Internships

Internships are the final part of most student's university or college degree.

By choosing to undertake your internship in South Africa with African Sunrise, you'll be able to apply your theoretical skills in a challenging environment you're unlikely to have an opportunity to work in again.

Our South African culture and heritage are so diverse, with some problematic yet empowering historical moments interwoven into the context of this great nation. Although we have a lot to celebrate and are making progress, there are still obstacles ahead. We deal with genuine issues of poverty, inequality, human rights violations, and many other societal problems.

The African Sunrise team has spent a lot of time creating a network of organisations and NPOs that we place interns with. That's because our internship projects are very carefully chosen to match your field of studies. It's crucial that we understand each organisation's primary focus, in addition to monitoring their performance based on feedback from our interns.

Essentially, African Sunrise is here to create an opportunity for every intern to apply their knowledge to real-life situations. This is what a genuine internship should be - a challenging and equally meaningful experience.

The minimum stay for an internship in South Africa is three months.

We cater for many fields of study, including Social Work, Teaching, Psychology, Human Rights Studies, Law Studies, Political Studies, as well as offering internships in South Africa in other fields like Photography, Coding, Public Relations, Communications and Logistics.

If you don't see your core subject on the above list, please don't be discouraged. When we first started our company that list was much smaller and grown over time to accommodate the increasingly wide range of subjects that requires an internship module.

You can contact us with more information about your field of study, and we'll begin making inquiries to find a suitable placement.

3 Months

Internship

From

R

51 500

 

R51 500 - Shared Room

R59 500 - Single Room

PRICE INCLUDES

  • Accommodation
  • Airport Transfer
  • Project Placement
  • Mentor at project
  • Introduction day in Cape Town
  • Donation to Project
  • Registered sim card to use in SA
  • 24/7 contact person at African Sunrise
  • Help wth Visa questions and papers if needed

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

  • Visa Costs
  • Flight
  • Travel Insurance
  • Daily transport costs to project
  • Food
  • If staying with a host family, food will be included
  • Loading of internet data bundles

5 Months

Internship

From

R

68 500

 

R68 500 - Shared Room

R75 500 - Single Room

PRICE INCLUDES

  • Accommodation
  • Airport Transfer
  • Project Placement
  • Mentor at project
  • Introduction day in Cape Town
  • Donation to Project
  • Registered sim card to use in SA
  • 24/7 contact person at African Sunrise
  • Help wth Visa questions and papers if needed

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

  • Visa Costs
  • Flight
  • Travel Insurance
  • Daily transport costs to project
  • Food
  • If staying with a host family, food will be included
  • Loading of internet data bundles

4 Months

Internship

From

R

60 500

 

R60 500 - Shared Room

R65 500 - Single Room

PRICE INCLUDES

  • Accommodation
  • Airport Transfer
  • Project Placement
  • Mentor at project
  • Introduction day in Cape Town
  • Donation to Project
  • Registered sim card to use in SA
  • 24/7 contact person at African Sunrise
  • Help wth Visa questions and papers if needed

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

  • Visa Costs
  • Flight
  • Travel Insurance
  • Daily transport costs to project
  • Food
  • If staying with a host family, food will be included
  • Loading of internet data bundles

Projects to choose from

Home/Shelter for Teenage Girls

Home/shelter for teenage girls - an innovative center for young women from the Cape Metropole.
It houses up to 25 girls ages 13-18 who are protected under the Child Care Act.
It aims to create an environment that allows girls to connect with the essence of womanhood, to develop strength, and to grow and flourish. Focused on developing responsible, strong, and inspired women, It is a place for girls to overcome adversity and to tap into their richest potential, all within a supportive and nurturing environment.

Student Teacher Internship

The schools we work with have learners from Grade R up to Grade 12. This is a great opportunity to work as a student teacher at a South African School. 
As a teaching student, you will assist the teachers with various subjects. You will get to spend a lot of time in a classroom environment under the supervision of a qualified teacher, while also learning about South Africa's culture. You will gain international teaching experience first-hand and have a chance to develop your own teaching skills.

A lot of South African schools are understaffed and many cater for children that are underprivileged. Working at these schools will also positively impact the lives of the learners. You can also take part in or run your own after-school program where possible. 

Ideal for those interested in teaching, and a career in education. 
 

Projects for Street Children

These projects aim to provide a comprehensive level of assistance and care for street children in Cape Town. Many street children try their best to survive by working or begging, with many becoming vulnerable to criminal elements and abuse.

The projects we work with have a set of criteria to help create a meaningful response to the phenomena of street children, by employing several effective programmes, which include: Early Intervention and Protection, Street Outreach, in addition to drop-in centre and shelter provisions for the street children.

At these projects, the children are taught to read and write, arts and crafts, sports and recreation and a lot more. There are further opportunities to undertake fundraising events, organise programmes and activities.

Internships – suitable for, but not limited to: Social Work, Psychology, Nursing Studies, Healthcare Studies, Counselling Studies.

Special Care Centre

This Special Care Centre works with profoundly intellectually and physically disabled children and young adults. This project provides twenty-four-hour nursing care as well as therapeutic care to improve the resident's quality of life and prevent further illnesses and infections. This level of specialised care is often beyond the capabilities within their family units. 

In conjunction with the specialist medical treatment each child receives, their families are encouraged to interact with the Care Centre who can refer them to counselling and related organisations.

Internships – suitable for, but not limited to: Nursing Studies, Healthcare Studies, Social Work, Psychology.

Homeless Shelters for Men and Women

African Sunrise partners with a group of Homeless Shelters situated in Cape Town. Each organisation provides temporary shelter, seven days a week. While using their facilities, each person can access related services, such as physical care, social welfare, and family reunification services.

There are also spaces for those that have been in alcohol and drug rehabilitation centres and are working a programme. Additionally, the advice is available for anyone who is struggling with substance abuse issues and would like referrals to various AA and NA meetings in the area.

Every Shelter serves hot meals and beverages. There are opportunities to undertake skills training and to attend various empowerment-based workshops. A qualified social worker visits every Shelter weekly and offers one-on-one counselling sessions, which includes an updated casefile for each participant.

Internships – suitable for, but not limited to: Social Work, Psychology, Nursing Studies, Healthcare Studies, Counselling Studies.

Social Empowerment for Abused Women

This Project is an instrument for social economic development and entrepreneurship. It also consists of a collective platform for sport and recreation at four Homes of Safety. As a result of their previous circumstances, many of the women in the programme are at a disadvantage when entering the job market. This can take the form of a lack of life skills, basic education and qualifications, as well as possible trauma issues.

This organisation has developed a programme which prepares the participants to generate income when they successfully leave temporary Shelter facilities by joining the labour market or by becoming entrepreneurs. It includes advanced life skills, civic education, participation in volunteer programmes in the community, career guidance, vocational and entrepreneurial training and job placements.

Internships – suitable for, but not limited to: Social Work, Psychology, Teaching Training Studies, Nursing Studies, Healthcare Studies, Counselling Studies.

Community Development/Urban Planning

This Improvement District Organisation aims to develop and sustain a safer, cleaner and smarter public space throughout the suburb of Observatory, which is where you will be staying in during your time here in Cape Town. It also aims to contribute to a commercially attractive, artistically vibrant, ecologically sustainable and family-friendly environment. Their Organisation also works as a nexus between the various NPOs and NGOs in the area, to assist with the coordination of care and shared responsibilities and the concept of a synergy of collective progress.

There are various roles and placement opportunities at this Organisation. Their role in the community, partnerships with local government and law enforcement means they have a lot of different competencies and positions to undertake. This entails legal work, environmental development, planning, research, online marketing, administration, as well as project management.

Internships – suitable for, but not limited to: Public Relations and Communications, Marketing, Social Media Management, Logistics and Project Management, Environmental/Urban Development and Planning, Counselling Studies, Human Rights Studies, Law Studies.

Children’s Homes of Safety

This Home of Safety is for infants, children and adolescents, both male and female. Every infant, child or teenager is there from a referral by a social worker or workers and placed at the Home by order of a children's court.

The children are often removed from homes and environments where violence and substance abuse were commonplace. Many, if not all the children have suffered from physical, verbal, emotional or sexual abuse.

The Home is a full-time facility, and the children live onsite. They have a set daily schedule which includes education, sports and other activities. Everyone has regular sessions with a qualified social worker, who may also work with the child's family for family reintegration purposes.

Internships – suitable for, but not limited to: Social Work, Psychology, Teaching Training Studies, Nursing Studies, Healthcare Studies, Counselling Studies.

School for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This School uses a combination of one-on-one sessions and group teaching. Structured teaching (TEACCH), Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA), Augmentative Communication Methods and South African Sign Language are used to help learners. A safe space is provided where routine, scheduling and life skills are taught to help the learners fit into everyday society.

The school looks at varied approaches and keeps up to date on the latest research with regards to teaching learners with Autism.

Moreover, this schools have a range of different approaches and keep up to date with the latest research in the field of teaching learners with Autism. Furthermore, the children can learn and interact in a safe and welcoming environment. This is an excellent opportunity for Psychology, Social Work and Teaching students, as well as volunteers wanting to help with daily activities.

Internships – suitable for, but not limited to: Social Work, Psychology, Teaching Training Studies, Nursing Studies, Healthcare Studies.

The Agency for Refugee Education, Skills Training & Advocacy

This NGO assists refugees and asylum seekers arriving in South Africa, and more specifically in the Cape Town area, with education, legal matters and integration into South African society. This is realised through training programmes, language courses, city and province information, and referrals to other suitable NPOs and NGOs in Cape Town and the Western Cape Province.

Their Organisation works in collaboration with the South African government and is involved in lobbying, media outreach, refugee rights awareness, education and advocacy campaign management. There are also elements of social care work for any issues that refugees may be struggling with, including physical and mental health conditions.

Internships – suitable for, but not limited to: Counselling Studies, Human Rights Studies, Law Studies, Political Studies, Social Work, Psychology.

Young Men's Reintegration Programme

This Project aims to provide young men from impoverished communities the chance to pursue meaningful, independent lives through connections to educational opportunities, positive social alternatives and life-skills training initiatives. The work this Organisation undertakes covers various aspects of progressive community improvement and empowerment. The essential skills that are performed on this Programme can act as a deterrent and prevention of criminal activity, in addition to promoting a positive version of masculinity. Most importantly – it treats each participant as an individual, with dreams and aspirations they can all work towards.

At this Project, you will work closely with young men between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five that need help in finishing their high school studies, finding a job, or simply finding a way to be reintegrated into society. Due to the nature of some of the programmes on offer, only male interns are accepted for this project.

Internships – suitable for, but not limited to: Social Work, Psychology, Teaching Training Studies, Counselling Studies, Law Studies.

Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Programmes

African Sunrise works with several Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centres in Cape Town, many in the impoverished areas where access to any form of substance abuse treatment is too expensive. Although there are often sponsored places at some Cape Town's affluent facilities, they are few and far between.

These Treatment Centres host group sessions, daily activities and therapy with recovering addicts as they try to rebuild their lives. Workshops and life-skills form a big part of the programmes here, as well as therapy sessions.

Drug and alcohol treatment is a vital part of making a change in our communities. In addition to removing the dependence of substances from each participant, these facilities change the patterns of behaviour that lead people back to toxic environments.

Internships – suitable for, but not limited to: Counselling Studies, Healthcare Studies, Social Work, Psychology, Nursing Studies.

Old Age Homes

This Organisation provides twenty-four-hour hospice care, which includes various related services, the provision of two hundred and twenty meals daily, and developmental opportunities. Many destitute senior citizens are also taken into their care to ensure they have a safe and protected environment.

Most of the clients have experienced major trauma and losses, i.e. the loss of their home, income, spouses, children, physical health, to name a few. And this is often coupled with the nature of progressive ageing which increases their vulnerability and ongoing health issues.

Their Organisation provides round the clock health care, as well as being there to help each individual integrate into life in their facility. Healthcare workers and specialists are available to develop a treatment programme for each participant.

Internships – suitable for, but not limited to: Nursing Studies, Social Work, Psychology, Healthcare Studies, Counselling Studies.

 

Sex workers advocacy and human rights defence programme

This Organisation is at the forefront of sex worker advocacy, human rights defence, and mobilisation in Africa. Their work includes encouraging sex workers to explore, and voice, their own actualities, experiences and protests using a human rights approach.

This is done through direct engagement in workshops, public events and a national toll-free helpline. Various key competencies work in conjunction to create a holistic service for participants of this Organisation's programmes. This includes law, regular visits from a qualified social worker, public relations and marketing.

Internships – suitable for, but not limited to: Human Rights Studies, Law Studies, Public Relations and Communications, Marketing, Social Media Management, Logistics and Project Management, Social Work.

Centre for Abused Women and Children

This Organisation is a one-stop centre for women and children who are survivors of abuse. The vision is the creation of a safe and secure society in addition to a human rights culture where women and children are empowered to exercise their full rights.

Their facilities include a substance abuse unit where they focus on prevention and treatment; not only women in the facility but women and children from the surrounding areas too. Interns are needed to assist in this process, and to join the staff in visiting the surrounding areas to work with addicts – women as well as young children and teenagers – who have become addicted to substances.

A great opportunity to really get involved and work within a community, and at the Home.

Internships – suitable for, but not limited to: Social Work, Psychology, Teaching Training Studies, Nursing Studies, Healthcare Studies, Counselling Studies.

Nursing, Physiotherapy and Child Care

Step-Down Units often referred to as SDUs, offer an intermediate level of care once a patient is no longer in an Intensive Care Unit. This Organisation provides step-down inpatient care for children of all ages. They offer SDU care at a community level to support and prepare families to manage their children’s health requirements. This exceptional Project has developed this inpatient hospice unit for children.

Their SDU has a platform of multidisciplinary paediatric pain and palliative care services for children requiring ongoing treatment upon discharge from a specialised hospital. Families may choose to have their children re-admitted to the unit if symptoms or situations arise with which they cannot cope or if their children need terminal care that cannot be provided at home.

Internships – suitable for, but not limited to: Social Work, Psychology, Teaching Training Studies, Nursing Studies, Healthcare Studies, Counselling Studies.

Internship in South Africa