So…

What exactly am I doing here?

Well, I’m a Sandbox intern with the Association of Private Health Facilities in Tanzania, or APHFTA. They call us Sandbox interns because they believe that this internship provides us with an opportunity to create our own experience and use our own imaginations and skills to the best of our ability. Our set goal is to launch a new program targeted and improving ante- and post-natal care to APFHTA’s partnering clinics that will replace the current paper-based record keeping system. After 2-3 days of training, we give each clinic either a netbook or a desktop computer to begin the new process. In addition to this we have the option to create our own project that will assist APHFTA in some way. This year we’re working on a documentary and implementing a newsletter into the APHFTA system.

I’ve been through one full training session so far, and it’s so very interesting. Our pupils—the doctors, nurses, and receptionists—vary immensely in their computer skills. Some are completely adept at using computers and need only to be taken to the login page to begin figuring out how to work, while others have never used a computer before, and have to be taught the most basic of basics—from how to turn on a computer, to how to scroll and click using a track pad. One thing that’s common among all of our wanafunzi is that they’re all incredibly excited to be there. They all want to learn, and they are all incredibly excited about the new system and what it will mean for their clinics and for themselves. After our first training sessions a few people said a few words in thanks. They were so thankful and appreciative that it brought tears to my eyes.

There are not many things you can do in your typical international, “global health” type internship. We get to see things and do things that some American college or grad students would beg for the opportunity to do. And the fact that we get to teach and make a difference in these people lives, and see immediate and lasting results (usually the clinics begin using the system and teaching the program to other works immediately), is such a unique experience. It’s one that I already know I’ll look back on with appreciation and pride.

It’s only been one week for me, but I’m so ready for more.