Programs

Improving Health Conditions Through Community Health Education

We’re the international Alternative Break leader. Our goal is to build relationships with the communities where we are working to determine the real issues and empower volunteers to provide real solutions. There are many programs that offer international volunteer opportunities; however few offer a structured program that provide a safe and healthy environment with full logistical support for Community Health teams to focus on meeting the needs of the community. You are invited to join us any week of the year. During the school year, you'll be teaching in local schools. During the summer, you'll be teaching in summer health learning camps for kids.   

Outreach360 provides a unique opportunity to see the healthcare system and education in the Dominican Republic. My work there confirmed my desire to work in international medicine and shows the importance of education to a sustainable health system.
Karren Lewis, Michigan State University Pre-Health [view more]
Pre-med, pre-dental, nursing students, public health students, and anyone interested in health are needed to contribute to our Community Health education program. Community Health education is key to improving health conditions in this economically disadvantaged areas where we are working. Your team will be providing community health education in rural communities; covering topics including nutrition, hygiene, anatomy, dental health, and more (see bottom of page).

Outreach360 has been working with disadvantaged communities since 1994; since that time over 13,000 volunteers have joined us.  We currently offer programs in the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.  This is a well managed, safe, and affordable program.  We have never had an instance of a volunteer's safety being threatened.  The local people are very friendly and pro-American, and we have an excellent reputation in the areas where we serve.

Your Community Health education classes will be taught in Spanish. You will be teaching in teams of 4-5 people. For every four health students, we require you to bring along one Spanish speaker or if you are coming as an individual volunteer and do not speak Spanish, we require you bring along one Spanish speaker. Contact the modern languages department and the Hispanic club at your school and invite the Spanish speakers to get involved on your health trip. It's a great opportunity for Spanish Majors to practice and expand their Spanish, and for native Spanish speakers to make a difference.  They will be glad you asked them!  

Community Health Curriculum 

Units/lessons Learning Goals (Students will be able to):
Intro to Health
1. Differentiate between health and sickness 2. List 3 or more ways to treat someone when they are sick. 3. Verbalize definition of health beyond merely "absence of sickness."
Personal Protection 1.List the steps involved in effective hand-washing. 2. Demonstrate the steps of effective hand-washing in front of a community health educator. 3. Give three suggestions of when it is important to wash hands. 4. Provide basic definition of germs: "things we can't see that make us sick."
The Five Senses 1. List each of the five senses 2. Describe importance of each of the five senses related to health 3. Describe 1 way to protect each of the five senses
Nutrition I
1. Identify three healthy foods 2. Identify three unhealthy foods 3. Describe basic steps of digestion 4. Give two reasons for avoiding sweets (candy, chocolate, etc.).
The Human Body 1. Name all of the organ systems taught 2. Describe the function of the organ systems taught 3. List the major organs of the organ systems taught 
Disease/Illness
1. Define "disease" 2. Differentiate between infectious and non-infectious diseases 3. Name 3 diseases common in the area 4. Describe manner in which disease is transmitted
Staying Healthy
1. Provide 3 examples of how to stop the spread of disease 2. Students will list 2 health maintenance practices
Nutrition II 1. List the major food groups 2. Describe a balanced diet 3. Provide examples of two foods within each group 4. Recognize "healthy" vs. "unhealthy" foods 5. Verbalize current recommendations for water intake throughout the day
Health Careers
1. Describe 3 different health professions and respective education requirements 2. Differentiate between physicians and nurses 3. Participate in a discussion of health professions in community 
Your Skin & Injury
1. List key components of integumentary system 2. List three functions of integumentary system 3. Explain importance of keeping skin intact 4. Describe procedure for keeping wounds clean 5. List 3 ways to protect skin
Your Body & Disease 1. List symptoms of diseases common in area of practice (TB, Dengue, Malaria, etc) 2. Explain how the immune systems functions 
Nutrition III
1. Create lists of balanced meals with correct serving sizes 2. List symptoms of Diabetes and Hypertension 3. List 3 ways to prevent chronic diseases related to nutrition

Dental Health 1. List two consequences for poor oral hygiene 2. Demonstrate to staff proper technique for effective tooth-brushing 3. State one barrier to good dental hygiene
Exercise 1. Provide two examples of active games to play. 2. Differentiate active and inactive leisure-time activities 3. List two benefits of physical activity
Playing Safe 1. State two examples of potential hazards encountered while at play 2. Role-play "playing nice" in front of instructors 3. Explain how to get help in emergency situation 4. Explain importance of keeping wounds clean
Household Safety
1. List three hazardous substances to be avoided in the household 2. Explain importance of keeping younger siblings safe 3. List two ways of making household safer
Dental Health
1. Describe the risks of dental health from using nicotine products 2. Describe the optimal dental hygiene regiment
Exercise
1. Describe manner in which cardiovascular and pulmonary systems are involved in exercise 2. List healthy physical activities 3. Demonstrate 3 healthy exercises
Athletic Safety 1. Explain of importance of stretching, warm-ups, and cool-downs before and after exercise. 2. Demonstrate stretches for 3 different muscle areas 3. Provide 3 examples of protective athletic equipment 4. State the importance of hydration during physical activity 
Household Safety
1. List 3 hazards associated with kitchen/cooking 2. List 3 sources of germs in household 3. List 3 household hazards for younger siblings (and how to protect them from those hazards)
Dental Health 1. Describe the risks of dental health from using nicotine products 2. demonstrate knowledge of the optimal dental hygiene regiment
Exercise
1. Create 5 list of benefits of exercise 2. Engage in 2 different types of exercises 3. List 5 different fitness activities 4. Differentiate between different categories of exercise (cardio, strength-training, flexibility)
Athletic Safety 1. Demonstrate stretches for 3 different muscle areas 2. Describe importance of "warming-up" and "cooling-down." 3. State the importance of sportsmanship.
Working and Driving Safety
1. Demonstrate proper lifting techniques 2. Describe importance of personal safety devices (helmets, seatbelts) in preventing injury 3. List 4 safety tips for driving 
Environmental Health 1. List 3 ways of respecting the environment 2. List two environmental hazards 3. Explain the importance of not littering  4. Explain how the environment is related to health
Community Safety 1. List 2 guidelines for traffic safety 2. List 2 guidelines for animal safety 3. Identify "safety" people in the community 
Healthy Relationships
1. Name 3 examples of what it means to "be a good friend" 2. Role-play (using words) in how to resolve a conflict using words 3. Describe "respect" in regards to attitudes and behavior
Loving Yourself 1. Verbalize 3-5 coping skills 2. List 2 things that they love about themselves 3. List something they like about another
Environmental Health
1. List 3 benefits of a healthy environment 2. List 3 ways that pollution that negatively affects health 3. Provide example of how to educate community about environmental issues
Healthy Choices 1. Role Play appropriate conflict resolution 2. List 5 coping skills for anger/stress 3. List 3 ways of being respectful to others 4. Engage in dialogue regarding sources of peer pressure 5. Role play responses to peer pressure situations
Being + Community Member
1. Provide a definition for what it is to be “vulnerable” 2. Engage in a dialogue regarding gende. 3. Have students state 3 things they could improve about their community
Celebrating ME!
1. Share a personal hobby with group 2. Provide definition for self-esteem 3. Engage in dialogue about ways of supporting self-esteem 4. List 3 ways in which they will be healthy going forward 
Environment/Sustainability
1. Create one environmental health promotional production (poster, skit, song, game, activity) for community 2. List 2 ideas for environmental work projects in community 3. Define "sustainability" in relation to environment
Community 1. Define "positive role model" 2. Give 2 examples of positive community behavior 3. Identify 3 possible avenues for community improvement 4. Role model conflict resolution with peers 5. Engage in dialogue regarding gender
Mental Health/Positive Choices
1. Define "stress" 2. List 5 positive coping skills for stress 3. Engage in dialogue regarding drugs/alcohol/nicotine 4. Engage in dialogue regarding "bullying" 5. Describe goals for future (careers, options, goals)
First Aid/Going Forward 1. List steps of emergency wound care (stopping bleeding, removing debris, cleaning, bandaging) 2. Demonstrate how to take pulse, temperature, respiration 3. List dangers of medication mis-usage 4. Role-play patient advocacy scenario 5. Provide feedback on Outreach360 Community Health Program