Description

The Community Water Solutions Fellowship Program is a three-week water education and leadership training experience in Northern Region Ghana. The purpose of the fellowship is to teach individuals about the global water crisis, and inspire them to become leaders in the field of international development.

Fellows are grouped in teams of four and paired with a rural community in Northern Region, Ghana. Each team must work together to raise funds to cover the USD 3,000/person fellowship fee before traveling to Africa. The fee covers all living expenses and project costs during the three-week fellowship period, including all in-country transportation, lodging, food, and project materials. Once selected, fellows receive fund raising guidance from the CWS team to help them raise money for the trip.

On the ground, teams are first trained in water quality testing, and the CWS water treatment methods. They then spend two weeks in the field implementing and monitoring a CWS water business. Once established, these water businesses provide a permanent source of safe drinking water for the entire community. Exceptional Fellows will have the option of staying with CWS for a longer period of time to become leaders in the Fellowship program or in other capacities.

Highlights

March 5th at 5pm EST: Applications due!
March 19th: CWS Summer Fellows Announced!
March 19th - May 21st: Fellows fundraise to cover cost of Fellowship Fee
June 5th: Fellows arrive in Ghana
June 6th - June 10th: CWS Orientation
June 11th-26th: CWS Fellows implement water businesses!

Travel Types

• Volunteering

Qualifications

We are looking for students and young professionals who are passionate about the global clean-water challenge and who are seeking experience, exposure, and knowledge in order to enhance their own ability to contribute to clean-water solutions.

To be eligible for the Community Water Solutions Fellowship, you must:

* Be at least 18 years of age
* Have or expect to obtain a passport
* Meet the medical, legal and security requirements

Minimum Education

High School

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

3,000

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

* Guidance with fund-raising to cover fellowship fee
* All in-country transportation (does not include airfare to Ghana)
* Food and lodging during fellowship period
* Medical Insurance while in Ghana
* All project costs

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Community Development
• Community Health
• Human Rights
• Income-generation
• Volunteering
• Water

Typical Volunteer

CWS volunteers are self starters; passionate about social innovation and sustainable development; take initiative; give and absorb constructive feedback; take pride in their work; approach problems with patience and pluck; dedicated to constant improvement; put self and team on the same plane not ahead of them, help others to become better, and who are open to new learning all the time; have the highest personal integrity; and approach projects with passion and professionalism.

Age Range

18-35

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Guest House

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 3

Application Process Involves

• Essay
• Letters of Reference
• Phone/Video Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

3 weeks

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

Community Water Solutions's Mission Statement

CWS implements sustainable, scalable water treatment businesses owned and operated by the communities we serve. CWS engages with each community to collaboratively create a solution that is customized to their particular needs and preferences, while cultivating a sense of ownership and community self-reliance in the process. The CWS model is based on two components: 1. We use low-cost, community-scale water treatment and household safe storage solutions to ensure that the water stays safe and clean while users transport it and store it in their homes. 2. We use a hands-on approach to engaging communities as owners, operators and customers of to ensure comprehensive community access, broad adoption and sustained use.

Year Founded

2008