Internships Details

About the Organization

Women in Progress works to achieve economic independence of women and alleviate poverty at a grassroots level in developing nations. Women in Progress achieves this by providing support for the sustainable growth of small women-owned businesses. Women in Progress believes that the most effective way for women to realize social and economic justice is to achieve economic independence through self-employment. Empowering women through income generation enhances both their self-esteem and their ability to participate in decisions that affect them within the home and community. Playing the central role in ensuring the social and economic well being of their families, women who are presented economic opportunities ensure the basic survival of their family through increased access to food, housing, security, healthcare, education, and justice. The organization also works on securing markets abroad for Ghanaian products. The three main project areas of Women in Progress are: Training and Support, Business Development, and International Trade.

Job Description

Interns will be matched with women-owned businesses where the intern's skill set fills a need and in an area where the intern expresses interest. Interns generally work in teams with local staff, volunteers and other students, in order to bring a more diversified and complete skill set to each client. Interns will be assigned to 1-3 clients and assist them with various business development areas. Interns may also provide one-on-one support to drop-ins at the Women's Technology Center. Students should indicate which project areas they are interested when they apply for an internship with Women in Progress.

Areas in which the organization could use the assistance of an intern:
•Web site design, creative design
•Business -- marketing, accounting, management (business plan development, market research -- searching out companies in Europe or the US that would be a good fit with Women in Progress products; goal is to help women's businesses become self-sustaining)
•Grant proposal writing
•Computer skills transfer -- spreadsheet, bookkeeping, letter writing
•Crafts, clothing, jewelry design, marketing and production

# of Positions per term

Several

Start Dates

Any academic term

Duration of Internship

3 Months

Qualifications

Academic Background

Academic tracks that are well suited for an internship are Business, particularly Imports/Exports, Micro-enterprise Development, Marketing, Adult Education, Information Systems and Technology, Computer Training, Graphic Design and Grant Writing.

Skills/Experience

Knowledge of social issues and micro-enterprise development strategies in Africa is helpful. Interns must demonstrate some or all of the following skills: Computer Applications (Word, Excel, database design, e-mail, etc.), Internet research skills, Business Planning and Management, Marketing, Web page development, or International Business and Trade.

Language Ability

English

Other Requirements

Women in Progress requires that interns complete an organization application in addition to the IE3 Global Internships Application.

Internship Costs

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.

IE₃ Program Fee

The program fee* for the first term of any internship is $2950 - $3150. 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.

*The program fee noted above reflects the anticipated fee increase that will go into effect for the Fall 2010 term and will apply to all terms thereafter.

Estimated One-Time Expenses

Expense Type	Price
International Travel	$2000 roundtrip Portland to Accra
Visa Fees	$100
Recommended Immunizations	$440

*See Additional Cost Information below.

Estimated Monthly Expenses

Expense Type	Price/month
Housing	Approx. $618*
Food	$150
Local Transportation	$50
Recreation	$50
Personal Expenses	$50

Compensation

None

Additional Expense Information

*Interns pay an housing and support fee to Women in Progress. The fee for IE3 interns is discounted from the regular fee and is $1852 for 12 weeks. This includes shared housing with other program interns and airport transfers. Students may choose to pay a slightly increased fee for a homestay.

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.

Additional Information

Additional information can be found at the Women in Progress web site: http://www.womeninprogress.org
Orientation to the organization and project materials will be provided for interns upon arrival in Ghana.