Public Health and Community Development Intern

Public Health and Community Development Intern

Position: Intern
Organization: Manna Project International
Location: Amazon Rainforest (Shandia), Ecuador
Duration: Short-term

About the Role:

Manna Project International is seeking motivated and intelligent students to join our team as interns, working closely with the indigenous Kichwa community in the Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador. This unique opportunity allows you to contribute to impactful development programs while gaining invaluable professional experience.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Kichwa community to design and implement public health, community health, and nutrition programs.
• Conduct needs assessments to identify and prioritize health and nutritional challenges.
• Develop educational materials and conduct workshops to promote healthy practices.
• Assist and support local public health clinic in house calls, administration, outreach, and workshops. 
• Assist in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of ongoing programs.
• Work alongside local health professionals and community leaders to support sustainable development initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Strong interest in community development and public health.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to adapt to new environments and work collaboratively with diverse groups.
• Patience and flexibility for unpredictable community work pace.
• Self-starter capable of autonomy.
• Basic proficiency in Spanish is preferred but not required.

Benefits:

• Gain hands-on experience in public health and community development.
• Enhance your language skills and cultural understanding through immersive experience.
• Build your resume with unique and impactful work experience.
• Develop valuable skills in project management, cross-cultural communication, and community engagement.
• Make a real difference in the lives of the Kichwa community members.

Why Join Us?

This internship offers a unique blend of professional development and personal growth. You'll have the chance to apply your academic knowledge in a real-world setting, all while experiencing the rich culture and stunning environment of the Amazon Rainforest. This is more than just an internship; it's a chance to broaden your global perspective and make a lasting impact both personally and professionally. 

About Manna Project International:

Manna Project International (MPI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit empowering young professionals to apply their skills through community service. Operating in Ecuador, MPI employs a collaborative community-based model, addressing education, health, and livelihood growth in underserved communities. 

Scholarships and Academic Credit are available 

It is the responsibility of the student to arrange for approval for academic credit from the appropriate academic department prior to accepting the internship for credit. If their academic department does not offer credit for internships the student can enroll in the Toppel Internship Program (TIP). For more information visit http://hireacane.miami.edu/gain-experience/tip/index.html or contact Toppel directly.

All interns will be required to live onsite in the Manna House for safety and community building experiences. Some exceptions are granted. This starts at $2,310 for 5 weeks or $1,300 per month for stays of 3+ months. This includes all on-ground transport, food, housing, wifi, tourism and cultural events, a professional development curriculum and certificate, as well as 24/7 emergency support. 

Manna staff holds fundraising training for interns who wish to fundraise for their living costs or apply for grants. There are also scholarships available to students with demonstrated need.