Meaningful internships in Africa

Roots Interns

Why choose Roots Interns?

At Roots Interns, our mission is to create the perfect balance between meaningful work and valuable learning. That’s why we offer internships at NGOs and social enterprises that are adding valuable contributions towards community programs, conservation efforts, or local and green economies. We carefully match the right person with the right organization to reach the most beneficial experience for everyone involved.

We offer opportunities in the following fields:
- Marketing, Communications, PR, & Fundraising
- Business Development
- Environmental Innovation & Management
- International Development
- Photography, Videography, & Graphic Design

We provide the following structure and support for our interns:
- Clear job descriptions & learning outcomes
- Professional supervision & routine feedback sessions
- Logistical support network (airport transfers, accommodation, documents needed for a visa applications, and emergency support)

Founded
2016

Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

Our mission is to place candidates from around the world, with organizations around the world. We welcome applicants from any background to apply for any of our internships. All placements are made based on skill qualifications and a passion for nonprofit work.

LGBTQIA+ Support

Our mission is to place candidates from around the world, with organizations around the world. We welcome applicants from any background to apply for any of our internships. All placements are made based on skill qualifications and a passion for nonprofit work. As many of our internship destinations are in developing countries, please be aware the LGBTQIA+ laws and cultural acceptance will vary based on each location.

Neurodivergent Support

Our mission is to place candidates from around the world, with organizations around the world. We welcome applicants from any background to apply for any of our internships. All placements are made based on skill qualifications and a passion for nonprofit work. If you need any additional support, contact us to discuss on an individual basis what internship options may be best suited for you.

Accessibility Support

Our mission is to place candidates from around the world, with organizations around the world. We welcome applicants from any background to apply for any of our internships. All placements are made based on skill qualifications and a passion for nonprofit work. If you need any additional support, contact us to discuss on an individual basis what internship options may be best suited for you. As many of our internship destinations are in developing countries, please be aware that the accessibility support available will vary based on location.

Impact

Sustainability

Having started off as the offshoot of an urban greening project, Roots Interns has always been aware of our environmental impact. That's why we work with projects and accommodations that are also actively aware of their impact and striving to make a positive difference. By consciously choosing partners that have sustainable practices in place, we can work towards balancing out any impacts on the environment with equally positive actions.

Ethical Impact

Roots Interns was built around a need for qualified interns in the sustainable development sector. Whether supporting environmental or wildlife conservation or social development, our internships leave a tangible positive footprint on people’s lives and their environment. Working at a grassroots level ensures that the needs of host communities are always at the forefront, no matter the specific cause. Many of our partners support the UN Sustainable Development Goals, further aligning our internships with creating sustainable change. We take great pride in the impact our interns create with the organization they work with and the connections they're able to make in new locations and cultures.

Reviews

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Lisa Shirin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Internship at Projekt Ubuntu

I can safely say that my 5 month internship at project ubuntu was a life changing experience for me that I will always remember. Roots interns supported me at all times and answered all questions that came up during the internship, regardless of whether it was about visa or other problems. The project taught me that love and respect are the most important values in life to change something and make a difference to people. Being happy and rich has nothing to do with material standards but with a sense of community. Experiencing their strong sense of community is what made me stronger as an individual and help me to overcome future challanges.

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Alice
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The most amazing ten weeks!

I had an incredible few weeks in Cape Town interning with Greenpop and Penda. I gained professional working experience in writing and communications, I developed a clearer vision of what I want to pursue as a career, I contributed to causes I feel passionate about, I met the most amazing like-minded people and I fell IN LOVE with Cape Town.

I'm really happy that I found Roots. They helped me choose an internship that was right for me (or two in my case!), guided me through the application process and were a great support in-country.

The slightly lower 'safety' rating is no reflection on Roots, Greenpop or Penda as organisations - I felt very safe and supported by them. CT is just not what I would call a 'safe' city and it's important to be aware of this. It definitely shouldn't stop you from going - the pros far outweigh the cons and taking precautions such as catching Uber's after dark meant that I never encountered any issues.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Explore. Cape Town is the most INCREDIBLE city and the surrounding national parks are beautiful. Take every opportunity you're offered and savour every moment.
Response from Roots Interns

Thank you so much for your kind review. You are very missed by both Penda and Greenpop, but we are excited to see what your future holds! Come back to Cape Town for a visit any time :)

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Charline
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Marketing Internship

I realized my Marketing Internship for Penda Photo Tours in Cape Town during two months. It was an incredible experience who permits me to learn new things about marketing, but also to grow up my level english, and the most important to meet amazing people. I think this first professional experience will be an asset for my next internships because it builds skills in the field. About the personal view, I met a lot of people who the most of them were so nice!
My work consisted to find competitors of the company, send email to external website for purpose partnership, create listings on an external listing site to have more visibility in Internet, and SEO.
Finally, it was one of the best experiences of my life and I would keep that good memories.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Enjoy your trip and your work for company! It's an incredible experience.
Filippo
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Empowering and inspiring experience

Talitha and the whole Roots team made me feel supported and reassured at all times when preparing for my stay and internship. They provided me with all the necessary details and information and also suggested me the accomodation, and it was definetely the right choice. I got to live with the people I was working with and we developed a very good relation. The work at the office was stimulating and interesting for the most part. I learnt a lot about cooperativeness, flexibility and adaptability, working in an international environment and city. The on-field work where you witness how the work you do at the office translates into concrete action was a life-changing experience, as were the adventures exploring the beautiful Southern Africa, made possible by a great life-work balance.

What would you improve about this program?
Perhaps a little bit more structure and organization in the relationship between the interns and the supervisors, so that both can benefit the most from working with each other.
Response from Roots Interns

Thank you so much for your kind review Filippo! We enjoyed working with you :)

Lucrezia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Greenpoop marketing internship

I totally enjoyed my experience at Greenpop. It's totally different from any internship in marketing you could find elsewhere! First of all because at the office you would feel really relaxed and welcome and you'll spent time in an environment full of people passionate about they do! Moreover, they give you lots of opportunities to also enjoy and experience Cape Town outside the working hours or during the days off you get. As a marketing internship, you'll find yourself busy in managing social media, writing blog posts, doing research! I made many friends with whom I shared my different adventures (road trips, hikes, wine tasting)

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I immediately fell in love with everything Greenpop stands for and I was thrilled to be part of the Greenpop family. Climate change is a concern I take very seriously and one of the ways to tackle it is by planting more trees, so the earth's green lungs can provide us not only with more oxygen, but also can protect us by cleaning the air.

What I also love about Greenpop is their social approach on how and where they plant trees. Planting trees in collaboration with schools and companies, and in urban areas, you create a network of people working together, teaching them the basic skills so they can spread the word (which is especially important with the next generation of eco-warriors in schools) and by giving them the tools to take a greener future in their own hands.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

I contacted Roots Interns to get accepted for the internship, and they arranged a place to sleep for me.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Don't think too much ahead of everything, just be super excited to not only spend time with a wonderful organization, but also in a beautiful country. Don't worry too much about whether or not you'll be able to do the job or spending months in a foreign country: you'll meet your new family overseas and worrying is for people who eventually never take a chance. Go for it!

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Morning meetings about the daily and weekly tasks, doing research, writing posts, keeping in touch with the Greenpop fans.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

It was my third time in a year in South Africa, so for me, it kinda felt like returning home. I never really had any doubts, worries or fears; I simply was super excited to finally be part of the Greenpop family and gain experience in a communications department in a social and environmental enterprise.

Do you have anything else to share with future participants?

Cheryl Strayed said: "Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves."

It might be scary to think about spending months abroad, far away from your family and friends, far from everything that is known to you. It might be scary to think about all the responsibilities you will have, you might doubt your own capacities. People might say you're being crazy or stupid. Don't believe them. Don't believe yourself.

Doubts and fears are powerful, paralyzing weapons if you let them have the best of you. Don't believe that story. You don't want to end up on the street of "what if". There's a world of chances, knowledge, friends, and adventures waiting for you. Tell yourself a different story. You are brave. You are wonderful. You are the one they're waiting for.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Amanda Drobek

Job Title
Recruitment Manager
Once a Roots Intern herself, Amanda came full circle to help facilitate experiences like the one she had. She loves to travel, try new food, explore nature, and make new friends along the way.
Amanda Drobek smiling with children

What is your favorite travel memory?

My favorite travel memory (no bias here) is the time I spent as a Roots Intern in Malawi. Going out to the project just 2 months after graduating university, I was ready to take on any tasks to gain exposure in the real world. My entire life changed through the work I did in community development. Traveling to a rural village and being able to assist in improving livelihoods while connecting on an individual human level is an experience I’ll carry with me forever.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Since starting my position, I’ve come to learn more about the behind-the-scenes work of grassroots organizations and the incredible people running them. I’ve had opportunities to connect with students, faculty, and nonprofit founders & managers from all walks of life and regions of the world. These connections and what I’ve learned from the people I’ve met will no doubt assist me throughout my career.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

The best stories I’ve heard from alumni interns are those that continue to work with the organizations they intern with. Whether they work remotely to assist with funding or return back to the project site to aid in work on the ground, it is always a great feeling to know that both the intern and nonprofit have truly benefited from the placement.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would love to be a participant on the Humanitarian Photography program. Having witnessed first-hand the impact our partner organizations make in their communities, it would be great to learn how to capture this. Being able to share the work of grassroots organizations is a key to spreading their mission and accessing funding opportunities which can transform their work.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Roots Intern is unique in the organization we choose to partner with. We go through an extensive process to ensure our placements are with small, grassroots organizations that are directly making an impact in the lives of their communities. I’ve been proud to be part of the Roots team since I joined, because I experienced first-hand how the connections we make can positively influence the lives of everyone involved.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

The biggest factor in being a successful company is a quality product. We only offer internships that we know are a value-add to all the stakeholders; the intern, the organization, and the local community. With quality listings, we can let the experiences speak for themselves and do not need to worry about pushing the “sale” of a product we aren’t fully confident in.