Description

Volunteers and staff will be visiting members of the community, conducting surveys and making assessments about health-related issues. You would also assist in weighing and measuring children.
You may be asked to help compile the data collected and then enter it into a system in the office.

Highlights

PRISMA is a non-governmental Peruvian organization that was founded in April of 1986 with the purpose of strengthening the capacities and opportunities of the poor and vulnerable in Peru so that they can achieve their own social development and economic sustainability. They strive for greater social equality and development with the active participation of the communities with whom they work. This organization currently has a national staff of over 460, located throughout its Lima-based central office and 40 offices at regional and local levels throughout poorer departments.

In Peru, many individuals and communities struggle with few opportunities for development and economic security. This is particularly true in rural areas outside of the capital, and in the shantytowns surrounding Lima. More than half of the country's population struggles to survive and one quarter live in extreme poverty. This leads to a multitude of problems, including high rates of illiteracy, particularly among women and the lack of essential services such as education, health and electricity. Child and maternal mortality, although greatly reduced over the past twenty years, continues to be a problem here. In the rural areas, food security is precarious and people are vulnerable to market price changes. Formal educational opportunities are few and far between for those living in the slums of Lima, and most people earn very little working in the informal sector.

These are some of the issues that PRISMA seeks to address through its various programs and research initiatives. PRISMA has significant experience in the areas of community health research, health and nutrition, micro-credit, agricultural development, local government capacity building and environmental health.

This placement is currently undertaking a large project to try to understand in detail the various health problems affecting the communities in San Juan de Miraflores, a poor district in the south of Lima. In Lima, health care is generally either of poor quality or expensive, so often times the sick do not seek medical attention until they are very ill. As a result, little data is available on the prevalence of various diseases/conditions and how they spread.

Specifically, the Community Health Research Center is focusing on four issues: the prevalence of the common cold, and how members of the community treat it; cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses; the Human Papillomavirus; and parasites.

PRISMAS collection of this data is to: understand the living conditions, level of health education, sanitary practices, rate of infections, and general standard of health in the community, at the present time. This information will provide them with data to develop a system/program aimed at improving the health issues in this community. Volunteers are needed to help with this massive undertaking. This will also be a unique opportunity for volunteers to observe and learn about health issues in poor communities.

Qualifications

The ability to speak and understand Spanish is important, as you will need to be able to communicate effectively when conducting the surveys. A familiarity or interest in community health, nutrition, biology, environmental studies, nursing, or medicine is a strong asset.

Minimum Education

High School

Intern Types

• Health Sciences
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Social Work

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 3,245 for 8 weeks; USD 250 each additional wk.

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Upon arrival in country our staff will pick you up at the airport and return you to our Orientation Center for a safety briefing and general country orientation. For this program you are required to complete one - 4 weeks of language training and orientation which is included in the cost of the program. At the end of that week you will transfer to your placement to begin volunteering. Our staff are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week should you require help of any kind.

Experience Required

yes

Successful volunteers in this placement will be able to take initiative, be physically able to do a lot of walking around the community, be comfortable talking to strangers, and be conversational in Spanish.

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

We believe everyone can contribute by volunteering. Recent graduates from high school, college or university, professionals taking a career break, recent retirees, individuals or groups who are interested in a change and the chance to enrich their own life and the lives of others. If you are 18 years or older you can apply for any of the placements available. If you are from 16-18 years old you may apply for placements near our Volunteer Abroad Office and Residence, so that we are able to give you more support. Both students and professionals are needed for placements in all our countries.

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of Depends on the placement

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Typically The Application Process Time is

24-48 hrs

Basecamp International Centers's Mission Statement

We believe international volunteering promotes cross-cultural learning that helps create global awareness, understanding between cultures and provides the platform for positive change. Our volunteers have taught in schools, provided disaster relief support for the International Red Cross, conducted essential research to improve the management strategies of threatened environments, built homes for impoverished people, provided vocational training and programs for street kids and have worked in co-operation with hundreds of local organizations to distribute aid and improve the quality of life for people throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Year Founded

1998