Vacancy Social Health Prevention Project Ghana General project information Project name: Social Health Prevention Project in Buduburam, former Refugee Camp for people from Niger (multicultural environment), Ghana Project type (practical/research/policy): Practical Intended for interns from following study fields: Health, Social work, Psychology Total project duration: 1-6 months Preferred starting period: As Soon As Possible Number of students required: 2-3 students Project description Background of the project: Poor health conditions and poverty is a vicious cycle seen in many developing countries. Poverty causes poor health in that without proper resources, treatable diseases such as diarrhoea, malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and others contribute to disability and mortality within Ghana. The Ghana Health Service, Ghana’s governmental health agency and authority for all public health facilities, identified the main areas of health in which Ghana needs improvement. These include rates of infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, polio, and others; non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension; and other health outcomes such as maternal and infant mortality, nutritional quality, and injury and death due to accidents. Problem statement: Lack of value placed on health, nutrition and physical education in schools and communities. In Ghana, 31% of schoolchildren lack access to safe drinking water, whilst 78% do not have access to good sanitation. This may contribute to poor hygiene behavior among schoolchildren (UNICEF, 2003). Goal: Assessing and addressing the unique health challenges of youth and people living in the communities. To focus on issues confronting these communities, building on their strengths, developing leadership skills and increasing their capacity to respond to rapidly evolving health problems. Role of the intern: Volunteers/Interns will be involved in several projects, each of which aims to provide long-lasting impacts and emphasize prevention. These projects include education in schools and communities in Buduburam. You will be part of the public health team which travels and conducts health talks to the students at district schools and the people living in the community. The topics of these talks include symptoms, treatment, and prevention of malaria, HIV/AIDS, diarrhea and more. Future Stars recognizes the power of the youth to lead change in their communities and aims to provide them with the knowledge necessary for action and empower them to work for change. Students are encouraged to not only learn the information, but to put it into practice, as well as to share the information with their families and community members. Specific activities: 1. Volunteers/Interns will be educating youth in selected schools and communities in the district. 2. Volunteers/Interns will organise seminars to train youth and community members on selected health issues in the communities. 3. Support and encourage community stakeholders with the knowledge necessary for action and empower them to work for change. Measurable end product (report/advice/development/product): Progress and advice report. Interested? Contact: Noor van Hout Consultant (MSc) Programma Manager/ Supervisor Let’s Go Ghana T Ghana: +233 541082283 W www.letsgoafrica.nl E noor@letsgoafrica.nl Hoofdkantoor Nederland: Korhoenderveld 44 5431 HH Cuijk Kamer van Koophandel: 60323310 BIC: INGBNL2A • IBAN: NL23 INGB 0006 3799 75 Bezoek onze website| Like ons op Facebook Facilities for intern Supervision: By the programs Director of Future Stars and Noor van Hout (Msc. Educationalist/Behavioural Therapist and BSc. Social Worker), who is living and working in Ghana for more than 4 years. Workspace for intern: office is available in Buduburam where you will work Introduction and guidance during project: By the programs Director of Future Stars and Programme manager of Let’s Go Africa. Accommodation options: Interns/Volunteers will be provided with a homestay accommodation. Local food will be served twice daily (breakfast and supper). Intern requirements Intern characteristics/qualities: Interns should be flexible, confident and have a professional attitude. Able to work with different cultures and accept different norms. Can work independently and is creative. Confident and able to create positive professional relationships. Good organizational and interpersonal skills. Able to adapt to different work environments and situations. Fully self-funded or reimbursement for accommodation & transport: self-funded Other criteria/selection procedure: Must be able to adapt the Ghanaian culture and is prepared to integrate in rural living conditions. Role Let’s Go Africa * Assists with all preparation and organisational support for the internship * Matches vacancy with intern’s personal and University criteria * Publishes vacancy on the online internship board of different Universities in the Netherlands * Sends intern’s CV to the partner and does personal screening of candidates * Ensures accommodation costs are transferred to project/ accommodation owners beforehand