Like many non-profits, Voices for Global Change relies on intern support, especially for an initiative as multifaceted as Paper to Pearls. Since its founding, Paper to Pearls has had the benefit of wonderful volunteer interns―globally conscious young women and, occasionally, men who care deeply about social justice and are eager to expand their awareness and understanding of international development work and what is required to run a non-profit.

Many of our interns have gone on to salaried positions with other non-profits, joined the Peace Corps, or become part of the international departments of large corporations. Many return to school with new insights about themselves and the path they hope to take after graduation. The majority are eager to travel to Africa, and especially to Uganda.

For information about our internships, please email us at info@papertopearls.org.

Summer 2010

We are delighted to introduce our departing summer 2010 interns. Each has brought her special abilities and skills to the tasks we have assigned them. Thank you Alicia, Helena, Jenna and Tara for your time, commitment and dedication.

Alicia Brown, Recent graduate, University of Texas at San Antonio

I began my internship at Voices for Global Change in April 2010 as a Public Relations Assistant, after graduating in May 2009 with a BA in Communications concentrating on Public Relations. I chose to intern at Voices for Global Change because I wanted to get involved with a non-profit organization and gain "real world" experience using my public relations and social media skills.

Not only have I learned about utilizing social media more effectively for a non-profit, I've also learned about fair trade and how much work it takes to run a micro enterprise. Prior to this internship, I had never really given Africa much thought or even considered it to be a place that I wanted to visit, but Barbara has managed to change my world view, and I hope to visit Africa someday. Barbara's a great person to work for, and one learns a lot from her. Because of her, I'll always remember the great summer I had interning at Voices for Global Change.

Helena Pocanic, Recent graduate, George Mason University

I decided to intern at Paper to Pearls because I was so inspired by the work that this organization does. Paper to Pearls helps the women in the program empower themselves and change their lives and the lives of those around them for the better. Through this internship I have learned a great deal about myself and have decided that I would like to continue working with a project of this type. I have also become passionately committed to fair trade and now see the importance and the impact of fair trade products at all levels. Through this internship I have learned the powerful effect of giving women and girls a voice, and I feel that I have truly made a difference and a significant contribution to making the world a better place.

Jenna Keany, Junior, Eckerd College

My summer with Paper to Pearls has been rewarding, challenging, and most of all, insightful. I have learned that no matter what you do in life, you always have the opportunity to give back. Even when shopping for jewelry, you can better the life of someone in Africa or elsewhere who is in need of your help. I have seen the benefit of fair trade and environmentally conscious products and know how important they are. I wanted to intern for an NGO working in Africa specifically, because I had gone to Ethiopia and Rwanda over the winter and felt an obligation to give back.

Paper to Pearls was the perfect job for me. I worked with three wonderful interns and the founder of Paper to Pearls, Barbara Moller. We constantly shared ideas to promote our beads, fund raise, and come up with new products. Depending on the day, I could be researching livelihood training programs, photographing jewelry for the online store, or making earrings and bracelets with our beads. This internship has inspired me to take action, make conscious choices with the products I'm buying, and continue to travel and educate myself about other countries and cultures.

Tara Weiss, Senior, Bowling Green State University

As summer approached this year I knew I needed to find something to fill my time and maybe help me answer the ever-daunting question of what I want to do after college.  I was originally looking for a program that worked directly with children, as my major is Human Development and Family Studies.  However, after searching youth projects, I did one search for poverty alleviation and came across the Paper to Pearls program assistant internship. The Paper to Pearls story was inspiring and immediately interested me. I especially liked the international aspect of the project since I had just completed an 8-month study abroad program, which sparked a love for learning about new cultures. What made me really excited was talking to Barbara Moller, the founder of Paper to Pearls, about the school sponsorship program she wanted to start for the daughters of the project's beaders. It seemed like a perfect fit… an international focus, helping youth, and selling beautiful jewelry.

This internship turned out to be beyond rewarding as each day I learned something new... whether it was about Uganda, the power of female education, taking inventory, or improving my phone answering skills, there was a lesson. Although I still have no idea where I will be in a year, I do know that I want to continue to support fair trade projects, work to improve the lives of others (specifically children), and see more of the world. This internship has been a great experience, and I appreciate all the ways that Barbara has helped me.