CAMEROON: A documentary film on grassroots development work

Field of Studies: Communication, Media Studies, Videography and Photography, Arts, Marketing
Language: English
Number of Participants: 2

Scheduled time of the internship: three months between July and September 2013

Based in the rural village of Belo – in the North West region of Cameroon – the Rural Development Centre Association Cameroon (RUDEC) works to improve the lives of local communities by offering health services, vocational training and education. Most people in the region depend on agriculture for survival. RUDEC tries to offer alternatives by empowering young people through education and by giving micro-credits and trainings in income-generating skills for women. Further, RUDEC supports orphans and local infrastructure.

The main task of the interns will be to produce a documentary film on the work of RUDEC which can be used for marketing. The organization aims to move closer to financial sustainability and to increase its activities in the region. The story of RUDEC-sponsored orphans will be at the centre of the documentary, but the video should also include other activities of RUDEC as well as the challenges the people of the village face. To do so, the GLEN-team will accompany the RUDEC staff in all activities such as needs assessments, school registrations, educational tasks and health check-ups. Finally, the interns will also promote the documentary locally, online and upon their return home.

RUDEC is a small organization with 5 staff members. The interns can count on a personal workspace, a computer and a camera. The European participants will be joined by a local intern. The GLEN-interns can rent a house close to the organization.

In order to carry out this internship successfully, storyboarding, filming and video editing skills are crucial. Experience in marketing and socio-economic development is also useful. The internship requires an outgoing personality to allow for contact with a diverse group of individuals, from community leaders to families.

The scheduled time for the internship is 3 months between July and September 2013. Training and seminars prior to the internship will be held in English.

The tandem will be formed by an Estonian participant and a German/Swiss participant.

Proposed by: Chiamba Joshua (Director – RUDEC)

Number of the internship: 5000300602

AZERBAIJAN: Social economic innovation in the Greater Caucasus region

Field of Studies: International Development, Community Development, International Economics/Relations/Politics, Rural/Agricultural Development
Language: English, Russian or Turkish (desired)
Number of Participants: 2

Scheduled time of the internship: July to September 2013

Sheki is a city in north-western Azerbaijan with 63,000 inhabitants. The city is surrounded by the white peaks of the Greater Caucasus. Sheki is known for its mineral springs and its small silk industry attracting national and international tourists.

The “Uluchay” Social Economic Innovation Center is a local grassroots organization addressing social, economic and human rights issues. Uluchay’s mission is to support the socio-economic development of Azerbaijan’s regions outside of the capital. Its priority areas are: civil society development, public sector reform, economic development & youth empowerment. In this context, it works with internally displaced people, media, farm workers as well as local governments and private-sector businesses.

Interns will support the development of the NGO by bringing in new ideas. They will first assess the local situation in order to suggest new areas of involvement. Developing new projects with the staff members will be at the centre of the internship. These should especially focus on the field of socio-economic development. The GLEN-participants will also offer workshops on important skills for setting up new businesses and for improving the quality of services.

For this internship, GLEN-participants need the ability to work in an unstructured work-environment. They should have experience in working with grassroots organizations. Project planning and project management skills are an important asset. Interns need research (community mapping and needs assessment), data collection and analysis skills. Finally, the cohabitation of several cultural groups in Sheki requires intercultural competences.

The scheduled time for the internship is 3 months between July and September 2013. Training and seminars prior to the internship will be held in English.

The tandem will be formed by an Estonian participant and a German/Swiss participant.

Proposed by: Ilyas Safarli (Executive Director, Uluchay)

Number of the internship: 5000300601

ETHIOPIA: Marketing and IT support for entrepreneurial women

Field of Studies: Business Administration, Marketing, Web Design & IT, International, Project Management, Communication
Language: English
Number of Participants: 2

Scheduled time of the internship: 3 months between July and September 2013

The Ethiopian Women Exporter’s Association (EWEA) is a membership organization of export-oriented business women in Addis Ababa. The chief aim is to strengthen their selling capacity. Currently the association has 41 active members from five different sectors: coffee, flowers, textile, leather and handicraft jewellery. A future objective is to expand the number of companies within these sectors, but also to add new sectors such as food and spices.

EWEA member companies include small and middle-sized enterprises, which usually function on Fair Trade and social principles. EWEA cooperates both with government as well as civil society bodies such as ministries, grassroots organizations and development agencies.

The overall goal of the GLEN internship is to support EWEA members in enhancing their business and strengthening their export capacities. This will be done in two ways – on the one hand, GLEN interns will work with EWEA to improve the financial situation of the organization so that EWEA is able to offer more trainings and participation in international trade fairs for its members. The other important part of the internship will be the organization of events to enhance the popularity of the member companies. On the other hand, GLEN interns will work directly with the member companies and help them to improve their business by means of various marketing activities and web design, depending on the needs of the companies. Other tasks for interns include doing market research on export standards, maintaining the EWEA website, setting up a database, preparing promotional materials and providing general IT support.

Interns should have a background in business administration or related fields, especially in the NGO sector. Experience in project management, event organization, marketing and fundraising is desirable. One of the participants should have a background in web design or IT and SEO/ SMO. It would also be helpful if interns brought their own computers with them. EWEA values a proactive approach and is open to new ideas.

The scheduled time for the internship is 3 months between July and September 2013. Training and seminars prior to the internship will be held in English.

The tandem will be formed by an Estonian participant and a German/Swiss participant.

Proposed by: Workaferahu Kidane (EWEA) and Mate Halmos / Timo Treit (GLEN interns 2012)

Number of the internship: 5000300604

GHANA: Turning plastic waste into jobs

Field of Studies: Education, Youth Work, Development Education / Global Education, Recycling, Development Studies, Geography, Rural Development, Environmental Studies, Recycling, Waste Management
Language: English
Number of Participants: 3

Scheduled time of the internship: 3 months between July and September 2013

The Ashanti region lies at the centre of Ghana and is its most populated one. The main income source is agriculture and commerce. Kumasi is the capital of the region and located close to Lake Bosomtwi, situated within an ancient meteorite impact crater. The Ashanti region also includes forests and wildlife sanctuaries.

Located in Kumasi, Young People We Care (YPWC) is encompassing the idea of Global Education to foster youth participation and societal change. Through Development Education Clubs in schools, young people are taught the necessary tools to engage the general population in better ways of dealing with societal challenges. In collaboration with European organizations, some of the students are able to join international exchange programmes. The organization uses media to spread alternative ideas on community development and actively engages in public debates on topics like education, migration and employment. YPWC collaborates with many international organizations like World Vision and UNICEF Rural Voices.

The idea behind one of YPWC’s projects is to create jobs and income through waste management. Therefore, the interns will first carry out a survey on the possibilities of turning plastic waste into a productive venture. Then, the interns will write a report on the issue as well as present policy recommendations. At the same time, interns should support YPWC in their daily activities according to their own interests. The GLEN-participants will be supported by a local intern.

This internship requires good oral and written communication skills as well as experience in data management and analysis. The interns should have basic computer skills. An independent, proactive working style is desirable. Finally, the GLEN-participants should enjoy working with youth.

The scheduled time for the internship is 3 months between July and September 2012. Training and seminars prior to the internship will be held in English.

The team of GLEN-participants will be formed by an Hungarian participant, an Estonian participant and a German/Swiss participant.

Proposed by: Harrison Obeng Debrah (Programmes Director – YPWC)

Number of the internship: 5000300612

MALAWI: Economic Empowerment for the Women of Chididi

Field of Studies: Development Studies, (Non-Profit) Management, Social Science, Community Development, Agriculture
Language: English
Number of Participants: 2

Scheduled time for the internship: 3 months between July and October 2013

In the southern most district of Malawi, Nsanje, close to the Mozambican border lies Chididi. SURCOD is a grassroots NGO working to empower women in this region. Aside from helping the women creating savings schemes, the organization also works with local leaders to raise the status of women by advocating against forced marriage and child labour. The organization further works on sensitization campaigns on health, sanitation, environmental and human rights topics.

The interns will support the organization in their community work, which mainly addresses women. Teaching women saving, capital building and entrepreneurship are at the centre of this project with the goal to improve the socio-economic situation of families in the community. The interns will encourage knowledge sharing among women and supervise the saving groups. Towards the end of the internship, the GLEN-participants will submit a proposal for future programs for SURCOD and including fundraising opportunities.

For this internship, an interest in microfinance, group loan programs and social entrepreneurship is crucial. Experience with participatory learning is desirable. Interns should be proactive and responsible. The GLEN-participants will be interacting with the community as well as staff members on a daily basis. Interns should bring their computers for research tasks. The NGO will help the interns find an accommodation.

The scheduled time for the internship is 3 months between July and October 2013. Training and seminars prior to the internship will be held in English.

The tandem will be formed by an Estonian participant and a German/Swiss participant.

Proposed by: January Watchman Mvula (Director – SURCOD)

Number of the internship: 5000300619

KENYA: Fighting the HIV/AIDS stigma through sensitization

Field of Studies: Sociology, Rural/Community Development, Health Studies, Child Psychology, Social Work, Adult Education Language: English Number of Participants: 2

Scheduled time of the internship: 3 months between August and October 2013

The social stigma of HIV/AIDS keeps many people in rural villages in Kenya from getting counselling and treatment, a reason for the further spread of the disease among adults and children. HIV prevalence in the western province of Kenya is 6.6% (national average 6.3%). The HIV prevalence is higher among women (8.0%) than men (4.3%). HIV/AIDS is enhanced by drug use, lack of education and high rates of unemployment as well as cultural practises such as polygamy, widow/widower remarriages and sexual cleansing.

Working within the frame of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Western Focus Community Organisation (WEFOCO) promotes community development in Shianda village. The organization combines the work of young people with over 15 womens’ groups in several areas, who want to improve the lives of the people in their villages. WEFOCO offers seminars, education and is engaged in raising AIDS awareness. It also supports orphans and other vulnerable children. In the field of HIV/AIDS, the organization is active in care, nutritional programs for children and human rights advocacy. WEFOCO puts special focus on anti-stigma campaigns.

The GLEN-interns will support the HIV/AIDS program of WEFOCO by supporting the different self-help groups. They will also encourage the creation of new groups and document the challenges and advancements. Further, interns will carry out awareness raising campaigns in the village to combat stigmatization and discrimination. They will also support the testing and counselling activities of the organization.

For these tasks, interns need knowledge of HIV/AIDS and in the general field of health care. Experience in social work is also required. The GLEN-participants should be able to work independently. Experience in project management and leadership would be an asset.

The scheduled time for the internship is 3 months between August and October 2013. Training and seminars prior to the internship will be held in English.

The tandem will be formed by an Estonian participant and a German/Swiss participant.

Proposed by: Janika Tamm (WEFOCO volunteer)

Number of the internship: 5000300618