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Community Internships in Africa

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Looking to Make Your Mark as a Community Intern?

At African Impact our community-focused internship projects aim to alleviate daily challenges that many of Africa’s diverse communities face due to poverty and limited resources. Our internships are designed to build strong foundations for sustainable development while offering valuable professional experience.
Our community-based internships are ideal for those passionate about making a positive impact while developing career skills. As an intern, you’ll work directly with local communities on impactful projects.

Join a network of aspiring professionals in these transformative experiences, where you’ll contribute to community development while gaining invaluable work experience and cultural insights. Whether you’re working in the public healthcare sector or supporting local initiatives, your internship will help shape brighter futures for communities across Africa while enhancing your professional portfolio.

VIEW COMMUNITY INTERNSHIP PROJECTS

Our Impact on Communities in Africa

Across our bases in Zambia and Kenya, our teams are committed to supporting the above Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SDGS

Why Join a Community Internship Project With African Impact?

Here are some top highlights from our Community Internships.

RESUME DEVELOPMENT

Enhance your CV with new skills and experiences.

GENDER EQUALITY INTERNSHIPS

Participate in our award-winning Girl Impact project.

MEDICAL INTERNSHIPS

Focus on public healthcare in Zambia or be hospital-based in Kenya.

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS

Immerse yourself in the culture of the area and build personal connections.

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

It’s time to get hands-on & make your impact on communities.

MEDICAL INTERNSHIPS

Focus on public healthcare in Zambia or be hospital-based in Kenya.

RESUME DEVELOPMENT

Enhance your CV with new skills and experiences.

GENDER EQUALITY INTERNSHIPS

Participate in our award-winning Girl Impact project.

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS

Immerse yourself in the culture of the area and build personal connections.

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

It’s time to get hands-on & make your impact on communities.

Why Choose a Community Internship Project with African Impact

Every beginning of a new journey into the unknown is a determining factor to the outcome, and with us, you’ll be guided every step of the way! From the get-go, our goal is to offer community projects in Africa that are unique to your selected placement location and structured around how to cater to the most immediate needs within the region. We make sure we look at the bigger picture, but also have a focus on people, infrastructure and conservation. We carefully select and negotiate with local groups in areas where we believe we can make a sustainable impact on the community.

And that’s only half of the important work we do! In addition to our community projects, you can also explore tailored divisions of high impact, such as the Girl Impact Initiative. At African Impact, the importance of internships never go unnoticed, and we can attest to the success of responsible volunteering in Africa for more than a decade.

Browse All Community Internship Programs

As an intern, you will improve the quality of life for those in under-resourced communities. Find the internship that is right for you, whether it is working alongside healthcare professionals or working towards gender equality and female empowerment.

SEARCH FOR A PROGRAM

a healthcare volunteer checking a woman's blood pressure

Public Health Internship in Zambia

Zambia Community

a volunteer and a local healthworker checking a medical chart

Medical & Nursing Internship in Kenya

Kenya Community

Gender Equality Internship in Zambia

Zambia Community

Need Guidance? Start Here

Are you unsure where to start, or would prefer to speak with one of our team members? Just answer a few questions and we’ll find something suitable together.

CHAT WITH US TAKE THE QUIZ

Africa Highlights: Meet Our Favourite Continent

Culture & Lifestyle

Cultural roots in Africa run deep. There’s an amazing amount to learn if you are open and respectful to the values and beliefs of others whilst conducting your community internship in Africa. Additionally, life in many African countries moves at a slower pace offering a great chance to unwind and experience a different pace of life whilst developing your skill sets.

Language

African nations boast over 2000 different languages, each with its own local dialects. This can seem daunting, but it’s all part of the experience. Embrace the unfamiliar and challenge yourself to communicate in new ways. Who knows, you might even learn a new language or a few phrases!

Locations

Our community internship projects can take you to Kenya for a hospital-based medical internship, or to Zambia where you can enrol in a hands-on public healthcare internship, or our award-winning gender equality internship. Whilst Zambia is a landlocked country, Kenya has some magnificent beaches to visit during your free time.

Weather

Africa’s climate is a tapestry of extremes, from scorching deserts to lush equatorial jungles. Coastal regions bask in year-round warmth, while the continent’s heart pulses with dramatic seasonal shifts – sizzling summers giving way to crisp winters. This rich mosaic of weather and terrain promises an adventure for every traveler, whether you seek sun-soaked beaches, misty mountains, or vast savannas teeming with wildlife.

Wildlife

The continent’s various ecosystems, ranging from savannas and deserts to wetlands and forests, provide habitats for a vast array of species, making it a prime destination for wildlife lovers and nature enthusiasts. African wildlife is renowned for its incredible diversity and abundance of species. A visit to Africa promises unforgettable experiences and encounters with some of the most awe-inspiring animals on the planet.

Safety

Our community projects are fully committed to safeguarding our volunteers, staff, the communities we work in, and the environment. Our bases are secure with security staff patrolling 24/7, and our team members are trained in various Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) competencies. All vehicles are well-maintained at prescribed intervals, and our drivers possess valid licenses and are knowledgeable about safe routes.

We have policies and procedures designed to protect everyone involved, including a child protection policy that extends to our underage participants and the children in the communities we serve. Upon arrival, you will be inducted by our trained staff on these policies, procedures, and our code of conduct to ensure you understand how to keep yourself safe and informed.

Recent Community Internship Reviews

“
Justin T, United StatesPublic Health Internship, Zambia
“I came into this program looking for some hands-on experience in the medical field. What I got out if it was so much more than I could have ever dreamed. When you wake up in the morning, I always do so with a smile because I know that today I'll be able to help someone that actually needs it. For a long time now I've been on the fence about whether or not I should commit down the medical path. After my time here on this program, I can say with confidence that I'm pretty sure I will become a doctor.”

“
Carter Spawn, 21, USAPublic Health Internship, Zambia
“This internship was absolutely incredible. I felt like I was doing valuable work in the communities and schools and was able to truly see the conditions and issues in Livingstone. The accommodations were good, despite load shedding.”

“
Grant Mauthe, 25, USAPublic Health Internship, Zambia
“My month as a public health intern was truly the time of my life. I highly recommend a full month to new volunteers. It takes time to settle in, but once you do, the variety of impactful work is incredible—from cleaning wounds and supporting clinics to teaching after-school clubs. My main focus was completing a pilot study with another volunteer, which was deeply fulfilling. The staff and volunteers were amazing and became lifelong friends. The experience was eye-opening, especially seeing the challenges faced by people in Zambia. I’m grateful for the opportunity and would absolutely recommend African Impact to anyone wanting to support important causes in Zambia while gaining real insight into local life.”

“
Kianah Murao, 21, CanadaPublic Health Internship, Zambia
“My experience with African Impact in Livingstone has been unforgettable! The public health internship was a great opportunity to explore an area of health within the community and have opportunities for hands-on experience volunteering in local communities and clinics. As volunteers, we also had the opportunity to help in other community-based initiatives including education, sports, building and cleaning efforts. The staff were all very welcoming and readily available to answer any questions and concerns throughout my time in Zambia. I have met so many incredible people through this experience and have learned a lot about Zambian culture. I would recommend this experience to anyone who is keen on observing and experiencing new cultures as the experience has been very immersive. Thank you again African Impact!”

“
Kailee R, USAPublic Health Internship, Zambia
“Working with African Impact was one of the best decisions that I could have made! It was so cool to experience Africa from the viewpoint of a medical participant. Going into the villages and meeting people in personal situations made the whole experience much more meaningful. African Impact is a great organization to work with and they are so willing to work with you to help you have the best experience possible.”

Community Internships News and Posts

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Community Internship Testimonials

5 Benefits of Community Volunteering in Africa

January 12, 202418 min

An playful moment from a practical internship in Moshi, Tanzania with African Impact.

African Impact and Home From Home partner on special initiative

June 7, 202220 min

What I Learned During my Entrepreneurship Internship

March 6, 201914 min

early-childhood-development-volunteer-cape-town

Here’s why you should apply for an Internship in Cape Town

February 18, 201917 min

A snapshot highlighting sports coaching and development activities in Cape Town.

My Experience as an African Impact Foundation Intern in Cape Town

February 7, 201918 min

humpback-whale-research-marine-protection-volunteer-mozambique

An Environmental Sustainability Intern in Zambia

February 4, 201915 min

Three elephants walking in a line, each closely following each other.

Miss Great Britain: a Wildlife Conservation and Community Volunteer

February 1, 201913 min

My Experience on the Predator Research Internship, South Africa

December 11, 201813 min

Hope for Fighting Gender-Based Violence in Zambia

October 10, 201817 min

Endangered-black-rhino-elephant-conservation-volunteer-zimbabwe

Top 10 World Heritage Sites in Africa

May 4, 201816 min

VIEW ALL BLOG POSTS

Community Internships FAQs

What is community development in Africa?

Community development is a holistic approach that encourages growth within a given community, focusing within the areas of empowerment, human rights, inclusion, social justice, self-determination and collective action. At its core, this concept stands by the belief that there should be fair and equal access to health, well-being, wealth, justice and opportunity, for everyone. Ultimately, the combination of community with development aims to uplift people’s living standards in a community, and the end-result of success is dependent on how people work together.

What are the 5 principles of community development?

Motivated by sustainable practices, your community development volunteer work will be a part of positive change in areas that lack opportunity for economic and social development in Africa. Here is a list of community development principles we follow at African Impact:

Identify and address the problem area(s) within the community
Identify stakeholders, and involve local citizens who are experiencing the problem(s)
Identify innovative and alternative strategies whilst engaging in community discussion
Identify resources that can benefit the community
Implement the new strategies, and track the progress through regular evaluation

How does being an intern help communities?

At African Impact, we have unlocked how volunteering helps the community through each and every project. If you’re thinking about getting involved, then you’re in the right place! During your stay, you will discover the many ways that you can create action out of your thoughts and ideas. If you’re interested in projects that contribute to things like improving confidence, gaining new skills, meeting new friends, or giving back to charitable causes, then you will experience first-hand how being an intern is not only a benefit to the community, but also to you, the intern!

How will a community focused internship impact my future career aspirations?

This immersive experience will equip you with invaluable knowledge, practical skills, and cultural understanding, making you a more competitive and well-rounded candidate for future endeavors in areas of community work. You’ll gain valuable firsthand experience, develop professional networks, and potentially discover specific areas of community work that ignite your passion and guide your future career path.