All it takes is a online application, cover letter, resume and letter of recommendation.

If you need a few day extension to get your letter of recommendation in please email [email protected] so that we can make note on your application.

We are down to just a few more information sessions before the Winter Fellowship Application is due. Find out which information session is taking place closest to you and come out and here more about the Fellowship Program.

Thurs. Sept.15 at 4:00pm University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill in the Fedex Global Education Center Room 4003

Thurs. Sept. 15 at 4:30pm Connecticut College in Blaustein Room 212

Thurs. Sept. 15 at 7:00pm & Mon. Sept. 19 at 7:00pm Virginia Tech in Randolph Room Room 212

Sun. Sept. 18 at 5pm Harvard University in the Lamont Library in the Forum Room

Mon. Sept.19 at 6:45pm Yale University in the Anlyan Center outside Room N107

Tues. Sept. 20 at 4:00pm Boston University in the School of Management Room 114

Tues. Sept. 20 at 4:30pm Middlebury College in Hillcrest, Room 103

The Fellowship Information Tour down South is off to a great start! This past Thursday I was in Atlanta at Georgia Tech and had the pleasure of meeting some pretty amazing students. Jasdeep helped coordinate my high tech room. He is a Junior at Georgia Tech and President of the GT Water Alliance, which is a group of students that work to educate students on the global water crisis, while also working to get them involved in various efforts, like CWS’ Fellowship Program. It is so awesome to see such young people be so involved in such a pertinent issue! I am really looking forward to some GT applicants!

This afternoon I was off to University of South Carolina. It was a beautiful day for a nice cruise in my awesome wheels. Can’t miss me that’s for sure!

Next stop my alma mater… Clemson University! I can’t wait to be on my own turf with my Tigers!

CWS is getting ready to pack up and head South to hold more information sessions at universities we would love to see you there!

I could not be more excited to speak to more students about CWS! While I take the South by storm other information sessions will be taking place all over the East Coast held by other Fellow Alum. Check out where we’ll be and come out to learn more about the program and ask questions! Email me, Sam at sderrick@communitywatersolutions, if you are interested in CWS holding an information session at your school and don’t see if on the list! Be a part of this amazing experience and help us get clean drinking water to more villages in Ghana!

-Sam

INFORMATION SESSION DATES & LOCATIONS

Thurs. Sept. 8 at 8:00pm Georgetown University (ICC Rom 108)

Thurs. Sept. 8 at 6:00pm Georgia Tech in Klaus Room 1447

Mon. Sept. 12 at 1:00pm University of South Carolina in Arnold School of Public Health Room 103

Mon. Sept. 12 at 6:00pm University of Virginia in Newcomb’s South Meeting Room (3^rd floor of Newcomb)

Tues. Sept. 13 at 4:30pm Clemson University in Edwards Room 304

Tues. Sept. 13 at 2:00pm Massachusetts Institute of Technology  in the TPP Lounge (3^rd Floor of E40)

Tues. Sept. 13 at University of Illinois in the Campus YMCA

Wed. Sept. 14 at 6:00pm Boston College in Devlin Hall Room 008

Wed. Sept. 14 at 4:30pm for Amherst College, Smith College, Mt. Holyoke, Hampshire College & University of Massachusetts at the Amherst College Career Center

Wed. Sept. 14 at 6:30pm Elon University in the Moseley Center Room 215

Thurs. Sept.15 at 4:00pm University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill in the Fedex Global Education Center Room 4003

Thurs. Sept. 15 at 7:00pm & Mon. Sept. 19 at 7:00pm Virginia Tech in Randolph Room Room 212

Thurs. Sept. 15 at 4:30pm Connecticut College in Blaustein Room 212

Mon. Sept.19 at 6:45pm Yale University in the Anlyan Center outside Room N107

Tues. Sept. 20 at 4:00pm Boston University in the School of Management Room 114

OTHER INFO SESSION DATES TBD

• Middlebury College
• Harvard University

Email me ([email protected]) if you are interested in attending and we’ll let you know when the dates and locations are set

I kicked off the Fellowship Information Session tour at University of Maryland yesterday. Despite it being my first information session, I kept my nerves in check and had so much fun! I was able to be a part of the first day of class for Professor Coke Farmer’s Global Health class of FRESHmen. And it went great! They thought it was going to be a normal syllabus first day of class and in I cam trying to get them to step out of their comfort zone and come to Ghana—meanwhile they haven’t even gotten comfortable at school! I think it was quite the surprise for them!

The students had been assigned to watch the National Academies a “Running Dry: Call to Action” before class and so, they had a good base-level of knowledge about the global water crisis. After I presented we opened up the floor for questions and they came pouring in. I must have at least 30 questions—the students were completely engaged and I loved it. I am really looking forward to some UMD fellowship applicants!

Talking to the UMD students got me really pumped about all the information sessions to come! Next stop —ATL to meet some Georgia Tech students and I can’t wait!

Below is the National Academies “Running Dry: A Call to Action” that Professor Coke Farmer shared with me. Definitely worth a watch!

-Sam

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3LH_2ur2LE]

I could NOT be more excited to tour around to different schools this fall! CWS will be in search for fellows to join us this Winter as we bring clean drinking water to 8 more villages! Come to an info session near you to hear more about CWS and ask any questions you may have about the Fellowship Program. Applications due Sept. 26th 5pm EST.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

AUG 31st University of Maryland @ 3pm

SEPT 8th Georgia Tech @ 6pm

SEPT 13th Clemson University @ 6pm

SEPT 14th Boston College @ 6pm

SEPT 15th Univeristy of North Carolina–Chapel Hill @ TBD

SEPT 19th Yale University @ 7pm

**Make sure to continue to follow our blog and facebook for more details on exact locations as dates approach

MORE INFO SESSION DATES TBD:

• Virginia Tech
• University of South Carolina
• Duke University
• Middlebury College
• Amherst College
• Smith College
• Mt. Holyoke College
• Hampshire College
• University of Massachusetts
• Georgetown University
• Elon University
• Johns Hopkins University
• Boston University
• George Washington University
• University of Virginia
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Harvard University
• University of Illinois

If your school isn’t listed please contact me at [email protected] and we will try to book something!

Thinking of applying to the CWS Fellowship Program but have a few questions? This post is for you! Below are a few of our Frequently Asked Questions:

Application

What are you looking for in a CWS Fellow?

CWS is looking for CWS Fellows who are self starters; passionate about social innovation and sustainable development; take initiative; give and absorb constructive feedback; take pride in their work; approach problems with patience and pluck; dedicated to constant improvement; put self and team on the same plane not ahead of them, help others to become better, and who are open to new learning all the time; have the highest personal integrity; and approach projects with passion and professionalism.

What is the application timeline?

Applications for the 2012 Winter Fellowship Program are due on Monday, September 26^th at 5pm EST. CWS will announce the Fellowship Finalists by Friday, September 30^th. If you are selected as a finalist, a member of the CWS team will interview you (via phone) sometime during the first week of October. CWS will announce the 2012 Winter Fellows on Monday, October 10^th. If selected as a Fellow, you will have until Friday, October 14^th to accept or decline your position in the program and send back a signed copy of the CWS Fellowship Program Fundraising contract. On Friday, October 14^th we will announce the Fellowship Teams and send you the contact information for your other three teammates!

The Summer Session will follow a similar timeline.

Is there any way to extend the fellowship? (i.e. to meet internship requirements)

Because the fellowship fieldwork is only 3 weeks long many students ask if they can extend the fellowship to count for things like internship or practicum credit. CWS considers the fellowship to be a 3 month commitment. The fieldwork in Ghana only lasts for 3 weeks but your responsibility as a Fellow begins as soon as you accept your position in the program and you begin the 9-week fundraising period.

If that doesn’t suffice, you are more than welcome to extend your trip to Ghana longer than 3 weeks but CWS only takes care of the organization of the actual CWS Fellowship program portion. We have had many fellows find plenty of research opportunities in Tamale or to continue back home in the U.S. However, those arrangements are not put together by CWS and are the Fellow’s responsibility.

Fundraising

What if I don’t raise the $2,500 Fellowship Fee in time?

You will be given 9 weeks to raise funds to cover your Fellowship Fee. If you are unable to raise enough funds to cover the entire Fellowship Fee, you will be responsible for covering the remaining balance before traveling to Ghana. However, once you return home, you will be able to continue to fundraise and CWS will reimburse you for any additional donations that are made on your team’s behalf. 

What is the money that I raised used for?

The Fellowship Fee is used by Community Water Solutions to cover the cost of your team’s in-country expenses. These expenses include your in-country travel, lodging & food, your project costs (project materials, water quality tests & lab materials, Fellow training & educational materials, translator salaries, and transportation to & from your village), as well as the long-term monitoring costs of following-up with your community after your team leaves Ghana. The Fellowship Fee does not cover your flight to Ghana, your travel vaccinations or Visa fee.

What if I raise over $2,500?

If you raise more than the required $2,500, the extra funds will be split among the other 3 members of your team until everyone has reached their fundraising goal. If every member of your team exceeds your fundraising goal, the extra funds will be donated to CWS to help us grow the Fellowship Program so that we are able to offer this opportunity to more young people in the future.

 What is the average age of a CWS Fellow?

The average age of a CWS Fellow is 21 years old, but we typically have Fellows ranging in age from 18 to 35 years old.

Trip Preparation

What are the top 5 things I should pack?

1.  Bug Spray
2. Bandana/Hat
3. Snacks (granola bars, trail mix, candy, peanut butter, or anything else that packs/travels well)
4. Sunscreen
5. Books or fun card/travel-sized Board games.

What is the weather going to be like?

Winter Session: Hot and very dusty. It can be a little chilly in the mornings and at night.

Summer Session: Hot, rainy and muddy.

What vaccinations do I need?

The only required vaccination to enter Ghana is the Yellow Fever vaccine. CWS also requires all of our Fellows to take anti-Malaria medication during their trip.

There are many other vaccinations recommended by the CDC for travel to sub-Saharan Africa. For the full list, please visit their website: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/ghana.htm. The list of recommended vaccinations is about halfway down the webpage.

How much money of my own should I bring?

It depends whether you are going to do much traveling before or after the Fellowship Program. We usually recommend that Fellows bring about $200 in cash, which is more than enough to cover any gifts/souvenirs that you may want in the market and a couple dinners out (if you choose to eat out instead of eating at the guest house) but will not cover the cost of extensive post-trip travel.  Do not bring travelers checks, they are not accepted by any store or vendors in Ghana. You can exchange your money when you arrive in Ghana – the counter is right by baggage claim at the airport. If you do end up needing more cash while you are in Ghana, you can use your American bankcard to withdraw money from an ATM. There are plenty of them around Tamale and they are very easy to access (Barclays, EcoBank and Standard Charter each have multiple branches in Tamale).

Can I bring things for the children in my village?

If you have extra room in your suitcase, feel free to bring along candy, toys, clothing, shoes, books or anything else that you, or your friends and family would like to donate to people in your village. The kids especially love soccer balls! The only thing we ask is that you wait until the end of your trip (either on opening day at your water business or on your last day in the village) to give things to people in your community.

Accommodations

Where will I be staying once we are in Ghana?

When you are staying in Accra you will be staying at a Chen Lien Hotel.

When you are in Tamale you will be staying at Gillbt Guest House. You can read through the CWS Blog to see some pictures of past Fellows on the Gillbt campus.

What is the food like?

Gillbt guesthouse does a great job of preparing food that is safe for us non-Ghanaians to eat. However, there is not much variety! The meals are usually some combination of chicken and rice. Packing an extra snack or two is definitely a good idea. Also, while the cooks at Gillbt try their best to accommodate dietary restrictions, they are not used to cooking for vegetarians/vegans and there are very little non-meat protein options for them to work with in Ghana. If you do not eat meat, definitely pack other sources of protein that you can snack on (nuts, protein bars, peanut butter, etc).

Will I have running water?

Yes. Each room at Gillbt sleeps 2 people and has their own bathroom—sink, toilet, shower. The rooms also have AC and a mini-fridge.

Can I drink the water there?

Gillbt provides water filters that you can use to filter the tap water. Other than that you should only drink bottled water, which is widely available in the area.

Can I do laundry?

Gillbt will do your laundry for about $3 (5 Ghana Cedis) per basket of laundry. They will provide you with a laundry basket in your room. If you dropped off your dirty laundry basket at the reception desk in the morning, it will be ready by the next morning at the latest.

Is there much down time?

Yes, although you will be working hard and spending a lot of time in your village, you will have some down time to relax at the guesthouse or go into the market and explore. Most Fellowship Teams end up going to their village very early in the morning before it gets too hot (around 5 or 6 am), and are back from the field around 3 or 4 o’clock in the afternoon. Dinner and the “Daily Debrief” are usually around 6:30 or 7 so Fellows typically have a couple of hours of downtime in the late afternoon and are then free for the night after the Debriefs are finished.

Where can I travel to after the fellowship?

While Ghana is a great country, there are not a lot of big tourist-y sites to see. Depending on your water business implementation goes, you may have one day to explore on a day trip outside Tamale.

If you are trying to factor in a few days before or after the trip, most Fellows choose to go to the Cape Coast to see the forts or to Takoradi for the beach. While CWS can make travel and guest house recommendations, we do not coordinate the end-of-trip or post-fellowship travel. We would recommend picking up the Bradt Ghana Guide Book: http://www.bradtguides.com/Book/120/Ghana.html.

Whether you’re a student on your winter break or a young professional looking for a worthwhile winter getaway… Come join us  this Winter as we bring clean drinking water to 8 more villages!

The Winter Fellowship will take place this Dec. 27th thru Jan. 17th, 2012.

 Applications due Sept. 27th, 2011.

Come join our impact!

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/26789906]