A Voice For the Voiceless

MISSION

The Advocacy Project seeks to help community-based advocates produce, disseminate and use information, and so become more effective advocates for human rights and social justice

Feedback from 2005 Interns

The Advocacy Project's 2005 Interns spent their summer working in Afghanistan, Bosnia, the Czech Republic, India, Israel, Italy, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Uganda. Below are some of their feedback about their experiences.



"I feel that the experience led me to realize what can be accomplished by a few dedicated people in a short space of time and renewed my belief that even seemingly small things can have a significant impact on improving the quality of life for a disadvantaged group of people. I definitely plan to continue my involvement with Butterflies as much as possible...It was an extremely meaningful and rewarding experience for me, and one that I learned tremendously from." - Karen Adler, Cornell University Medical Center: Butterflies, India



"The internship has strengthened my interest in working for an international organization at the capacity of assisting NGOs to be more independent...It has reinforced my sensitivity toward the challenges that more remote NGOs are up against in order to obtain funds and carry out tasks. Overall my experience this summer was very positive. I am still in contact with the staff of COCAP. I am on a mailing list, receiving updates on the current Citizen's Movement for Democracy; COCAP is a member of this movement. If I ever return to Nepal I will be sure to visit with them and have offered any assistance I am able to provide." - Anne Finnan, Fordham University: Collective Campaign for Peace, Nepal



"It made me more set in my goals. I got several job offers while I was over there that I couldn't get from home.

I realized that jobs are easy to get, but you have to be there...I will go [back to Afghanistan] next summer for one month and find a job while I am there to stay.

It turned out to be a really great experience. Even though it cost tons of money, it has and it will pay itself off. I'm really glad I went. Thanks." - Carrie Hasselback, New York University: Afghan Women's Network, Afghanistan




"I have learned a great deal about Bosnia, NGOs, the challenges of economic and political development, and a host of related issues. I have made several friendships that will last a lifetime." - Sabri Ben Achour, Georgetown University: Forum of Srebrenica NGOs, Bosnia



"I loved the opportunity to do refugee work, and I am grateful to AP for giving me the benefit of the doubt despite my lack of ties to Africa and my dissimilar work experiences. Despite the fact that I did not have extensive experience in interviewing, I found my negotiation and other business skills to be translatable into the field.  Now I am more cognizant of how my experiences can be an asset in humanitarian jobs. But most importantly, the summer at RLP was inspirational. The troubles of adjusting to Kampala proved to be minor in comparison to the rewarding and intellectually challenging work I immersed myself in every day. I am certain that my work with refugee and immigration issues is just beginning." - Eun Ha Kim, Georgetown University Law School: Refugee Law Project, Uganda



"I have learned a great deal about Bosnia, NGOs, the challenges of economic and political development, and a host of related issues. I have made several friendships that will last a lifetime." - Sabri Ben Achour, Georgetown University: Forum of Srebrenica NGOs, Bosnia



"This internship was wonderful because it pushed me to accomplish things that I had never done before...It has also pushed the limits of my writing and organizational skills. Frequent last minute deadlines forced me to write well and fast.  They also challenged me to work more independently, develop quick problem solving strategies and to handle multiple assignments all at the same time. All in all, this internship was a supreme boost in confidence and I feel I can do almost anything I set my mind to." - Malia Mayson, Tufts University: Women's Consortium of Nigeria, Nigeria



"It was one of the most important professional and personal experiences so far for me. Besides being able to work closely with a small non-profit and to become part of their team, I really learnt a lot over the summer.

More importantly, I had a chance to meet many of the former victims of trafficking and talk to sex workers - this was an important personal experience but also made me aware of the discrepancy between studying something and researching academically and experiencing it on personal level. I am very grateful for being able to experience all of that this summer. J J J - keep up the good work!!!!!" - Ewa Sobczynska, Georgetown University: Transnational AIDS Prevention Among Migrant Prostitutes in Europe Project, Italy



"This internship was incredibly substantive, and I feel as if I have personally and professionally grown a lot. Working at Dzeno challenged me to think about the place of minorities in society, and to try and evaluate the human rights system from the viewpoint of those at the very bottom. Through my work here, I was able to gain advocacy and research experience, as well as an in-depth knowledge of the subject." - Margaret Swink, Yale University: Dzeno Association, Czech Republic



"The hospitality, generosity and dedication of the Afghan women I worked with made my experience in Afghanistan a life-altering one.

These strong, courageous and Muslim women activists helped me realize that female activism is possible in the Muslim context as much as the Western context.

It's the context that we need to keep in mind when we devise development strategies and these kinds of partnerships that we should support." - Shirin Sahani, Georgetown University: Omid Learning Center, Afghanistan



"On a personal level, this experience forced me to re-evaluate my definitions of poverty, lack of resources, discrimination and suffering. I came in contact with incredible people, people who have endured decades of hardship but still remained hopeful and looked to people like me with great hope that I might in some way be able to help further their cause.  Faced with the existing conditions and seemingly hopeless situation, one can only be humbled and duly impressed by their resolve and their tireless spirit." - Paula: Rights Action, Guatemala