About the Organization

Tostan is a US 501(c)(3) non-governmental organization headquartered in Senegal, West Africa, whose mission is to empower African communities to bring about positive sustainable development through a human-rights based non-formal education in local languages. Tostan's programs are run by local people, and are mainly funded by UNICEF, the American Jewish World Service, Wallace Research Fund, Banyan Tree, the Blaustein Foundation, The Swedish Agency for International Development and many committed individuals who send donations of $5 to $35,000.

Tostan (Wolof translation: breakthrough) uses familiar means of communication such as discussion, dialogue, song, dance, theater, and poetry in order to empower participants with knowledge and skills in many areas including democracy, human rights, problem solving, health, hygiene, literacy and numeracy, micro-credit and management skills.

Tostan's Community Empowerment Program has been critical to dramatic and unprecedented decisions by more than 1,900 communities in Senegal to declare publicly that they are abandoning female genital cutting and child/forced marriage, practices tightly woven into the fabric of their culture many generations ago. The women and men who have pledged not to have their daughters and granddaughters cut are making this decision of their own free will, creating new social conventions that promote the health and human rights of all community members.

Tostan was named the 2007 recipient of the Hilton Humanitarian Award, the worlds largest humanitarian prize. Previous recipients have included Doctors Without Borders and Heifer International.

Job Description

Interns will spend time working in Tostan's headquarters, located in Dakar and Thies in Senegal, or in regional offices throughout Senegal. Occasionally, opportunities exist for interns in Kololi or regional offices in The Gambia.

Interns may be involved with the following types of projects:
•Observe community training programs and assist with program evaluation and write-up
•Assist with curriculum development and participate in training activities (depending on knowledge and expertise of the intern)
•Assist with grant and annual report writing
•Develop public relations materials
•Help with visitors, including donors and others who come to observe the program
•Participate in other administrative work:
  ·Regional office staff training and support (IT, language skills, computer skills)
  ·Health Station projects
  ·Micro credit projects
  ·Translation

Students interested in nonprofit organization management are welcome to contribute to the Administrative Department of Tostan, working in human resource management, staff training, accounting, auditing, project management, etc.

Those applying to The Gambia should not expect to be surrounded by other expatriates. They can expect to work closely with the National Executive team and possibly represent Tostan in meetings with the Gambian government and international donors.

Interns must be prepared to live in a rural African community with minimal modern conveniences, and be able to travel on their own in Senegal and The Gambia.

# of Positions per term

Varies

Start Dates

Anytime

Duration of Internship

One year or longer

Academic Background

Possible majors would include, but are not limited to education, international studies, development studies, sociology, anthropology, women's studies, human rights, public policy, French, computer science, agriculture, international health, business and non-profit organization management. A key factor in suitability for this internship is that students should be interested in the work of the organization. This internship could present a practical research opportunity for a graduate student in educational methods or human rights.

Skills/Experience

Interns need strong writing skills and must be prepared to take initiative and be able to follow through on projects. Intern doesn't necessarily need to have traveled to Africa before, but should be open to new experiences. Intern will have to be able to adapt to village life, (dust, dirt, flies) dirt roads, and basic accommodations and amenities. Must be in good health; get necessary shots and immunizations before arriving in Senegal.

Language Ability

Intern must be at third or fourth year college level French for consideration for placement in Senegal. S/he must have solid speaking and listening skills, also strong French reading skills. African French differs from European French and therefore could serve as Francophone credit for French majors. Interns are expected to make an effort to learn a local national language (Wolof, Fulani, Mandinka etc.).

Interns placed in The Gambia will not need advanced French, but its proximity to Senegal and the number of Senegalese staff makes a minimum beginning level of French preferable.

Other Requirements

Please note that Tostan requires interns to commit to a year-long placement. Students specifically interested in working in The Gambia should inform the IE3 regional director when applying.

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
International Travel	$2,300 round trip from Oregon to Dakar, Senegal
Visa Fees
Recommended Immunizations	$480

*See Additional Cost Information below.

Estimated Monthly Expenses

Expense Type	Price/month
Housing	Tostan will provide accommodation, as well as work-related travel.
Food	$100
Local Transportation	$50
Recreation	$50
Personal Expenses	$50

Compensation

None

Additional Expense Information

Interns should plan to spend approximately $300/month for personal and recreational expenses. A cell phone can be very useful for interns receiving international calls and making calls within Senegal ($100 for phone, $20/mo. for minutes). Communication with home at phone centers can be very expensive depending on the intern habits. Internet access is widespread in Senegal and The Gambia, 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.

For more information about Tostan and its programs, visit their web site at: http://www.tostan.com

"Walking away from the past" (Article and video presentation on Tostan from the Chicago Tribune)