Overview

This program is a unique opportunity for professionals and students in nursing, midwifery, neonatology, pediatrics and related fields to join local capacity development projects and to internationalize their practice. Participants travel to Vietnam, Kenya or Rwanda to be part of ongoing efforts to respond to concrete capacity development requests of key local institutional partners. Working hand in hand with local colleagues, participants have the opportunity to take important steps towards master trainer certification and to obtain valuable international teaching experience in relevant training programs. Modules particularly include Helping Babies Breathe® (HBB) and Essential Care for Every Baby (ECEB). Experienced master trainers are welcome to participate at a reduced fee.

Highlights

• Contribute to the development of vital neonatal resuscitation and essential care capacity.
• Pursue master trainer certification and obtain teaching experience.
• Gain invaluable intercultural competence relevant to your profession.
• Share your knowledge and gain new insight through a unique African or Asian perspective on newborn care.
• Benefit from the professional exchange with other participants and local colleagues.
• Explore an exciting destination and immerse yourself in the culture of your hosts.

Program background

The Lancet’s Every Newborn Series estimates that 3 of the 6 million annual newborn deaths and stillbirths are preventable with proven interventions. This requires the strategic development of workforce capacity of those rendering newborn care, especially in settings with limited resources. Among the available training concepts, the evidence-based Helping Babies Survive modules of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and its partners are emerging as a globally recognized gold standard, supported by scientific evidence. A large study involving eight Tanzanian hospitals with 78,500 births over 3.5 years has demonstrated the training impact of HBB, its first module, with a reduction in early neonatal mortality by 47%.

GEI Program Leader & Master Trainer

Our Program Leader and main Master Trainer for the Newborn Care programs is Patty Kelly. A registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree in Education of Physical and Physiological Being from Colorado State University, Patty is looking back at an exceptional career as a bedsite nurse and international master trainer. Since 2003, she has dedicated her life to the development of capacity in developing countries. She has led international master trainings, among others, in Cambodia, Ecuador, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, the US and Vietnam. She is certified to teach the Helping Babies Survive modules of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and she is also a certified provider of NRP, Surgical Nursing and CPR Healthcare.

Vietnam

Today’s Vietnam is undergoing some of the fastest socio-economic changes any country in the world has seen. The Asian Dragon, as it is frequently called, is a major development success story that has experienced remarkable rates of economic growth since the start of massive political and economic reforms called doi moi in 1986. It is now a middle-income country with a poverty rate of less than 10%, massive influx of foreign investment, and booming modern cities that swallow up many of the surrounding villages. At the same time, the lure of modern living has a deep impact on the traditional networks of family and community that continue to play a pivotal role in Vietnamese society. More than half of the population of over 90 million is under the age of 26. Major developmental challenges have emerged, ranging from rapidly growing inequality to environmental degradation, depletion of natural resources, rapid urbanization and corruption. Especially in urban areas, the Vietnamese increasingly question the old Confucian principles upheld in what continues to be nominally a communist society. And women in particular struggle to redefine their place in a country that was traditionally driven by a strong patriarchal system that emphasized male leadership. It is this vibrant and at times explosive environment that forms the exciting backdrop for this program. The program gateway is Ho Chi Minh City, the former Saigon, Vietnam’s largest city with almost 10 million inhabitants and the economic and cultural center of the country. Pulsating with energy, Ho Chi Minh City is a place of contrasts. Next to the timeless alleys with Buddhist temples and street vendors are modern designer malls and sleek skyscrapers. Ho Chi Minh City is the perfect embodiment of modern-day Vietnam – and the ideal place to start to explore Vietnamese culture.

Kenya

The powerhouse of the East African Community, Kenya is one of the most diverse countries in Africa. From the white sandy beaches and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean to volcanic mountains in the Great Rift Valley. From the vast savannahs to the lacustrine highlands near Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake on the continent. Cultural traditions converge in Kenya, making it a dynamic and vibrant place to visit and experience. The country has become the political and economic leader in East Africa. It features a vibrant manufacturing industry that has moved beyond producing the basic daily goods needed by Kenyans and, increasingly, exports to neighboring countries. Despite recent terrorist incidents, tourism remains an important industry that provides service jobs and much needed foreign capital. There are not many mineral riches to be found in Kenya, but its agricultural exports of coffee, tea and cut flowers more than compensate. Recent investments in energy, technology and communications have also proven to have big economic potential for Kenya’s growth.

Rwanda

Experience Rwanda…

• Feel safe and secure walking the streets of its modern, green capital
• A place where zero tolerance for corruption really means zero tolerance
• One of the most gender-progressive parliaments in the world
• Globally admired for its achievements in healthcare and education
• Just a stone’s throw away from world-class tourism activities like tracking endangered mountain gorillas

Welcome to Rwanda, a great development success story in today’s world.

What’s included?

The program fees cover personal costs as well as a contribution for training equipment provided to participating local health facilities.

• Tuition
• Accommodation
• Airport transfers
• Transport for all program activities
• Meals during program activities
• On-site orientation
• Program-related activity and entrance fees
• Full-time on-site support

What isn’t?

Not included are the transportation to/from the destination (including international airfare and taxes), visas, immunizations, health and travel insurance, some of the meals, personal training equipment, items and services of a personal nature, and other discretionary expenses.