Thank:You Interns!
Each semester, Blood:Water is blessed to have the greatest interns ever! They brighten up the office and help it run, without them we would be lost! So we would like to give a MUCH overdue thank you to some of our recent interns by posting "reflections" they wrote when their internships came to a close...First off, the one and only Megan Kolacinski:
When I think back on my internship with Blood:Water Mission, I
see an experience that I will never forget. I changed so much during
those few months and from those changes much growth is still happening
within my heart.
My understanding of Africa grew immensely, and through that
growth my heart and love for Africa deepened. I can define very
specifically what it was that changed the way I've come to understand
Africa, it was coming to fully grasp Blood:Water's mission statement.
More specifically than that, it was grasping the concept of
empowerment. This word, empowerment, has changed my mindset towards
serving others completely. When looking at different non-profit work,
ministries, service projects etc. I find I ask myself the question "Is
this going to empower or enable the people being reached out to?"
Blood:Water's way of doing things has opened my eyes to a concept that
I now see as vital to any organization or ministry. My prayer is that
God will teach me ways I can tangibly incorporate empowerment into my
daily life.
I was impacted so much by the Blood:Water staff. Getting to
observe each of them, with all their passion, drive, and vivacity for
their work, was truly inspiring. Being around people who daily give
their time and energy to such a worthy cause of clean water and HIV/
AIDS prevention brought much joy to my heart. It is encouraging to
know there are people who truly care about others. Each staff member
brought Blood:Water Mission to life for me. They showed such joy and
consistency in their work. Never did I feel like just "the intern", I
felt like one of the B:WM family, like a true team member in the
organization. I want to commend the staff for their welcoming
personalities. (I miss them all so much!) Being welcomed weekly to
"tea-time", U.S. programs meetings, girl's lunch, or simply having a
staff member ask for my input into a project. All those things made me
feel so connected and valued. I looked forward to each and every day
in the office.
Emails and letters pour into Blood:Water daily, one of my tasks
as an intern was to help answer these. Some are filled with questions,
others simply held encouragement, and many tell of campaigns being run
for Blood:Water. It was encouraging for me to read about people of all
ages creating their unique way to raise both money and awareness of
the water and AIDS crises in Africa. Reading through these of stories
challenged me to ask myself "am I putting my all into areas that break
my heart?...am I willing to make sacrifices for my brothers and
sisters in Africa?" It was such a privileged to read, respond, and
become connected to you, the Blood:Water supporters. God has blessed
the human race with so much creativity it is so refreshing to see it
being used in constructive ways. It fills me with such hope!
Interning with Blood:Water Mission really was a personal dream
come true. The organization has always been close to my heart and
after my time as an intern B:WM will always have my support. Even
though it was only a short amount of time, my life was so impacted and
changed. When I walked in that September morning I didn't know what to
expect...I just knew it was going to be a chapter of my life deemed as
unforgettable, and it truly was. I know the Lord is going to use my
time with Blood:Water Mission as a catalyst for my future in the world
of non-profits, fighting injustice, making a difference in the world
and advancing the kingdom of God. I'm anxious to see where God takes
me. I left Nashville with sort of an "I want to save (or rather
empower) the world" mentality. I know I can't save the whole world by
myself, but I know that there are other people who are doing their
part, and I now so deeply desire to know what part I am called to play
in the grand scheme of things.
Each semester Blood:Water offers internship opportunities for college and grad school students as well as recent graduates - our deadline for Spring 2012 applications has been extended to November 15! If you are interested, please click HERE for an application and more information. An internship with Blood:Water is a great opportunity to work hands-on with Blood:Water staff, learn more about how non-profit organizations function, and gain helpful experience in a workplace environment while nurturing your passion to make a difference in this world.
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