Female Empowerment Education Internship in Zambia

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Contribute to important women’s empowerment projects during an education-focused internship in Livingstone, Zambia

You can join this internship remotely or in-person. Either way, you’ll gain hands-on experience in the development of educational material, and you’ll make your mark on an inspiring project that uplifts girls and women in this African community.

As an education intern, you’ll be part of Baobuyu Learning Center, a nonprofit organization that works in a rural area on the outskirts of Livingstone, a welcoming town a stone’s throw away from the Victoria Falls. (You can often see the spray of the falls from the project!) Baobuyu runs a community center that serves as a pre-school in the mornings, offering high quality education to kids in the community, and as a workshop space in the afternoons. One of the focus areas of the workshops is health education for girls and women.

Your role will be to help develop (and run, if you’re working in the field) these workshops. This can involve research, creating visual and interactive materials, and helping develop the initiative as a whole. It’s a wonderful opportunity to play a vital role in a grassroots level gender equality project.

ORGANIZATION

Baobuyu Learning Center is a community center that provides a large number of educational programs to the local community. It’s based in Mwandi, a rural community on the outskirts of Livingstone that deals with a lack of opportunities and resources. The center was established in 2016, and has since grown into an important hub with a varied program of free workshops and classes.

During the mornings, the center provides primary education for children aged 2 to 6. The goal is to provide free education to children who might otherwise not have access to quality schooling. During the afternoons, the center becomes the venue of a number of clubs and workshops, including;

  • Skill development workshops that encourage entrepreneurship and teach practical skills such as woodcarving, cooking, and gardening.
  • A support group for teenage girls that allows them to share worries and stories, and encourages some creative fun activities.
  • A recycling club that teaches both kids and adults about waste management, upcycling, and eco-bricking.
  • A women’s group that aims to empower women and improve their quality of life. This involves skill development workshops, education on healthy living, and entrepreneurial support.
  • Health workshops that offer important information on a number of diseases and viruses that are prevalent in Zambia, such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria – as well as mental health issues. The workshops are a safe place for people to share their stories and for people to learn about preventing diseases, first aid, and healthy eating.
  • A chess club that offers both classes and tournaments for keen community members.

TASKS & REQUIreMENTS

Responsibilities

  • Depending on your skills and experience, your tasks will include;
  • Do research into issues and stigmas girls and women face in Zambia
  • Do research into effective educational tools
  • Develop a range of education materials
  • Assist with running workshops, mostly focused on health issues
  • Assist with the overall development of the Baobuyu programs
  • If you’re interested, assist with communications and/or fundraising

Requirements

  • Good written and verbal English skills
  • Ideally a background in education
  • An interest in female empowerment
  • Ideally some knowledge of health issues facing African communities
  • A good level of flexibility
  • A willingness to take on a variety of tasks
  • Minimum age of 21 years (due to visa regulations) – does not apply for remote internship

WHERE YOU’LL STAY

You will be based in Livingstone, a town that’s famous for the Victoria Falls, but there is plenty more to see and do in your spare time. Take a stroll at one of the local markets and enjoy the friendliness of the Zambian population. Or if you are more adventurous, think about rafting the mighty Zambezi river or a bungee jump of the bridge. And there are plenty of opportunities in the area to go on a safari. Never a dull moment in Livingstone.

Your accommodation is included in the internship fee. You’ll stay in a shared house near Baobuyu Learning Center, together with the founder of the organization and a couple of others. It’s a basic but very comfortable house in a nice area of Livingstone, a 20-minute stroll into the center of the town. The house has three bedrooms, plenty of living space, and a large garden. There are three dogs at the property. You’ll share a room and bathroom with one other person.

Safety & Support

Safety & Support

Zambia is a relatively safe country, but there is petty crime, so it’s always good to be vigilant. Some safety tips are to avoid traveling alone, take a taxi/Uber at night, know safe/unsafe areas, avoid carrying valuables around, stay alert, and inquire about swim area safety. Prioritize protection from heatstroke and dehydration during your stay by drinking plenty of water. It is also important to respect the advice given to you by the accommodation host and internship supervisor.
Make sure to visit your doctor and dentist for a check-up before your internship and to get all the recommended vaccines, malaria profylaxis, and/or medications necessary to stay healthy.

Communication

Communication

Free Wifi is available at the accommodation for staying in touch with loved ones through WhatsApp, Facetime, etc., but it may be slow. Purchase a Zambian SIM card for reliable phone use or opt for international roaming.

Meals

Meals

Food is not included and you can prepare your own meals in the kitchen. Zambia is not known for its cuisine but there are few things you definitely need to try.
Nshima: a maize porridge which is a staple food all across Africa.
Zambezi bream: fish from the Zambezi river

Ifisashi: vegetarian stew of peanuts, tomatoes, spinach and cabbage. Usually served with nshima

Mosi: the local beer

Location details

Location details

You will be based in Livingstone, a town that’s famous for the Victoria Falls, but there is plenty more to see and do in your spare time. Take a stroll at one of the local markets and enjoy the friendliness of the Zambian population. Or if you are more adventurous, think about rafting the mighty Zambezi river or a bungee jump off the Victoria Falls Bridge. And of course, there are plenty of opportunities in the area to go on a safari, either in the country or across the border in Botswana or Zimbabwe. Never a dull moment in Livingstone!

DATES & RATES

Fee Breakdown

Start and end dates for the internship with this organization are flexible and will be discussed during the application process.

What you’ll pay (2024 rates)

8 WEEKS USD 1,706

12 WEEKS USD 2,219

16 WEEKS USD 2,732

20 WEEKS USD 3,245

26 WEEKS USD 4,015


Remote internship: USD 525

Inclusions

  • Careful matchmaking. It takes time to find the right internship for each person, and we take this process very seriously.
  • Initial interview with one of our team to gauge your skills, interests, and desired learning outcomes.
  • An academic internship eligible for university credit. Check with your university to confirm if this internship qualifies for credit or alternatively we can assist you with purchasing transfer credits.
  • Accommodation
  • Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
  • Daily transport to the project
  • Assistance with your visa arrangement and other preparations
  • An orientation program with your supervisor
  • Supervision and support during your stay
  • Regular check-ins during your internship with your supervisor
  • Troubleshooting if needed
  • A reference letter at the end of your internship

Exclusions

  • Flights to Livingstone
  • Visa, medical and travel insurance costs for the duration of your placement – must include cover for repatriation
  • Meals, drinks, snacks, and items of personal nature (f.e. curios, gifts, clothing).
  • Costs for additional excursions or activities
SCHOLARSHIP & FUNDING

FAQs

Some of our most commonly asked questions for programs in Zambia.

What can I expect from an internship in Zambia?

During your internship in Zambia, you’ll be able to work with people from around the world, while also becoming part of a tight-knit community. Check out this testimonial blog from a past intern about her experience in Zambia to learn more about what your Zambian internship may entail!

How will internships with NGOs in Zambia boost my career development?

An internship with an NGO in Zambia will allow you to develop and strengthen various skills such as communication, teamwork, project management, problem-solving, leadership, and adaptability. You can check out this blog article in order to learn more about why doing a charity internship is good for your career!

Will I work with other interns during my internship with Roots?

It’s not a guarantee that there will be other interns on-site at the same time as you, but the organizations work with people internationally and locally to achieve their goals daily so there are plenty of colleagues around. The accommodation is a great way to meet other volunteers in the area as well!

Who can apply for an internship in Zambia?

Only people above the age of 21 can apply due to visa requirements. If you’re under 21 you can apply for a hybrid internship, which is up to 1 month in person and then continues remotely.

Am I able to receive a stipend of any kind during my internship?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to receive any compensation. Since you’ll be joining a nonprofit organization, your internship will be unpaid, but you can find ways to fund your internship here. The opportunities for both professional and personal growth are invaluable and your experience will bring a wealth of new knowledge!

QUICK FACTS

LOCATION: Livingstone, Zambia OR Remote
PROGRAM FOCUS: Educational NGO
TASK FOCUS: Facilitation, Research, Education
LENGTH: Min. 8 Weeks
COST: From USD 1,630 (in-person) / USD 525 (remote)

REVIEWS

“I had a wonderful time working with roots and my placement organization. I was walked through the interview process and enjoyed how well heard I was. My interests, schedule, and goals were taken into account at every turn. I felt supported during my stay and the accommodations were very nice.
One of the best parts about this internship was how flexible it was. At the beginning this was a bit of a challenge but once you find your own rhythm and goals, its the best. I did everything from working one-on-one with a few of the kids from the school, facilitate girl power group, facilitate lesson plans with teachers, help create a business plan, mission and vision statement, and so much more. Each day was new and different, a real adventure. My whole experience was so pleasant that I decided to come back after my internship and I'll be staying here for the rest of the year! My life has been changed for the better because of this experience.”

Shelby, Education Internship Female Empowerment, United States
READ MORE REVIEWS

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Be part of an inspiring female empowerment initiative in a welcoming environment
  • Enjoy a great variety of tasks, including assisting with programs on the ground
  • Gain a thorough understanding of the nonprofit sector
  • Boost your resume with practical experience in developing education materials
  • Contribute to the long term impact of a worthwhile nonprofit initiative
  • Live and work in Livingstone, a friendly Zambian town with a stunning location (or work remotely, if you prefer)
ENQUIREAPPLY NOW

HOW TO APPLY

If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:

APPLY

Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us.

GET STARTED

SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR

We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.

INTERNSHIP MATCHING

If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.

PAYMENT

If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.

CONFIRMATION

Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.

NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?

Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!

RELATED PROGRAMS

girl empowerment internship

Open for applications

Female Empowerment Education Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Livingstone, Zambia OR Remote
  • EDUCATION, FACILITATION, RESEARCH
Foster women's growth through education & leadership, and act as a catalyst for positive change in this African community.
Find out more

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