social development internships in Africa

Our Partners: Projekt Ubuntu

Projekt Ubuntu, Cape Town, South Africa

This project started in 2010 shortly after the xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Sidney and Candi had been working in refugee camps and around peace initiatives; ensuring the safe reintegration of African refugees back into the townships. They wanted to find ways to assist local communities; not only during times of crisis; but on an on-going basis. Hence the start of Projekt Ubuntu Community Projects, which aims to teach young people from around the world the values of Ubuntu, the African principle of humanity.

The project’s mainstay projects are supporting Community based organizations eg. Projekt Ubuntu Connekt, (Established by Projekt Ubuntu and now operating independently), and several other nonprofits in the area that focus on social Work, food Security & Nutrition, HIV AIDS Research & Youth development.
Through these partnerships they have been able to offer a variety of programs & workshops, for example Dental Camps, Youth Leadership Training programs, Weekly wellness classes at their facility. A large part of their work is the support & mentorship of youth mentors, who run a host of programs and projects for example Soccer programs, Trauma Education workshops, Holiday programs for children etc.

Through these programs, they  have made a substantial impact. Some examples include:

  • 80 youth leaders, 18 – 35 have graduated from our leadership training program in partnership with IAHV ( Projekt Ubuntu has sponsored all 3 leadership training programs in 2 communities
  • Supporting over 150 – 200 children daily in providing meals, after school programs, outings, events, workshops and activities
  • Distribution of resources and funding for various community based initiatives for example free dental care for over 100 children in 2026, distribution of warm winter clothes during the winter months, community kitchen feeding 100 children every day, sponsorship of food gardens, for a community based food security program, funding of a Soccer Club with 18 players for a period of 1 year, funding of membership fees for 50 youth to access a state of the art, Sports and Gym facility.
  • Environmental projects – turning waste to art
  • The Sponsorship of youth attending Arts and Cultural events
  • The funding of 3 Youth Leadership Training programs, impacting 80 – 100 youth
  • The funding of 4 youth facilitators to teach a Trauma Education program, addressing mental health and impacting 500 – 1000 children.

Click Here to Find Out More About Projekt Ubuntu

 

yoga internship Cape Town

Open for applications

Yoga Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Cape Town, South Africa
  • Program Development, Yoga Teaching, Communications
Teach yoga to bring upliftment to both individuals and the larger community.
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Events Internship

Open for applications

NGO Event Management Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Cape Town, South Africa
  • Event Management, Coordination, Planning
Gain practical work experience while managing events for community development projects.
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Marketing and Communications Internship

Open for applications

Marketing & Communications Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Cape Town, South Africa
  • Project Management, Communications, Marketing, Fundraising
Help develop and manage communication channels for a grassroots social impact program.
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Youth social Work Internship

Open for applications

Youth Social Work Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Cape Town, South Africa
  • Youth Development, Social Work
Provide support and positive activities to children with troubled backgrounds.
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Why Intern with Projekt Ubuntu

Find out from our previous interns how internships with Projekt Ubuntu can jumpstart your professional career and expand your soft skills.

I had the opportunity to take on a variety of hands-on roles, from assisting in food distribution and supporting classroom activities at an early childhood development center, to helping children with their homework at the youth club and organizing fun activities & workshops. I also helped plan events and workshops in collaboration with other organizations. One of my proudest accomplishments was leading a recycling workshop where we repurposed plastic bottles into plant pots and planted spinach and cabbage, -- the best moment was watching the children’s excitement as their plants grew! I also organized a dance session, sharing Zumba, bachata,... See More

Mariana, Columbian – University of Alberta

Youth Social Work Internship, South Africa

The internship work truly was meaningful, and I learned a lot about community development and cultural exchange. I helped organize workshops, assisted with creating social media content, and supported community outreach activities. This internship helped me improve my communication and teamwork skills, which will be useful in any future job. It also gave me a clearer idea of the type of field that I want to work in: one that creates a positive impact on society. I really appreciate the opportunity and the support from the Roots team throughout the process.

Jiyao, Chinese

Youth Social Work Internship, South Africa

It was a life-changing experience! The community is so welcoming and eager to make change. Working with the youth and watching them grow and achieve their goals was the best part. I did event planning, fundraising, meetings, school workshops, meal prep, activities with children, and learning exercises. The main thing I learned was really to just be able to work with what's available to you and appreciate the little things. Being involved with the community and putting a smile on hundreds of faces makes all the hard work pay off. Roots was very supportive and I appreciated all their help.... See More

Zakirah, American – Temple University

Youth Social Work Internship, South Africa