Brethren Community Foundation Fellowship in Tanzania

The Brethren Community Foundation (BCF) and Global Partners for Development (GPFD) have collaborated to create a one-of-a-kind opportunity for talented and passionate students to experience authentic grassroots community-driven development in East Africa via the work of GPFD and its partner communities.

GPFD has been committed to community-driven initiatives in East Africa for 40 years, and the organization works with communities, leaders, primary schools, and other local organizations to develop individualized, sustainable solutions to their most pressing problems. 

The Fellowship Program provides an extraordinary opportunity for students to not only immerse themselves in East African culture but also to play an active role in the development process through meaningful hands-on engagement. Final travel dates will be confirmed after the fellows are selected, but the program is expected to begin the first week of June for a duration of three to four weeks.

Highlighted learning objectives for the upcoming program are as follows: 

• Learning about community-driven development at the grassroots level.
• Gaining an understanding of significant events in Tanzania’s history and assessing how these events affect the current state of affairs in the region.
• Developing a foundational knowledge of different theories of international development.
• Gaining an understanding of the concept of community-driven development.
• Gaining a broad understanding of monitoring, evaluation, and learning in the context of international development.
• Exploring the meaning of culture and the importance of cultural awareness.
• Assisting with administration and general management of the Impact Centre, providing learning and logistical support. 

At the conclusion of the Fellowship Program, the fellows will submit final reports consisting of a critical incident analysis and post-fellowship reflection. They will analyze what they learned during the BCF Fellowship Program, reflect on how the experience challenged any assumptions they held about development work, and consider how they might use the knowledge they gained to promote positive change in the future.  

Eligibility Criteria

• Sophomores or juniors in good academic standing
• Open to students of any major, or academic program
• A minimum 3.0 GPA

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrate academic ability
• A strong fit with students’ academic and career goals
• Demonstrate a genuine interest in community-driven development and a strong commitment to making a positive impact
• Demonstrate eagerness to immerse oneself in East African culture and engage directly with grassroots initiatives

Program Benefits

• Summer stipend of $5,000
• Fully funded travel and accommodation costs to participate in the fellowship

Applying to the Program

The application is due on March 4, 2024. Use this guide to gather your application documents. Request these items at least two weeks prior to the deadline.

A complete application consists of:

• Unofficial academic transcripts
• Current semester Course Progress Report for each 3-4 credit course you are enrolled in
• Signed Sample Student Contract
• A resume
• A written recommendation letter from a faculty member who can speak to your qualifications for this fellowship
• A reference contact from a second faculty member or a professional reference (e.g., employer, internship supervisor, volunteer coordinator)
• An essay (up to 3,200 characters) explaining the unique skills or perspectives you bring that would benefit the fellowship program and the communities with whom you would be working
• An essay (up to 3,200 characters) describing your personal and professional goals for this fellowship and how you plan to apply the knowledge and experience gained from this program in your future endeavors
• Selected semi-finalists will be interviewed

Fellowship Advisor

Professor Jason Carbine
jcarbine@whittier.edu