Health initiatives in Kenya:

* Work at a medical clinic that offers primary care, family planning services, and/or counseling to around 100 rural community members each day. Support the clinics home-based care for nearly 200 HIV-positive clients, offering antiretroviral medications and prevention of mother to child services. Promote HIV/AIDS awareness and education in these rural communities through various outreach programs.

* Support home visits that provide holistic, psychosocial services to people living with HIV/AIDS, orphans and vulnerable children, and those suffering from chronic illness. Offer counseling sessions, therapy, education, sensitization, and general medical assistance.

* Work at a 24-hour hospital that offers an operating theater, an intensive care unit, a variety of inpatient and outpatient services and wards, a lab with an X-ray machine, pediatric services, and an on-site nursery school. Assist with treatment, counseling, research, outreach and/or administrative duties.

* Provide health education and counseling to members of micro-finance groups to ensure the stability of their micro-enterprises through proper health practices for themselves and their families.

* Train community members who do not have access to conventional medicines on the use of local herbs to alleviate symptoms of HIV/AIDS. The program also provides home-based care, income-generating activities, group support sessions, and other activities for people living with HIV/AIDS.

For more opportunities in health in Kenya visit our website or contact us directly.

About FSD

The Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1995 to support underserved, international communities in a collaborative and sustainable manner. Our model incorporates three overlapping programs:

1. Sustainable Development Training Programs for Interns and Volunteers
FSD provides comprehensive training and immersion programs for interns and volunteers seeking hands-on experience in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Program participants come from countless professions and more than 300 universities worldwide to collaborate with our partner organizations on community-driven projects that reflect sustainable practices.

2. Grantmaking to Projects and Initiatives Led By Our Partner Organizations
Donations and grants given to FSD are used to support projects and initiatives implemented by our partner organizations, site teams, interns, and volunteers.

3. Sustainable Development of Community-Based Organizations
Our professional field staff, consultants, and program participants provide on-site technical training and capacity building to more than 200 community-based organizations.

Highlights: Health Issues Addressed by FSD in Kenya
Kenya is one of many Sub-Saharan African countries which battles various life-threatening diseases. Malaria persists as an extremely serious threat that kills more Kenyans than any other communicable disease. Maternal and infant mortality, malnourishment, and lack of access to basic health care are all extremely problematic issues as well. However, in the health realm, HIV/AIDS continues to be one of the most pressing problems that Sub-Saharan Africa faces. The virus affects at least seven percent of the population and is a major obstacle to the general development of the country and its people. The situation is particularly striking in the Kakamega region, where awareness levels remain low, traditional customs that quickly spread HIV persist, and medical facilities are few and far between. Funding is also a major issue, as antiretroviral drug therapy is prohibitively expensive to most Kenyans and generic, locally produced drugs are scarcely available.

Fortunately, grassroots solutions are making substantial progress in generating HIV/AIDS awareness increasing condom usage, and reducing high-risk behavior. FSD partner organization work to train personnel at the community level, while offering other forms of support. Volunteers and interns immerse themselves with underserved populations, offering education, research, expertise, treatment, or simply time and support for the improvement of health initiatives in Kenya.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: Depends on Program Selected; See FSD Website

Included in the fee is: a one-week orientation; family homestay will all meals provided; language lessons (not available in Latin America); development trainings and workshops; group sessions; midterm retreat (9+ weeks only); final debriefing session; on-going in-country support from FSD site team and U.S. staff; 200 USD mini-grant; eligibility for additional project funding up to 500 USD, medical evacuation and limited health insurance; and pick-up from the airport.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: FSD supports participants who boldly wish to initiate the change they believe is necessary in the developing world. Interns are passionate about sharing their practical knowledge, heart-felt enthusiasm, and economic resources with communities abroad that suffer unnecessary hardship. They wish to gain hands-on, grassroots development experience because they believe change is most powerfully cultivated on a community level. The aim is to experientially learn how their work can empower the community toward applying sustainable development solutions, rather than increasing reliance on foreign aid. Participants choose FSD because the program structure enables them to design and implement their own sustainable projects in collaboration with their host organization and the FSD Site Team. They are able to test their ideas and theories in the most direct way possible, giving them the experience and knowledge they seek. The flexibility of the host organizations allows for participants at all stages and levels of experience in international development to participate, thus opening the programs to a diverse group of capable applicants.

Age Range: 18-75

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Kenya Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 3-10

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Foundation for Sustainable Development's Mission Statement: FSD supports the efforts of grassroots organizations in the developing world that are working to better their communities, environments, and the economic opportunities around them. We believe community development is only sustainable if it empowers the people to effectively use and cultivate their own resources in a conscious manner. Through our programs, we aim to raise international awareness of the economic challenges in developing countries and to support cross-cultural communities in finding more effective solutions to development issues.

Year Founded: 1995