Amazon Indigenous Health, Ecuador

  Ecuador

Puyo,  Quito

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Every month, throughout the year

Description: This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about indigenous communities in the Amazon region of Ecuador and their traditional practices in an increasingly developed world. Participants will learn how the community confronts the modern world and allopathic medicine while simultaneously utilizing ancestral knowledge to sustain their ecological habitat and belief systems in traditional medicine. While in the program, participants will assist with various development initiatives of the local communities. These initiatives may focus on issues such as community public health and conservation projects. Participants will understand where traditional medicine and allopathic medicine intersect by learning more about the Shuar health promoter program, which uses allopathic interventions, in the context of ancestral healing traditions.

The Amazon Indigenous Health Program begins with one week of Spanish classes and an orientation to Ecuadorian culture in the capital city of Quito. The remaining 3 weeks of the program will be spent in Puyo and its surrounding indigenous villages, sharing daily activities with jungle communities.

Highlights: Program Details   

* Clinical Rotation/Academic Credit Assistance
* Language Training Component
* Guided Service-Learning
* Accommodations

Clinical Rotations:
CFHI's rotations are designed to offer you clinical and observational experiences relevant to your level of medical education. The program includes the following educational aspects:

* Pre-trip orientation materials & web conference opportunities
* Orientation upon arrival, including cultural adjustment exercises
* Weekly meetings with Medical Director and Local Coordinator
* Clinical rotations Monday-Friday, excepting holidays or work stoppages, working with a local physician who has opted to participate in CFHI as a teaching preceptor
* Information sessions that highlight the health care system in that country, common cases you will encounter and other site-specific information
* Post-trip debrief materials & other on-going alumni activities/services

Qualifications:
This program is open to those who possess:

* Conversant Spanish
* Fluent Spanish
* For those who are not completely confident with their language skills before participation in the program, we strongly recommend that you arrive at your program site early and pay extra for additional Spanish instruction before you begin the CFHI program. If you have Minimal Spanish skills and still wish to participate in the program, please call our office before applying.

This program is open to participants who are 21 or over at the time of participation.We accept students of all nationalities with interest in international health and relevant educational background. Participants may be any of the following:

* Medical Residents, MD & DO
* Medical Students, MD & DO 1-2
* Medical Students, MD & DO 3-4
* Senior level Pre-Medical Students
* Post-bacc pre-medical students
* Gap year pre-medical students
* Graduate nursing students
* Nursing Students
* MPH Students
* Physicians Assistants Students
* Naturopathic students
* Those with anthropological interest in traditional medicine and cultures

If you do not fit into one of these categories, please contact us to see if you would be eligible to apply.

Cost in US$: Approx USD 2,000 depending on program

* Pre-departure and on-site orientation materials and guidance
* Two meals and a private room with a homestay family for the program's duration (Saturday - Saturday). The local coordinators will charge you for additional nights outside the program dates.
* International Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation Insurance
* Airport pick up on arrival
* Twenty hours of Spanish classes. Additional language training beyond 20 hours can be arranged.
* All preceptor, hospital and coordinator fees
* Weekly meetings with coordinator and Medical Director
* A limited number of extra activities such as salsa classes, cooking classes organized at the language school etc.

What's not included?

* Airfare to Quito, Ecuador
* Airport Drop-off
* Passport or visa fees
* Inter-city transportation between Quito and Puyo
* Local transportation to and from clinic sites
* Other expenses of a personal nature like weekend and after-hour activities. This includes but is not limited to local transportation, tourist trips in and around Quito or Puyo, and any personal expenses incurred.

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 21 or over

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently

Scholarships are Available. As available-- see our website for details.

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Child Family Health International's Mission Statement: Child Family Health International (CFHI) is a nonprofit that builds and strengthens sustainable healthcare services for underserved communities worldwide. CFHI conducts global health service-learning programs for medical, pre-medical, nursing, PA, MPH, and other health science students. CFHI supports local communities worldwide through these global health education programs, medical supply donations, as well as other community initiatives to advance quality healthcare for all.

Year Founded: 1993