Accepting Applications for Summer Public Health & International Development Internship in Uganda - Summer 2013

About Uganda Village Project

The Uganda Village Project (UVP) is an international public health organization that works with people of Iganga to promote public health and sustainable development in the rural communities of Iganga, in southeast Uganda.

Summer 2013 Internship Opportunity

We are currently accepting applications for our Summer 2013 internship program. Interns spend 8-9 weeks living and working in a village in rural Iganga District, Uganda, gaining experience in public health, community education, and international development. Interns work in diverse teams composed of Ugandan and non-Ugandan team members. Interns will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities in several focus areas, including water, sanitation, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, malaria, and reproductive health. 

Learn more about our internship program here: http://www.ugandavillageproject.org/get-involved/summer-internships/

Intern Qualifications

We are looking for individuals who are passionate and have experience in public health, medicine, or international development. We give extra consideration to individuals who have prior experience working in developing and low-resource settings. Ideal applicants are those who have a strong interest in development and/or global health and are looking for a cross-cultural and entrepreneurial opportunity to work in a rural setting. All interns must be at least 18 years old. Historically, interns have come from all around the world as medical students, graduate students, undergraduate students, and professionals. 

Internship Program Dates

• Team Leaders: Monday, June 17, 2013 – Tuesday, August 20, 2013 (9 weeks)
• All Interns: Thursday, June 20, 2013 – Saturday, August 17, 2013 (8 weeks)

Internship Fundraising Requirement

Once accepted, all interns are required to fundraise $2,000 USD for UVP, in addition to a deposit of $500 USD. The deposit is refundable upon successful completion of the program. This sum includes a donation towards UVP's programs in Uganda as well as pick-up and drop-off at Entebbe Airport, orientation costs, room and board, in-country transportation, food, and Uganda-based staffing costs. All interns are required to individually purchase airfare to and from Entebbe Airport in Uganda.

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications for the Summer 2013 internship is February 1, 2013 at 11:59PM PST. In order to apply, there are two steps:

• 1) Complete the online application at http://bit.ly/SbEItX
• 2) Submit your CV and essay questions via email to internships@ugandavillageproject.org — instructions on both are on the last page of the online application

Questions? 

Email us at internships@ugandavillageproject.org
Learn more about the internship: http://www.ugandavillageproject.org/get-involved/summer-internships/
Visit us at http://www.ugandavillageproject.org.
Follow us on twitter: @uvp

Mosquito Control District From Utah Sponsors Malaria Prevention in Uganda!

by Gary Hatch

 I am the director of a mosquito control district in Utah.  We have had an education program in the elementary schools in our county for many years.  Currently about 5,000 elementary students go through our program each year. Katie Albornoz was a seasonal employee for our district and also studying  Public Health at the University of Utah.  For her internship she wanted to work with the district to enhance our education program and do something that would have an impact on malaria.   She started Students Against Malaria (S.A.M.).  We started teaching in the high school and middle school science classes about mosquitoes and other insects that spread disease and discussed malaria at length in the lesson.  

 
Katie had volunteers from each school that raised money for one week in February, 2012 to buy bed nets.  All funds raised by the students went toward the bed net purchase.  She obtained corporate sponsors to cover the cost of operation and to send two people to Uganda.  Katie and a science teacher, Reece Gurney, from the school that raised the most money were to go.  Because Katie gave birth to a son just a couple of weeks before we were to travel,  I was able to make the trip in her place.

We felt it was important for us to see firsthand the great work of the Uganda Village Project (UVP) and also see the issues that they face.  The UVP staff was wonderful to work with and very accommodating.  They took us into a number of villages and taught us the many aspects of the programs that they are trying to implement.  We were able to make a tippy tap, visit a recovering fistula patient, see the sanitation work being implemented and talk to villagers about the shallow well that UVP helped build.

The bed net program was our greatest interest and we were able to see how the program is administered and participate with them as nets were distributed in a few villages.  We went with a few of the VHT’s to do inspections on homes to make sure the nets are being used and used properly.

Uganda is a beautiful country with wonderful people.  Our visit there was a life changing experience and gave us greater resolve to continue to work with UVP and grow S.A.M.  It truly helped us understand the great work being done by UVP and showed us that we can make a difference in the lives of individuals. We are currently looking for another intern for this next year and are trying to add more schools to the program.  We look forward to our continued relationship with the Uganda Village Project.

Board Position Available: Marketing & Communications Chair

Use your marketing expertise to make a meaningful impact in the lives of rural Ugandans. The Uganda Village project is seeking a Marketing & Communications Chair to join our Board of Directors.

Responsibilities

- Publicity & media relations
- Create and manage marketing collateral
- Collaborate with in-country staff on e-newsletters, communications to volunteers
- Lead donor appeals
- Social Media (blog, Twitter, Facebook, etc.)
- Create and manage program documents (manuals, forms, etc.)
- Participate in monthly executive board meetings.

All Executive Board members are expected to participate in the annual executive board member meeting and commit to minimum fundraising requirements.

Experience

Marketing and communications professionals with a minimum of 2 years of professional marketing experience in a non-profit or corporate capacity. Knowledge and access to Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop) is desired, but not necessary.

To apply, please send a resume, brief cover letter and professional writing sample to director@ugandavillageproject.org to apply. Further questions are welcomed. – Estimated time commitment 4 hours/week. This is a volunteer position.