The Tandana Foundation is seeking an intern to assist with health care projects in mountain villages in the Otavalo canton of Ecuador, a region that is rich in natural beauty and cultural diversity. This internship is available year-round, and the minimum time commitment is 9 months.
Position Description
In this internship, your main responsibility will be to assist patients of all ages from Tandana’s Health Care Volunteer Vacations who need additional care. This will involve contacting them and walking them through the public health system. You will work along side local health care professionals and Tandana staff to set up and accompany patients to all necessary appointments at the rural health centers and the hospitals in Otavalo, Ibarra, or Quito. You will also help prepare for and participate in Tandana's health care volunteer vacations. The preparation will consist of getting paperwork ready, delivering letters to inform the communities, and organizing and taking inventory of medicines and supplies. During the medical volunteer programs, you will be a part of the team traveling to a different rural village each day to provide primary care. You may prepare medications for patients, take vitals, perform simple laboratory tests or fulfill another support role as depending on your skills. Additionally, depending on your availability and interests as well as Tandana's needs, you may participate in other projects such as facilitating a class for the elderly to promote brain development and activity, assisting a local doctor or a midwife, or giving health talks at local schools. Finally, you will serve as a a cultural ambassador and a positive representative of The Tandana Foundation. In return, you will be placed with a host family, which will allow countless opportunities to explore the indigenous cultures and subsistence lifestyles of highland Ecuador as well as the natural environment around you. You will also be given all the support you need to succeed in your work and be encouraged to accomplish your personal internship goals.
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How to apply:
Interested parties should send a resume and a letter addressing each of the following questions to Herman Snel, Ecuador Program Manager, at herman@tandanafoundation.org