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"I had an amazing experience in Kenya, and I truly cannot say enough positive things about the program. Every aspect of the experience felt thoughtfully planned and well executed. From the hospital rotations to the cultural activities and excursions, it was clear that International Medical Aid put a great deal of care into creating a meaningful experience for every intern.⁣ ⁣ One of my favorite parts of the program was the wide variety of activities outside of the hospital. Visiting places like Haller Park, exploring local communities, and participating in the Community Outreach Activities allowed me to experience Kenya beyond the clinical setting. These experiences gave me a much deeper understanding of the country's culture, people, and healthcare system, and I felt that IMA did an excellent job of immersing us in all that Kenya has to offer.⁣ ⁣ The in-country support was exceptional. All of the Program Mentors were approachable, engaging, and genuinely invested in our experience. They were always available to answer questions, offer guidance, and ensure we felt comfortable throughout our stay. They also helped make our beach safari a memorable experience by creating a fun, inclusive atmosphere where everyone felt involved. From our arrival at the residence to our time exploring Kenya, their dedication helped make the program both enjoyable and rewarding.⁣ ⁣ Overall, this experience had a profound impact on both my personal and professional growth. It strengthened my passion for becoming a Physician Assistant, broadened my perspective on global health and healthcare disparities, and taught me the importance of adaptability, compassion, and cultural humility. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity and will carry the lessons I learned in Kenya with me throughout my career."⁣ ⁣ — 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐞𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐫, 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦⁣ 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘺𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥, 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟽 #internationalmedicalaid #medicalinternships #prepa #globalhealth #kenya

In many settings, everyday hygiene practices play an important role in preventing illness and supporting healthier environments. For children, learning how simple routines such as proper handwashing, oral hygiene, and maintaining personal cleanliness can influence their well-being provides an important foundation for healthy habits that can continue as they grow. As part of our continued commitment to preventive health education, our interns recently visited the Shauri Yako Community, located at our flagship site in East Africa—Mombasa, Kenya, for an interactive Hygiene Education Session with local children. The session focused on practical hygiene practices and encouraged participants to consider how these habits can become part of their everyday routines at home, at school, and in their daily lives. Through demonstrations, discussions, and interactive activities, the children explored proper handwashing techniques, oral hygiene, and the importance of maintaining consistent hygiene routines. The session also created opportunities for them to ask questions, share what they already knew, and participate directly in the demonstrations, making the lessons practical and relatable to their daily experiences. The children’s enthusiasm and willingness to participate quickly became one of the highlights of the session. Their questions and active involvement created an engaging environment where health education became a shared experience, while giving our interns an opportunity to engage with local residents in a setting outside of the hospital. Community-based health education remains an important part of our outreach efforts and reflects IMA’s evidence-based public health model centered on prevention, health literacy, and sustainable behavior change. By helping children understand and adopt simple preventive practices early, initiatives such as the Hygiene Education Session at Shauri Yako can contribute to reducing the risk of preventable illness, limiting the spread of infection, and supporting better health outcomes over time. This preventive approach also reinforces an important principle of public health: improving health outcomes not only through the treatment of disease, but also by addressing behaviors and environmental factors before illness occurs. For our interns, these initiatives provide an opportunity to see how education, prevention, and community engagement complement clinical care as part of a broader approach to improving population health. Through continued outreach initiatives, IMA remains committed to supporting preventive health education and creating meaningful opportunities for interns to engage with the populations they serve.