CSIH International Internships - 2010/2011 CIDA-Sponsored Current Internships

Strengthening Systems for Health Education for Marginalized Communities of Women and Youth -- Dominican Republic

Country: Dominican Republic

Developing-country partner organization's name: SONRISAS (Smiles Foundation)

Internship Title:  Health Promotion Program Developer

Application Deadline: August 27th, 2010

Internship Profile/Qualifications:

• University degree in health-related field;
• Sound technical knowledge of health promotion and disease prevention;
• Training in evidence based interventions and decision making;
• Curriculum development expertise;
• Fluency in Spanish, both written and verbal;
• Open mindedness and sensitivity to local concerns;
• Basic knowledge of current health issues facing Latin American Countries, especially the Caribbean;
• Speciality in field of sexual health would be an asset.

Project Summary:

To strengthen the capacity of the Smiles Foundation (SONRISAS) to deliver health education to its clientele in marginalized communities in the Dominican REpublic, 65% of whom are women and children. The Smiles Foundation offers free preventative health education and restorative dental treatments to children in dental offices and through mobile clinics. As well as focusing on clinical services, they deliver health education and promotion programs at the community level. The internships will result in enhanced human and material resources for health education on HIV/AIDS and STD´s, drugs and drug addiction, nutrition, and general health issues, aimed mainly at women and the 12-19 year old age group, for use in local clinics, a computer school, and other community settings. As health promotion and disease prevention is one of the pillars of an effective healthcare system, the program will assist efforts of the national government to reform the national healthcare system. Government health promotion programs generally do not reach children in marginalized communities. By providing health promotion interventions in the communities where SONRISAS works, the disease burden among vulnerable populations will be lowered.

Internship Activities:

1. Develop a curriculum of a diverse range health education topics for use in health promotion program;
2. Develop modules that can be used in our local clinics, computer school, and other community settings;
3. Liaise with Dominican organizations specialized in themes of interest to collect the most accurate and country specific material available;
4. Develop training manual for training of local staff;
5. Facilitate a workshop to present curriculum to Smiles educators from various clinics, the head of social promotion, and teachers in the computer school.

How to Apply