Teach For Health

In August 2012 a new Microgrant Empowerment Initiative was introduced in the health promoter program, providing a series of 55 small grants to participant communities. Grants range from $50-$1500 per project and are meant to supply seed funding and infrastructure investment that is paired with substantial community sourced investments in volunteer time, and a small proportion of matching funds. Successful completion of entry level projects qualifies communities and their representative promoters for increased funds and larger and more complex projects.

Volunteer Position:

Teach for Health is currently seeking Regional Microgrant Coordinators for the summer of 2013. This is a volunteer position, where advanced students or public health professional volunteers will be assigned to a geographic region with 1-5 participating communities. Volunteers will meet with health promoters to help develop project ideas, travel via public transportation to the communities to view projects in action, troubleshoot project implementation, assist with outcome measure selection and monitoring, and provide general mentorship. We anticipate that this will be a challenging but incredibly rewarding chance to work creatively with a large number of diverse community based programs. Volunteers are expected to assist health promoters in their efforts, catalyzing community driven change rather than implementing their own agenda. Host families will be available for approximately $10/day with meals in country provided. We will assist applicants with funding applications to UCSF and other identified sources to help mitigate traveling expenses. In country support will be provided by Peace Corps Volunteer(s) and full time Teach for Health employees.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1) Strong conversational Spanish ability (native fluency is not required). Must be able to talk comfortably about a wide range of health topics in Spanish, navigate public transportation, and assist with meetings where no English assistance will be available.

2) Must be able to commit to a minimum of 6 weeks in Nicaragua (8 weeks+ is preferred) between June and August 2013. Additional orientation sessions in San Francisco will be required prior to departure.

3) Prior global health experience, classwork, and program development experience is preferred but not required.

4) Students from all professional disciplines at UCSF are encouraged (medicine, nursing, pharmacy etc), as well as residents and faculty. Volunteers will be expected to work within the limits of their current experience and training with regards to any patient care opportunities and advising roles.

5) Independence, creativity, and ability to work collaboratively with a large number of people are essential.

Please email noah @ teachforhealth.org or use the contact form on the website if you are interested.