- Home
- Destinations
- Africa
- Eswatini (Swaziland)
- Microfinance Internship in Eswatini
What is the Microfinance Internship in Swaziland all about?
Swaziland has the world’s highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate which has taken its toll on the population as many children are either orphaned or vulnerable. The unemployment rate is about 30% which rises to over 50% among the youth. These factors combined are leading to approximately 63% of the population living below the poverty line. Social enterprise and small businesses are vital to grow the local economy and support entire families through some kind of income. The project we work with has recently received funding to support a microfinance initiative so interns are needed in the initial development stage of the project.
Why choose this Microfinance Internship in Swaziland?
This is a great internship to gain experience to add to your CV, fulfil University requirements or just have the experience to contribute to the local community. You will have the opportunity to increase your knowledge of microfinance and microloans in Africa while working with a worthy project.
This is also a great way to get involved in the development of the project from the very early stages.
Role of the Business Intern
You will work in community-based facilities set up to keep children stay in school longer, do better in school and hopefully influence their lives as adults. They cater to vulnerable and orphaned children.
Local volunteers assist in running the facilities as cooks, teachers and alike. The microfinance project offers these volunteers a way to earn an income. As a microfinance intern, you will help design a marketing workshop, educational sessions and develop an evaluation system to award new microloans. You will also continue the learning with the awardees and help them advance in their business endeavours. Because the project is at its early stage, some of the intern’s activities including assisting with the development of guidelines for the project, facilitating educational training about basic marketing techniques such as bookkeeping, profit analysis, product development, branding, etc. You may also support the local coordinator conduct basic data analysis and prepare periodic evaluation reports as needed.
What skills do I need to be a Microfinance Intern?
Interns are expected to bring some knowledge and/or experience in the area they are working in. Interns will be working at a more career-focused strategic level and developing local capacity to work effectively and with meaning, as well as gaining valuable hands-on, practical experience during their placement. Interns are also expected to take on more responsibility and to create their own goals and seek activities to be involved in or lead. They will also have a mentor assigned to them to guide them during the internship. You will be asked to send your CV/resume and process through an interview before being accepted onto this project.
WHY JOIN THE PROJECT
To gain experience and add to your CV
Develop your understanding of microfinance and microloans in an African context
To contribute to local efforts to improve the prospects of a local community
FEATURED VIDEO
PROJECT TESTIMONIALS
Where will I work in Swaziland?
About the location
You will be staying in the stunning Ezulwini valley of central Swaziland. This is the cultural heart of Swaziland and is where most of the tourist activities are based. It is home to the Royal Palace, houses of parliament, national sports stadium and national museum.
Accommodation
You will be provided comfortable accommodation with a friendly vibe in a gorgeous and convenient setting. A wide variety of activities are available on-site for your convenience and pleasure including a relaxing swimming pool.
What to do in your spare time
There is a western style shopping mall with all you could need plus local market stalls and a range of craft centres within an easy taxi ride. Hiking is a must and you should take advantage of the opportunity to visit a reserve during your free time.
Details & Costs
- Duration: 4+ weeks
- Cost: £1711 / $2670 for 4 weeks
additional weekly prices can be found in the drop-down menu - Requirements: Age 16+
- Location: Ezulwini Valley, Eswatini
- Working hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 15:00
- Project availability: All year round, except for the month of December
- Arrival day: 1st Monday of every month
What is included
- Accommodation: Shared room in a volunteer house, communal space, kitchen, TV room and small pool.
- Food: 3 meals per day – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Scheduled airport pick up and drop off from OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg for Swaziland placements
- Training: Pre-departure information pack, on-site orientation, cultural tour and project induction provided
- Support: 24-hour support from on-site coordinator
- Wifi
- Assistance with planning your weekend excursions from local staff
- Learning Reflection Document
- Certificate on completion of Internship
- Supervision from qualified professional
What is not included
- Flights
- Insurance
- Visas
- Daily transfers to and from the project
- Police/Government Background Check; US and UK citizens will be processed through Kaya (admin fee applies) all other nationalities must provide local police check.
- Any costs for COVID-19 PCR tests required pre-departure and in-country
Easy 4-step application process
APPLY ONLINE
Apply for a Kaya program and pay your application fee to apply for your space on your chosen project. Our advisors will then contact you to guide you through the next steps.
TELEPHONE INTERVIEW
Once we’ve received your application, we’ll review your details and be in touch to arrange your informal telephone interview with your Kaya Placement Advisor.
CONFIRMATION
Following your interview, we will provide you a placement offer. Once you are ready to confirm your placement and dates, you can pay your confirmation fee to book and secure your space.
GET PREPARED
When you have confirmed your project dates we'll send you your Welcome Pack and lots of other helpful information to assist you with preparing for your placement.
Gain some real experience in Journalism abroad!
wishlistRemove from
wishlist
Gain some practical experience in Architecture abroad!
wishlistRemove from
wishlist
Gain some research experience in Political Studies abroad!
wishlistRemove from
wishlist
Gain some research experience in Jewelry Design abroad!
wishlistRemove from
wishlist
Develop your experience through an hospitality management internship in an African context working for an award winning backpacker lodge
wishlistRemove from
wishlist
If you are under 18 join this initiative Volunteering for 16 and 17 Year Olds in Swaziland
wishlistRemove from
wishlist
Develop and share your knowledge of healthy eating, cooking methods and the impact of diet on childhood development and growth by joining this nutrition internship in Swaziland.
wishlistRemove from
wishlist
Share this small business development internship in Eswatini to extend your CV/Resume while developing the capacity of a social enterprise.
wishlistRemove from
wishlist