You & Your Money

Position: Financial Life Skills Counselor
Number of available positions: 1
Duration of internship: 10-12 weeks

Job Description:
As an intern you will work with You & Your Money's financial life skills counselors as they meet with South Africans who need financial advice and assistance. Potential applicants for this internship must have an understanding of NGO culture and have a strong academic background in accounting and financial planning. In 2007 a new credit act was issued and individuals who are accepted to this internship will be sent a copy of the act to study prior to their arrival.  Required skills for this internship include: strong financial management skills, an understanding of finance processes, an ability to share and transfer skills to others, self motivation and the ability to work autonomously. Applicants who wish to apply for this internship must also have a desire to give back to the community and not be afraid to work with the "poorest of the poor."

About You and Your Money:

You and Your Money is the only NPO in the country that is solely dedicated to fighting problems associated with household and personal debt. The problem of debt is an ever-increasing one as people from all walks of life are constantly lured to live beyond their means. Millions of South Africans are trapped in cycles of debt. People from lower-income walks of life often become victims to this kind of enslavement in a more significant way. Approximately 70,000 people go through the civil courts each month in debt-related cases. Because of the stigma associated with debt, most people carry their burden with silent shame. Yet people find themselves in this situation not due to their own irresponsibility, but due to a combination of factors. These factors include aggressive advertising and marketing, a previously unregulated credit industry, lack of appropriate policies and laws associated with credit, reckless lending, historical disadvantages, desperation to meet basic needs such as food and clothing, and a lack of consumer education. It is into this arena that You & Your Money are making an impact.