Description

Knowledge of HIV & AIDS, STIs, nutrition, and hygiene needs to improve drastically. As such, volunteers are also needed to develop and/or deliver health education in schools, in orphanages and to the general public. Health education resources, which can be used by local staff and future volunteers, need to be developed. More specifically, materials to teach about HIV/AIDS, other STIs, and basic hygiene and sanitation need to be created. Volunteers will be teaching basic health education to impoverished communities. Innovative approaches welcomed and considered.

Your Role
In this position you will develop and deliver presentations on HIV/AIDS and basic hygiene. The presentations will be delivered to the children in the orphanage, and also to schools in surrounding communities. The intern will be the first to deliver the presentations, and is expected to evaluate and edit materials after initial presentations. Materials will remain with the orphanage so that teachers and other volunteers can deliver the presentations long after the intern leaves.

Examples of Activities
* Learn about the dimensions of health and how they affect healthcare in Benin
* Develop public health education materials in partnership with local staff
* Deliver health education to women and children
* Evaluate and improve materials
* Train local staff in presentation delivery and ensure materials can be used following your departure

Highlights

Language
You can compliment your volunteer experience with French classes. On days when you have class, you will spend half the day volunteering and the other half learning French.

Class setting: You will learn French in a small group setting (1-6 students). All teachers are university-trained French teachers. You will learn through reading & writing, the use of media, and field trips where you are guided in actively practicing your French

Standard French: Two Hours, Three times per Week
Intensive French: Two Hours, Five times per Week

You can add as many weeks of language learning as you like to your placement. View costs to determine how much your program will cost depending on how much French you would like to learn.

Qualifications

Language Requirement
Intermediate French (Note: if you do not have the required level of French, contact us to learn about options for language learning before your placement or other opportunities which may be suited to your goals and skills). You should be comfortable teaching in French in order to pursue this position.

Asset Skills: Background in health. Comfortable with public speaking and teaching others. Experience in grant-writing is an asset.

Intern Types

• Health Sciences

Languages

• French

Cost in US$:

Starts at USD700 for one week

Cost Includes:

• Housing
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Registration fees
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

* Pre-departure support: You will have a staff member available to support you throughout your time preparing to go abroad. In addition, you will be provided with all the resources you need including your Pre-Departure Manual & Culture Matters Workbook. The pre-departure manual includes all information you need regarding your destination, as well as advice on blogging and fundraising. The Culture Matters Workbook is a self-study course focused on:
- Culture shock
- Issues power and race
- Managing politics, religion, and gender
- Working effectively in a cross-cultural setting
- Preparing to reintegrate as you return home
* Transportation to and from the airport
* Accommodation (single or double occupancy in self catering apartment).
* Laundry, cleaning, and one African meal provided weekly
* Organization placement
* Reference letter and/or compliance with your college or university for course credit (Upon request; 90USD fee applies for students obtaining course credit)

What's not Included
* Food
* Airfare
* Insurance
* Vaccinations
* Local transportation
* Pocket money

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Typical volunteer: University & college students or early career professionals. Many volunteers have interest in working in Africa in future with MSF, UN, or Red Cross. Typical Volunteer Hours: The hours spent volunteering are quite variable. Volunteers may be needed evenings and weekends. You can take long weekends to travel and explore Benin, just let your supervisor know in advance. We know that you are volunteering your valuable time. Therefore, if you would like to volunteer for less hours, this is ok. You can arrange this with your supervisor once in Benin. In sum, your schedule at the orphanage can be flexible, you just need to ensure you communicate the schedule you would like to have with your supervisor.

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Guest House

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

3 days

The Humanity Exchange's Mission Statement

To provide exceptional international exchange experiences, that foster globally minded conscientious leaders and contribute to development in cooperation with local communities.

Year Founded

2009