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South AfricaInternational development is a notoriously difficult field to break into, so an internship in Cape Town could give you experience to set your resume apart. Cape Town is one of the most developed cities on the continent, but outside the major industrial centers South Africa still suffers from a severe lack of development. Interning on an International Development internship is a great way to help redress this balance.

Interns work with an NGO called Where Rainbows Meet Training and Development Foundation, which is based in the Vrygrond settlement area around 12 miles from the center of Cape Town. The organization is a non-profit and aims to empower, support, and mentor organizations, youth, women, and other community members.

The foundation offers a variety of services and programs such as life and leadership development, computer training, feeding proposals, soup kitchens, sewing projects, sports programs, and educational support. The foundation also focuses on issues like unemployment, crime, domestic violence, drugs, alcohol abuse, prostitution, teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, and general healthcare.

Where Rainbows Meet is involved in annual events that range from Women’s Day Celebrations, Youth Day, Clean up campaigns, holiday programs, Human Rights Day, World Aids Day, Talent Search, and a Community Christmas Party. These events have different themes that highlight the positive elements of the community and present an opportunity to raise awareness about social problems.

Interning on an International Development Project

Interns with a basic knowledge of business or management can get involved in the following areas:

  • Business Courses - Administering business courses to entrepreneurs in Vrygrond or to people who are generally interested in starting their own businesses.
  • Computer Courses - Helping adults within the community qualify for office work by running computer courses and assisting with resumes and other electronic tasks.
  • Administration - Assist in the office with organization, filing, photocopying, answering the phone, typing resumes, helping students to fill out registration forms, etc.
  • Marketing - Keeping the website of Where Rainbows Meet up to date, including writing articles and uploading photos of activities.
  • Fundraising - Sending business fundraising proposals to different firms and individuals. Developing relationships with existing sponsors and writing motivation letters and developing contacts.

Interns who have in depth knowledge of business and/or management can also get involved in the following range of work, depending on experience:

  • Market Research - Formulating and executing market research, including collecting statistics from questionnaires. More work in this area is needed to further explore the needs of the community, evaluate the organization’s the achievements, and enhance the business plan.
  • Fundraising - Coming up with new, low-cost fundraising ideas and implementing these proposals. Making current proposals more detailed so they can be targeted at specific investors, focusing on sports or the arts for example.
  • Staff Training - Teaching and coordinating bookkeeping and market research with local staff members.
  • Business Development - Guiding businesses in Vrygrond, helping to develop the businesses and establishing plans to improve them through better marketing and finance management. Interns also register new, startup businesses and create business plans for them, and develop three-year business plans for existing businesses.
  • Taxation Workshops - Interns and local business students can attend workshops on taxation in South Africa and how small businesses are registered in the Western Cape.

The placement staff also encourage the interns to come up with new and innovative ideas!

As with all internships, you must show a high level of motivation and a willingness to participate in any task given to you – whether it is as glamorous as organizing a campaign rally or spending a few hours proof reading a project proposal. By working within all areas of the organization, you'll leave with a well-rounded view of how international development charities work and the unique set of challenges they face in achieving their goals.

The project is open to anyone who is motivated to get involved and help, but would also be particularly suitable for students and recent graduates of business or development studies. Please let us know if you have any experience or a special interest in any particular area.

During the internship, you are expected to be punctual, professional, and hard working. Interns are required to work an average of 35 hours per week, usually Monday through Friday. When you arrive at work on your first day, you will be assigned a supervisor who will be able to advise and support you during your internship. As always, our Projects Abroad staff are available to you if you need them throughout your time with us in South Africa.

Always remember that the more questions you ask and the more imitative you show, the more time your colleagues will spend with you. If you complete every task to the best of your ability, you will go home with valuable practical experience for your resume while also having supported a worthwhile cause.