IIP Placements in Africa
| Benin | Mozambique |
| Egypt | Sierra Leone |
| Ethiopia | South Africa |
| Ghana | Tanzania |
| Liberia | Togo |
| Madagascar |
BENIN
Bioversity International
Bioversity is the world's largest international research organization dedicated solely to the conservation and use of agricultural biodiversity. Three placements are available at Bioversity: one at the headquarters in Rome, Italy, one in Benin, and one in Costa Rica. Specific internship responsibilities will be announced soon and in the past have included retrieving and assessing agro-biodiversity practices as climate change mitigation tools and support for the development and production of Geneflow Magazine. Applicants should have a background in any of the following disciplines: Environmental Studies, Evolutionary Biology, Botany, or Communications. The ideal applicant would have a combination of writing/communications skills and science background. This internship is made possible thanks to a grant from the Princeton Environmental Institute.
EGYPT
Ashoka Arab World
Ashoka is the global association of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs—men and women with system changing solutions for the world’s most urgent social problems. Since 1981, Ashoka has elected over 2,000 leading social entrepreneurs as Ashoka Fellows, providing them with living stipends, professional support, and access to a global network of peers in more than 60 countries. Interns in Ashoka’s Middle East/North Africa program (MENA)/Ashoka Arab World work in the Cairo office with professionals and entrepreneurs committed to supporting an influential civil society worldwide. Interns are expected to demonstrate Ashoka’s core values of applied empathy, entrepreneurship and collegiality, and commitment to innovation for the public. Ashoka Arab World seeks committed and professional interns with whom itwill work to tailor an internship that fits its needs while considering interns' interests and level of experience. Interns are typically placed within one of the following areas, although most interns will assist in more than one area: (1) Development: the creation of new partnerships and cementing of existing partnerships with private, public and citizen sector to strengthen Ashoka Social Network and create an "Everyone a Changemaker" society. (2) Venture: the process by which Ashoka finds new candidates, including the nomination process, preliminary application process, writing of candidate profiles, and finally the selection panel when our candidates become Ashoka Fellows. (3) Outreach: working with projects designed to encourage more citizen involvement in Ashoka. (4) Fellowship: ensuring that fellows are connected with the resources that Ashoka can offer them, including assessing the fellows' needs, encouraging and supporting collaboration amongst Fellows, writing reports on current fellow projects, and general monitoring of fellows' progress. This internship placement is recommended for students with interests in microfinance, non-profit administration, political science, social entrepreneurship, sustainable development, and the Middle East region. Arabic language skills are an asset.
Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA)
This internship provides an opportunity to work in Egypt, in the heart of the antiquities service. Interns will be working directly with Dr. Zahi Hawass, secretary general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, on a variety of projects the goals of which are to help protect and preserve Egypt’s cultural heritage. Depending on skill set and interest, interns may also be given the opportunity to work on projects at the Egyptian Museum Cairo. Possible projects include working on the SCA’s image bank and photographic archives, assisting with content for the SCA’s website, researching repatriation issues for stolen antiquities, working on the new collections management database at the Egyptian Museum, and assisting with a labeling project, also at the Egyptian Museum. Applicants should be sophomores or juniors at the time of application. Strong writing skills are required. Arabic and/or French language skills are not essential, but would be an asset.
ETHIOPIA
Centre for Citizens’ Participation in the African Union (CCP-AU)
CCP-AU is an independent platform committed to the actualization of a people-centered African Union, aspiring to broaden and strengthen opportunities for substantive Civil Society Organizations' engagement with the African Union and to encourage a people-centred African Union where citizens can influence decisions that affect them. The CCP-AU, which began its work as a task force in 2007, was established with the mandate of coordinating and facilitating the existing activities of pan-African Civil Society Organizations and to encourage that of others around the continent in their engagement with the African Union. The rationale for the establishment of the CCP-AU was multi-fold: a) the untapped potential for African civil society organisations to become involved with the AU, as mandated by its constitutive act; b) the desire for engagement with the AU amongst African CSOs; c) the barriers to CSO engagement established by the AU, be they inadvertent or not; and d) the lack of existing facilitating entities. The CCP-AU is currently being hosted by the Organization for Social Justice in Ethiopia, which is also a founding member of the CCP-AU. Intern responsibilities may include assisting in research and analysis on issues, help in developing a communications strategy, monitoring African Union activities (which entails monitoring current trends on websites and making “learning” focused site visits), and report writing. Prior projects have included the creation the annual report of the organization with an accompanying presentation and a summary of the executive decisions reached by the Peace and Security Council of the African Union.
OXFAM International
Oxfam International is a confederation of 14 like-minded organizations working together and with partners and allies around the world to bring about lasting change. Oxfam works directly with communities and seeks to influence the powerful to ensure that poor people can improve their lives and livelihoods and have a say in decisions that affect them. In partnership with more than 3,000 local partner organizations, they work with people living in poverty striving to exercise their human rights, assert their dignity as full citizens and take control of their lives. Their mission is focused on efforts in the following areas: working with and through partners and communities to successfully implement long-term programs to eradicate poverty and combat injustice; delivering immediate life-saving assistance to people affected by natural disasters or conflict and helping to build their resilience to future disasters. Internship responsibilities may include assisting in the coordination of working groups on key issues related to the African Union (AU) Summit Agenda (Peace and Security, Agriculture, Union Government of Africa, etc); researching and drafting working papers; participating and contributing in various meetings related to the AU Summit; coordinating the translation of documents by liaising with professional translators, providing logistical support to participants of pre-summit activities; researching and compiling information during the AU Summit and drafting the Summit report; and monitoring AU activities on a daily basis through the website and visits to some organs and directorates of the AU Commission as well as to some Addis Ababa embassies. This internship is specifically with Oxfam's Liaison office with the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The internship is particularly suited to students interested in human rights, humanitarian affairs, public policy, and foreign affairs.
Worldwide Orphans Foundation
Worldwide Orphans Foundation (WWO) is a not-for-profit organization based in New Jersey that develops and funds projects to transform the lives of orphaned children all over the world. WWO provides medical care for HIV-infected orphans and trains/mentors healthcare professionals in developing countries in HIV/AIDS pediatric treatment. WWO also provides early intervention, education, arts, sports, and camp programs for orphans and vulnerable children. In Addis Ababa, the WWO-AHF Family Health Center provides primary care for children and adults with HIV/AIDS and is run by the Worldwide Orphans Foundation, in collaboration with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. WWO also has the WWO Academy and organizes a day camp and residential camp program each summer for orphans and vulnerable children living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. The residential camp is organized in collaboration with the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps. One placement is available to assist in the camp program, either in sports, arts, or music programming. Another placement is available to look at the medical, social, psychological, cultural, and economic aspects of the pediatric AIDS epidemic and the influence of associated variables, such as poverty, stigma, orphanage life, barriers to health care, mother-to-child transmission, mental health, medication adherence, disclosure, and chronic illness. A project will need to be agreed upon prior to traveling. All WWO interns will be required to document their internship experiences in a journal suitable for publication on the WWO website and for inclusion in the Orphan Ranger Archive. Students with interests in education, global health, sports, and/or the arts are encouraged to apply, and candidates should demonstrate some experience of working with children. Amharic would be an asset, but is not required. The WWO research internship is offered in partnership with the Program in Global Health and Health Policy and can be used for completion of the GHP Summer Research Requirement (please check the appropriate box on your application). The WWO camp internship does not qualify.
GHANA
Infanta Malaria Prevention Foundation
The Infanta Malaria Prevention Foundation (IMPF) is a non-governmental organization established in April 2005 to raise awareness about the seriousness of malaria and bring relief to the poor rural villages where malaria accounts for the highest mortality rate among infants and children. The group targets children under age 12 and pregnant women. Internship responsibilities may include data collection; training on malaria prevention; short residencies in villages with Infanta Malaria’s partner organizations; research that would assist in fundraising activities; and attending seminars or other venues that can assist in Infanta Malaria’s efforts to stay abreast of new information. Interns should have good organizational skills, effective teaching capacity and data collection skills, the ability to work well independently, and a willingness to stay in rural areas. IMPF is located in Osu, in the outskirts of Accra. This internship is offered in partnership with the Program in Global Health and Health Policy and can be used for completion of the GHP Summer Research Requirement (please check the appropriate box on your application).
International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
IWMI is a non-profit organization with a staff of 350 and offices in more than 10 countries across Asia and Africa. In summer 2010, placements will be offered in India, Uzbekistan, Laos, and Ghana. IWMI targets water and land management challenges faced by poor communities in the developing world/developing countries and through this contributes towards the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals of reducing poverty and hunger and maintaining a sustainable environment. Research is IWMI's core activity. Interns will participate in a project focused on evaluating the effectiveness of how the scientific information IWMI generates is packaged, distributed, and promoted. Each intern will conduct research in the country where he/she is placed. As part of a team, the intern will contribute towards defining the main products/activities and the target audiences and aims of those products/activities; setting up the methodology, including face-to-face interviews, for assessing these products/activities; taking leadership in undertaking analysis (travel within the country may be required) and analyzing results; participating in a workshop in India (for interns in Ethiopia, a travel stipend will be provided) to present results of findings as part of the team making recommendations for future marketing and communications efforts. The intern must be able to work well with people of different cultures, possess some evaluation experience (conducting surveys, facilitating focus groups, interviewing, data analysis, making presentations, etc.), and be a clear, concise report writer.
Kokrobitey Community Clinic
Kokrobitey Community Clinic is a small, rural clinic providing antenatal care; deliveries; child health; screening for HIV, TB, and malaria; and general health services. The clinic is located in Kokrobitey (approximately one hour outside of Accra). Internship responsibilities include working directly with the medical assistant (physician assistant) and head of Kokrobitey Clinic on its service areas. Tasks would include helping with patients, administrative assistants, and outreach services (immunizing and weighing children 1-5 years old). Interns are welcome to share ideas related to data collection or administrative practices (e.g., organizing files). Interns may also, within the context of their work and with the Clinic Head’s approval, conduct independent research around their clinic responsibilities, provided that this research does not interfere with the operation of the clinic or the service provided to patients. Data collection skills and good organizational skills are required. Medical training (e.g., first aid, other clinical skills) is a plus and should be described in the application form. This internship is offered in partnership with the Program in Global Health and Health Policy and can be used for completion of the GHP Summer Research Requirement (please check the appropriate box on your application). View a Powerpoint presentation (.pdf) by a past intern.
Unite for Sight
Unite for Sight implements vision screening and education programs in North America and in developing countries. Volunteers participate in pre-service training and orientation that ensures that that they are fully prepared to contribute to the success of Unite for Sight programs. The programs are locally led and managed by partner eye clinics that provide year-round high quality eye care and continuity of care for all patients. Unite for Sight volunteers work with local ophthalmic nurses, optometrists, and ophthalmologists to support and assist clinics in outreach programs that reduce barriers to health care, including financial, transportation, and education barriers. This is a great opportunity to be immersed in an international health and development program while providing eye care to patients living in extreme poverty. Internship responsibilities may include working in rural villages to assist the eye clinic doctors in all aspects of the eye care program, including taking patient history, testing visual acuity, assisting the doctors with the coordination of patient surgeries. Interns also may have an opportunity to pursue independent research projects under the guidance of ophthalmologists at the eye clinic.
LIBERIA
Tiyatien Health
Tiyatien Health ("Justice in Health" in Liberian dialect) is a Boston- and Liberia-based nonprofit organization that works with the national government and rural communities in Liberia—one of Africa’s poorest war-torn nations—to rebuild health systems with a focus on AIDS and primary healthcare. In the spirit of TH’s mission, no person is considered "untreatable" and no condition "too complex to treat." For the past several years, TH has partnered with the Liberian Ministry of Health to build the nation’s first and largest rural public HIV treatment and care program—the HIV Equity initiative. This fall TH launched interventions for patients with epilepsy and depression. Intern responsibilities may include developing microfinance and small business capacity; conducting ethnographic work; participating in operational research around the HIV Equity Initiative and/or chronic disease programs. Roles could include data entry and analysis; producing photovoice documentaries of chronic disease patients and their communities; exploring the effect of depression and epilepsy services on the quality of life; writing perspective and/or op-ed style pieces to support Tiyatien Health’s advocacy work; teaching computer literacy classes to Liberian staff; conducting health education sessions in a community setting in collaboration with the outreach program. Students with interests in international health, sustainable development, grassroots healthcare, and with at least one prior international experience are encouraged to apply. This internship is offered in partnership with the Program in Global Health and Health Policy and can be used for completion of the GHP Summer Research Requirement (please check the appropriate box on your application).
MADAGASCAR
Feedback Madagascar
Feedback Madagascar is a Scottish Charity which works in the field of development, healthcare, the environment, and conservation. Since 1993, Feedback has improved the lives of thousands of Malagasy families. Using a unique sustainable approach through direct consultation and partnerships with local people, impressive outcomes are achieved. Feedback Madagascar through this work aims to alleviate poverty with a sustainable integrated approach; recognizing the inter-relationship between poverty, environmental degradation, and poor health. Intern responsibilities may include teaching English to the organization's Malagasy team; assisting with data management and project documentation (processes, successes, lessons learned); translating project documents, reports, and proposals; updating the website; developing promotional materials for the organization; producing brochures, videos, etc.; teaching GPS use and GIS mapping; and researching strategies for self-sufficiency for the organization’s core funding needs (feasibility studies). This placement is particularly suited for students interested in sustainable development, environmental conservation, and global health issues. Experience and background knowledge in teaching, translation, data management, documentation, video editing, GPS use, and GIS mapping would be an asset. Also, French is required for jobs other than English-language teaching. This internship is made possible thanks to a grant from the Princeton Environmental Institute.
MOZAMBIQUE
Lurdes Mutola Foundation
The Lurdes Mutola Foundation (LMF) is a non-governmental, non-profit agency dedicated to developing health, sport, educational, and entrepreneurial opportunities for young Mozambicans. In summer 2009 LMF will offer two internships in a Portuguese-language and Southern African immersion experience. The first position was for the Mais Escola Para Mim (MEpM) project in Magude in the southern Province of Maputo. The intern must be female. She will serve as an Assistant Program Coordinator and will live with, mentor, and tutor approximately 40 rural Mozambican girls between the ages of 13 and 16. This intern will board and eat meals (covered by LMF) in one of the new MEpM dormitories. She must be capable of developing and implementing a life skills course and supporting the girls in their academic studies (roughly on par with 8th grade U.S.), especially math, the hard sciences, and English. The second internship position is for the Desporto da Vida (DDV) project in Gurue in the northern Province of Zambezia. DDV uses the country’s most popular pastime—soccer—as a vehicle for teaching better health practices, especially as they relate to Malaria and HIV/AIDS prevention techniques, as well as helping participants build life skills. The intern could be male or female, but must have experience playing and instructing the sport of soccer. He or she will serve as an Assistant Program Coordinator. Responsibilities include assisting project management in general, leading technical training sessions for children and volunteer coaches, and expanding the scope and publicity of the project by linking it with local Mozambican organizations. For both placements, Portuguese at least at an intermediate level is recommended.
SIERRA LEONE
Energy for Opportunity
Energy For Opportunity (EFO) is a not-for-profit organization working to improve livelihoods in West Africa through the provision and installation of clean, sustainable, photovoltaic, electricity-generating infrastructure. Their strategy is to develop innovative ways to promote the use of renewable energy across the region with an emphasis on both solar installation and solar training projects. EFO’s work addresses the need that comes with a large proportion of the world’s population lacking access to modern forms of electricity, a problem that is particularly acute in West Africa, home to some of the least developed regions in the world. Successful applicants will be involved in one of three programs: 1) research (data gathering and socio-economic analysis of an issue), 2) monitoring and evaluation (critical analysis/evaluation of previous EFO projects), or 3) design (design and development of a specific renewable energy project; may involve some teaching at Government Technical Institute). All interns will work in close partnership with a student from a local Sierra Leonean higher education institute, culminating in the preparation of a final internship report to be posted on the EFO website. Note: This placement is 10 weeks long.
Global Action Foundation (GAF)
Global Action Foundation is a non-profit organization providing free, high-quality health care to Sierra Leone’s amputated civilians. GAF runs a primary care clinic, Kono Amputee Clinic, located six hours east of Freetown approaching the Guinean border. GAF also runs a community-based malnutrition project in partnership with UNICEF. Internships combine clinical, administrative, and epidemiological responsibilities. Interns will shadow a doctor and/or nurse as well as help run the clinic’s pharmacy and laboratory. They will collect health statistics at the clinic and in the community. Interns will travel to communities of amputated civilians, collect data, and assist with its first-level analysis. They will also have data collection and reporting responsibilities for the malnutrition project. Interns must have completed their junior year, and have prior international experience and an ability to live in remote region. This internship is offered in partnership with the Program in Global Health and Health Policy and can be used for completion of the GHP Summer Research Requirement (please check the appropriate box on your application).
SOUTH AFRICA
Global Literacy Project
The Global Literacy Project (GLP) is a New Jersey based nonprofit organization, conceptualized for the purpose of fostering community-based literacy initiatives throughout the world. The organization collects, sorts, ships and distributes books, journals, computers and other educational materials to communities in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and other developing nations. They work with local community representatives to develop and sponsor structured literacy and educational programs that can be sustained and expanded independently. The organization strives to encourage the creation of global citizens who believe in the sharing of educational materials and global knowledge and who participate in service learning opportunities in the U.S. and abroad. GLP interns and volunteers work with beneficiary communities to establish libraries; teach library use; teach reading and writing; set up competitions that promote literacy such as spelling bees, math Olympics, etc.; establish after-school academic and sports programs for children and youth; assist teachers; teach basic computer skills; and develop plans for the improvement of existing literacy programs and future literacy initiatives. Internships are available in rural Randfontein, approximately one hour west of Johannesburg, in South Africa.
The Philani Child Health & Nutrition Project
Established in 1979 on the initiative of Swedish doctor Ingrid le Roux and community health workers, the Philani Child Health & Nutrition Project is a community-based non-governmental organization, operating in the informal settlements of Khayelitsha, Crossroads, Brown's Farm, Mfuleni, Nyanga and Delft on the outskirts of Cape Town. An estimated 750,000 to 1 million people live in these areas in simple core houses or informal dwellings made of corrugated iron, wood, and plastics--many overcrowded and without water and sanitation. Unemployment, poverty, poor housing, and lack of basic services cause malnutrition and poor health in these communities. Nearly 30 years after Philani's foundation, unemployment, poor housing, child malnutrition and disease continue to prevail. Beyond Philani's original focus on children, it has responded to needs expressed by these communities and offers education and training to women, income-generating projects, pre-schools, an outreach and home-based nutrition and child health programme, a mothers-to-be programme, an orphans and vulnerable children program, and a dental project, as well as a care and support programme for HIV positive mothers and children. This internship is offered in partnership with the Program in Global Health and Health Policy and can be used for completion of the GHP Summer Research Requirement (please check the appropriate box on your application).
The Solidarity Center
The Solidarity Center is a non-profit organization that assists workers around the world in their efforts to build democratic and independent trade unions. Its members work with unions and community groups worldwide to achieve equitable, sustainable, democratic development and to help men and women everywhere stand up for their rights and improve their living and working standards. A unique internship program is offered to motivated Princeton sophomores and juniors interested in international social, labor, and human rights issues. The sites for 2010 are to be finalized, but are tentatively scheduled for Cambodia, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa, and Thailand. These placements require good research and writing skills. Note: The placements in the Dominican Republic require advanced Spanish skills. Interested students should attend a specific meeting on the internship that will be occur sometime in the fall, and will be presented by a Solidarity Center representative.
TANZANIA
Taaluma Institute of East Africa
The Taaluma Institute of East Africa, based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, aims at giving students from American universities and colleges and individuals the opportunity to study Kiswahili language, literature, and culture and to conduct research or do academic internships through a structured immersion program in the culture and society of the Swahili speaking people of east Africa. Currently, because of China’s increasing presence in African countries, particularly Tanzania, many Tanzanians have become interested in learning Chinese to better do business with their primarily Chinese customers. Interns would be responsible for preparing lesson plans and teaching Chinese for one-two hours a day, six times a week to Tanzanian woodcarvers. Also, interns would seek opportunities to make the teaching of Chinese to the woodcarvers sustainable. In the past, interns have reached out to the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania, Chinese companies, and local news media to increase awareness for the program and seek replacement teachers to continue the teaching after the interns have left. Interns must have an interest in learning the local language, Swahili, and are expected to take beginner Swahili classes three hours a day for the duration of the program. Interns also will need to have completed at least three years of Chinese courses or be at an equivalent level of proficiency prior to starting. This is a great opportunity for students interested in East Africa, China’s increasing presence in Africa, or education in developing countries. There is a considerable amount of flexibility in the program; if students have research interests of their own, they may be able to make that research a part of their internship experience.
TOGO
United Nations Regional Centre for Peace Disarmament in Africa (UNREC)
Located in Lomé, the capital city of Togo, in West Africa, UNREC covers all 53 countries in Africa and works in four main areas approved by the UN General Assembly: peace and security; disarmament, arms control, and non-proliferation; research, information and publication; and advocacy and research mobilization. Candidates must be juniors to apply. The current programs in which interns could be accommodated are The Small Arms Transparency and Control Regime in Africa (SATCRA); African Security Sector Reform Programme (ASSEREP); Capacity-building on Practical Disarmament and Peace-building in Africa: Strengthening the Grassroots and Civil-Society Organizations (CAPPA); Regulating Small Arms Brokering in Africa; Formulation of a legally-binding instrument for the control of small arms and light weapons in Central Africa; African disarmament youth forum. In summer 2009, an intern worked on two projects: one on the harmonization of national legislation on small arms and light weapons and the other on piracy. Interns are assigned a supervisor, and UNREC assists interns in finding safe and secure accommodations in Lomé. French language skills are an asset.
