Our team members are passionate, dedicated, and committed to raising awareness about global poverty and advocating on behalf of the world’s poor. Read about some of our past interns and the amazing work they did.

 

Jamie

Jamie Garwood, Writer/Journalist, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Jamie’s Achievements:

  • Raised £529,
  • Successfully completed all articles for the programme.
  • Reached out to local Member of Parliament in support of the ODA.
  • Mobilised constituency effectively.

 

Question #1:  Since you have been with The Borgen Project, what is one thing that has surprised you so far about global poverty issues or advocacy?

I think the main thing that I have to come to realise when researching and writing about these incredibly important global issues is that of representation. I do believe that people do care for people, from all backgrounds and varying levels of quality of life and income. Even if they are likely to never have an interaction with people that require help, people do care, but will not necessarily show it by conventional means and action. I’ve therefore realised that people often need reassurance and the information needed to make a positive change in addressing poverty. 

Question #2:  What motivated you to go the extra mile in your work?

Going the extra mile in lending a hand and advocating for global poverty initiatives/support, in a way didn’t really feel like going the extra mile in a sense. I believe wholeheartedly in the goal for positive change around the world, so the motivation to go the extra mile whether it be in mobilising, campaigning and representing The Borgen Project just felt natural to me.

Question #3:  Any tips or words of advice for other team members to help them along a similar path to success?

I would recommend staying busy, staying vigilant but also open to being fearful. When it comes to addressing monumental issues like global poverty that we as humans face, it can become overwhelming and daunting – but representing these issues is a more than valuable step toward a greater end goal. 

Question #4: What have you been up to after completing your internship role with The Borgen Project?

At this current stage I am seeking employment in writing about global humanist issues, with the hope to represent the voices that are so often not represented.

 

Jonathan

Jonathan Main, Political Affairs Team Member, Falkirk, Scotland

Jonathan’s Achievements:

  • Raised £441
    • £134 from talking to people on the street about the organisation, directing them to my online fundraising page (30.29%)
    • £40 from family and friends (9.15%)
    • £28 from card business (6.4%)
    • £77 from selling terrariums (17.38%)
    • £162 from posters featuring a QR code (36.78%)
  • Attended 4 networking events.
  • Met with local Member of Parliament (President’s Circle Award).
  • Mobilised over 50 people to reach out to their MP’s (Bird-Dog Award).
  • Presented about the organisation.

 

Question #1:  Since you have been with The Borgen Project, what is one thing that has surprised you so far about global poverty issues or advocacy?

What surprised me most was the number of individuals actively willing to support efforts for enhancing the lives of the impoverished – they just needed guidance to help them advocate effectively for the cause. I was also unprepared for how fulfilling advocacy can be and how much sheer work and persistence is required to make even the smallest of changes. However, I suppose once change does happen, it’s even more satisfying and rewarding.

Question #2:  What motivated you to go the extra mile in your work?

My primary motivation simply comes down to caring about the mission. Helping to eradicate global poverty is an admirable objective and one worth supporting. Additionally, since I was one of the first interns for The Borgen Project UK, I was keen to do whatever I could to help make it a success. This ranged from setting up an initial meeting between management and a Glasgow-based MP to developing a coherent fundraising strategy – which featured the making and selling of bespoke terrariums, reaching out to family and friends (combining this with mobilisation), and forging a business deal with a small greetings-card company to receive 10% of the profits sold

Question #3:  Any tips or words of advice for other team members to help them along a similar path to success?

For any new ambassador, I encourage you to go the extra mile. Not only is it good practice for your internship, but it will also prepare you for the wider working world where effort is recognised and rewarded. I would also suggest you use all the creative skills at your disposal as they can be well-utilised for your own fundraising strategies.

Question #4: What have you been up to after completing your internship role with The Borgen Project?

Since completing my internship, I was asked to stay on as an Assistant Manager for the UK side of The Borgen Project – which I readily accepted. I have also gained employment working for a local authority as a performance analyst, where I am currently developing its first digital housing strategy.

 

Carolyn

Carolyn Burke, Nonprofit Leadership Team Member, Derby, England

Carolyn’s Achievements:

  • Raised £1,263
  • Reached out to local Member of Parliament and the FCDO in support of ODA.
  • Mobilised constituency effectively. 
  • Started the hashtag trend: #wealldobetterwhenwealldobetter (let’s keep it going)

 

Question #1:  Since you have been with The Borgen Project, what is one thing that has surprised you so far about global poverty issues or advocacy?

Can I pick two?! I was surprised, and pleased, to learn that working to eradicate global poverty is not just morally the right thing to do, but economically as well. And, that The Borgen Project has some great case studies to back this up. This, I thought, would help convince not only Government, but also the public, that if doing the right thing wasn’t motive enough, surely the economic argument would back up positive foreign policy. I remain disappointed, then, that the UK Government continues to look so short term. My belief that we need UK case studies in the UK from companies like Rolls Royce (local to me) may be optimistic, but I believe it would help get the conversation going and to strengthen the argument here in the UK.

Let’s get #wealldobetterwhenwealldobetter trending!

Secondly, I was surprised that there are so many innovative devices that can really help. For example, the LifeStraw. It made me wonder whether a campaign to raise money for this specifically would work, like the success with mosquito nets, I realise that this is perhaps beyond the scope of The Borgen Project.

Question #2:  What motivated you to go the extra mile in your work?

It’s to do with values. I believe if you can, you should. What I mean by that is, although I may have found the internship as a way to boost my CV and wanted to make a difference to others. When I started, I remembered that, through my various experiences, I have gained a good skill set and am now in a position, for example at school, to influence others. I am also in the very fortunate position not to be affected too much by the cost of living crisis – ie I can comfortably afford to feed, heat, clothe and take care of my family. This inspires me to seek out others who are also in my position and encourage them to help. We can and we should. Some of my heroes of all time are strong women who lead by this example, for example Maya Angelou once said ‘Do the best you can until you know better, then when you know better, do better’. I believe this is a good maxim to live by. No guilt, just positive action. If you can, you should.

I am the kind of person who doesn’t like to do things by half, so naturally I started off by throwing myself into the task at hand and trying to think of all the things I could try and achieve. I have had to refine that to do list and pick one or two of the ideas that I could do well within the three months, and so I tried to play to my strengths and work in areas I believed I could get things done. For example, speaking with the school council where I am chair of governors and inviting supportive foody friends to my fundraiser.

Question #3:  Any tips or words of advice for other team members to help them along a similar path to success?

I have heard others say it, but start early and choose ideas that you think you’ll enjoy. I have pushed myself out of my comfort zone, but my favourite, and I believe most successful, projects have been those that have felt right for me and fitted my personality and the people I know. Really doing the work early on to learn the charity and its work, as well as the UK context, has also been massively important.

Question #4: What have you been up to after completing your role with The Borgen Project?

One month into my internship, I was offered a job at Cancer Research UK as the product manager for their online fundraising pages. I will now focus on this and look forward to developing my career there. I will still continue to support The Borgen Project as the work has strengthened my resolve to do more to help in the spaces where I can.

I have to say, I am a mum of two and returned to paid employment. This internship has helped me immensely with reasserting confidence in myself and my abilities.