The Safari Project is experientially different than the ordinary internship program.
The intention of The Safari Project is to bring globally conscious persons to Africa to witness "development" issues — in action.
The Safari Project provides a grounded, participatory "development" experience for persons interested and committed to understanding how development works – or does not work. Those who come on board are privy to listening to the stories, life events, and moral dilemmas of persons living in environments of poverty, gender inequity, HIV/AIDS, separation/conflict, and adapting to environmental challenge (eg., access to potable water). You will come to hear the stories of persons affected and infected with HIV, traditional healers working in the context of HIV/AIDS, NGO personnel disillusioned by present "development" efforts, faith leaders (Muslim, Christian, and African Traditional Religion) confronted with the challenges of inter-faith cooperation and collaboration, indigenous leaders and other stake-holders searching for solutions to the problems that are affecting their communities.
From previous internship experiences with the Safari Project (initially called an "ethical Safari"), young persons returned home, transformed. Previous testimonials reflect personal change in how they viewed their place in this world, their understanding of "development" concerns and issues, and their understanding of how to live responsibly and morally in a challenged world environment. And given the intensity of their experience, they were compelled to express their emerging understandings to family and friends. This spawned, we believe, a communication change and challenge for thinking differently about "development".
Given the efficiency of present and emerging communication technologies, it is the hope of the Safari Project team that interns will actually tell their development story, and through this, will enable others to think differently about Africa, its development, and what is ethically and personally required to respond to the immense challenges of our time.
Sincerely,
The Salama Shield Foundation