91丝瓜视频

I want to begin by thanking Mr. Richard B. Raymer for your generous support of the Linda Raymer Arts Internship Award. This summer, I had the privilege of interning with the United Nations Association of Ghana (UNA-GH) in the Women鈥檚 Affairs sector as a Project Management Intern, an experience made possible through the generous support of the Linda Raymer Arts Internship Award.

As a third-year student majoring in International Development Studies with minors in Social Entrepreneurship and Communication Studies, I have always been drawn to applying my knowledge and skills to support women in my home country, Ghana. Growing up, I witnessed the quiet strength of women in my community who found creative ways to sustain their families and uplift those around them, often with barriers and limited resources. These early experiences shaped my belief in the power of local solutions and entrepreneurial thinking to drive meaningful social change. By actively engaging in solutions, this internship paves a pathway to turn that belief into action. Importantly, this opportunity allowed me to contribute to a project that directly impacts and sustains the future and livelihoods of Ghanaian women, while reinforcing my commitment to building socially innovative solutions that meet real needs.

Going into this role, I was determined to acquire the valuable skills and knowledge it takes to build social impact initiatives that are structured and sustained from the internal strategy. Likewise, I was interested in discovering solutions that would produce results that resonate with communities. Importantly, I wanted to witness how gender-focused development projects unfold in real-time, especially those that center on overlooked health challenges in local populations.

The experience I was seeking aligned with the progressive work of the United Nations Association of Ghana, which is a nonprofit organization that advances the UN鈥檚 Sustainable Development Goals through community-based programs, advocacy campaigns, and partnerships with government and civil society organizations. More specifically, the Women鈥檚 Affairs department focuses on addressing barriers faced by women and girls nationwide.

Throughout my internship, I worked under the supervision of the Women鈥檚 Affairs President, Catherine Blavo Lotso, supporting the design and implementation of a national advocacy campaign focused on Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, a critical yet under-discussed health issue in Ghana. My role centered on developing comprehensive concept notes that served as strategic roadmaps for the campaign, outlining key objectives, stakeholder engagement strategies, and community impact goals. To ensure our approach was both informed and globally relevant, I conducted in-depth research on the history, causes, and socio-cultural implications of G6PD deficiency, extending beyond Ghana to include comparative international case studies and policy responses. I synthesized this research into accessible, visually engaging slideshow infographics designed to inform and educate the community. I also managed the campaign鈥檚 social media communications, curating content calendars and collaborating with the team's graphic designer to ensure consistent visual branding, messaging, and outreach impact across platforms. Through this role, I honed my ability to manage multifaceted projects, translate research into public-facing materials, and coordinate effectively across a virtual team.

A highlight during my internship was the collaborative preparation with the team for the fundraising launch event and community introduction for the G6PD project. Although each team member was entrusted with a critical task, the success of the event hinged on our ability to seamlessly collaborate across these distinct responsibilities. We worked in a dynamic, where consistent communication, feedback, and problem-solving were essential. The collective effort of the team, driven by clear coordination and shared vision, transformed individual contributions into a cohesive plan for the impactful event. This experience reinforced the power of teamwork and the necessity of aligning diverse skills toward a single, high-impact objective. It was a powerful reminder of how collaboration can elevate a project, ensuring that all moving parts come together to deliver a unified and successful outcome.

One of the primary challenges I encountered was adapting to the time difference between Ghana and Canada while working remotely. With Ghana several hours ahead, I began my workday early to ensure efficient communication and meet deadlines that aligned with the team鈥檚 schedule. This experience sharpened my time management skills, reinforced my ability to work independently, and taught me how to stay agile and responsive in a fast-paced virtual setting.

This internship is being credited through SENT 499: Independent Internship in Social Entrepreneurship with Professor Paul Yachnin, which will analyze the development of a real-world social impact project and my evolving role as an intern.

This experience has profoundly reinforced my dedication to working at the intersection of innovation and impact, where transformative solutions are built. It has sharpened my creative and strategic thinking, preparing me to tackle complex problems and respond with impactful, actionable ideas rooted in strong, purpose-driven leadership.

I am deeply grateful for the support of the Linda Raymer Arts Internship Award, which allowed me to dedicate myself fully to this internship experience without financial concerns. Thank you to Mr. Richard B. Raymer for your generous support and your belief in the value of experiential learning. This internship has reaffirmed my passion for this journey and has made me even more excited for what lies ahead.