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Human Rights Office, Interns / Volunteers

Role of interns

The interns begin by shadowing PAHRO staff members, learning from them and hopefully gaining an insight into their area of interest. Their responsibilities depend on their previous experience, as well as their enthusiasm and level of initiative. However, to begin with they must view themselves as interns with a learning role. The onus is on them to prove themselves. They should dress the part and take their role seriously.

South Africa has a long and sad history of human rights violations, many of these still affecting many South Africans to this day. Creating awareness, investigating human rights violations, educating underprivileged populations on their rights, are all seriously needed here in South Africa.

Projects Abroad Human Rights Office encourages the interns to choose an area of interest that is compatible with their passions and career aspirations. This could be an area already covered by our existing activities, or an additional area of personal interest.

Interns utilise various methodologies throughout their placement such as:

• Academic research and reporting (with publication in mind)
• Interviewing victims/ perpetrators
• Out-of-office fieldwork, including visits to:
  • Courts of law
  • Police stations
  • Refugee camps/ shelters
  • Prisons
  • Abused women and children centres
  • Places of safety for children
  • Government offices/ departments
  • Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
  • Libraries and resource centres;
• Community work
• Community presentations
• Conferences/ workshops/ public debate attendance
• Participation in the parliamentary process

Again, interns are encouraged to initiate new methods appropriate to their internship and area of interest.

Volunteer Testimonies

“I spent one month at the Human Rights Office in Cape Town. I feel privileged to have met so many likeminded individuals. They inspired you to take the initiative, to understand the obstacles and challenges that refugees and asylum seekers face and to actively try to find solutions.

Every day was new experiences and new challenges. I took from the internship some really valuable lessons and experiences about equality, justice and social responsibility that are going to affect the choices and decisions that I make for a lifetime.”
Priscilla Man, Hong Kong/Canada

“I worked at the Human Rights Office in Cape Town for three months. I really enjoyed the flexibility of the work involved where I was given the opportunity to work directly with complainants and marginalised groups. My knowledge of human rights and international law in an African context grew rapidly working with Theodore Kamwimbi, who has tremendous experience in the field. In addition, I felt very fortunate to work with other passionate, likeminded interns from around the globe on a day-to-day basis. The experiences I had in my internship gave me great insight into the challenges faced in the practical application of human rights in South Africa.”
Ben English, Adelaide, Australia

“Time moves so quickly at the Projects Abroad Human Rights Office so it’s difficult to assess what sort of an impact you’ve made over the course of your stay. I’d like to think I’ve made a positive contribution to the office and the lives of people whose cases I dealt with, but it’s important to recognise you’re only a small cog in a very large wheel. However, don’t underestimate the value of what you’re doing!”
David Beaumont, United Kingdom