Public Health Internship in Rural Communities

location
2 - 24 weeks  ·  Age 16 - 50+

rating  Fantastic 4.5  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Provide basic healthcare services on community outreaches
  • Raise awareness around key healthcare issues
  • Assist local staff at child welfare clinics

Highlights

  • Provide basic healthcare services on community outreaches
  • Raise awareness around key healthcare issues
  • Assist local staff at child welfare clinics
  • Learn skills and techniques from seasoned doctors and nurses.
  • Add to your CV or resume with this great experience


  • Especially good for

    Age 16+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Conduct health checks and raise awareness about disease in deprived communities

    Join our Public Health internship in Ghana and get involved in hands-on medical work that benefits the local community. It’s a learning experience that gives you a deeper insight into the healthcare challenges people face in developing countries. 

    This internship is open to everyone who is ...

    About the program

    Join our Public Health internship in Ghana and get involved in hands-on medical work that benefits the local community. It’s a learning experience that gives you a deeper insight into the healthcare challenges people face in developing countries. 

    This internship is open to everyone who is interested in getting involved with community health. Our Public Health internships are ideal for those considering a career in healthcare field. It’s also great for medical students interested in getting more practical experience. You can use the experience to add hands-on work experience to your CV or resume, and give yourself an edge on applications and during interviews.

    For those of you without medical experience, you can still join this program. This is because you’ll have a dedicated supervisor for the duration of your internship, and receive a thorough induction upon arrival. You will also work under supervision on outreaches.

    Ghana faces a double burden of disease. These include infectious diseases such as malaria, as well as those resulting from lifestyle changes, like diabetes. Furthermore, many people living in rural, disadvantaged areas do not have regular access to medical services.

    You’ll help us provide these communities with free health screenings and basic healthcare services. You’ll do this by joining medical outreaches, as well as visit schools to raise awareness around healthcare issues.

    You’ll live and work in a more rural area of Ghana, and stay with a local host family. You’ll have an exciting and memorable time as you learn and explore the culture and cuisine.


    You can look forward to taking part in a range of interesting activities on this internship.

     

    Some of the tasks you will get involved in include:


    -       Provide basic healthcare services on community outreaches

    -       Assist local staff at child welfare clinics

    -       Raise awareness around key healthcare issues

    Your public health work in Ghana will be split up into the following main areas:

    Provide medical treatment on community outreaches

    Our outreaches provide vital medical treatment to people in rural communities who would otherwise not have access to healthcare. Working alongside local staff, you’ll treat wounds and ringworm to prevent infections. You will also test suspected cases of malaria or Hepatitis B, and refer patients on for further treatment when necessary.

    Non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes are on the rise in Ghana due to lifestyle and diet changes. It is important to screen for these illnesses by taking measurements and testing vital signs such as blood pressure levels in order to detect undiagnosed cases. The supervising nurse or doctor will then provide referrals if the patients need further intervention.

    Assist local staff at child welfare clinics

    At child welfare clinics, you’ll weigh and measure infants as part of their health screenings. Here you will work alongside the local public health department staff. You will also provide advice to parents in terms of maternal and child nutrition, to promote the healthy development of children in rural areas.

    Raise awareness around key healthcare issues

    Educating the local community about key healthcare issues is an important part of your internship. Promoting awareness is the best way to ensure the prevention of avoidable diseases. You will give presentations at local schools or community centers.

    These talks will focus on the importance of healthier lifestyle choices such as exercise and an improved diet as a means of preventing non-communicable diseases. You’ll also demonstrate good hygiene practices to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as cholera. Malaria is also a big problem in Ghana, so people need to be aware of prevention methods and the importance of early treatment. 


    Typical day

    On this internship, you will usually work from Monday to Friday, with weekends off to travel and relax. Your working hours will typically be from 8am - 2pm. However, the finishing time may depend on the activities of the day.

    In the morning, you will go on medical outreaches to surrounding villages, ...

    Typical day

    On this internship, you will usually work from Monday to Friday, with weekends off to travel and relax. Your working hours will typically be from 8am - 2pm. However, the finishing time may depend on the activities of the day.

    In the morning, you will go on medical outreaches to surrounding villages, which take place in schools, care centers, community centers, and churches. Here you will get involved in everything from general medical screenings, to wound cleaning and treatment of ringworm.

    Education and awareness of medical issues is also an important part of this project. You can expect to present educational talks about first aid, or demonstrate hygiene best practices at a local school.

    At the end of the day, spend some time getting to know your host family over a delicious dinner. Share your experiences with fellow interns, making new friends at a local bar or restaurant. Travel to the capital if you’re in the mood for a more cosmopolitan setting, or explore the natural wonders that Ghana has to offer.


    Free-time activities

    During weekends Volunteers/Interns have the opportunity to visit all that Ghana has to offer. Weekend trips available include visits to Mole National Park in the Northern Region of Ghana. This National Park offers a great Safari-like experience and is one of the biggest Elephant Sanctuaries in ...

    Free-time activities

    During weekends Volunteers/Interns have the opportunity to visit all that Ghana has to offer. Weekend trips available include visits to Mole National Park in the Northern Region of Ghana. This National Park offers a great Safari-like experience and is one of the biggest Elephant Sanctuaries in Africa with the chance to spot Lions, Leopards & Antelopes in their natural habitat.
Volunteers can also take a trip to Cape Coast in the Central Region of Ghana to relax in the beautiful beaches and see the famous Cape Coast castle, the Kakum Canopy walkway and Elmina castle, where slave trade begun.

    NOTE: We do provide tours, therefore you can add a tour before or after your volunteer program for an additional cost. We can perform quality tours and can offer discounts to volunteers.

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 16 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 16 years old on the program start date.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Education Requirements

    at High School / University /College etc. level

    Required Documents

    CV/Resume

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    No previous experience is required.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:00 - 14:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Our Generation Voluntary Organization

    Airport pick-up and transportation from Accra to your project sites - Three times daily local dishes - Introduction to host family and program - Accommodation - Placement and supervision in program - 24/7 Hotline for support - Recommendation Letter / Certificate - In country introduction/orientation - Regular Culture/Recreational Activities (Personal spending not included)

    Airport Pickup at Kotoka International Airport

    You will be met upon arrival and you will be transfer to your project site, it's about 4 -5 hours drive from the airport, Accra.

    Accommodation

    All accommodation with a Ghana home-stay family is included. Rooms are private (you can share with other volunteers but the price will remain the same) and have all the basic furnishings you could expect, including running water, electricity & clean bathrooms. The home-stay families have been specially chosen by OGVO and have hosted many volunteers over the course of several years. Our home-stay families form some of the most memorable parts of Volunteer Programs and provide amazing insight...

    Food & Beverages

    Three meals a day are provided by the home-stay families and consist mainly of traditional Ghanaian meals with some flexibility for home comforts when available. If you have special eating needs, you can indicate that while applying. Even though special eating needs are not something we can guarantee, we will do our best to meet your needs.


    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ghana. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Ghana provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Ghana you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Ghana. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    We pride ourselves for our flexibility. Volunteers or interns can arrive any day of the year with advanced notice. You can volunteer or intern for periods of 1 week to 6 months. Extension can be arranged with advanced notice as well.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    2 weeks (min. stay) 569€
    3 weeks 668€
    4 weeks 768€
    5 weeks 868€
    7 weeks 1,067€
    9 weeks 1,267€
    24 weeks (max. stay) 2,763€
    Average fees 200€/week

    Program fees

    200€ per week 2 - 24 weeks Age 16 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    2 - 24 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Our Generation Voluntary Organization during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Our Generation Voluntary Organization

    Fantastic 4.5 rating (44 reviews)

    Non-profit - founded in 2004

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Excellent response rate

    Coordinated by

    Frank

    Spoken languages: English

    About the project

    Our Generation Voluntary Organization (OGVO) works to foster cross-cultural understanding through travel and volunteer work experiences in Ghana, Africa.

    Meet your organization

    The Our Generation Voluntary Organization (OGVO) was founded in 2004 in order to enable young people to use their leisure time for international volunteering, interns, cultural exchange programs etc. in Ghana. Our Generation Voluntary Organization is a non-profit and non-governmental African Organisation. Our volunteer programs/projects are suitable for anyone on a Gap Year, Career Break or for anyone looking to do a short term volunteer program.

    Our Generation Voluntary Organisation provides safe, unique, flexible, meaningful and extremely affordable volunteer programs and non-paid internships work-experience in Ghana. We have a variety of programs on offer at affordable prices. Our projects are designed to cater to the needs of people from all backgrounds. 

    Since its inception in 2004, OGVO has delivered great experiences to thousands of volunteers across the ten regions of Ghana. Our Medical and Healthcare internships are much admired amongst the medical students, and this is where medics get hands-on knowledge into complex medical procedures. Be it for college credits or an internship or volunteer certificate or even a service learning trip - schoolies, gapers and numerous high school students enroll for our programs throughout the year.

    Our Generation Voluntary Organisation's volunteer and intern programs are available in both urban and rural areas. OGVO has flexible start dates and durations that runs from 1 week to 6 months depending on the program of your choice. Extensions can be arranged with advanced notice. You can arrive any day of the year with advanced notice as well. During this time, you will be staying in the home of a local Ghanaian family. Our host families are carefully screened, socially respected and experienced with hosting international volunteers.  Accommodation is simple but clean and includes 3 meals a day of local cuisine. Typically, volunteers eat breakfast and dinner at the host family and have lunch at their project.  

    OGVO believes that home stays offer you the best experience during your time in Ghana by allowing you to save money, while providing you with an easy way to integrate into Ghanaian culture. In most cases, you will share a room with volunteers (of same gender). Your weekends are free to explore some of the amazing sights that Ghana has to offer. Volunteers regularly travel together and our team will help you plan weekend trips. Our staff visits volunteers regularly and always happy to help our volunteers in any way needed.

    At Our Generation Voluntary Organisation  our programs are designed to help the local communities at the same time of providing a valuable learning and cultural experience to our volunteers and interns. We invite you to volunteer or intern in Ghana with us, and have the experience of your lifetime!

    As a volunteer or intern in Ghana you will have the opportunity to work in number of different capacities including Teaching English & other subjects to kids, Medical & healthcare internships, Dental electives,Veterinary, and many more!

    44 reviews · rating4.5

    Owen Lanfrey rating5

    2024 at Construction & Renovation

    I spent 2 weeks in July with OGVO/ST miracle works educational foundation as a construction and renovation volunteer. During my stay, I got to rmix mortar, plaster walls and help with renovations that were needed but I also got to spend some time with the children of the school, building paper ...
    Bárbara Aybar rating4

    2024 at Assist with Medical Campaigns

    My experience in Ghana has been great. The family I stayed with made me feel so comfortable and welcome. The hospital was good, but some nurses didnt want me there at first. However, they found the perfect place for me, where I couldnt be happier: the vaccination area for kids. All the team working ...
    Sianna Congdon rating3

    2024 at Midwifery Internship

    Overall I really enjoyed my time in Ghana for 2.5 weeks. The people are hospitable, friendly, and welcoming. Our host family was the best! I felt safe the entire time. The volunteer portion of my trip was not what I was expecting. If you are a midwife student or midwife I would suggest going to a ...
    Elisavet Goulia rating5

    2023 at Mental Health and Psychology Internship

    It was a greatful experience as the host family as my experience at Pantang hospital. Ghana is a polite and peaceful country with people with good vibes and the appetite for dance and ...
    Leila Leloup rating5

    2023 at Construction & Renovation

    2 friends and I, aged 16 and 17, from the Uk, spent 2 weeks helping with construction in Senya Beraku, a small fishing village. We stayed with Seth and Naomi, our host family. Seth and Frank greeted us at the airport and we took a taxi to where we were staying. We arrived late so we set up our room ...
    Fenna van den Berg rating4.4

    2023 at Animal Care Supporter

    Me and my son worked at the Kumasi zoo for 2 weeks. From the moment we arrived everything had been arranged, we where picked up, and someone showed us what bus we had to take to go from the guesthouse to the zoo. Although we where somewhat overwhelmed by the bussride and the fact that the kumasi ...

    Location

    Africa > Western Africa > Ghana > Kumasi

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