About Us

Amandla means ‘empowerment’
in the tribal languages of
both Zulu and Xhosa

What is The Amandla Project?

Intern abroad with The Amandla Project. You’ll gain professional skills, develop leadership traits, as well as intangible skills gained through international travel and cross-cultural interactions. Each weekend, you will participate in a guided leadership experience led by a series of South African icons. These carefully curated experiences cannot be bought, and will help to shape you into an advocate and a leader, ready to catalyze your local community.

Non-Profit Organization
Incorporated as a nonprofit organization, The Amandla Project will cover all costs for accepted participants of U.S. universities through fundraising activities, removing the financial barrier for participants.
Internships
Participants will complete eight week internships during the US college summer break in roles that match their professional and academic goals.
Mutual Benefits
With educational excursions and learning activities to supplement internship experiences The Amandla Project meets its mission while benefiting the host country and fostering leadership and advocacy skills within participants.

Leadership Development Experiences
Fellows will participate in curated leadership experiences, offered by South African icons. These experiences range from live interviews on national media, to an exploration of local theatre, comedy, art, and an afternoon with the national rugby team captain.
Why Amandla?
In the tribal languages of both Zulu and Xhosa, Amandla means ‘empowerment’. While the target population is the focus of the programming, local populations are simultaneously empowered, as well.
The Inspiration
This program was born out of the life-changing experience of Alex Stone, Executive Director, when as a college student with a physical disability, he took the opportunity to intern with an advocacy organization in South Africa for five months.

Our Team

Board of Directors

Alexander Stone

Executive Director

Siv Ngesi

Actor/Producer

Charith Madewella

Madewella Holdings

Jennifer Gilbert

LCSW, Spyglass Counselling

Stacey Waterman

Sullivan Cromwell

Jacob Southard

MG2 Architects

Carrie Byrne

Harvard University