Description

"It must be emphasized that refugees/asylum seekers are not illegal immigrants, but are people who have legal rights to international protection in terms of the United Nations Refugee Convention, to which South Africa is a signatory. They are people who have been forced to flee from war or persecution in their own countries. Many arrive in South Africa with nothing, as they have to flee leaving all their possessions behind."

As an intern, you will have the opportunity to work with a local NGO that support asylum seekers in South Africa. As part of your internship responsibilities, you will equip refugees and asylum seekers with practical and technical skills for employment, and to facilitate a process of initiating income generating ventures for refugees and asylum seekers to achieve self-reliance and economic independence. In addition to the above activities, you will advocate and lobby with relevant state departments, network with stakeholders and engage in fundraising activities to support the refugee programmes in the greater Cape Town area.

The majority of vulnerable refugees reside in marginalized and deprived communities which have a legacy of high unemployment and a lack of socio-economic progress. Even those who live with their friends or relatives in the suburbs are faced with high levels of unemployment and no source of income. Owing to limited employment and self-employment opportunities, even the highly educated and skilled refugees/asylum seekers find it difficult to survive.

Highlights

All refugee internships are facilitated through the Volunteer Adventure Corps professional internship program. A few highlights of our internship program are as follows:

- We are an internship program that only accepts the most serious and professionally focused applicants. Our participants work full time and are expected to make an impact at their internship sites. Central to our program philosophy is the concept of mutually beneficial experiential learning, through which the intern, partner organization, and the communities they serve, have the opportunity to learn, grow, and develop in dynamic and positive ways.

- Outside of your internship, you will be able to participate in our program's free weekly Friday Excursions. Excursions take place in the afternoon and are an optional, yet highly recommended, way to see a new part of the city every week while socializing with other interns in the program. The following are examples of previous Friday excursions: surfing lessons at Muizenberg Beach, hikes in Table Mountain National Park (Lion's Head, Boomslang Caves, Elephant's Eye, Constantia Nek, Cecilia Forest), wine tasting in Constantia, chocolate tasting in Franschhoek, picnics in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, champagne sunset cruises in Table Bay Harbor and the list goes on!

- All interns participate in a comprehensive 2-day arrival orientation.

- We offer regular community service volunteer opportunities.

- We offer free weekly Xhosa classes (one of South Africa's 11 official languages).

- We assist all our participant with the location of housing in Cape Town.

- We offer 24-hour support and assistance.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a background in sociology, international relations, political science, psychology, geography, anthropology, social work, and/or display prior experience in the field.

Intern Types

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Visit our program website.

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

4-6 weeks

Post Services Include

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

Volunteer Adventure Corps's Mission Statement

Central to our program philosophy is the concept of mutually beneficial experiential learning, through which the intern, partner organization, and the communities they serve, have the opportunity to learn, grow, and develop in dynamic and positive ways. Ultimately, we want you to have an incredible experience in Africa while gaining the type of professional exposure that will be one of the first talking points in any job interview.

Year Founded

2006