What is this Youth Development Internship in Namibia all about?
This three-month internship is the ideal opportunity for enthusiastic and proactive individuals passionate about the environment looking to gain valuable experience working with young people in a unique setting.
If you’re passionate about the ocean, education, youth development, or extracurricular activities, this is a fantastic opportunity to get hands-on experience in a dynamic and supportive environment.
Whether you’re exploring a future in teaching, coaching, or youth work, or you want to hone your leadership skills, this internship offers valuable insight into working with young people and contributing meaningfully to school life..
Why choose this Youth Development Internship in Namibia?
- Provide invaluable support to the local staff, and help foster hands-on experiences beyond the classroom.
- Lead clubs and events to share your skills and passions with the young people in an educational environment.
- Help primary-aged students with learning, play, and social skills development.
- Combine work experience and exposure to a unique aquaculture company.
- Take on a travel adventure in a unique environment where the desert meets the ocean.
Role of the Intern
As an intern, you'll play an active role in daily school life, supporting students
and staff in a variety of ways, including:
- Supporting extracurricular activities across sports, arts, academics, and more. You will be encouraged to lead clubs, activities and events in areas where your passion lies.
- Assisting teachers in the classroom, helping to engage and motivate learners.
- Participating in school trips, events, and outdoor learning opportunities from beach trips to surf lessons, camping to sailing.
- Providing mentorship and encouragement to students of different age groups.
- Contributing to a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment in both the school and boarding house.
What skills do I need to be a Youth Development Intern in Namibia?
This internship will suit individuals who are passionate, dependable, and eager to make a difference in a school environment. Key qualities include:
- Positive attitude: You enjoy working with children and young people, bringing warmth, encouragement, and a can-do attitude to everything you do.
- Team-Oriented: You work well with others, collaborating with staff, students, and peers to support a welcoming and respectful school community.
- Dependable & Supportive: You’re a reliable presence and a positive role model, ready to help ensure the
safety, care, and well-being of learners. - Proactive & Involved: You’re hands-on, adaptable, and ready to jump into a variety of school activities — whether supporting in the classroom or helping with extracurriculars.
This role is especially suitable for individuals with the experience in the following areas:
- Water related sports such as swimming, surfing, sailing and rowing
- Sports & Physical Education
- Creative & Performing Arts
- Outdoor Adventure & Education
- Supporting younger learners
REQUEST MORE INFO RESERVE YOUR PLACE
WHY JOIN THE PROJECT
FEATURED VIDEO
PROJECT TESTIMONIALS
Where will I work as a volunteer in Namibia?
About the Location
Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Namib Desert, Lüderitz is more than just a scenic coastal town—it’s a place where history, nature, and culture come together in a truly unique way.
Lüderitz’s story begins with Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias, who landed there in 1487 and marked his journey with a stone cross at today’s Diaz Point. Centuries later, in 1883, German merchant Adolf Lüderitz officially founded the town, laying the foundation for what would become a vibrant port under German colonial rule.
Lüderitz rose to fame in the early 1900s with the discovery of diamonds in nearby Kolmanskop. The town quickly became a hub of wealth and activity during the diamond rush, and Kolmanskop flourished—before being abandoned when the diamonds ran out. Today, it stands as a fascinating ghost town and top tourist attraction.
Modern Lüderitz is embracing the future while honoring its past. The town is now a center for renewable energy projects — particularly wind and solar power —a nd plays a key role in Namibia’s Blue Economy, thanks to its growing port and revitalized fishing industry.
Lüderitz is known for its striking landscapes, historic architecture, and coastal charm. Whether you’re exploring colonial-era buildings, sailing alongside dolphins, or wandering through the sands of Kolmanskop, Lüderitz offers a travel experience like no other.
Accommodation
Interns stay at a boarding house, a short walk away from the school. All houses have a kitchen for preparing their own meals; laundry facilities and Wifi are available.
What to do in your spare time
Explore the Lüderitz Peninsula
Discover stunning coastal landscapes, quiet beaches, and dramatic cliffs. The peninsula is a haven for birdwatchers, with regular sightings of flamingos and and pelicans, as well as springbok, oryx, and (if you’re lucky) the elusive brown hyena. Ideal for photography, picnics, and enjoying Atlantic Ocean views.
Visit Kolmanskop Ghost Town
Step back in time at Kolmanskop, a former diamond mining town now reclaimed by the desert. Guided tours offer insight into its fascinating history and eerie, sand-filled buildings — perfect for unforgettable photos.
Scenic Boat Tours
Get a new perspective of Lüderitz from the water. Boat tours often include sightings of seals, dolphins, and penguins and pass by the Kelp Blue kelp forest in Shearwater Bay. There are spectacular view of the coastline from the water. Choose from quick excursions to full-day adventures — all offering spectacular coastal views.
Luderitz Museum
Learn about the town’s rich heritage through exhibits on indigenous culture, colonial history, and diamond mining. A must-visit for history enthusiasts.
Namibia Maritime Museum
This recently opened museum brings a world class collection of beautifully presented artifacts to Lüderitz. Explore Namibia’s seafaring past with exhibits on shipwrecks, fishing traditions, and maritime trade that shaped Lüderitz.
Bogenfels & Namib Desert
Take a guided trip to the iconic Bogenfels rock arch or venture into the Namib Desert to experience its vast, otherworldly landscapes and wildlife.
Shark Island
Now connected to the mainland, Shark Island offers scenic camping, ocean views, and historical memorials commemorating the Herero and Nama genocides. A peaceful spot for both reflection and exploration.
Details & Costs
- Duration: 12 weeks
- Cost: $3000 for 12 weeks
- Requirements: age 18
- Location: Luderitz, Namibia
- Project activities: lead youth clubs and activities, provide classroom aid, offer educational opportunities to students
- Arrival day: See 2026 Dates for upcoming arrivals
What is included
- Accommodation: bedding provided, laundry facilities and Wifi are available
- Training: pre-departure information pack, on-site orientation and project induction
- Support: 24-hour support from on- site coordinator
- Fundraising guide
- Working alongside qualified professionals
What is not included
- Flights (to Windhoek International Airport or Walvis Bay Airport)
- Insurance
- Visas
- Police background check: US and UK citizens processed through Kaya (admin fee applies); all other nationalities must provide local police check
- Transfers to and from your airport of arrival (Windhoek International Airport is approx. £30/ $36; Walvis Bay is approx. £15 /$19) *rates may vary
- Any costs for COVID-19 PCR tests required pre-departure and in-country
Pictures from our Elephant and Community Conservation project in Namibia
2026 Dates
| Start Days | |
|---|---|
| January | 12th |
| May | 4th |
| September | 7th |
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.
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