A 4-Week Rotation for Medical Students
Featuring Integrative Medicine for the Underserved in Kenya
- $3100 per person for group of 12+ travelers
- $3400 per person for group of 6-12 travelers
- $1900 per person for 2-week companion travelers (non-clinical only)
See below for full details on program and pricing
Monday, April 2 – Wednesday, May 2, 2012
(April 2-3 online orientation and independent preparation, travel to begin on Wednesday April 4)
Specific travel dates and pricing to be confirmed with final itinerary based on student interest, and are subject to change.
If you missed our Informational Meeting in Anaheim, Download the Presentation to follow along. |
Be a part of global health services!
Discover how health care is delivered and received in Kenya where there are more than 10,000 people per physician. (WHO 2011)
Experience hands-on engagement with medical care providers within a range of settings, including westernized hospitals, rural clinics and traditional tribal medicine.
This experience is specially offered to students at Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine with International Academic Credit Opportunities. Rotation choices are to be developed based on interest and availability. The opportunity to join the group will be opened up to other students in health-related fields as space allows after initial enrollment for WU students.
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Where Will We Go
Nairobi and Kijabe
Volunteering... |
Lodging... |
Exploring... |
The Kijabe Hospital and CURE International Clinic Students will spend a week getting first hand and hands on experience with physicians and providers at this fully equipped hospital providing all general hospital services, and partner clinic that provides medical and surgical care to children with physical disabilities. These facilities have a long history of providing exceptional care to local people, at low or no cost, with a reputation as one of the most comprehensive healthcare services in the country. While these are Christian-based operations, this rotation program is unaffiliated with religious organizations and encourages students of all creed and beliefs to join our team. www.kijabehospital.org
AIC Kijabe Hospital |
On arrival in Nairobi, stay with other international explorers at a backpacker lodge, in dorm style rooms or budget hostel options. During rotation in Kijabe, which is on the outskirts of Nairobi, stay at a student guest house in shared rooms.
Dormitory Accommodations |
Begin the journey with an orientation to Kenyan culture, exploring the details to our experiences ahead, and spend time getting to know each other in the group. Included are visits to wildlife rescue and ecology centers around Nairobi, such as the Sheldrick Trust Elephant Orphanage, Giraffe Center and other city sights.
Orphan Elephants in Nairobi |
Maji Moto Maasai Village, at the Loita Hills
Volunteering... |
Lodging... |
Exploring... |
Maji Moto Village and Clinic will be the heart of our rotation. The clinic is in a small community in the rural bush area of Maji Moto, at the base of the Loita Hills. Maasai families live here in traditional tribal ways, without running water, electricity, or easy contact with western health services. A nurse is present most days, with whatever medications she is able to obtain from government or charitable sources, and does her best to either treat or refer the injured or sick people who come from the surrounding community, often after traditional tribal remedies have not been able to heal them.
Sharing Learnings Across Cultures Volunteers will be under the supervision of Jackson Ole Njapit, founder of the Talek Clinic and valuable liaison for the medical practices of the Maasai. Students will have the opportunity to give health education lessons to the villagers, as possible. Salaton Ole Ntutu, the community chief, and Jackson, our medical supervisor, will assist students in selecting and delivering culturally appropriate programs.
Being of Service to Underserved Communities |
Students will stay in the Maji Moto Cultural Camp, a site specialized for tour guests and continually guarded by Maasai warriors with a warm welcome from the villagers. Lodging is in small tents amidst aloe vera plants, acacia and euphorbia trees. A limited number of cottages with added Western comforts, constructed in traditional Maasai style of mud hut Manyatta homes, are available for an additional cost.
Tents in the Bush Visit the hot spring for a natural bath, or shower in the private outdoor shower with hot water from the spring (Maji Moto means hot water in the local language). Handwashing stations and toilet facilities are also available for your comfort.
Maasai Style Cottages |
Feel the spirit of the Maasai, living with nature and listening to ancestors and traditions to sustain their rich culture. Enjoy the traditional dances in the Maasai Widows’ Village, just up the path from volunteer lodging, as well as energetic trekking in the Loita hills and plains, and peaceful relaxation in the natural African bush. A driving safari in Maasai Mara is also included.
Salaton Shares Natural Healing Students will have personal opportunities to experience unique traditional healing practices of the Maasai with Salaton Ole Ntutu, who is a community chief, healer, social change champion and environmental leader. Among other community projects, he is establishing a sanctuary for wildlife, medicinal and holy plants and the Maasai lifestyle. With Salaton and other tribal healers, students may participate in hikes with medicinal plant identification and preparation, shamanic rituals, and community ceremonies.
Living Amongst Authentic Maasai Culture Learn about traditional beadwork, cooking, and other traditional ways of life in the widows village established by Salaton on his land. Experience warrior training with Maasai warriors. In the evening, enjoy a soak in the natural hot springs, and songs and stories by the campfire. |
Talek Community, at the Gates of Maasai Mara
Volunteering... |
Lodging... |
Exploring... |
The Talek Clinic, located at the edge of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, was recently renovated to enhance its services of health care for the Maasai community in the vast plains. Many of the patients live in dire poverty and can’t afford the cost of travel to the nearest hospital, many miles away.
Talek Clinic at the Gates of Maasai Mara National Park Students will have opportunities to see how conditions endemic to Africa are treated, such as AIDs, malaria, typhoid, and wounds caused by wild animals such as lions, elephants, and leopards. Talek clinic was founded by Jackson Ole Njapit, a leader in raising funds, supplies, and support for the health of the Maasai people. Jackson provides an ideal bridge for educating his community about life-threatening tribal practices while maintaining the culture of his people. He is a valuable resource for many lessons on cultural sensitivity. See more details about Jackson Ole Njapit. |
Students will stay in a Talek guesthouse, with single beds in shared rooms or in a nearby tent camp. The town offers a few pubs where fellow travelers and locals gather, and some small shops restaurants, to enjoy a bit of social life.
Jackson Ole Njapit Delivers Care to the Community
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Experience camping overnight in the Maasai Mara National Park with wildlife safari game drives over two days. You’ll get a close up yet safe view of the natural wonders of Kenya, including lions, elephants, rhinos, zebras and more, all here to be seen in their natural environment.
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Who Will We Meet
Salaton Ole Ntutu
Maasai Community Chief, Healer, Social Change Leader, Environmentalist & Safari Camp Owner
Salaton is a traditionally trained Maasai warrior, surviving amongst wild animals in the African bush for more than seven years as a young man, honing his attunement with nature and connection to his ancestors. He is blessed with many spiritual and energetic gifts passed on from his family line, strengthening his connection and communication with people and wildlife, and healing abilities. He has faced wild animals in defense, at times forced to kill lions, leopards and buffalo with just knives and spears.
Today, Salaton is recognized for his courage and wisdom in his village of Maji Moto. His mission in life is to preserve his culture and environment through his leadership for projects and initiatives, including water resources, land conservation to provide space for Maasai lifestyle and protection of holy and healing plants and trees, providing a home for girls rescued from circumcision and early marriage, widows, and women with AIDS, building a self-sustaining economy through tourism, and continued support of educational programs. >> Read more about Salaton
Jackson Ole Njapit
Health Practitioner, Maasai Community Leader
Ole Njapit is a Maasai warrior who grew up on the plains of Africa. His father died before he was born from malaria, something that could have been easily prevented if medicine had been available. Even today, it is extremely difficult to get simple life-saving treatments in rural areas of Africa. And so his dream was born – to get education that would allow him to help his fellow tribesmen.
He worked and studied hard, and achieved his goal to become a rural Health Practitioner, earning him a new name - Action Jackson. He went on to open a local health center, providing hope to his people for receiving medical assistance. Many people in the region live in dire poverty and can’t afford the cost of travel to the nearest hospital, which is many miles away. >> Read more about Jackson.
Susan Olofson
Travel Consultant
Susan Olofson first visited Kenya in January, 2007 with Asante Africa Foundation, for which she subsequently served as vice president of the Board of Directors for three years to provide quality education to children in East Africa. She developed deep connections to the Maasai community in Maji Moto, and eventually strategized with Salaton Ole Ntutu on ways to bridge cultural divides, sharing the spirit and nature of Kenya and the Maasai to reignite the connection all people have to their ancestors and the earth. They partnered on a vision of tourism that provides a unique close-up experience of the region, while making a positive contribution to the environment and community programs, as well as offering respectful employment of local people.
Susan left her corporate job as an executive consultant and coach in a major US health care company to pursue her dream of contributing to the peace and health of the world through cultural exchanges among people of the world. >> Read more about Susan.
Victoria L PWilliams
Western University Student Representative and Academic Coordinator, Osteopathic Medical Student IV
After completing clerkships in California in her third year, Victoria attended a program called Leadership and Education in Integrative Medicine. She became aware of the vast knowledge and experiences awaiting her beyond medical school education. With fresh inspiration, Victoria decided to take a leave of absence during her fourth and final year of medical school to pursue an independent project involving courses in integrative medicine, mindfulness, Spanish, and to explore other experiences through travel.
Victoria has known Susan Olofson for many years and through her has spent time with Salaton in cultural experiences, including the blessing ceremony of her newborn niece. Inspired by Salaton and Susan’s endeavors, Victoria saw a perfect opportunity for her fellow medical students to visit Salaton in his village and learn things they would never experience in an American hospital or clinic. Susan’s Travel Consulting provides an ideal and necessary bridge to make this experience possible. Victoria looks forward to bringing medical students together for this amazing journey.
When We Will Go
Monday, April 2 – Wednesday, May 2, 2012
(April 2-3 online orientation and independent preparation, travel to begin on Wednesday April 4)
Specific travel dates and pricing to be confirmed with final itinerary based on student interest, and are subject to change.
Cost Per Person (not including airfare) depends upon group size:
- $3100 per person for group of 12+ travelers
- $3400 per person for group of 6-12 travelers
- $1900 per person for 2-week companion travelers (non-clinical only)
Includes:
- All ground transportation in Kenya for program locations outlined in the itinerary (personal excursions and add-on travel available at additional cost)
- All meals and lodging as presented in the itinerary
- Activities indicated in the itinerary, including conservation experiences, Maasai cultural activities, wildlife driving safari, nature walks
- Clinic supervision and opportunity for academic credit
- Pre-trip informational session
Does not include:
- Air fare, tips, immunizations, visas, alcohol & personal purchases
- Personal-use medical equipment such as stethoscope, ophthalmoscope, otoscope, scrubs, or gloves. Please bring these items along with your white coat.
50% deposit is due at the time of booking, with the balance due six weeks before departure
This rotation is still under development, and we welcome your thoughts and questions to make it an experience of a lifetime for you. Please send us a message to express your interest in joining us or in learning more, and we will provide additional information on the application and booking process.
Please send an email to Susan Olofson, travel consultant, or Victoria L PWilliams at KenyaMedicine@susanolofson.com, to share your comments, or to receive future updates.