Fundraising Internship in Cape Town, South Africa

My overall experience in Cape Town was amazing. The city is truly a magical place. I have met some amazing people and was able to do a lot of fun stuff. My internship suited me and was definitely one of the things that made this experience so great. I worked with the New Heritage Foundation in NGO management, focusing on fundraising, social media, creating a business plan, and networking. One thing that I am really taking from this internship is how important it is to have a network with valuable connections. The right person can make a huge difference. On a personal level, I learned that I can get very caught up in wanting more and sometimes forget to realize the beautiful things I already have. I am also proud of being asked to become a board member. I mostly enjoyed the brainstorm sessions with the team. However, there were sometimes long days in the office. As for my career plans, I don’t have any yet. This internship was a way for me to get a taste of the NGO working life and see if it was something for me. I think networking will be important in the future. I also learned that not everyone thinks like I do. My advice: Make sure to communicate properly and don’t hesitate to ask questions when something is unclear. When traveling alone, do some research on people who will be there so you have a community of people to connect with and do things together.

I thoroughly enjoyed my dual internship (both in-person and remote). I learnt a lot about nonprofit management, community development and fundraising, my tasks and activities were also meaningful and exciting. I feel like this internship enabled me to achieve my short-term career goals while also building my professional acumen. Above all else, I had fun and made new connections.

The team is very inspiring and mindful, and working for such a good cause can only make you proud of your job. This internship has given me the opportunity to explore a work environment which (even if remotely) is supporting and inspiring.