King's SJPS Students Intern in Uganda this Fall

King’s is sending five SJPS students: Kate Bowley, Hanna Weisdorf, Amanda Wilson, Megan Potasseand, Maddy Wilsonand, and one Political Science graduate, Kendra Heney, to work for six months in Uganda with support from Global Affairs Canada’s International Youth Internship Program, (IYIP).  The purpose of this paid internship program is to give non-specialist graduates experience working in international contexts. Their work in Uganda will focus on developing sustainable projects related to HIV/Aids education, support for youth and recreation centres and rural library initiatives with local community organizations. The emphasis on sustainability and community-lead programming is key to the success of these internships. Prior to travelling, the students will participate in an intensive orientation to living and working in the context of Uganda. 

The 2016-17 IYIP program begins on September 21, 2016. The students will begin the program in London with a two-day overview of living and working abroad. They will then travel as a group to Kampala where they will meet 14 other interns from across Canada who will also participate in this year's program. In Kampala, they will engage in an intensive language and local cultural-knowledge program, designed to prepare them to enter into their community placements. After completing the week long in-country orientation, they will be paired and placed in communities across central and southeastern Uganda. Throughout the six months, students will be supported by an in-country mentor who will work with the interns and with community organizations to design and implement projects to support local community initiatives. 

Last year King’s sent three students to Uganda on the same program. While in Uganda, the King’s interns worked on a variety of projects including community needs assessments related to HIV/Aids education, provided childcare support for regional HIV/Aids testing centres, international grant writing and participated in number of other community-led initiatives related to youth, education and recreation.

Pictured above from left to right: Kate Bowley, Hannah Weisdorf, Amanda Wilson, Megan Potasse, Maddy Wilson, and Kendra Heney.