ELI works with organizations in Kenya to create internships desigend to give participants valuable work experience in one of Africa's most exciting countries.

Veterinary Medicine

Interns with a proven interest or past experience in the fields of veterinary science, applied biology, and animal health sciences can gain field experience with the Kenya Wildlife Service Veterinary Services Department. The department works to maintain viable, healthy, adn breeding wildlife populations throughout Kenya. Ongoing activities interns may be able to become involved with include veterinary clinical intervention, translocations of wild animals, disease monitoring and control, veterinary research, captive animal management, rescue of orphaned/sick animals, and quarantine of wild animals. This is an incredible opportunity for interns to gain valuable field experience and work directly with the scientists working hard to protect some of the most threatened species on the planet.

Medical and Health
ELI works with the Nakuru Provincial General Hospital and Municipal Health service to create programs for pre med and medical students. Interns will shadow the doctors and other medical staff in order to gain an understanding of the day to day practice of medicine in Kenya. Participants in this program will have no medical responsibilities, but may be given tasks such as assisting with patient histories, taking vitals, and anything else the permanent hospital staff feels is appropriate. The Municipal Health Service provides Anti Retroviral Therapy to people living with HIV/AIDS in Nakuru along with educational programs for the community. Interns at the hospital are encouraged to get involved in the health education outreach programs in order to give back to the community as well as learn first hand about the health challenges the community faces. This opportunity is wonderful for participants wanting to gain first hand experience working in a government hospital in Kenya, learn about tropical diseases, and learn about public health issues in East Africa.

Water Management

Lake Nakuru was designated Kenya's first Ramsar site after Kenya signed the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1989. Conservation of the wetlands and management of the wastewater produced by the town of Nakuru is a complicated challenge. The needs of a large human population must be balanced with the conservation of a unique and threatened ecosystem. Interns with this program will work with the wetlands conservation project at Lake Nakuru National Park. The conservation program focuses on policy development; education and awareness at all levels of society including government departments, policy makers, developers, land owners, and community groups; improvement of wetland management; and community conservation initiatives. Interns with this program will assist with monitoring wetlands, research, database development, management plans, and educational outreach.

Wildlife Management and Conservation

Interns in the area of wildlife management have the opportunity to become involved in a wide range of projects including taking censuses, monitoring radio collared animals, field research, and community outreach. Many ongoing projects are aimed at managing and reducing human/wildlife conflict through educational outreach, conservation incentives, policy development, and developing infrastructure. Interns can focus either on research and policy development or fieldwork.