About the Organization

The Group for Population Studies and Education (GEEP) is an African non-governmental organisation (NGO) founded in 1989 and hosted by the School of Education of the University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar, Senegal. It pursues education, information and research to bring to life " population " issues in school curricula. Set up in the wake of ever growing demand from young students for information on adolescent sexuality and fertility, GEEP seeks to educate young learners on population issues in a manner suited to the needs of young people. (http://www.geep.org).

It is in this respect that GEEP has, since 1994, been delivering a Family Life Education (FLE) programme in Senegal's lower and upper secondary schools. GEEP seeks, through this programme, to build the capacities of students and teachers (information, training and equipment), using innovative quality-enhancing strategies.

GEEP is made up of a multidisciplinary team of experts including academics, vocational school trainers, college and high school teachers, education inspectors, heads of education committees and school associations, representatives of the Ministries of Education, Scientific Research and Technology all working freely for educational development alongside their respective professional activities.

GEEP takes a holistic approach to development education on health, environmental, information communication & technology and development issues, in ways that conciliate school activities, extracurricular activities and community initiatives for young people (students and youth associations) and adults (teachers, parents, adults in grassroots communities). As an NGO, GEEP also has plenty of flexibility, allowing it to serve as a laboratory for innovative ideas and teaching/learning methods in the educational system.

GEEP is the host organization for SchoolNet Africa, an African-led, African-based non-government organization (NGO) that operates across the continent to improve education access, quality and efficiency through the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in African schools. SchoolNet Africa works mainly with learners, teachers, policymakers and practitioners through country-based SchoolNet organizations across Africa. Find out more about SchhoolNet Africa at http://www.schoolnetafrica.net.

Job Description

Depending on the needs and current projects of GEEP staff, as well as the intern's skills and interests, interns may select one of these three main work areas, or may rotate among several of these in the course of their internship with GEEP:

1. Community education and development: Intern will work with GEEP staff to develop curriculum and plan and implement trainings and workshops for use in schools and community education projects. This will involve close interaction with one or more Family Life Education Clubs, peer education teams housed within secondary schools. Typical subjects of community education initiatives include reproductive health, environmental conservation, human rights education, and sustainable development.
2. Community media centers: Intern will work with one or more media centers, which typically are centered around a community radio station, and will help develop stories and feature programs, conduct outreach to community members to define target themes and assess their impact. Community media centers are typically affiliated with GEEP sponsored Family Life Education Clubs, and work together to plan trainings and disseminate information. Interns in community media centers will apply and refine communication skills to address issues of sustainable, development, gender, health, environmental conservation, and human rights, among other themes.
3. SchoolNet Africa and ICT: Intern will support efforts to expand and enrich this continent-wide network of organizations dedicated to the appropriate use of computers and related technologies to support education. May entail hardware support, web design and maintenance, development of new content, and communications among the 40 country teams in this network.

In all work areas, the intern will be responsible for some combination of the following types of tasks:
•Help design curriculum, plan workshops, training sessions, seminars and other meetings.
•Help translate existing program and curriculum materials from French to English, thus helping support the extension of GEEP activities into Anglophone contexts.
•Help develop and update website material
•Play a significant role in the exploration of new partnerships in English-speaking countries (within and beyond Africa), and in the ongoing development of existing partnerships.
•Assist with capacity building and training activities among GEEP staff.
•Attend workshops and seminars sponsored by GEEP at the national and regional levels, depending on available opportunities.
•Contribute to fundraising activities both within and beyond Senegal.
•Collaborate with GEEP staff on administrative responsibilities, especially in the context of seminars and workshops held at GEEP.

# of Positions per term

2-3 per term, depending on organization need and student skills

Start Dates

It is possible to start this internship anytime during the year, but the best time for an internship is during the academic year, October through June.

Duration of Internship

6 Months Preferred, but 10-12 Weeks is possible

Academic Background

Open to any major. Especially suited for students in International Studies, Journalism, Education, Family and Health Services, Environmental Studies, Computer and Information Science, African Studies, or students from any major with strong interests in Africa or the developing world.

Skills/Experience

Basic computer skills and familiarity with major software products required. Capacity to learn and adapt to new work and cultural environments; Ability to work well on deadline and under time pressure; Ability to work with others in a cross-cultural setting; Excellent written communication skills; Familiarity with web design software (eg Dreamweaver, GoLive or similar products); Familiarity with database, spreadsheet and graphic design applications.

Language Ability

2 years of college-level French of equivalent proficiency as demonstrated on proficiency exam. Familiarity with Wolof is a significant asset, but not a formal requirement

Other Requirements

Total costs vary depending on how long you plan to be abroad, where you will be living, your personal spending habits, and current exchange rates. The following estimates will give you a ballpark figure for this internship. Get help with the math from our handy Cost Calculator.
ALL ESTIMATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

IE₃ Program Fee

For spring term 2012, the program fee for the first term of any internship is $2950 - $3150. The expected program fee beginning summer term 2012 is $3450 for the first term. You do not pay tuition in addition to the program fee. Visit your University's IE₃ page for details, costs for additional terms, and campus administrative fees.

Estimated One-Time Expenses

Expense Type	Price
Host Site Fees	Interns will pay to GEEP a one-time accommodation and orientation fee of $150 which will cover the cost of screening, assigning and monitoring a homestay family; providing a general living and safety orientation upon arrival; conducting regular “check-ins” at the homestay site with both intern and host; facilitating problem solving as needed and handling intern concerns or complaints regarding the homestay.
International Travel	$1700 Rountrip Airfare to Dakar, Senegal
Visa Fees
Recommended Immunizations	$440

*See Additional Cost Information below.

Estimated Monthly Expenses

Expense Type	Price/month
Housing	$420
Food	$100
Local Transportation	$100
Recreation	$50
Personal Expenses	$75

Compensation

None

Additional Expense Information

GEEP will arrange a homestay for which the student will pay $300/month to the host family. The homestay cost will include breakfast and dinner with the host family. In addition, interns will pay to GEEP a one-time accommodation and orientation fee of $150 which will cover the cost of screening, assigning and monitoring a homestay family; providing a general living and safety orientation upon arrival; conducting regular "check-ins" at the homestay site with both intern and host; facilitating problem solving as needed and handling intern concerns or complaints regarding the homestay.

Interns should plan to spend an additional $300/month for lunch, personal and recreational expenses. A cell phone can be very useful for interns receiving international calls and making calls within Senegal ($100 for phone, $10/mo. for minutes). Communication with home at phone centers can be very expensive depending on the intern habits. Internet access is widespread in Senegal, with prices ranging from $1-2 per hour.

Note: Students who have participated in Africa internships have suggested that interns may want to bring additional money so that they may participate more in uniquely African activities, such as visits to game parks, buying local clothing and crafts, contributing to local organizations, and bringing home gifts for friends and family. Therefore, depending on your interests, you may want to budget additional funds. The proposed budget includes $50 per month to allow for some entertainment and recreation.

For more information about GEEP and its programs, visit its web site at: http://www.geep.org

GEEP has considerable experience in hosting US students in Dakar, Senegal. It is the host organization for the University of Oregon - Indiana University Summer Program in Dakar, which brings students to the GEEP facilities for a 5 week summer program designed for students on their first excursion to Africa. GEEP staff are thus quite familiar with the needs and circumstances facing US students on their first foray to Africa, and has considerable expertise in managing issues of housing, health care, personal safety, orientation, language and cultural training, and other matters that ensure a successful and rewarding experience for the US student coming to Senegal for study or internship.

Students are encouraged to consult the orientation materials associated with the University of Oregon-Indiana University Summer Program in Dakar, which includes basic cultural information and background regarding Senegal and Dakar. These can be found at http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~dgalvan/dkr-smr/dkr-smr.html

In addition, students may find the following websites of use:

Excellent collection of current events and cultural information about Senegal -- http://www.seneweb.com/

Summary of news and other sources pertaining to Senegal - http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/sene.html

Field Notes Postings:

Disabilities in Senegal by Aloura DiGiallonardo: University of Oregon student and IE₃ OUS Chancellor Scholarship recipient interning with Group for Population Studies and Education (GEEP), in Senegal. (January 9, 2012)

Senegalese Adventures by Aloura DiGiallonardo: University of Oregon student and IE₃ OUS Chancellor Scholarship recipient interning with Group for Population Studies and Education (GEEP), in Senegal. (September 8, 2011)

Announcing Summer 2011 IE3 Scholarship Recipients!(May 25, 2011)