Location:
Meru / Mt. Kenya Region.
General Information:
Meru is situated in the middle
of the country, 300 km north of Nairobi, close to Mt. Kenya, FHI has an office
in Meru and staff in Maua (50 km East) and Isiolo (52 km North), where students
will be placed.
Altitude:
About 1000M (3250 ft).
Climate:
Mostly warm and sunny except during the rainy seasons of
November/December and April when the sun is interspersed with showers. Chilly,
damp and misty during the months of June and July. Isiolo is hot and dry
throughout the year.
Travel:
The journey to Meru takes 4 hours from Nairobi (by public mini
bus or FHI vehicle). Maua and Isiolo take 5 hours.
People:
Meru people are the dominant cultural group in the region. They
are known for their farming skills. The majority of people are at least nominal
Christians, but traditional, animistic worship and beliefs are also prevalent.
The people of Isiolo have a variety of ethnic origins and include Meru, Kikuyu,
Turkana Borana, Somali and Samburu.
FHI:
Work in this region began late in 2002 through local partners. Soon
after, food was distributed to 2,500 orphans and vulnerable children. Offices
were set up and the Child Development Program (CDP), Orphans and Vulnerable
Children and ‘Bringing Hope’ HIV/AIDS programs started in April, 2004.
Languages:
English is the medium of school instruction from Grade 5
onwards. Kiswahili is mostly spoken by children and other people who are
non-Merus. Knowledge of Kiswahili would be an added advantage as it is the
primary language in Isiolo.
Housing:
Guesthouse accommodation or accommodation with a local family
can be arranged. The guesthouse can be either self catered or a cook can be
provided, depending on preference. With a home stay, locally prepared foods will
be the main diet. These foods are usually high in starch and include meat. Any
accommodation is likely to be a stone built house, most of which have (though
inconsistent) electricity and running water.
Communication:
Internet/Email is available in Meru (although unreliable
and slow). Phone cards are available for making international calls from the
public telephone booths. Students on placement in Maua and Isiolo will have to
travel to Meru to use the email facilities.
Medical Facilities:
There are government hospitals and private clinics
in Meru, Maua and Isiolo, with the capacity to treat common ailments. There are
also several well-stocked pharmacies. Illnesses of serious nature can be
referred to Nanyuki or Nairobi. Students should be prepared to take precautions
against malaria and water borne diseases.
Work Practicum Options for Meru:
- Work Practicum: Medical Internship in community health, Maua Methodist
Hospital, Maua
Available: March, April or November
Number of placements:
2
Brief description of duties:
- Shadowing hospital staff as they perform their duties with the patients in
the hospital and on the village medical outreach clinics
- Assist FHI staff member in conducting community training and home visits for
orphans, their guardians, and people living with HIV/AIDS
- Advising community members on how to remain healthy. (FHI conducts free
medical camps for children regularly and assesses them for common diseases and
nutritional status. FHI also dispenses basic medications and
advice)
Requirements:
- Medical students (nursing/midwifery/nutrition/medicine and Occupational
therapy) only
Weekly Schedule:
- Work hours will be approximately 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday- Friday. Hours
will vary slightly, depending on the weekly
schedule
- Work Practicum: Teacher
Available: September-November
Number of
placements: 2
Brief description of duties:
- Teaching children at the local school. (Preferably older students)
- Running extra curricular activities such as sports and clubs
- Work days and hours: Mondays to Fridays. 8.00am to 4.00pm
- Work Practicum: Evangelism/Discipleship/Missions
Available: Any
Number of placements: 1-2
Brief description of duties:
- Assist FHI and Partner churches in sharing the word of God, leading Bible
studies, training locals, and outreach opportunities
- Evaluate outreach program design with respect to cultural practices and
beliefs
- Research barriers to church growth in numbers and spiritual
depth
- Work Practicum: Youth Work within Churches
Available: April, August, and
December for youth 14+ yrs
Number of placements: 2
Brief description of
duties:
- Help to lead Bible studies, songs, drama, and sports activities with one or
more FHI partner churches
- Promote Abstinence-Till-Marriage, encouraging youth to grow in a godly way
- Conduct activities with limited church resources (alternatively, materials
could be brought from the US)
Note: Working experience with youth, excellent
communications skills and innovative abilities are required.
- Work Practicum: Orphanage
Available: School Holidays (April, August and
December)
Number of placements: 1 or 2
Brief description of duties:
- Work with and invest in the orphans within Irene Children’s Home, and other
CDP centers
- Activities, sports, reading, playing with, and general interaction with the
children
Note: Work internships for three to six months are
available during January, April, May, July, August, and November. A separate
application is required.
