Art in Tanzania internship program

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There is a lot I can say about Pratiksha. She is beautiful, intelligent and very loving. When I met her, I instantly recognised her sweet and gentle soul and you cannot help but feel warm when you are around her. She gave me the opportunity to interview her on her experiences here in Tanzania. So, this is the conversation that ensued.

This interview took place on 27th June 2016.

Dolly: What is your name?

Pratiksha: My name is Pratiksha Singh

D: Where are you from?

P: I am from Nepal but studying in the United States.

D: How long have you been here?

P: Almost a month.

D: How much longer are you staying?

P: One more month. I’m here for two months

D: What project are you handling?

P: Right now, I am a marketing intern. So, just trying to get funds and grant writing is what I’m mainly working on, and also, some other girls and I – some of the interns and volunteers – started the women’s initiative program. So, I’ve been busy with that, and it’s going pretty well. So, I’m very excited about that one. We’re just helping them start their business and give them ideas for business, like entrepreneurial skills and such.

D: What made you decide to come to Tanzania?

P: Well, I’ve been very interested in non-profits since the very beginning. When there was an opening for a marketing intern, I just applied, and luckily, I’m here. It’s really good to see the work that we’re doing directly impact the locals. So, that’s something that I’m really enjoying. I’m also getting to learn African culture, especially in Tanzania, since there is so much history here. It’s amazing. I’m loving it.

D: Have you done something like this before?

P: No, no, I haven’t. I hope I can do more. Come back or, you know, travel more, but no, I haven’t. I wish I had. I’m loving it.

D: Do you feel like you’re more exposed since coming here? Do you feel like you’re more exposed to the world?

P: Oh yeah! Definitely. It’s very different; like things you take for granted, you start realising it. You know, like little things –like showers and toilets – how to manage yourself, and getting to know the culture exposes you to new things and shows that the way you’ve been living is entirely different.

D: How have you found living in the volunteer house?

P: It’s fantastic, especially living with so many different people from all over the world. Some interns and volunteers are from Europe, Asia, and all over. So, it’s fantastic because I’m not only learning about African culture and how the locals live but also about the work lifestyle of other countries and different cultures. It’s amazing. Like, you’re from Nigeria (referring to me), but you study in the UK like, it’s pretty amazing because everyone is from all over so there are not boundaries.

D: How are you finding the whole experience?

P: Seeing the impact and how our work influences locals is fantastic. It’s incredible, especially with the women’s program. It’s inspiring to see how hard they work for their families and kids. So, overall, it’s been a fantastic experience, and I think these two months are ending too fast.

D: How have things been in terms of organisation?

P: Organisational-wise, I think that there is a lot of work to be done. That is what we are all here for. In terms of organisation, I think that’s something we all need to work on, like documenting what we’re doing. That’s very important for all the projects we’re working on.

D: Would you recommend this to anyone?

P: Oh yeah! Definitely. It’s a life-changing experience. I have made amazing friends over a short time period. Yeah, definitely, if you get a chance, I’ll definitely encourage you to come, as you learn about yourself a lot too because you’re by yourself and with new people, and you’re learning about yourself, a new culture, and you’re helping the community, so yeah! Definitely! 100%!

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