Female Empowerment Education Internship in Zambia
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Contribute to important women’s empowerment projects during an education-focused internship in Livingstone, Zambia
On this Education Internship, 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 a nonprofit organization that works in a rural area on the outskirts of Livingstone, a welcoming town a stone’s throw away from the infamous Victoria Falls. (You can often see the spray of the falls from the project!) The organization 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 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)
WHERE YOU’LL STAY
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
There is no Wifi available at the accommodation, so you will have to use mobile data. 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 at the accommodation. Zambia is not known for its cuisine, but there are few things you definitely need to try.
Nshima: thick 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 (2026 rates)
8 weeks USD 2,197
12 weeks USD 2,864
16 weeks USD 3,531
20 weeks USD 4,199
26 weeks USD 5,199
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 in a shared room (2 pax). If you prefer a single room, please contact us for availability and prices.
- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
- Daily transport to the project
- Guidance with your visa arrangement and other preparations
- Development of an Internship Work Plan to help you reach your learning goals
- Onboarding with your supervisor
- Regular check-ins
- Support from the Roots team remotely
- A certificate of completion at the end of your internship
- A reference letter upon request
Exclusions
- Flights to Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport
- Visa and medical/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
GALLERY
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!
REVIEWS
Laura, Finnish – Aalto University
Sustainable Development Internship, Zambia
Shelby, American – University of Southern California Price
Female Empowerment Internship, Zambia
Annie, American – Northeastern University
Female Empowerment Education Internship, Zambia
QUICK FACTS
FEATURED REVIEW
Annie, American – Northeastern University
Female Empowerment Education Internship, Zambia
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
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.
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!
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