The Caribbean Internship Project (CIP) provides a unique opportunity for students and graduates of tertiary institutions in the Caribbean to explore their talents and capacities in order to grow in terms of self esteem and professionalism and ultimately realize their potential. It was established in 2004 through a partnership between the Centre for Population, Community and Social Change (CPCSC), an outreach thrust of the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work, and the Caribbean Child Support Initiative (CCSI), an integrated programme out of the Caribbean Centre for Development Administration (CARICAD). The Project's main focus is to improve the care environment for Caribbean children and their families. Managed by Mrs. Aldene Shillingford, lecturer in the Social Work Unit of the University of the West Indies, Jamaica, the CIP matches the resources of regional tertiary institutions to the needs of child-focused development agencies in the Caribbean, through the provision of student interns for 12- 24 week internships. These tertiary institutions include the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and the Universities of Guyana and Belize.

RCP Co-ordinator Judith Hull-Ballah (left) in conversation with CIP co-ordinator, Aldene Shillingford (centre) and the CIP Interns in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

The CIP is principally funded by the Bernard van Leer Foundation, the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, the University of the West Indies, Jamaica and with support from the campuses in Trinidad and Barbados. Student interns have worked with a range of organisations and social programmes including the Roving Caregivers Programme (RCP), The Family Learning Programme (FLP) and the Early Childhood Health Outreach Programme (ECHO).

RCP in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on a Youth and community advocacy network (YouCan) Walkathon 

Interns have also been able to enhance the service delivery of these agencies, build and strengthen their capacity through the transfer of knowledge and skills and improve the linkages between families and these community-based social services. Students have also benefited tremendously from the practical learning opportunities and in some instances, accreditation towards their degree programmes.  

Rover during a stimulation session in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

During this past year, 22 students from the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work, the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication (CARIMAC) and the Department of Educational Studies completed 26, 12-week internships across the Caribbean region.

Psychology intern, Marion Robinson, at a sensitization session with a participant from Operation Youth Quake in Dominica. Operation Youth Quake provides a "home away from home" for youth at risk in around the capital city Roseau

Goal

The overall goal of the CIP is to match resources of regional Universities to the needs of local partner agencies with relevant mandates, capacity and services delivered to parents and children.

Objectives

(1) To improve the mechanisms to match needs and resources, which involves:

(a) Building partnerships between the three University of the West Indies campuses and regional Universities
(b) Institutionalising the CIP within the UWI for sustainability

(2) To utilise resources to provide coverage to agencies in diverse settings
(3) To provide practical learning experiences for interns and provide for the transfer of skills to Agencies

An RCP booth in St. Lucia show-casing the materials used by Rovers in their stimulation exercises 

Where are Interns Assigned?

Interns are assigned to CCSI Projects or to CCSI child-focused partner agencies in the Caribbean which implement projects developed to address parent support and early childhood development. The CCSI partner agencies/projects act as hosts for interns selected to pursue an assignment.

Media intern, Jonique Gaynor, from the University of the West Indies, Jamaica on assignment to the RCP in St. Lucia

Categories of Interns

Interns come from various disciplines: Media, Education, Arts, the Behavioural Sciences or any other discipline which can meet the Universities' needs, intern needs and the needs of the CCSI’s partner agencies.There are three categories of interns:

1) Those in a final year degree Programme
2) Those who are recent graduates of either an Undergraduate programme or are students of a Masters’ Programme
3) Those who are graduates of a Masters' Programme

Stimulation session with Rover in Grenada

What does internship involve?

1) Travelling to an Eastern Caribbean island
2) Working in a university-approved agency for 2 to 3 months
3) Earning a stipend for living expenses (NOT a salary)
4) Setting your own clear learning objectives
5) Learning about other Caribbean countries and culture
6) Collecting data towards your own thesis or dissertation while making a useful contribution to a development agency
7) Gaining invaluable experience to include on your resume
8) Having additional references for future job applications
9) Contributing your skills to development and research efforts

Psychology intern, Rainah Seepersad, at a workshop in Grenada

How long are Internships?

The amount of time spent on an internship will depend on the type of intern selected and the nature of the proposed assignment. Graduate and undergraduate students are normally required to complete specified hours or time while those who are recent graduates of Masters’ programmes will be expected to pursue from three to six (3-6) months placement within an agency. Internships take place either over the summer when students are not expected to attend classes or at any time during a calendar year when interns are requested by agencies.

YouCAN Prince and Princess pageant Oct 29 2010, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

How are interns supported?

Interns are supported by grants provided by the Bernard van Leer Foundation, University of the West Indies and the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ). The grants which are administered by the CPCSC cover:

1) The cost of return air travel
2) Local travel
3) Accommodation
4) Meals and personal expenses over the duration of an internship

The funds are disbursed to agency supervisors who in turn disburse specified amounts to interns on a fortnightly basis. A small stipend is also provided for interns who are recent graduates of Undergraduate and Masters’ Programmes as well as for Masters’ students.

“Investing in early childhood education makes the most economic sense”. Student at an infant school looks on during visit from RCP Rovers

The Caribbean Internship Project (CIP) can offer the students of regional institutions additional experience, exposure and leadership development while at the same time earning course credits. The contributions of student interns placed throughout the region to the various developmental agencies have already proven to be very valuable.

Source:

http://www.mona.uwi.edu/spsw/cip.php
http://www.ccsi-info.com/initiatives/phase-2/cip2

Photos courtesy of Marion Robinson & The Roving Caregivers Programme (St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, St. Lucia)

For Further Information contact:

Mrs. Aldene Shillingford
CIP Project Coordinator
Centre for Population, Community and Social Work
Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work
Faculty of Social Sciences
University of the West Indies, Mona
Kingston 7, Jamaica
Tel: (876) 542 5051/2             
Fax: (876) 977 9301
Email: [email protected]
or [email protected]
or [email protected]