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Catherine’s Swaziland Experience

Catherine J.
Volunteer Name:Catherine J.
Project Attended:Nutrition Internship in Swaziland with Kruger Tour
Country Attended:Swaziland
Volunteer Bio:I am from Canton, Michigan (a suburb of Detroit), and I am 21 years old. I am about to be a senior at Central Michigan University where I am studying Dietetics.
Did you feel you made a difference? Yes, I feel that I made a difference. I helped start a study that, if the results are positive, will be used in order to receive grants for e'Pap, a product that will help the children grow properly and receive the nutrients they need. I also helped start a toothbrushing program that will hopefully decrease the amount of tooth decay for these children.
What advice would you give future participants? Advice I would give future participants is to make the most of the experience. Do as much as you can and try to refrain from saying no to activities. I felt like there wasn't much time where I was bored. I was always trying new things and trying to be involved with whatever I could. I would visit the NCP even when it wasn't necessary because I did not want to spend all of my time in a office. On weekends, I would go out with people and have fun instead of sitting around the lodge. So make the most of the experience and you will have the best time of your life.
What was your most memorable moment? The most memorable moment was the first time I went to the NCP and met the children. I didn't know what to expect when going there and I remember walking up and seeing all the children for the first time. The school is small and the playground is covered in gravel. The kids came running up to us, excited to see us even though they didn't know us. Those first few moments made me excited for the rest of my time there but also realize just how different the children live there in Swaziland.
Please tell others why you think they should sign up for a program with Kaya Others should sign up for a program with Kaya because the Kaya advisers and staff are always there to answer questions, replying sometimes within an hour and if not, within a day. They are friendly, easy to talk to, and very knowledgeable about the placements. Kaya is easy to work with and will help you find the perfect internship and get ready for the day you leave!


Testimonial


“My greatest achievement was helping to start a toothbrushing program at the projects NCPs. The other nutrition intern and I noticed that many of the young children already have cavities and therefore do not know about or use proper tooth brushing, so we initiated a program that would supply these children with toothbrushes and toothpaste. The plan is to create a lesson plan that will be used to teach the children how to brush their teeth, the importance of it, then actually have them brush their teeth once a day at their school.”