NGO Management Internship in Zambia

I do not have a single bad thing to say about my 9 week internship with Free Haven. Anyone who is interested in NGO management or the general behind the scenes of running an NGO would benefit greatly from working with Free Haven. From admin tasks, to social media, and teaching I got to try and experience everything. The Team was incredible and I am sure I will be back in the near future.

This has been one of the best experiences of my life. I will remember and cherish every single moment spent in Zambia. It has been a humbling experience to see how the people of Zambia are alwasy happy, welcoming and warm even after all the hardships and struggles. Also the staff at African Impact is amazing. They made me feel right at home. :)

Going into this internship I had no idea what to expect and what the outcome might be. I hoped it would help me find and solidify what I want to do as a career but also expose me to many different opportunities and open new doors for places to explore around the world. Interning at Baobuyu did it all and more! I was able to work in collaboration with other interns and our supervisor on daily tasks and activities with our community programs but I was also given a tremendous support to start my own initiatives and projects. While I was there I started my own club and facilitated a fundraising campaign all on my own. Now that I am reflecting on my time with Baobuyu I am cherishing everything we were able to accomplish, create, learn, and grow together during this time. I know I will take everything I have learned into the future with me as I move forward and will always remember how I was able to find my passion and a new home across the world. I am forever grateful.

When I decided to travel to South Africa, Cape Town, I didn't know what to expect - but I knew that a unique experience was waiting for me. I arrived here during the lockdown. Nevertheless, after a short time I had the opportunity to get to know the culture, locals, nature and life here. After a short time I knew that this place is my home. I feel so connected to the nature and people here. Every day brings magical moments of rainbows in the ocean waves, butterflies landing on me, waterfalls, nature sounds, powerful storms, laughing children, pure forests, breathtaking views, etc. Once I let myself accept that Cape Town is a place that is neither fast nor perfectly organized, but very slow and quiet, I was able to surrender to the flow and let each day come to me full of curiosity. I made a new family, wonderful friends and unique experiences here and was also able to learn a lot about myself, life here and the different cultures that come together in this country. I am deeply grateful and already looking forward to my return.

My internship with Greenpop gave me incredible knowledge and experience in the effects of urban greening in cities. My role as an intern was very hands-on as well as administrative. I was able to take part in numerous workshops and planting days that were organized by Greenpop, meaning my work was very dynamic. Not only did I have my office tasks, but I was also able to have very social facilitation experiences, and on top of that, a lot of physical work in planting and preparing gardens for fynbos planting days. The work taught me amazing skills in how programmes are planned, and how it takes so many different elements within an organization for these events to happen. The work that Greenpop does as an organization is something really wonderful to be a part of, and I am so grateful that I was able to help and be a part of their mission in making this world a little more green for everyone.