Summer Internships

Summer Interns work with NWHCM missionaries to coordinate and direct the activities of the short-term mission teams that serve in Haiti each summer.  Summer Interns are a key ingredient that allow us to facilitate so many groups serving all over the Northwest zone of Haiti.

Summer Interns may be testing the waters considering long-term missions or looking to fill a ministry internship requirement for school.  Others don’t feel called to long-terms missions, but want to give their summer to make a difference.  Some come to experience what Haiti is like after the the “two-week mark.”  Others simply want the opportunity to serve.  Whatever their reasons for coming, we hope that all our summer interns leave Haiti knowing they  have both impacted lives and been changed themselves.

Summer Interns  work under the leadership of our Group Coordinator, receiving daily and weekly assignments to assist different mission teams in their ministries across the region. It is an intense summer, as we usually host several hundred mission travelers over the course of the twelve weeks.  Summer Interns do not work exclusively in any one ministry area, although individuals with experience or skills will often be leading small groups serving in those areas (construction, VBS, community outreach, worship, etc.)  The positions require great flexibility, patience,  and perseverance.  Summer Interns must be willing to serve without recognition, to love and show grace to the least deserving, to both lead and work as part of a team.

A typical week for a Summer Intern might include:

• Traveling a couple hours in the back of a truck with a team to visit and serve the children in our orphanage.
• Coordinating several “Vacation Bible School” programs (the mission teams prepare the program, you make sure they have the site, interpreters, etc. that they need)
• Taking a group to minister at the local jail
• Assisting a group in painting one of our facilities
• Introducing mission travelers to the children in our baby orphanage and special needs orphanage; orienting them on how they can serve and love those kids
• Leading a group on a hike to the nearby waterfall
• And much more…!

Qualifications for Summer Internships

1. Follower of Jesus Christ; actively seeking to serve Him.
2. 18 years or older.
3. Previous cross-cultural ministry experience; experience with NWHCM is preferred.
4. Demonstrated spiritual and social maturity.
5. Available and committed to serve with NWHCm for full summer (10 weeks; see dates below).  Special exceptions for half-summer internships may be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on need.
6. Passport (or passport in application process).
7. Married applicants must apply individually, however both must be accepted and serve in the same time period.

Summer 2010 Summer Internship Dates

May 25:  Depart for Haiti

May 26 – 30: Training (St. Louis du Nord, Haiti)

May 31: First group arrives

July 31: Leave Haiti to return home

Application Process

1. Submit General Application
2. Submit Summer Internship Essays
3. Submit References. You will need three references: Minister/Mentor, Professor/Employer, and Peer.
4. Send an email referencing your application, with your name and a photo of yourself to: erika@nwhcm.org
5. Complete a phone interview. We will contact you to schedule this after we’ve received your application.
6. We will contact you about your application after it has been reviewed.
7. Submit Acceptance Packet and Internship Deposit ($500).
8. NWHCM Travel Coordinator, Jody Castillo, will contact you about booking your ticket.
9. Fund raise and submit final payment.

Costs and Fundraising

$1,625 – Internship Costs (administration, field ministry costs, transportation, travel insurance, training, etc.)

$    0/month – Room, Board & Basic Medical: We provide housing, three meals a day, and basic medical care in our clinic, free of charge to our interns. Housing options depend on availability, but are generally provided in our men’s or women’s dormitory.

$300 - Travel within Haiti (fixed cost)

$500-700 - Flight to Port au Prince, Haiti *estimate only*

Summer Internship Total:   $2,625 (ten weeks)  *Total subject to airfare.

Other Internship Policies

Travel

For logistical reasons, flights and travel to, from and on the mission field must be booked through NWHCM.

Health Insurance

Interns are not eligible for NWHCM health insurance. However, we do require that you carry some form of health insurance while you are interning.

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is included in your internship costs. This covers the cost of emergency evacuation and some property loss.

Excess Funds

Excess monies raised will be held in a support account for 12 months in case the individual decides to take another mission trip during that time. At the end of one year any remaining money will be redirected to the ministries of Northwest Haiti Christian Mission and the support account will be closed.

Personal Expenses

Most interns choose to bring $50 to $100 per month for entertainment, personal food, clothing, personal travel and other miscellaneous expenses.