Intern​

WAJAMAMA is a women-led social enterprise-NGO hybrid based in Zanzibar, Tanzania whose mission is to improve the wellbeing of local communities by making holistic health care services accessible to women and girls of all socioeconomic backgrounds. WAJAMAMA is the first wellness center on the island focused on disease prevention and health promotion.​

​My main project was the creation of a Cervical Cancer Prevention program. There is no HPV vaccine in Zanzibar and cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer related death in Zanzibari women. I wrote protocols regarding screening and treatment, created a baseline awareness survey, worked on a workshop curriculum, and developed a community outreach plan. I additionally co-wrote a grant proposal, helped with the re-opening of a newly renovated clinic, and blogged about WAJAMAMA’s Group Prenatal Care and Menstrual Hygiene Management programs.​

While it was certainly difficult travelling to a foreign country by myself, it caused me to develop important skills and was an incredibly valuable experience. It was fun to explore the island’s many spectacular beaches and learn about its history. Living and working in a low-resourced country taught me to better appreciate the resources we often take for granted in the United States. This internship has made me want to potentially pursue public health in combination with medicine in my future.

Funding provided by the Preston Public Interest Career Fund.