Goodbye Kuena and Ravicka
The time has come for us to say goodbye to the 2010 World YWCA interns, Ravicka Phillip from the YWCA of Grenada and Kuena Diaho from the YWCA of Lesotho. Throughout the year Ravicka worked with the Communications Department and Kuena Diaho contributed to the work of the Programmes Department. Ravicka and Kuena share with us the impressions and thoughts of their one year internship at the World YWCA:
Ravicka
"Living and working in Geneva has been very exciting. I am very pleased to have received this strongly desired opportunity, which was not only a learning experience in regards to the YWCA movement, but on life as a whole.
I have had many wonderful moments and my participation at the European Regional Training Institute in Estonia is one that I will forever value. It was an eye opener for me in regards to European women, to their ways of life and to the struggles that they face. It was also an experience which allowed me to see the European region from a different angle and I was very happy to have shared my experience with them and to have learnt from them.
I am convinced that with the knowledge I have gained and the experiences I have had this year, I will be able to put it into practice in my community, at my YWCA and at my job as I endeavour in my own way to create a safe world for women and girls."
Kuena
"Living in Geneva has been a wonderful experience for me and it has really given me an opportunity to interact with people from different countries, cultures and backgrounds. Finding myself amongst equally eager to learn and curious expats, interns and students, among others, has contributed towards my even deeper appreciation of the work we do here at the World YWCA, and in my home country, Lesotho.
I could write a book about working with the World YWCA. It has been a pleasure to work here and to see what goes into all the work that is presented to the Member Associations, the members, and the partners in general. The nurturing of organisational and inter-personal relationships is one of the important aspects that I learnt about and appreciate. It has been a great privilege to work with women who are dedicated to their work.
Every day at the World YWCA presented something new. What stands out in my mind is the International AIDS Conference. The Conference and the preparation around it shed more light on the issues that we speak of and advocate for.
As the internship comes to an end, there is a lot that I will certainly take with me. The experience has been enriching and there is no doubt that most things I have learned during this period will greatly benefit me in the future. I will forever remain grateful to have had the chance to be in the safe space the YWCA offers, but most of all, I wish to share the experience and to further engage in the World YWCA work that aims to make a difference in women's lives, be it within the YWCAs or in any space that allows for change in women's lives."
Congratulations to Alemtsehay and Jenta, World YWCA interns 2011
The World YWCA is delighted to announce the young women chosen to participate in the 2011 Young Women Leadership programme as one-year interns. Next year Jenta Tau from the YWCA Solomon Islands, and Alemtsehay Zergaw Gebremichael from the YWCA of Ethiopia, will join the World YWCA team in Geneva, Switzerland, for a one year, once in a lifetime opportunity.
During this time, the two young women will be exposed to a variety of leadership and skills trainings as well as the World Council and International Women’s Summit taking place in Zurich, Switzerland in July. The young women will also represent the World YWCA at the United Nations and at the NGO events and working groups. The internship will also include programme development, advocacy, communications and financial development.
