Partners

Puur Foundation

Midwife Ellen Plaschek, the initiator and driving force behind our team of dedicated volunteers, travels annually to Gambia to provide local support and education. Midwifery Center PUUR Midwives from Arnhem has joined our foundation as a partner.

Our board consists of passionate professionals who use their qualities for Puur Foundation and safe motherhood in Gambia. Each of us strongly believes in the importance of safe childbirth and the possibility to change lives through care and education.

With a shared passion for Africa and a deep commitment to improving maternal and child health, we bring together our knowledge and expertise.

With every step we take, we strive to advance the health and well-being of women and children and create lasting positive change in their lives.

GRIP: Power Up Gambia

Power Up Gambia  is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating sustainable solar energy systems for healthcare facilities in The Gambia. It was founded in 2009 by Kathryn Cunningham Hall, a University of Pennsylvania student who spent a summer at a Gambian hospital and witnessed firsthand the limitations of inpatient care caused by electricity shortages. The organization has grown from a one-time effort to a non-profit consisting of staff and board members, in addition to a large network of student and professional volunteers. Based in Philadelphia, PA, and working exclusively in The Gambia, their mission is to provide reliable electricity and water to healthcare facilities in The Gambia through solar energy.

As part of their work, Power Up Gambia has developed strong relationships with the hospitals where their projects are located. For the GRIP program, Power Up Gambia helps facilitate the placement of student volunteers who wish to help out at the Bwiam General Hospital¯while working in The Gambia.

Students who are interested in medicine, nursing, hospital administration, or global health, village and school based community outreach in health and nutrition, development of health focused social media programs, nonprofit management and fundraising or other related fields are encouraged to apply for this unique opportunity to work at a hospital in The Gambia. This placement requires the students to be able and willing to work directly under the supervision of Gambian hospital staff, with coordination through Power Up Gambia.

Penn students who have interned at Power Up Gambia in the past have recommended the placement for students who are passionate about learning how the medical profession works in resource-constrained counties and are flexible, self-motivated, comfortable with multicultural teamwork, and open to learning about other cultures and religions. A 10 to 12-week commitment is required.

Please note that Power Up Gambia is a direct internship placement. Students will apply to work at Bwiam General Hospital, and these placements are typically considered more independent experiences. While typically 2-3 spots are available for this program, the final number of interns accepted will be based on the quality of applications received.

Read about the reflections and insights of a recent Power Up Gambia intern on the Penn Abroad Blog: