ASAP Internships--Summer 2009

Alliance of Students Against Poverty interns will provide a great service to ASAP’s partner organizations by performing ethnographic interviews of women living in extreme poverty and recording their stories through audio, video, and photography.  Our partner organizations are some of the best microfinance institutions and non-profit organizations in reaching the poorest of the poor through livelihood development, skill training, and other preparatory programs.  Not only will ASAP’s partner organizations then be able to use these materials on websites and in publications, but ASAP interns will gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the life of individuals living in extreme poverty.  With this understanding and enthusiasm, interns will organize chapters, mobilize students, and spread the ASAP message in the United States and in the countries where they serve.

Interviews will focus on how our partner organizations have benefited the lives of the women.  In order to communicate effectively with the clients, each intern will pair up with a local student who will serve as a partner and interpreter.  Throughout the intern’s time in country, he/she will be responsible for keeping a daily journal of his/her experience.  These journals will include the written story of each client, as the intern’s thoughts, feelings, and daily activities.  The client’s stories and media files will be given to the partner organizations to be shared with donors as well as to promote their programs and client success stories. 

In addition, ASAP interns will have access to the stories and will be able to share them with friends and family to educate them on the lives of those living in extreme poverty.  ASAP will use the stories and journals collected by ASAP interns on our website to educate and inspire students throughout the world.  Each intern will also be responsible for working with their local partner/interpreter to create a local ASAP chapter in the host country.

 

ASAP interns will be responsible for the following:

Pre-departure:

• Be a dues paying member of ASAP: https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/AllianceofStudentsAgainstP/OnlineDonation.html
• Demonstrate steps to organize, or show involvement in an ASAP chapter.
• All Interns raise at least $1000 for ASAP’s international partners.  Fundraising is an essential part of an intern’s contribution to the people/partner organization of the country in which the intern is serving.  Eighty percent of the ASAP intern’s fundraising goes to providing safety net grants/micro-loans/support of the ultra-poor programs of ASAP’s partner organizations.  Fundraising efforts also raise awareness about extreme poverty here in the US as you share the ASAP message with family and friends.  Thus your pre-departure fundraising allows you to make an incredible contribution even before you get to the country where you will be serving.

• ASAP requires its interns to educate themselves about the issues of extreme poverty through reading online training materials and articles so interns are prepared to serve most effectively upon arrival to the country.
• Interns must purchase security and medical assistance insurance through “International SOS”, have health insurance abroad, obtain a passport and Visa, and get vaccinations and a physical exam.  Interns will also need to get malaria prophylaxis where necessary.
• Alliance of Students Against Poverty internships are available for high school graduates that are 18 years or older.

Upon return:

• Becoming involved in the leadership of a local ASAP chapter or starting a Chapter where one does not exist.
• Presenting experiences and knowledge gained to high school, middle school, and elementary school students to educate them about extreme poverty and the effective programs and solutions that are reaching and serving the poorest of the poor.

 

Logistics and Requirements:

• Students will be deployed in Teams of 2-3.
• Internships will last approximately one month.
• Each student will receive a living stipend of $1500.
• Students are responsible for purchasing airfare and travelers insurance.
• Each student selected must attend a mandatory 2-3 day training at the end of May in Washington, DC, and will be responsible for all related expenses.
• Each student will keep a daily journal of his/her experience.

Possible Internship Host Countries Include:

• Haiti, Kenya, India, Bangladesh,

Qualifications:

• International and language experience is a plus.  
• However, the most important qualification is a passion for ASAP’s mission and desire to be involved in the ASAP movement.
• Undergraduate or Graduate student at an accredited University.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Patrick Crompton (ptcrompton@asap2025.org) and Jon Mangum (jgmangum@asap2025.org) by January 15th.  Students will be notified by February 15th of acceptance into the program.

Click here to view the profiles of the 2008 Summer Interns.