Medical

Work with doctors and nurses in small clinics in Eastern Uganda. Interns will have the opportunity to gain hands on experience in a general care clinic while learning first hand about the challenges facing Uganda's healthcare system. Staff at the clinics will assign tasks based on the skills and past experience of the intern. This program is open to pre-med, medica, nursing, and physical therapy students. Past clinical experience is not required, but it is a big help. Interns will also have the opportunity to pursue public health projects including educational programs covering topics such as HIV/AIDS/STD prevention, hygiene practices, and nutrition.

Income Generation and Small Business Development
Participants in this project will work directly with small village organizations to help facilitate the development of small businesses in rural areas. Interns can pursue a wide variety of projects in collaboration with the local organization including business skills development, microloans, developing business plans, and project monitoring and evaluation. This internship is an incredible opportunity to learn firsthand about small scale economic development projects while also playing a role in poverty reduction in rural Uganda.

HIV/AIDS
Uganda has been hit hard by the AIDS epidemic. The countryside is dotted with villages abandoned after the disease raged through, killing many of the adults, but Uganda is seen as a success story in Africa. The prevalence of HIV infection topped out around 15% in the early 1990s and since then the official prevalence rate has dropped to around 6%. Interns with this project will work with social workers, health professionals, and community organizations devoted to providing care and support services to people affected by HIV/AIDS. Interns will accompany social workers on home visits, develop educational programs, assist with the distribution of Antiretroviral treatments, and pursue other projects. Participating in this project will give interns insight into the fight against AIDS in Africa as well as help interns to understand the human impact of the disease.

Water and Fisheries
As in many parts of the world, many Ugandan families struggle to find adequate and safe drinking water on a daily basis. Interns are welcome to work with local organizations working to improve the water supply and sanitation. Interns will assist with projects such as mapping, creating distribution networks, and teaching safe sanitation methods. Uganda lies on the shores of Lake Victoria, the second largest lake in the world and a very important source of food, water, and electricity. Lake Victoria’s abundance is declining due to overfishing, pollution, and the introduction of exotic species. Many organizations are working to reverse this trend through education programs emphasizing sustainable fishing practices, sanitation education, and other programs. Participants working on the fisheries project will assist with projects such as maintaining species inventories, education, sanitation projects, and projects targeting invasive species such as the water hyacinth.