Global Health Outreach

VAW Global Health Alliances empowers interns to make a real difference by developing sustainable community health systems in partnership with experienced local professionals. As a VAW Global’s Global Health Intern, you’ll gain hands-on experience while working side-by-side with local masons, partners, and families to strengthen health systems across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Our Global Health Outreach program offers a dynamic range of projects designed to boost community well-being and resilience. You’ll:

Build and install artisan water filters that capture and purify greywater using layers of stone, sand, charcoal, and aquatic plants. These innovative systems allow families to safely reuse water for crop irrigation, conserving resources and supporting sustainable agriculture
Establish family gardens by preparing a garden area and planting basic vegetables that are culturally accepted and they are also easy to harvest in the local climate. Families are provided improved seeds and training in seed collection and germination. Interns help families grow a diverse range of vegetables, promoting self-sufficiency and year-round nutritional security
Launch creole chicken farms by distributing 15 local chickens per family. You will help build a chicken coop as well as teach families how to care for their flocks, boost egg and meat production, and prepare ecological medicines to prevent common poultry diseases—helping families build lasting sources of nutrition.
Produce organic fertilizer through composting vegetable waste and worm farming. You will help install a worm farm and build a roof to protect it from the elements. Interns guide families in creating both liquid (leachate) and solid fertilizers, enriching soil health and maximizing garden productivity with sustainable, natural methods.

Throughout your journey, you’ll be supported and mentored by experienced local staff, ensuring you gain valuable skills and make a meaningful impact. Join us to create healthier, more resilient communities – one innovative project at a time!

While on-site, interns will be required to attend several orientations and workshops focused on professional development and cultural sensitivity, which will reinforce the trainings they did leading up to their trip. Additionally, interns will be required to demonstrate proficiency in worksite skills, such as understanding accident mitigation, among other skills — approved by a local leaders — before being allowed to assist on project days.

Throughout their time in-country, and especially while at the project site, it is of utmost importance that interns portray health care realities and burden of disease accurately, show professionalism, and respect family’s privacy and integrity at all times. During project workdays, interns will be work each day on one of the following projects: potable water filter, garden box, compost box, and latrine construction.

In-Country Schedule

VAW Global’s Global Health Outreach offers two trip lengths: two weeks (15 days) or one week (7 days). On the two-week trip, there will be six project workdays; on the one-week trip, there will be three project workdays. Each country varies slightly in how the schedule is arranged and what opportunities are available.

All interns are responsible for covering their program fees, medication and supply fund fee, plane tickets, spending money, and any additional expenses.

VAW Global Health Alliances constantly strives to provide the best quality sustainable development projects alongside local communities and the best professional development opportunities for the interns. We follow the guidelines outlined by leading organizations, such as the United Nations (UN). Please feel free to review the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on their website directly here.

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