About this role
Project Description
The Gambia is seeking individuals with a passion for public health to promote healthy behaviors and practices, and you can lend a hand.
To improve community well-being, The Gambia’s Ministry of Health is focused on promoting healthy habits, with a focus on young adults, women, and children in rural areas, where access to health services is limited. Access to clean water and proper sanitation remains a challenge in many rural areas of The Gambia, as does access to basic healthcare services.
As a Public Health educator, through home visits and workshops, you will deliver health education and promotion services focused on maternal and child health, malaria prevention methods, sanitation approaches, and overall well-being.
Required Skills
Associate degree in any field and at least two years of full-time, post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).
OR
Bachelor's degree in any field.
OR
High school diploma or GED and four years of full-time, post-high school work (from any combination of roles).
Living Conditions
You will live in a remote, rural community with access to public transportation within a few miles. Most Volunteers live in family compounds with one or two room units and a private outdoor bathroom. Houses are generally made of mud block with thatched roofs or cement houses with tin roofing. Family members in the compound will support you with many of the language and cultural skills and competencies you will need to live and work effectively in your community.
Job Highlights
Gain valuable, hands-on experience supporting global health issues.
Become a valued part of a host family and community.
Develop lasting friendships through cultural exchange and community engagement.
Activities
Train community members to promote maternal, neonatal, and children’s health.
Raise awareness about malaria prevention methods.
Promote water and sanitation hygiene by improving or constructing community water and sanitation systems.
Teach community members to prevent noncommunicable diseases.
Share youth life skills and promote youth-friendly services.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as extracurricular activities.
Training
As a Public Health Educator, you will be trained to support The Gambia’s goals of ending preventable child and maternal deaths and supporting young adults as they transition to adulthood. Peace Corps/The Gambia will teach you Pularr, Mandinka, Wollof, Jola, and Serrahulleh to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community.
After 11 weeks of training, you will move to a rural community where you will collaborate with caregivers, families, healthcare workers, and teachers. You will work together to assess their local needs and develop research-based solutions.