At a glance
- Support Kenyan residents experiencing malnutrition or diabetes
- Build skills and gain practical experience in a hospital setting
- Visit disadvantaged communities in Nanyuki to perform health checks
- Empower local people by creating educational resources
Is a Nutrition Internship in Kenya right for me?
Excited to soak in a new culture and build skills that look great on a CV? Want to learn from nutritionists and help improve the diets of disadvantaged groups? Then this project is for you. Learn directly from professional nutritionists by joining this hands-on internship.
There are no requirements for this project - anyone over 16 can join. You should be enthusiastic about nutrition and passionate about positively impacting the world.
You’ll particularly benefit from this Nutrition Internship if you want to work in healthcare, but the skills you pick up will be transferable to all kinds of industries.
This Nutrition Internship in Kenya runs year-round, so join at a convenient time for you.
Nutrition Internship Opportunities for Professionals
Already working in nutrition or a related field? Your expertise will be valued by the organisations we work with in Kenya. With your experience, you can offer a higher level of training, sharing your skills and knowledge.
When you join this Nutrition Internship as a professional, we’ll match you with a placement where your skills can be utilised to maximise your impact. You’ll work closely with local nutritionists to run sustainable diet-related projects.
Learn more about volunteering or interning abroad as a professional.
What will I do on this Nutrition Internship in Kenya?
Your role as a Nutrition intern in Kenya is to raise awareness of healthy living while learning about the Kenyan healthcare system. Here are some of the main tasks you’ll complete:
Support medical staff in hospitals and clinics
Much of your time on this Nutrition Internship in Kenya will be spent in a medical setting. Shadow qualified nutritionists in a hospital, observing first-hand how they treat patients experiencing malnutrition. As you gain confidence, you’ll take on basic tasks and learn more about the Kenyan healthcare system.
You'll also visit a nutrition clinic and diabetes or hypertension clinic. Here, you can interact with patients experiencing malnutrition and disorders related to overeating. You'll support doctors as they give treatment. You'll also help equip patients with the knowledge they need to live healthy lives.
Conduct medical outreaches in the community
As a Nutrition intern in Kenya, your work will go beyond hospitals and clinics. Become part of long-term illness prevention by completing outreaches in the community. Visit rural communities and homes to conduct health checks and raise awareness.
Many Kenyan residents lack access to medical advice, especially in remote communities. Your work as a nutrition intern abroad helps local people access information so they can make the right dietary decisions. You’ll take their blood pressure, blood sugar, and other measurements. Then, with the support of expert nutritionists, make dietary suggestions.
You’ll empower local people by teaching them how to spot signs of malnutrition or diabetes. This way, community members can support each other to live healthy lives long after you leave. They’ll also know when to seek medical support before it’s too late.
Run health and nutrition workshops
As you travel to communities around Nanyuki, you’ll create educational resources. You’ll have to adapt to your audience to get the message across. For instance, you may visit the home of a local resident living with diabetes. Find creative ways to show them small dietary changes they can make to help restore their health.
Some of your time will be spent in a local daycare centre. The sooner we can teach healthy habits, the more likely they are to stick. As a Nutrition intern, you’ll create resources for young children that nudge them towards a healthy lifestyle.
Where will I work?
Nanyuki
You'll be based in Nanyuki, 200km north of the capital Nairobi. While the town is small, it has all the modern amenities you might need. These include convenience stores, restaurants, and banks. Animal sanctuaries surround Nanyuki, where you’ll spot giraffes, lions, and more.
This Nutrition Internship takes place in hospitals, clinics, daycare centres, and communities. This offers a range of opportunities to learn and leave an impact.
While Kenya is famous for its national parks, there are plenty of other attractions. The country has a diverse landscape, comprising deserts, tropical forests, mountains, and beaches. Visit the National Museum, discover ancient Swahili ruins, and browse souvenirs at markets.
What is a typical day as a Nutrition intern in Kenya?
Enjoy a tasty breakfast at your host accommodation before jumping on the minibus to your placement. Generally, you’ll work from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday, but this will depend on the priorities at your time of visit. Depending on your skill set, you may even be able to work night shifts in the hospital, if agreed with local staff.
Daily tasks will vary depending on whether you’re learning, conducting medical checks, or raising awareness. Much of your time will be spent observing medical professionals. See how they deal with busy days using limited resources. On quieter days, discuss procedures with staff or enjoy deep conversations with patients.
You’ll have plenty to keep you busy during workdays, but evenings and weekends are a chance to relax and have fun. We believe in offering immersive experiences. Learn about Kenyan culture through drum lessons, cookery courses, and quiz nights. Use social events to bond with fellow interns, volunteers, and local people.
What are the aims and impacts of a Nutrition Internship in Kenya?
There are two key aims of this Nutrition Internship opportunity. First, you’ll provide support to disadvantaged communities, encouraging healthy lifestyles. Second, you’re there to learn and build skills that could aid your future career.
Supporting efforts to improve the nutrition of the local community, you’ll focus on three goals:
- Improving the nutrition of young children and pregnant women
- Reducing the prevalence of infections that may be caused by malnutrition
- Promoting healthy living and raising awareness of diet-related conditions
You’ll be part of our long-term efforts to sustainably increase health outcomes for underprivileged regions. As you do so, you’ll gain knowledge, skills, and experience. This comes from working in a place with a double burden of dietary conditions - overeating and malnutrition. This provides a strong foundation to build a career related to healthcare or community development.
Management plans
We set out the aims and objectives of our projects in documents called Management Plans. We use them to properly plan the work you’ll do. They also help us measure and evaluate our achievements and impact each year.
Ultimately, our Management Plans help us make our projects better. This in turn means you get to be part of something that makes a real impact where it’s needed. Read more about our Management Plans.
Measuring our impact
Our projects work towards clear long-term goals, with specific annual objectives. Every volunteer and intern we send to these projects helps us work towards these goals, no matter how long they spend on our projects.
Every year we take a step back and look at how much progress we've made towards these goals. We put together a Global Impact Report, which documents our achievements. Find out more about the impact our global community of volunteers, interns and staff make, and read the latest report.
Food and accommodation
You'll stay with a host family in Nanyuki. They'll welcome you into their home, eager to share their customs and learn about yours. We believe this is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture of Kenya and enjoy a unique experience.
We'll try to ensure you live alongside at least one other volunteer or intern at the same host family. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.
Find out more about our accommodation.
Your programme fee includes three meals a day. Get ready to try exciting new flavours like ugali (a maize staple), nyama choma (grilled goat meat), githeri (bean stew), and so much more. Your host will provide delicious local cuisine daily, while staff will take you to some of Nanyuki’s best restaurants.
Leisure activities and free time
Interning in Kenya is the perfect opportunity to explore this extraordinary country. With a vast array of activities, you’re sure to find plenty of ways to fill your evenings and weekends.
A trip to East Africa wouldn’t be complete without a safari. As you explore the savannahs, spot wildlife like elephants, lions, and even the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe.
Our projects are based in Nanyuki, which is known as the gateway to Mount Kenya. With this majestic mountain on your doorstep, it’s worth taking a day to hike around the base.
You can spend evenings at buzzing restaurants, listening to live music and trying local dishes. Kenya also has must-see markets, with bright textiles and hand-carved sculptures.
You can spend your free time exploring independently or travelling with a group. With so many volunteers and interns joining us throughout the year, you’re sure to make new friends and travel buddies during your trip.
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have the support you need to enjoy your trip with peace of mind. Our Projects Abroad staff are available 24 hours a day to help, and will be on hand to make sure you settle in well at your accommodation and placement. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.
Find out more about safety and backup.
This placement is fully researched, safety audited, and risk assessed in accordance with the British Standard BS8848 for the Adventure Travel Sector.
Want to join this Nutrition Internship in Kenya?
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