What our overseas volunteers and interns say about their time at SAHA:
"My internship on the Freedom of Information Programme at SAHA was an extremely valuable and rewarding experience. After completing a joint honors degree in History & War Studies, my time at SAHA gave me a chance to apply the skills I had acquired while studying, taught me how to use legislation and enabled me to understand and experience the daily functioning of a non-governmental organisation.
Furthermore, I developed a deeper understanding of PAIA and how it can be used to help the South African community to exercise and protect their constitutional rights. Not only did I leave SAHA with a range of transferable skills that will continue to assist me as I progress in my career, but also with great gratitude for the opportunities and supportive environment they provided me with."
- Emmelyn van Zanten (United Kingdom), FOIP intern (2013 - 2014)
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"Working at SAHA has been such a great learning experience. It gave me direction as a lawyer who had studied outside South African and would like to fit into the legal sector here. SAHA staff were so wonderful. Theye were always available to help with any problems or questions. It felt like home."
- Omolara Akintoye (Nigeria), FOIP intern (2013)
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"My internship with FOIP gave me invaluable knowledge and experience related to human rights advocacy. I developed a deep understanding of the right to information and other rights protected by South Africa's constitution. I helped teach civil society organizations how to use freedom of information laws to advocate for human rights such as the right to housing.
I also used relevant laws to get individuals and civil society organizations information they needed to protect their rights. I would wholeheartedly recommend this experience to anyone pursuing a career in advocacy or civil society organizations."
- Persia Sayyari (Canada), CBA intern (2012 - 2013)
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"Working with SAHA was an incredibly rewarding experience. Being able to contribute to building civil society in a new democracy where the culture of activism and the fight for human rights is part of the daily dialogue of ordinary citizens was inspiring and fulfilling.
The relationships I built with my colleagues and everyone I worked with means I still feel a connection to a country that sees me regularly following news and developments even a year after leaving. My South African experience was extremely fulfilling from both a professional and personal perspective. I had professional opportunities I never dreamed of, from working with the African Commission on Human and People's Rights to organising protest marches, while at a personal level I learned patience, resilience and the extraordinary capacity of people for forgiveness.
Perhaps most inspiringly, my time in South Africa taught me the power of collective movement."
-Tammy O'Connor (Australia), AVI volunteer (2010 - 2012)
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"I had studied the RSA TRC at an academic level and had always hoped I'd get to South Africa one day and play a role in the reconciliation and development in RSA. When I saw the volunteer job advertised at SAHA, I jumped at the opportunity and I'm so glad I did.
Working for SAHA is still to this day one of the most rewarding and humbling experiences in my life. I learnt far more than I expected to and enjoy staying in touch and hearing about the progress of the organisation.
- Charlotte Young (Australia), AVI volunteer (2007 - 2009)
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"...my participation in the CBA program has allowed me to build a significant component of valuable human rights work into a private practice legal career with a major Canadian law firm that has a historical and primary focus on corporate / commercial law.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at SAHA and the experience in living in your incredibly beautiful (though at times challenging) country was the opportunity of a lifetime. I won't soon forget it and I am certain to return..."
- Sean Fraser (Canada), CBA intern (2011 - 2012)
SAHA has, over the years, been fortunate to partner with formal international volunteer and internship programmes such as:
Australian Volunteers International (AVI)
Canadian Bar Association (CBA) Young Lawyers International Program
