Internships
Spend 6-8 weeks in our homes across Kenya serving, playing, and working with our children and staff.
There are 2.6 million orphaned or vulnerable children in Kenya.
Come help us love, nurture, and provide hope for some of them.
Twende Let's Go!
Twende means “Let’s Go” in KiSwahili, one of the national languages of Kenya.
Chariots for Hope’s “Twende Summer Internship” is an opportunity for interns to use their gifts, experiences, and skills to directly impact the lives of children living in one of our eight children’s homes.
Interning with Chariots for Hope will expand an intern’s worldview and challenge them to serve in new ways that may be unfamiliar and foreign.
In addition, interns will gain real life job experience to provide them with the skills that they can then apply to any job in their future.
So future interns, as you choose to step out of your comfort zone, would you consider joining us to be an integral part of Chariots for Hope work in loving, nurturing, and providing hope for vulnerable and orphaned children?
2023 Open Intern Positions
A life-changing experience.
Photographer
Travel to several children’s homes documenting their story of everyday life and taking photographs for Chariots’ communication purposes. Will work closely with Chariot’s for Hope communications manager.
Teacher
Preschool, Elementary and Middle School teachers will support our Kenyan teachers in the classroom and work individually with students who are having trouble with their academics.
Youth Pastors
Visit our high school students in various boarding schools to offer encouragement and support. Possibly plan a few youth camps as well.
Occupational Therapist
Work with several children at one or two homes who are in need of occupational therapy.
Social Worker
Support our social workers in Kenya as they do home visit assessments and work with our children who need emotional support.
Internship Details
Overview
Chariots interns are placed in small teams to spend 6-8 weeks living in our homes across Kenya. This allows them to immerse more effectively into the culture of our homes and allows the interns to have a more influential experience. The number of homes our interns serve at will depend on the specific internship positions.
There is a financial commitment. Each intern is required to raise $4,300. This includes orientation, airfare, visas, debriefing safari and in-country expenses. This does not include passport, preventative malaria pills, vaccinations or transportation to and from Chariots’ offices in Dresher, PA. We understand this can be a lot of money for a college student yet our interns have always said that this internship experience is worth the financial investment.
2023 Timeline
Application Deadline
December 31, 2022
Interviews
January 2023
Team Finalized
January 2023
Trip Tentative Dates
June 8 –July 20, 2023
Duties & Activities
Orientation: Interns will spend their first few days at the Chariots for Hope U.S. offices in the suburbs of Philadelphia and their first few days in Kenya learning more about our non-profit organization, cultural norms and getting to know one another.
Internship Positions: Each one of our internship positions will determine the focus of your responsibilities in Kenya. However, there are other daily activities you will be doing regardless of which position you fulfill. Those are described below.
- Supporting the staff: Whether interns are at a baby home or a children’s home working alongside our staff is a vital role. This may mean you are helping in the kitchen, cleaning or washing clothes by hand. This also means that the days are long and sleep is precious.
- Devotions: Each home has devotions daily. Interns are expected to participate and possibly lead devotions.
- Homework: At the children’s homes, interns will assist the children with their homework each evening.
Debriefing: Interns will spend their last days in Kenya on a safari as they began to debrief their experience. Their first 36 hours back in the U.S. will also be spent with Chariots for Hope staff as this is a critical time for us to hear your feedback and reports from the homes as well as assisting with reverse culture-shock.
Qualifications
International Travel
Or significant cross-culture experience
College Students
Who are qualified for one of our internship positions (upperclassman preferred).
Same Values
Stand by the mission, vision and values of Chariots for Hope.
Clear Background
Interns will be required to submit a child abuse clearance, criminal background check and sign the Internship Covenant.
Application Process
- Complete the application found here – 2023 Twende Application.
- Submit your application, resume and recommendation letters to Crystal Parisi at gro.epohrofstoirahc@latsyrc or mail it to her attention at 1601 N Limekiln Pike, Dresher, PA 19025
- Submit three recommendation letters describing your character, strengths and weaknesses: 1 from a pastor or family member + 1 from a job supervisor or academic advisor + 1 from a mentor or friend
- Interview – Once Crystal receives your application, resume, and all three recommendation letters, she will contact you to set up an interview.
FAQ
Are interns required to have the COVID vaccine?
Chariots follows the current CDC guidelines for COVID vaccines, masks, and other restrictions. Please check for Kenya's most common restrictions and requirements by navigating to the US Department of State. In addition to the most up-to-date requirements, we highly recommend that all travelers are vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to keep our staff and children safe as well as eliminate additional travel complications and costs associated with testing.
Is it safe to travel to Kenya?
Will I be able to have my cell phone and internet access?
Does Chariots for Hope help interns raise the $4,300?
What does a typical day look like at a children’s home?
