Description

Working with an international healthcare development program can provide you with the experience you need to become a citizen of the word. Provide help and support to locals through an array of patient care. Examples of how you can be involved with Health initiatives in Bolivia:

* Launch educational campaigns and workshops on medical themes including nutrition, sterilization, prenatal care, and sexual health within marginalized areas of Cochabamba.

* Observe and assist with treatment and general patient care in a 24 hour hospital and its surrounding clinics. Services include family medicine, pediatrics, neurology, cardiology, gynecology, radiology, surgery, physical therapy, reconstructive and plastic surgery, 24 hour emergency care, dentistry, pre and post natal care, and other specialties. Assist in the hospital laboratory.

* Assist with an organization's activities in dealing with and preventing domestic abuse: Provide holistic socio-physical recuperation, education, counseling, and health support to women and children who suffer from intra-familial violence.

* Conduct epidemiological research surveying sexuality and HIV/AIDS in the community. Analyze efficacy of an organization's public health initiatives that directly address these topics. Write and publish articles for national and international newspapers and magazines to promote health and HIV/AIDS initiatives.
* Work with foster and adoptive families to get children out of abusive homes.

*Support the training of healthcare personnel about the medical, psychological, and social characteristics of HIV/AIDS and the precautions necessary to prevent the transmission of the virus in the delivery of healthcare services.

For more internship opportunities in health in Bolivia, 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

Development Issues Addressed by FSD in Bolivia
One of the largest health concerns in Bolivia is that of malnutrition; Close to five million citizens are unable to fulfill even their most basic eating requirements. This problem poses the greatest risk to pregnant women and young children so that infant, child, and maternal mortality rates in Bolivia are the second highest in the hemisphere. In addition to the desperate need to address these issues, Bolivia also has an extremely high prevalence of tuberculosis, malaria, chagas, leishmaniasis, dengue fever and yellow fever. While HIV/AIDS has not yet reached epidemic proportions in Bolivia, the occurrence of the virus is steadily rising. Overall, there is a huge need for expansion of healthcare in Bolivia, especially in rural communities where health services are extremely limited.

FSD works with local health clinics and hospitals to expand their resources and to support them in providing health education, medical treatment, counseling, and immunizations to at-risk populations in the Cochabamba community. FSD conducts research in a number of areas to gain increased understanding of the efficacy of current health initiatives and to gain information about current health crises. With enhanced health services, and increased public knowledge, the hope is that the citizens of Cochabamba and surrounding rural villages will soon have the tools to properly address major health issues and improve their quality of life.

Minimum Education

High School

Intern Types

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Depends on Program Selected; See FSD Website

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Living stipend
• Medical insurance
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Your contribution fee covers all program costs (excluding airfare) and is 100% tax deductible for U.S. residents. 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; USD 200 mini-grant; eligibility for additional project funding up to USD 500, medical evacuation and limited health insurance; and pick-up from the airport.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

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.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of 3-10

Application Process Involves

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

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 months

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

Foundation for Sustainable Development's Mission Statement

Founded in 1995, the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) supports the efforts of more than 300 grassroots, community-based partner organizations throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America. FSD's programs provide multi-faceted support that relies on active community participation to mobilize lasting solutions. FSD programs include:

• Capacity Building: Our professional field staff provides on-site training and networking opportunities to more than 300 community-based organizations worldwide.
  
  
• Training Programs Abroad: FSD provides comprehensive training and immersion programs for interns and volunteers who seek hands-on development experience.
  
  
• Grantmaking: Donations and grants given to FSD are used to support sustainable projects led by our partner organizations.
  
  
• Engaged Philanthropy: FSD Giving Circles organize groups of donors who pool their time, talent, and resources to make international grants to our partner organizations.

• Year Founded

  1995