When the HIPP application was first sent to students, it was my friends who sent it to me before my original one popped in my inbox. I knew that it must be important. When I looked at the details of the program, I was genuinely surprised that George Washington University started an internship program designed specifically for the humanitarian sector. I was grateful. It was a program that not only allowed students to serve those in need but also gave hope to those who longed to serve during times when the humanitarian sector was dramatically changing.
My name is Pravina and my passion for service originates from my experiences in a small refugee camp in Nepal. Before I was born, my parents both fled their home country, Bhutan, with their families during a time when the Bhutanese government wanted to ethnically cleanse Nepalis from their country’s population. The cramped but comforting camp was all I knew until I was six years old. I boarded a bus with my family and waved goodbye to the remaining relatives and friends who had to stay behind. I thought we were going somewhere temporarily. A few months after we moved into a small apartment in Twin Falls, Idaho, I realized that my family was not going back. I had a new home.
My interest in being involved with humanitarian organizations comes from the realities I experienced in the camp. We received food rations from the World Food Programme, which was vital because it kept families fed when money was scarce. Moreover, the International Organization for Migration was essential to relocating families to countries that were accepting refugees. Because of efforts that were mainly due to humanitarian organizations, I was able to gain a life with security and opportunities. Thus, I understand firsthand what a helping hand does for people in need. Organizations that aim their purpose to aid strangers in need of assistance are critical to ensuring that people are not left behind.
I joined HIPP precisely because it was a program that offered professional experience at a humanitarian organization. It is quite difficult to intern at humanitarian organizations because they either do not have an internship program or the existing funding got cut. I have always wanted to join a humanitarian organization and contribute to their mission. My long-term goal is to be a lawyer who specializes in the field of humanitarian work or immigration. My short-term goals include gaining as much exposure as possible in those fields. HIPP helped me achieve one of my short-term goals by providing a direct experience at the World Central Kitchen, which has been an insightful and rewarding experience. As the Relief Comms Intern, I have learned extensively about the perseverance and impact of WCK teams who bring relief to those in need of a comforting meal.