What did you care about when you were in the fifth grade?
Getting A’s or +‘s on your report card? Riding your bike? Whether you’d make the first rounds in being chosen for a kickball team?
How about what would happen when you left school to walk a mile by yourself to use the bathroom?
Your school probably had restrooms. And you wouldn’t dare walk home by yourself, even if your house was within a mile from your school. You likely didn’t have to worry about this.
Khadija did.
Khadija’s story.
Talking toilets — it’s not comfortable. But Khadija’s eager. She stands straight up, hands at her sides, in her school’s small yard, waiting patiently in the misty aftermath of Bangladesh’s heavy rain.
She politely answers questions: her age, who her friends are, where she lives, what she wants to be when she grows up. But it’s obvious Khadija is ready to get to the real stuff.
She wants to tell the story of how toilets brought her back to school.
A year and a half ago, No. 57 Government Primary School didn’t have a bathroom. At first, Khadija tried using the fields close to school, so she wouldn’t have to miss so much class. She’d have a friend stand guard so that no one else could watch or bother her.
But this became “too troublesome” — two people missing class instead of one. So Khadija and her friends started using the toilets of neighbors that lived near school.
In bright green uniforms, Khadija and her classmates stood out as they walked about 20 minutes along the street to strangers’ houses to take care of their business. Boys in the neighborhood would follow them, yell at them, sometimes throw things at them. One day, a crew of kids crushed stones on top of Khadija’s head.
The teasing was about being girls, but it was mostly about being poor. “You go to the school for the absolute poor people,” they taunted. “You have to go someplace else to get water — to beg for water!”
And the retribution wasn’t just from kids. The school’s neighbors were not happy about kids using their private restrooms.
“They’d ask our teachers, ‘Can’t your students pay to use the bathroom?’” Khadija recalls. “They’d say a lot of things to our teachers, but mostly to us.”
Embarrassment set in. Khadija started missing school to walk home alone and use the toilet at her house. Her walk increased to about two-thirds of a mile; with more time on the road by herself, the harassment increased, too.
“I’d feel really bad coming to school,” Khadija said. “I’d tell my parents that the latrines at the school are bad and because the boys are bullies, I shouldn’t have to go to school.”
Last year, she missed 15 days of school as a result. In the United States, many public schools expel you if you miss more than 10 days in a year (unexcused absences).
And Khadija’s count was actually quite low. Out of the school year’s 229 days, the average days missed by No. 57 Narayanpur Government Primary students each year was 35 full days.
Girls specifically averaged 33 days missed; sometimes for sickness — 20% of students suffered from water-related diarrhea, dysentery or skin diseases last year — and sometimes to avoid harassment.
Khadija speaks about these problems in the past-tense because they’re a recent memory for her.
Now, she and more than 300 others at her school have separate latrines for boys and girls, installed by our partner Concern Worldwide. The students and teachers also received training in handwashing, personal hygiene, disease prevention and menstrual hygiene.
All of this has helped drive down the rates of waterborne illness by 15%.
The kids are healthier but more kids show up for school each day, too. Attendance and enrollment have both increased; now, 100% of students in Khadija’s area attend school.
And reports of harassment have fallen by 8%. Khadija told us she feels safer at school; she’s not the only one. Across Shariatpur, Concern Worldwide found that the increase in girls’ attendance was directly due to the decrease in abuse and harassment.
“I use the bathroom at the school — I no longer have to run to my house,” Khadija said. “Now, we don’t have those problems.”
There’s no guarantee that Khadija will never be teased again. Nor is there certainty that she’ll never have another water-related illness. But as she quickly ducked back into her classroom, narrowly missing the rain that started pelting the palms surrounding No. 57 Primary, one thing was for sure: this girl wasn’t going to miss anymore class if she could help it.
– Mo Scarpelli
charity: water multimedia producer
Why toilets?
We often get asked these two big questions about our projects that include sanitation (toilets):
Why are you putting money towards toilets? That’s not water.
Access to clean water is just the first step to reducing diseases. Safe water alone can cut the chance of diarrheal disease by 21%. But hygiene practices (like simple handwashing) with sanitation can drive disease rates down nearly 45%.
Health is one thing; dignity is another. Girls in developing countries are likely to drop out of school as soon as they hit puberty, i.e., when they start their period. Wouldn’t you, without a private, clean place to use the restroom and wash? Toilets built at schools have been shown to increase attendance, especially among girls.
What’s so bad about just going outside?
The privacy issue plays into this (explained above). And maybe you’ve squatted outside while camping sometime in your life — you’d think it’s no big deal. But imagine if all the members of your community were doing their business right in their — and your — backyards every time they had to go. Imagine that you walked to school or the store or work through trails of other peoples’ excrement.
People living in areas with open defecation live every day with a high risk of getting and spreading waterborne illnesses. And while diarrhea may be something you can cure with a little Pepto here, in developing countries, it’s often deadly, especially for kids under the age of five.
More about Concern Worldwide’s work in Bangladesh.
charity: water’s projects for schools in Shariatpur, Bangladesh, are part of the Amader School Project, a program implemented and managed by our local partner, Concern Worldwide.
ASP launched in Oct. 2006 and has since improved education and student health for more than 150 schools across Bangladesh.
The goal is to improve learning achievement in the classroom, increase attendance and retention of students and to make sure the poorest families have access to education.
Water and sanitation projects are an essential piece of ASP. Through charity: water’s projects at schools in Bangladesh, more than 59,000 people have received access to clean drinking water and latrines.
Concern’s local teams manage project construction and form local groups to look after the projects and handle hygiene training. They work with the local government to test the water quality of each well. And, they gather data from each area to track the impact of the projects.
Here’s how Concern’s ASP program uses water and sanitation to bring kids to (and keep them in) school:
Khadija’s story is just one example of how water and sanitation projects at schools can make kids at these schools healthier, more prepared to learn — and even safer. We’re proud to partner with Concern Worldwide to enact change at schools in Bangladesh.
Meet our incredible Spring 2019 interns! As you’ll soon see, they’re a pretty fun group. We’ll miss having them around the office everyday, but thanks to their hard work and dedication, the impact they’ve had will continue to be felt long after their internships end.
MEET THE TEAM:
Erin Taylor
Water Programs Intern From: Westerville, Ohio School: The Fashion Institute of Technology Studying: Entrepreneurship
What do you like the most about your internship at charity: water and our culture? I like the freedom to move about the office and work wherever! I also really like that it’s encouraged to get to know people outside of your department.
What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned while interning at charity: water? I learned a lot about grant implementation and the importance of clean data.
Zach Fembleaux
Rev Ops Intern From: Kinnelon, New Jersey School: Northeastern University Studying: Global Health and Development with a concentration in Sub-Saharan Africa
What do you like the most about your internship at charity: water and our culture? The thing I like the most about the internship is the fact that we are truly treated as team members. The best part of charity: water culture is transparency. It is what sets us apart from most charities.
What do you like most about the internship program? I love the amount of opportunities to learn through brown bags, meetings, town halls, and 1:1 meetings with team members.
Nihar Bhagat
Water Programs Intern From: Mumbai, India School: Pace University Studying: Information Systems
What do you like most about the internship program? Freedom to learn anything you have the curiosity for.
Lily Kim
Graphic Design Intern From: China School: Pratt Institute Studying: Graphic Design
Ellie Tillotson
Key Relationships WPS Intern From: Seattle, Washington School: San Diego State University Studying: Health Communication
What do you like the most about your internship at charity: water and our culture? This is my third internship. charity: water is something special. I look forward to coming into the office not only because the work I’m doing matters, but because the people surrounding me lift me up everyday. No question is dumb; everyone is continually learning and growing—professionally and personally—together.
What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned while interning at charity: water? You should never settle. This workplace makes me realize that there is an environment where you can have it all. A place where I can ask my questions, share my ideas, and continually grow while building relationships that matter and working towards the shared, attainable goal of clean water for everyone. The charity: water environment is unlike any other. It’s hard to find the words for how empowered you feel entering this space every day.
Jonathan Lesser
Water Programs Intern From: East Hampton, New York School: Columbia University Studying: Environmental Science and Policy
What do you like the most about your internship at charity: water and our culture? I love the feeling of coming into the office. The whole place exudes a sense of steady purpose. Everyone here accepts charity: water’s mission as their own, so even when people are not trying to share their values and inspirations, they wind up inspiring me.
What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned while interning at charity: water? The BIGGEST thing is probably the scale of the water crisis, and the most amazing thing is probably its solvability, despite the scale. On an organizational level, it has been an eye opening experience to try to wrap my head around all the moving parts at charity: water, and I am grateful for the insight this internship has given me into how an innovative and successful charity can operate.
Marisol Santana
Accounting Intern
From: Altadena, California School: The King’s College Studying: Finance
What do you like the most about your internship at charity: water and our culture? I like that I’ve been able to apply everything I learned in the classroom to my tasks at charity: water. I also enjoyed getting out of my comfort zone and learning from kind professionals in finance and accounting. I appreciate how willing and open everyone is to have conversations, give me advice, and answer my questions.
Ann Marie Carlson
Brand Partnerships Intern From Greensboro, North Carolina School: The King’s College Studying: Finance
Madeline Marona
Key Relationships Intern From: Los Angeles, California School: The King’s College Studying: Politics, Philosophy, and Economics with minors in International Affairs and Theology
What do you like the most about your internship at charity: water and our culture? I loved the atmosphere at charity: water. Everyone is on the same page when it comes to positivity and hard work. But kindness and generosity are still weaved into everyone’s interactions so I never felt any pressure to be perfect.
What do you like most about the internship program? The flexibility, and the ability to learn from everyone in the office. I never felt limited to just Key Relationships and helped out a lot in other departments.
Rachel Bass
The Well Intern From: Raleigh, North Carolina School: The King’s College Studying: Politics, Philosophy, and Economics
What do you like the most about your internship at charity: water and our culture? I love charity: water’s focus on transparency and collaboration!
What do you like most about the internship program? I enjoy having a range of assigned projects. Whether I am sending out birthday gifts or updating spreadsheets, I love doing meaningful work for the organization that helps solve the water crisis!
Jennifer Chan
Donor Research Intern From: Westchester, New York School: New York University Studying: Finance, Computing, and Data Science with a minor in Psychology
What do you like the most about your internship at charity: water and our culture? The welcoming and positive atmosphere. Everyone is willing to take effort and time to get to know you as a person and offer help and support. I loved learning practical life lessons from so many different awesome people at charity: water.
What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned while interning at charity: water? It is essential to cultivate meaningful relationships, both personally and professionally. Awesome to learn how charity: water can bring people together from all over the world across so many different industries under the same mission.
Lydia Van Der Swaagh
Key Relationships Intern From: Manhattan, NY School: Columbia University Studying: Art History and Classics
Jimmy Cheung
Creative Intern From: Hong Kong, China School: School of Visual Arts Studying: Photo and Video
What do you like the most about your internship at charity: water and our culture? I like how everyone shares the same headspace and works toward the same goal. It’s something that’s not easily observed from my previous experiences.
What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned while interning at charity: water? So many things. Transparency, brand, content, storytelling, relationships with supporters/donors/corporations….
(P.S. Jimmy captured and created all of the videos in this post! Thanks, Jimmy!)
Each season we have the opportunity to work with a group of passionate and diligent interns who support our staff in incredible ways. From developing new skills to building relationships, our interns are a crucial part of the charity: water team. Meet our amazing spring interns!
Julia Hammond
School: Fordham University Team: Key Relationships Hometown: Essex, CT
Why did you want to intern at charity: water? I learned about charity: water a few years ago through social media, and the organization’s mission as well as the hopeful, beautiful branding immediately caught my attention. It made me stop to think about the sheer number of people who spend hours every day hauling unclean, unhealthy water, and realize what clean water can mean for an individual, especially girls and women. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to be a part of charity: water and help people around the world get access to the lifeline and the opportunities that clean & safe drinking water provide.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you? I usually grab my computer and a cup of coffee and check my emails and calendar. Then, I usually spend my time collecting and organizing data to help our Key Relationships team keep in contact with our amazing donors! I also send a lot of thank you notes to donors that sponsor entire water projects.
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water? The people! I love coming into work and immediately feeling all the positive, creative, motivated energy that fills this space. The Key Relationships team is full of amazingly talented, smart, funny, and kind staff & interns that inspire me every day. I also really love learning about the way nonprofits are run, and learning about all the different people and departments that keep this place going!
What is your favorite NYC hangout? I’m a total foodie, so when I have the time, I’m usually running all over the city looking for delicious food & dessert – there’s too many awesome neighborhoods to pick just one! I’m also incredibly lucky to go to school right next to the New York Botanical Garden, which is another favorite of mine.
Fun Fact: My dream job is to be a photojournalist and work for National Geographic.
Ami Patel
School: University of Warwick Team: Key Relationships Hometown: England
Why did you want to intern at charity: water? I enjoyed reading about all the work charity: water had done and the different ways people had been supporting them. I was excited to be part of an organization that is passionate about making a difference, and one where my work would support those that are not getting the opportunities they deserve.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you? I like coming in and making myself a cup of coffee, and then checking my calendar for anything I need to attend that day. The main project I am currently working on is researching major donors. I also help my manager with other smaller tasks such as updating information on NetSuite and mailing gifts to donors.
What is your favourite part of interning at charity: water My favourite part is the people I get to work with. Everyone is very welcoming and willing to answer any questions. I am excited to get to know the people in the organization.
What is your favourite NYC hangout? My favourite NYC hangout is Astoria Park.
Fun Fact: I lived in England for 22 years before moving to New York City last July.
Elizabeth Logan
School: The King’s College Team: Production Hometown: Asheville, North Carolina
Why did you want to intern at charity: water? I have friends who interned at charity: water in the past and they all loved it. I didn’t want an internship where I ran to get coffee every day instead of actually working, so after hearing the reviews of this program I knew it was a perfect fit.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you? I typically come in and answer any emails I might have, then I start on any tasks that Laura and Johanna assigned to me. Sometimes I have to make itineraries for Scott or send merchandise to the UK office or go see a venue. Every day is a little different!
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water? The people that work at charity: water are my favorite part of this internship. Everyone here has been very kind and open, which I’m very appreciative of.
What is your favorite NYC hangout? I love the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. I lived right next to it for my first two years in the city so it’s a like a little piece of home.
Fun Fact: My favorite movies are Good Will Hunting and Tangled.
Maxi Rodriguez
School: NYU Team: Marketing Hometown: San Diego, CA
Why did you want to intern at charity: water? I found out about charity: water recently when I moved to NYC. An Instagram influencer that I follow posted about charity: water and I decided to learn more about it. I quickly realized that charity: water was different and was drawn in by the commitment to transparency and honesty (something I wasn’t used to seeing a lot of in other nonprofits). I decided it would be a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the inner workings of a charitable organization and help guide me in choosing a possible career path.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you? I’m usually at the front desk, so my day begins by listening to the voicemails left on the Dialpad as well as reading through the call logs and either triaging them to other team members or taking care of it as best I can. If I’m not answering phone calls or greeting visitors while at the desk, I’m usually responding to inquiries that come through the Help Center or info@. Additionally, I’m assisting Annalise with any other tasks that come up (ie. shipping out supporter mail, communicating with students, or providing supporter to fundraisers)
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water? I really enjoy hearing people’s stories. And I think charity: water supporters have some of the best stories to tell. Whether it’s why they decided to donate or what their giving experience has taught them, hearing our supporters express their joy and excitement for the cause is always so awesome!
What is your favorite NYC hangout? You can almost always find me eating at a Sweetgreen or at Pier 40 playing in a pick-up soccer game. NYC has so many cool places to explore, so I like putting on my sneakers and going on a run across town to really appreciate all it has to offer.
Fun Fact: I’m a huge Manchester United supporter and got to see them play when they went to California last year. Next thing to check off the bucket list: The World Cup!
Danielle Gleason
School: LIM Team: Key Relationships Hometown: Swiftwater, PA
Why did you want to intern at charity: water? In the spring semester of 2017, I took a nonprofit management and cause marketing course to learn more about nonprofits. For the final project in my nonprofit management course, we had to do a research project on an NYC nonprofit. After a quick search, I came across charity: water and immediately wanted to learn all I could. After completing my research project I was eager to learn even more about charity: water and knew I wanted to apply for an internship position.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you? When I come into the office the first thing I do is get myself a cup of hot water for tea. I do this first thing because the water is so hot that it takes at least 40 minutes to reach a drinkable temperature. My typical daily tasks consist of mailing out birthday gifts, mailing out packages, working on projects given to me by my manager, attending meetings, and helping out with intern requests when I can!
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water? For me, doing a research project on charity: water and now being here as an intern a year later is very rewarding. I love how transparent, honest, and real everyone at charity: water is.
What is your favorite NYC hangout? Being a homebody, my favorite NYC hangout is my room. I really enjoy hanging out at home and escaping the busy city lifestyle. When I do venture out, I love to go to the movies!
Fun Fact: I do not like avocados or coffee.
Henry Thomas
School: The King’s College Team: Finance Hometown: Nashville, TN
Why did you want to intern at charity: water? As a student studying Finance, I jumped at the opportunity to take part in charity: water’s unique 100% Model. The Finance department is crucial to maintaining the organization’s core values, and I enjoy taking part in their meaningful work.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you? Imagine: excel spreadsheets, tax receipts, and a lot of one-on-one communications with donors. While that may not be most people’s’ idea of a fun day, I love it!
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water? The people - I can honestly say the accountants at charity: water are some of the coolest and funniest people I’ve ever met.
What is your favorite NYC hangout? Brooklyn Promenade
Fun Fact: When I’m not crunching numbers, I’m shooting pictures. I especially love photographing “urban ruins.” I’ve found and explored abandoned schools, hospitals, prisons, and even a nuclear power plant!
Julia Biango
School: Columbia University Team: Water Programs Hometown: Myrtle Beach, SC
Why did you want to intern at charity: water? I intern for charity: water in order to learn the ins and outs of development programming and to gain this knowledge at an organization whose values align with mine.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you? A typical day for me involves scouring through grants to make greater sense out of the data we have collected throughout our extensive program portfolio.
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water? The exposure and incredible learning opportunity—I feel grateful for having been given the responsibilities and the access to learn so thoroughly about what we do and how we do it. Also, the snacks rock.
What is your favorite NYC hangout? If I have free time, you can most likely catch me at one of the many music venues throughout Brooklyn.
School: Evangel University Team: People and Culture Hometown: Jamaica, NY
Why did you want to intern at charity: water? I wanted to intern charity: water because from the moment I learned about the organization I could not get it out of my mind. I learned about charity: water while looking for a job and the internship was posted. I had never heard much about the organization before then. I decided to do research about the organization and completely believed in the heart and mission. After watching countless videos and reading various stories I knew I wanted to be a part of this in anyway possible.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you? Honestly, a typical day at the office is almost nonexistent. I could be helping with an internal event, running around with a ladder or just assisting Joy Caroline. It all depends on what is the priority at that time.
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water? My favorite part of interning at charity:water is the people/culture. I have had the opportunity to learn from so many people through conversations and simply watching them work diligently. They are incredibly passionate about their work!
What is your favorite NYC hangout? I love experiencing new things. Having grown up in NYC it sometimes feels like I have seen most of New York, however I have recently discovered New York looks a lot different than it did when I was a teenager. I often try to spend the weekend doing something new. Right now the highline is one of my favorites.
Fun Fact: I used to compete in spoken word competitions.
Katherine Mills
School: Fordham University Team: Brand Partnerships Hometown: Nashville, TN
Why did you want to intern at charity: water? I wanted to intern at charity: water because I have always been a fan of the organization since I originally was introduced to it. I think it is amazing how simple the mission seems, to bring clean and safe drinking water to all people, yet that one cause can affect and touch so many other aspects of the lives that are affected. I specifically feel passionate about the way that women and young girls are impacted by our water projects. They are getting back the time that used to be spent trekking to get water and being able to invest that time into education and even starting small businesses.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you? My typical day is always changing! I assist the Brand Partnerships team doing a variety of tasks. It could be anything from responding to emails from prospective corporate partners, to designing one-pagers, to helping compile and construct donor impact reports.
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water? My favorite part so far has been the people I get to work with. Everyone is genuinely so nice and ready to help or give advice. Everyone is uplifting and the whole office has a great and overall positive vibe to it. Also, the sparkling water machine in the kitchen is a definite perk.
What is your favorite NYC hangout? My favorite thing to do in NYC is to try new things! Whether it be trying new restaurants, cuisines, art museums, or music venues, I like to try and switch it up every weekend. Anything that has a great view, rooftop, or is by the water, are also automatic favorites of mine. I love to be outdoors.
Fun Fact: I am going to be spending my summer in Granada, Spain studying and living with a Spanish family! I don’t speak any Spanish.
We broke a record this year when we hired 21 amazingly talented and incredibly passionate interns to work alongside our team for the summer. We feel so lucky to have found such an awesome group of young world-changers and are extremely grateful for their hard work and dedication over the past few months. Say hello to our 2017 summer interns!
Nikita Benson School: NYU Team:Finance Hometown: Muscat, Oman
Why did you want to intern at charity: water?
The post-water project completion efforts to monitor, evaluate, and ensure sustainability by locals seems like something missing from a lot of development programs, though a vital part of the solution. Also, the large picture of Caroline in the reception really moved me, not something I was expecting to feel.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you?
I’m working on a specific project looking into the foreign currency exchange losses sustained by partners, so most of my day is focused on that. Sometimes I work on smaller Excel related tasks.
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?
The Finance team seems really jolly, so it’s nice to watch people laughing and looking happy!
What is your favorite NYC hangout?
Seriously, it’s the L train at night
Fun Fact: I used to ice-skate competitively and now I’m a lapsed skater with skates that have needed breaking into for the last 2 years.
Jessica Jang School: Binghamton University Team: Key Relationships Hometown: St. James, NY
Why did you want to intern at charity: water?
I fell in love with charity: water’s mission, and I wanted to contribute to something that influenced the world outside my little bubble. Why not be a part of such inspiring and impactful work?
What does a typical day in the office look like for you?
I’m usually updating lots of numbers and working on updates to send to donors about their water project sponsorships.
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?
My favorite part is the people and their hard work and passion for what they do. The office environment is a huge part of making everyday fun and exciting! I love hearing the amazing stories from people I work with, people who support us, and people we help.
What is your favorite NYC hangout?
I love exploring new foods so you can most likely find me trying a new place to eat. That or finding a nice spot in Central Park to relax with friends.
Fun Fact: I have played a 9ft Steinway piano at Carnegie Hall.
Jill McInerney The George Washington University Key Relationships Warren, NJ
Why did you want to intern at charity: water?
I wanted to learn how non-profit organizations run and charity: water was the perfect fit! charity: water’s mission and model to solve the water crisis spoke to me, so I knew I wanted to work here.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you?
My day usually starts with chatting with my fellow KR interns about anything from everyone’s weekend/days off to celebrity gossip. For lunch, I grab a bite to eat from one of the various cafes in the area then sit in the Flex space and eat/laugh with all the KR interns. The typical work I do for Maria consists of donor research, sending updates to donors, buying and sending cool gifts, and inputting data into Salesforce/excel spreadsheets.
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?
My favorite part about interning for charity: water is the all around positivity and amazing energy in the office. Everyone is so passionate about what they are doing making charity: water an unbelievable place to work.
What is your favorite NYC hangout?
Any rooftop that has a great view and great vibes
Fun Fact: I am extremely interested in history!
Maeve Kennard School: USC Team: Water Programs Hometown: Wilton, CT
Why did you want to intern at charity: water?
Last summer I had the opportunity to work with the Water Programs team on various data projects. I fell in love with the organization and the work I was doing and had trouble seeing myself at any internship that was not charity: water. I knew that I would not receive a more valuable experience outside of charity: water and had to come back to continue to learn about the organization and see how it continues to grow and adapt.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you?
I spend most of my days working on various Water Programs data projects, whether they are cleaning Household Data Sets and analyzing the success of various water projects, or helping to create comprehensive Water Point Site Lists to better track past projects.
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?
It is definitely a tie between the day to day work and the people. I love working with the data sets and understanding the true impact of all of the water projects. But the people here are also some of the most interesting and hard working people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Everyone has such a different story and brings such unique skills to the organization that there is never a shortage of knowledge to learn and share.
What is your favorite NYC hangout?
Any rooftop with a cool view and good food
Fun Fact: I used to be allergic to the cold weather when I was younger (which I didn’t even realize was possible) and after spending 3 years in California with minimal winter exposure, that allergy has started to come back.
Noëlle Elmore School: The King’s College Team: Supporter Experience Hometown: Mobile, AL
Why did you want to intern at charity: water?
I read a book called “Half the Sky” in high school, and ever since I’ve been super passionate about women’s issues, especially in developing countries. Friends from my college told me about charity: water, and after reading about the massive effect that clean water can have on women and children, I was sold. I know I want to do some kind of international non-profit work when I graduate, so interning at charity: water is perfect!
What does a typical day in the office look like for you?
My job is mainly focused on the Help Center - I help supporters with any questions they have while campaigning or donating to charity: water. I reallocate donations, help set-up campaigns, and ship Jerry Cans! Lately, I’ve been helping with a Marketing initiative to personally thank every single campaigner, which is time-consuming but so amazing!
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?
Well, the bean bag chairs, trail mix, and Beer + Pizza Fridays are definitely big contenders, but I have to say that my favorite thing is the staff’s attitude towards interns. My manager gives me meaningful projects to work on and I can work independently, knowing that everyone here is willing to help/advise/support me anytime I need it. The staff makes a point to get to know the interns and bring them into the charity: water community.
What is your favorite NYC hangout?
There’s an amazing sushi place in KTown on 32nd street. It’s in a 3 story building filled with all different types of Asian food vendors. I like to pick up sushi and miso from there, maybe some bubble tea, and then sit in Herald Square to people-watch (cause tourists are hilarious).
Fun Fact: I’m a Star Wars super fan! My family and I marathon all the movies every Christmas, we own every action figure ever made, I’ve read the Star Wars encyclopedia cover-to-cover, and my Dad’s prized possession is a piece of Darth Vader’s original cape.
Lily Patterson School: Fordham University Team: Water Programs Hometown: Cape Cod, MA
Why did you want to intern at charity: water?
My high school hosted a gala to benefit charity: water during my sophomore year and I have been following the organization ever since. I interned with Taina in the Fall of 2016 and she made it such a positive experience that I jumped at the first chance I had to come back!
What does a typical day in the office look like for you?
I typically come in, grab a cup of coffee, and then the first thing I do is look through my emails. Beyond that, what I do varies each day depending on what the Water Programs team needs, from WASH research to cleaning up grant cards.
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?
The people are some of the friendliest and most open that I have ever met and I love getting to know everyone. The coffee doesn’t hurt either!
What is your favorite NYC hangout?
I love hanging out in Central Park with my dad and watching the different baseball leagues play.
Fun Fact: I can assemble any item from IKEA in record time and genuinely enjoy it.
Julia Briggs School: The King’s College Team: Office Operations Hometown: I moved 15 times growing up, so everywhere
Why did you want to intern at charity: water?
I know many previous interns from charity: water through my college and hearing their stories showed me the incredible impact that charity: water has on the world, so I knew I had to be a part of it.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you?
As the Office Experience Intern, I help maintain the office with our Office Experience Manager, Jordan. Whether it be through ordering snacks and supplies, setting up for Beer + Pizza, or tidying the office during my daily walk around.
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?
Being able to explain the work that charity: water is doing and seeing people’s faces as they realize what an impact it has on the world.
What is your favorite NYC hangout?
Any and all coffee shops! There are some great ones throughout the city!
Fun Fact: I am starting my thesis on the Influence of Cultural Perspectives on Holocaust Literature next semester at The University of Oxford in England!
I had the opportunity to intern with charity: water last summer and couldn’t wait to come back! Working at charity: water is incredibly inspiring, challenging and a lot of fun. I study International Development and I’m particularly interested in issues of public health, something that those without access to clean and safe drinking water struggle with daily.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you?
I work with the amazing Anna Azarjew, so I usually start my day checking in with her and catching up on work while lounging on the couch next to her desk. Throughout the day you can find me developing resources for students and teachers and speaking with our awesome supporters.
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?
My coworkers! I’m constantly inspired by the energy, dedication, and experience of this staff. Anna is the Lorelai to my Rory.
What is your favorite NYC hangout?
This answer definitely changes based on the season, but I would say my favorite summer NYC hang out is Central Park.
Fun Fact: I spent a summer walking across Spain.
Evan Keare School: Harvard-Westlake School Team: Water Programs Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Why did you want to intern at charity: water?
I’ve been passionate about volunteer work and service my entire life. About a year ago my uncle retweeted The Spring video, and it came up on my Twitter feed so I watched it. I was so moved and inspired that I knew I at least had to try to apply for an internship!
What does a typical day in the office look like for you?
It changes every day! On any given day, I might be organizing and filing grant documents, keeping content bank and internal keynotes up to date, or doing whatever Christoph asks me to do for him that day.
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?
The space and the people for sure. The office is absolutely incredible and I love being able to work in such an open, comfortable, and fun place. The people are all so intelligent and passionate and come from all different walks of life, so it’s been really fun to get to know everyone.
What is your favorite NYC hangout?
I love Pier 26 just a few blocks away from the office. There are tables and chairs looking over the river surrounded by a volleyball court, a basketball court, and a skate park. It’s a beautiful place to watch the sunset!
Fun Fact: I learned how to solve a Rubik's Cube in 60 seconds when I was in third grade!
Yanyan Luo School: NYU Team: Finance Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
Why did you want to intern at charity: water?
I highly value when NGOs are accountable and transparent in how they allocate their funds. Thus charity: water’s 100% model really inspired me to want to be a part of the team.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you?
Entering donations into NetSuite, and assisting Yohanny (or anyone else on the Finance team) in daily tasks as needed.
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?
The friendliness of the staff and the amazing office space.
What is your favorite NYC hangout?
Carl Schwarz Park and Central Park
Fun Fact: I had always dreamt of being a professional pianist when I was young!
Thomas Newell School: Brigham Young University Team: Key Relationships Hometown: Provo, UT
Why did you want to intern at charity: water?
About a year ago, I listened to charity: water CEO Scott Harrison talk about the water crisis on the Bill Simmons podcast. I had always been interested in charity work in the developing world, but had never considered water to be such a foundational part of the effort. I determined that I would do my part to help end the water crisis and undertook a year-long endeavor to make my way from Provo, UT to New York City to be involved with charity: water, its mission, and its people.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you?
Come in early to an office filled with wonderful people, communicate with my direct supervisor in the UK, and then get to work either researching potential charity: water supporters, helping the newly minted UK operations team move smoothly, or building up our database for the UK as charity: water becomes a household name.
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?
Being involved in something that is truly meaningful.
What is your favorite NYC hangout?
Any basketball park–whether it’s Rucker, West 4th, or Dyckman. I love to get out and see basketball in its Mecca here in NYC.
Fun Fact: After New York, my wife and I will be moving to London to pursue a Master’s degree and completely empty our pockets living in another of the world’s most expensive cities.
Maya Rudolph School: University at Albany, SUNY Team: Key Relationships Hometown: Parsippany, NJ
Why did you want to intern at charity: water?
I wanted to intern at charity: water because I wanted to experience working for a mission driven organization that had the capacity and drive to make an incredible impact. I was eager to learn about the inner workings of a large non-profit, alongside charity: water’s unique 100% model.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you?
I rarely know what to expect each day, but I love that there is always a surprise in store. My responsibilities vary in accordance to the fast-paced tempo of the office. Some days, we sit in on team meetings to learn from the Key Relationships representatives, whereas others involve researching donors or prepping the office for guest visits. My manager always has sound, knowledgeable advice or an intriguing task for me to complete.
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?
I love my team! The Key Relationships team is chock-full of powerful, inspiring women (and one great male intern). I love to learn from them each day about how to be fearless in my work and break down barriers. My co-interns are wonderful as well - certainly life-long friends!
What is your favorite NYC hangout?
Any place on the water! Whether it be the East River, the Hudson, or lakeside in Central Park, I love to sit down with a good read and enjoy the view of the water ahead and the breathtaking skyline behind.
Fun Fact: I stand only as tall as three Jerry Cans stacked!
Sam Benevelli School: Hamilton College Team: Key Relationships Hometown: Madison, CT
Why did you want to intern at charity: water?
Anyone I interviewed with or spoke to about charity: water was so passionate about their work and about solving the world water crisis. These are the people that made the job listing come to life and got me very excited about this opportunity.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you?
A typical day in the office for me involves donor research.
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?
My favorite part of interning at charity: water is my coworkers. From the other amazing interns to my fabulous managers, everyone here makes it easy to love coming to work.
What is your favorite NYC hangout?
My favorite NYC hangout is Washington Square Park.
Fun Fact: I can sing every song from Hamilton the Musical!
Antony Wolfe-Cowen School: Cornell University Team: Brand Partnerships Hometown: London, UK
Why did you want to intern at charity: water?
After watching Scott’s TED Talk a few years back, I was inspired by charity: water’s bold mission and commitment to bringing clean and safe drinking water to 663 million people across developing parts of the world. I was also fascinated by the way in which charity: water has revolutionized the traditional non-profit model and is leveraging innovative technologies across the organization to make their positive impact sustainable and quantifiable. Moreover, the unique opportunity to be charity: water’s first official MBA Intern, with the permission to co-create and structure the role alongside the Director of Partnerships, greatly appealed to me.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you?
I spend a large proportion of the day working on the projects and related tasks that have been assigned to me over the summer. One exciting project that I am focused on currently is centered around the business case development for the next stage of a newly formed partnership. The goal here is to understand the potential impact of the venture’s growth and how we could integrate technology to make the program more seamless after the initial pilot phase.
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?
Contributing to an organization that is bettering the lives of millions of people around the world is of course hugely rewarding. It’s also great working alongside smart, driven, creative and incredibly passionate people who care deeply about the mission of the organization. The energy in the office is infectious!
What is your favorite NYC hangout?
As I love to take photos, I have to say the Tudor City Overpass; it’s the perfect spot to catch the sunset, especially during Manhattanhenge.
Fun Fact: Sacha Baren Cohen is in my family tree, although we sadly don’t know each other.
Bryn Melanson School: UNC Chapel Hill Team: Brand Partnerships Hometown: Boston, MA
Why did you want to intern at charity: water?
I wanted to work for an innovative mission driven organization with an amazing culture.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you?
I help support the Brand Partnerships team with partnership inquiries, manage relationships with current brand partners, and research and develop creative ideas for potential partners to get involved.
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?
Definitely the people. The energy is magnetic and everyone likes to work hard, but have a great time while doing it.
What is your favorite NYC hangout?
I love the West Village, there are so many great restaurants and things to do!
Fun Fact: I have my PADI Scuba Diving Certification and I was a DI rower.
Casey Brown School: University of Kansas Team: Key Relationships Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Why did you want to intern at charity: water?
I was so inspired by charity: water and their mission. Knowing the impact that the organization has and continues to make only made me more passionate about being a part of the team.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you?
I usually come in and catch up with the KR team for a bit, and then head straight into putting notes into Salesforce, sending packages and helping my amazing manager Brady Essmann with anything she needs for the day.
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?
charity: water has provided me with experiences and tools that I will carry with me long after the summer is over. I have learned so much by both observing and by the hands on approach they have here at charity: water. I love the fun exciting energy, and the always warm and comforting environment the office creates each day.
What is your favorite NYC hangout?
I love running through Central Park! There is so much to explore! I could keep running for hours!
Fun Fact: I am an expert on all things Broadway!
Megan Daly School: Indiana University Team: Guest Experience and Office Operations Hometown: Dyer, IN
Why did you want to intern at charity: water?
I wanted to intern at charity: water because I heard about their mission and purpose on a podcast and got so pumped about what they are doing! Being a Nonprofit major, I have also always wanted to work with an organization that is doing the kind life-changing work that charity: water does.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you?
Typically, I get to sit up front and answer the phone and talk to our wonderful donors! I answer their questions or help them with any issues they might have. I also get to greet and welcome guests as they come into our office!
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?
I love learning more and more about the organization and the different roles that people play in accomplishing their mission. The people at charity: water are so passionate about what they do and have so much to share and teach!
What is your favorite NYC hangout?
I spend a lot of time in Central Park! It’s my favorite place to get away from the busy streets and go for a run or picnic with friends.
Fun Fact: I can, in fact, lick my elbow!
Leah Havens School: The University of Texas at Austin Team: Water Programs Hometown: Austin, TX
Why did you want to intern at charity: water?
charity: water is working to solve one of the largest problems of our time. As a civil engineer who is passionate about using my skills in the context of international development, working for charity: water has been a dream. With an innovative business model AND innovative solutions in the field, charity: water is leading the way in getting clean water and sanitation to people who need it, and I am honored to be a small part of it!
What does a typical day in the office look like for you?
A typical day in the office involves lots of coffee, tea, and snacks and wonderful meetings with the Water Programs team. Beyond that, I spend my time researching the solutions funded by charity: water and looking at data that we’ve collected through surveys in the countries we work in.
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?
The work space is one of the most inspiring places that I’ve ever existed in. From the people and the artwork to the awesome welcome mat, I feel motivated to be a part of something bigger the second I walk through the doors.
What is your favorite NYC hangout?
A wonderful coffee shop called The Outpost in Brooklyn. They have provided me with endless sandwiches and coffee and have a dope patio.
Fun Fact: I can never be president. My dad was in the Army, and I was born in Frankfurt in a German hospital. Womp.
Sadiq Keshwani School: The King’s College Team: Finance Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
Why did you want to intern at charity: water?
I was born in Pakistan, and when I was around 10 my family took a trip to the rural areas. I saw how clean water was a luxury in some of those places, and since then it has always been on my mind to do something to help people around the world get access to clean water. When I found out about charity: water and its mission, I quickly wanted to be a part of it in any way I could.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you?
Entering checks into NetSuite, going through expense reports, generating tax receipts, snacking.
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?
The people; everyone is really nice, and approachable. The office is beautiful, and the kitchen is full of snacks. Not a bad place to be interning at!
What is your favorite NYC hangout?
Not Times Square.
Fun Fact: I went to the same highschool as Ed Sheeran.
Tiffany Novacek School: University of Nebraska - Lincoln Team: Creative Hometown: Norfolk, Nebraska
Why did you want to intern at charity: water?
The idea was planted in my head by a family member, but moving to New York for the summer seemed really far fetched at the time. I’ve always loved charity: water’s mission and once I started realistically thinking about interning here, I knew I couldn’t pass it up! The organization is so inspiring and the experience has been better than I could have imagined.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you?
My day-to-day tasks vary in the office, but I can typically count on someone (usually Tyler) inviting me to Puffy’s for lunch. A lot of writing, editing and coffee drinking happen in my corner.
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?
I look forward to coming to the office every morning, which has to be the best part! There’s always something exciting happening and the staff has made me feel right at home in New York.
What is your favorite NYC hangout?
I’m obsessed with going to places that have cool rooftop views. The Met, Le Bain, The Wythe. Amazing views of the city and you get to escape the crazy sounds and smell for a bit.
Fun Fact: I am a huge animal lover, but birds scare me so much!
Kristina Chu School: Tufts University Team: Key Relationships Hometown: East Setauket, NY
Why did you want to intern at charity: water?
I was really drawn to charity: water’s strategy to solve the global water crisis (collaborating with local partners and accounting for different cultures/ environments when determining the best-fit solution for a community). I also figured charity: water could teach me so much about work in the public health/ international development sector, of which I am passionate about.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you?
As soon as I walk in, I grab a mason jar to fill with water and a mug of tea. Usually, I spend 5 minutes catching up with my fellow KR interns. Then, when settled in at my desk, I check my email, Slack, and Basecamp for new assigned tasks or notifications. The morning usually involves managing birthday gifts for our Well members or some research on foundation grants. Around noon, I break for lunch, sitting in on the Brown Bags when they are happening. In the afternoons, I return my attention to my assigned tasks and occasionally have a one on one meeting with Rachel (my amazing manager)!
What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?
I love being in a space where the staff and interns are driven by and passionate about the org’s mission.
What is your favorite NYC hangout?
The Hypar Pavilion at Lincoln Center
Fun Fact: Up until tenth grade, my home didn’t have a computer or the internet!
As a skilled mason, Tamaram rises before the sun most mornings and makes the 100-kilometer journey to the neighboring villages of Balesar and Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India to get to work on time. With a wife and five kids at home, the majority of his time is spent working long days to ensure he is making enough money to provide for them all.
While Tamaram is at work, it is the responsibility of his wife and daughters to collect water for their family. And in Rajasthan, this is no easy task.
Because the Thar Desert is mostly saline, most groundwater is unsuitable for drinking. Instead, many families in the region have to rely on open ponds or government-filled reservoir tanks for their water supply. But because the demand for water is so high (especially during the summer months) many of these reservoir tanks often stand empty and the ponds dry up.
To supplement their water supply during the dry season, Tamaram’s family pays to have water trucked in and stored in a kuccha tanka outside their home. Kuccha tankas are small, unlined pits in the ground that are surrounded by mud. Because these pits are poorly protected, much of the water either seeps into the ground or evaporates away. The water that remains is almost always contaminated, and many of Tamaram’s family members have fallen sick from drinking it.
Every year, Tamaram would have to spend at least 25-30% of his annual income on having this water trucked to his home. And with such a large family to provide for, this often meant he was never able to put any of his money aside for savings.
Additionally, during the summer months when the demand was high and supply was low, water would become so expensive to truck in that Tamaram would have to borrow money or take water on credit and pay it back when he was able to find more work.
That was until our local partner, the Jal Baghirathi Foundation, stepped in.
JBF works to change the story for families like Tamaram’s by training and supporting them to construct a permanent rainwater harvesting tanka. These tankas (unlike the previous kuccha tankas) are built out of stone and cement to maximize the collection and storage of clean and safe water.
JBF’s program is demand-driven. This means families have to opt-in and contribute to both the cost of materials and the construction process.
Tamaram was tired of seeing his family suffer from the dirty water they were drinking and decided to use his masonry skills from work to partake in JBF’s program and construct a brand new tanka for his family in just 22 days.
Now, with a clean water tanka right in their backyard, Tamaram no longer has to spend his hard earned money on trucking tanker water into his home. Instead, he can save this extra 25-30% of his income each year to help take care of his family.
For Tamaram’s family, having this tanka is just as important as the food they eat, the clothing they wear, and the house in which they live. It serves as a sustainable source of clean and safe water all year long. And it is an asset that will stay with them for generations to come.
