Our Work

Water For Life Internship Program

Every year Samaritan's Purse Canada equips and sends young Canadians to developing countries to help implement our Household Water Program in communities with little or no access to safe water sources. Samaritan’s Purse offers this unique program through a partnership with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

These university graduates apply to work in some of the neediest communities alongside local partners who are implementing the Household Water Program, focusing on relationship-building and community participation. This includes constructing and installing BioSand Water Filters, training local people in the use and maintenance of the BioSand Water Filter technology, teaching health and hygiene principles, as well as providing other education to communities. Interns are often also involved with evaluation and follow-up, important aspects of the Household Water Program.

Experience and Training

Samaritan’s Purse has partnered with CIDA since 1998, and has sent Canadian interns to work on water projects in 19 countries throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Since its inception, over 80 Canadian interns have participated in the program.

In preparation for the important role interns will play in their diverse projects while working overseas, we place heavy emphasis on internship training. Interns participate in a three-week, in-depth training course at the Samaritan’s Purse Canada head office in Calgary, AB prior to departure.

Internship Program Details

Internship Placements

• Check back for details on potential 2010 internship placements.
• Read more about Internship application

Length of Internship

• The internship is approximately six months – five spent overseas, and one month spent in training and debriefing in Canada.

Training

• Training includes, but is not limited to, workshops on HIV/AIDS, project management, disaster response, community health and wellness, safety and security, communication on the field, cross-cultural adaptation, and the BioSand Water Filter technology.

Costs

• Samaritan’s Purse will arrange and pay for travel overseas, in-country accommodation, and a monthly stipend to assist with expenses.
• Interns must provide for overseas food expense, personal spending, and vaccinations (unless regionally specific).
• If an individual is from outside of Calgary, he or she must also cover living expenses associated with accommodations during training and debriefing. Room and board can be provided if requested.
• Read more about Internship application

Internship Application Guidelines

• Interested applicants must fall under the requirements set by Samaritan’s Purse – Canada and CIDA.
• Check back for application deadlines for potential 2010 internships.
• Read more about Internship application

Background

• The internship program began in 1998 and over 80 Canadian interns have participated so far.
• Our local partners, with help from Canadian interns, have installed more than 100,000 filters in homes, communities, schools, and clinics.
• Interns have worked in 19 countries including Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Benin, Brazil, Honduras, Vietnam, Laos, Niger and Cambodia.

Ways You Can Help
Pray Please pray that God will continue to provide direction to Samaritan’s Purse, as we respond to people’s needs, share the love of Christ, and serve the church worldwide.		Give The need is urgent. A child is dying every 20 seconds in the developing world from diarrhoeal diseases caused by polluted water. Donate Here.