Interning for Transparency Maldives for two months during university holidays allowed me to improve my skills and gain experience at an organization making a significant impact in our society. Although I expected my time in TM to be a lot of paperwork and filing cabinets (as per all intern jobs) I was quickly proven wrong by a very supportive team around whom it was hard to feel like an intern; I not only felt like I was being listened to, but that what I said made an impact in the project. Throughout my entire time with Transparency Maldives, I was given engaging and meaningful work that made me feel like I was not only learning, but actively contributing to the organization’s goals.
Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative Right to Information Conference 2014, held in Kurumba Maldives
Sara facilitated a Democracy Talks session for students in Addu Atoll Education Centre
My time in TM coincided with a series of Monitoring and Evaluation trips around Maldives, and I was excited to accompany the team on two of them: to S.Meedhoo and Gn.Fuvahmulah. Both of the trips were an opportunity to learn about a more practical hands-on side of the work TM does and of course, a much deserved break from the office! The trips gave me crucial knowledge into how community projects and nonprofit organizations worked. I particularly enjoyed co-facilitating Democracy Talks in the schools as it was a chance to engage with the children and raise awareness about positive citizens and democracy.The chance to help in the organization of an international symposium on the Right to Information towards the end of my internship was definitely the highlight of my time in TM. Overseeing the logistical details of the conference was particularly demanding, educational and rewarding.
Sara Naseem
Civic Participation Project Intern