Public Health Internship in Zambia

Public Health (PH) interns will get extra responsibilities during their 4 weeks with us and have a specific short term research to work on. This will be discussed together with the coordinator on the ground but sometimes also beforehand if it is line with their own study. They also responsible that all medical supplies are up to date for the HBC program. They first couple of days will be the same as a medical volunteer, to get into the rhythm and to really get to know projects such as HBC and clinic work. Most of the afternoon will be dedicated to the research. 

The volunteers have free time to read a book, go to the supermarket

The volunteers prepare for the afternoon activities together with the staff, ensuring that everyone is fully prepared and understands their role for the afternoon. At times, they also help make peanut butter sandwiches and juice for the students.

Each day, the volunteers visit a different community project. These may include Eco Club, Math Club, Reading Club, Girl Impact, Rugby, Health Club, and others. Teaching volunteers are mixed with those working in medical, education, or sports roles to create a balanced team.

A Monday meeting is held with the entire team to get to know one another, review the weekly plan, and share any additional announcements.

Easy night for all the new volunteers. 

In the mornings, volunteers visit different communities around Livingstone to provide home-based care, assisting patients with tasks such as dressing wounds, administering basic medication, taking vitals, and providing healthcare education. Caregivers familiar with the area accompany the volunteers and provide translation support when needed. At least once a week, volunteers also assist at the clinic, supporting nurses with tasks such as helping at the under-five clinic by weighing babies and documenting their growth, taking vitals, or observing the clinical officer.

Volunteers receive an activities talk from Victoria Falls Backpackers, after which they can book their weekend activities.

The volunteers prepare for the afternoon activities together with the staff, ensuring that everyone is fully prepared and understands their role for the afternoon. At times, they also help make peanut butter sandwiches and juice for the students.

Each day, the volunteers visit a different community project. These may include Eco Club, Math Club, Reading Club, Girl Impact, Rugby, Health Club, and others. Teaching volunteers are mixed with those working in medical, education, or sports roles to create a balanced team.

Free time for everyone until dinner.

Today the interns have movie night in the volunteer house.  

In the mornings, volunteers visit different communities around Livingstone to provide home-based care, assisting patients with tasks such as dressing wounds, administering basic medication, taking vitals, and providing healthcare education. Caregivers familiar with the area accompany the volunteers and provide translation support when needed. At least once a week, volunteers also assist at the clinic, supporting nurses with tasks such as helping at the under-five clinic by weighing babies and documenting their growth, taking vitals, or observing the clinical officer.

A language lesson is held, during which a staff member teaches the volunteers some basic Nyanja phrases.

To complete the research within four weeks, the intern participates in additional preparation sessions focused on this work. Volunteers also go out into the communities to conduct surveys, supporting the intern in gathering the necessary data to finish the research on time for their presentation.

The volunteers are taken to the Maramba community to visit the local market. At the market, a wide variety of goods are sold, with the fabric stalls being a particular favorite. Volunteers can buy chitenge fabric, which local tailors can turn into skirts, bags, or other custom items.

The interns either play games in the volunteer house or they go to a pub quiz in town.   

In the mornings, volunteers visit different communities around Livingstone to provide home-based care, assisting patients with tasks such as dressing wounds, administering basic medication, taking vitals, and providing healthcare education. Caregivers familiar with the area accompany the volunteers and provide translation support when needed. At least once a week, volunteers also assist at the clinic, supporting nurses with tasks such as helping at the under-five clinic by weighing babies and documenting their growth, taking vitals, or observing the clinical officer.

The volunteers have free time to read a book, go to the supermarket

The volunteers prepare for the afternoon activities together with the staff, ensuring that everyone is fully prepared and understands their role for the afternoon. At times, they also help make peanut butter sandwiches and juice for the students.

Every volunteer has the opportunity to take part in the Village Tour, which is organized by the women of the local women’s group. This tour serves as an income-generating activity for the group while allowing volunteers to visit and experience two different communities around Livingstone. Volunteers also get to taste local snacks. If a volunteer has already participated in the Village Tour the previous week, they instead take part in a community project.

Volunteers can chill at the volunteers and play games with each other or read a book.    

On the final Friday of the internship, interns deliver a presentation in front of all staff and volunteers. They present their research, all collected data, and any other key findings on the big screen. Throughout the four weeks, they receive ongoing support from the coordinator, who provides guidance and helps answer any questions.

On the final Friday of the internship, interns deliver a presentation in front of all staff and volunteers. Meanwhile, volunteers have free time to read, relax, or visit the supermarket.

Before lunch, a “Friday Check-In” is held. During this session, volunteers are asked for feedback on the week, informed of any maintenance in the house, updated on the weekend plans, and briefed on any new arrivals.

Volunteers gather in the boma at the backpackers, where one or two staff members give a talk about Zambia. The session includes time for questions and answers, followed by a “mock wedding,” in which two volunteers are playfully married to demonstrate a traditional Zambian wedding. Afterward, everyone participates in drumming and dancing together. If a volunteer has already attended the cultural afternoon the previous week, they instead take part in a community project.

Volunteers can chill at the volunteers and play games with each other or read a book.