Testimonials

“I worked for Connected Development across a range of interesting projects with a number of partners. The first part of my placement involved drafting a funding application for charity in Myanmar that was centred around the teaching of art. I then focused on a report on East Timor, collecting and summarising number of interviews carried out by Connected Development to explore the challenges and opportunities presented by a potential project in the country. I ended my placement by drawing together research on Tanzania so that Connected Development had a better understanding about the political, economic and social situation surrounding a future partner. During my weeks working for the organisation, I had the chance to improve on my research, presentation and communication skills whilst also meeting some fantastic and inspiring individuals across several continents.”

“I went to Thailand for an internship as part of my masters in Post War Recovery Studies. Going to Mae Sot and supporting the work of Kickstart Art was a lifetime experience. It allowed me to have experiences that I would not have in other places. I particularly valued the opportunity to take part in the refugee art teaching project taking photos, videos and notes and feeling as another member of the organization. I also learnt a lot from Connected Development (which partners with NGOs like Kick Start Art to help them develop) about report writing, project management, fundraising and how to interact directly with donors. The experience also presented a unique opportunity to work directly with migrant children and communities from Myanmar/Burma, conduct interviews with them but also with a good number of grassroots NGO's and international organizations. For me, the experience was unique in terms of learning, and thanks to the members of Kickstart art it was also fun. I really felt supported and welcomed by them.”

“Over the months I volunteered for Connected Development I really enjoyed learning about the legal requirements for a startup social enterprise and more generally for a small business. It has been a great chance to do some practical legal work that will hopefully have a long lasting and positive impact for Connected Development. The main challenges I faced over the course of the internship were the obstacles created by COVID. The entire internship was virtual which meant I had to get used to relaying information over the phone and email rather than in person. I hope that the experiences I have had on my internship will be useful training in giving information to clients and helping clients with specific problems and tasks. Thanks again for giving me the opportunity to work with you on this new exciting project.”

"As an intern with Connected Development from September to December 2020 I was introduced to the field of international development through hands-on work with E&O’s partners. I worked on a variety of tasks to support each of the partners and the Connected Development team. These included: arranging weekly calls with our partners, working on the development of the website, developing social media communications on behalf of our partners, editing texts, researching potential funding opportunities, and contributing to the development of a draft grant proposal. This highly valuable and varied experience with Connected Development allowed me to learn a great deal of knowledge in the field of international development, and specifically the intricacies of grassroots NGO work. Lastly, the internship provided me with tangible professional working experience that will help me in my future career wherever this may take me. "

"During my gap year at University, I really wanted to gain some developmental experience. I debated pursuing a few different options, but the virtual internship opportunity with Connected Development really stood out to me. I was lucky enough to work with a migrant school in Thailand, where I did fundraising work, drafted grant applications to potential donors, and created materials for social media. Having William oversee the work I was doing and giving me advice really helped maximise this experience and allowed me to learn significant amounts, and has greatly helped me prepare for a future in the field of development. Not only have I learned more about development, but also improved my communication and writing skills throughout this internship, which will be incredibly useful for future positions. I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Connected Development, and I highly recommend it to people interested in pursuing a career in development!"

"My internship with Connected Development was both profound and impactful. I am so grateful for this opportunity as I had the chance to meet amazing like-minded people, while working on supporting the projects of TeacherFOCUS in Mae Sot, Thailand. During my 3 months, I grew my skills and knowledge in regards to the work of NGOs. Even though I interned remotely due to the COVID-19 restrictions, I felt very connected to both Connected Development and TeacherFOCUS. Plus, the support and empowerment I received from Connected Development, truly helped my growth. I am so happy and thankful for this experience!"

"I have thoroughly enjoyed working as an intern for Connected Development and have learnt a lot from my experience. During the internship I primarily worked with Ayang Trust, an NGO based in North-East India. For them, I set up a digital media strategy, wrote their annual report and helped conduct research into donors. The context Ayang exist within on Majuli Island (the world’s largest river island) was very interesting to learn about and the solutions they use to help solve the unique problems on the island has certainly developed my understanding of how international development manifests in a local grassroots context. Also, being a remote internship meant that working across different time zones and cultures presented a significant challenge. As such, having the ability to overcome these challenges has helped develop my cross-cultural and communication skills, which I am certain will be invaluable in the future.

I also did some work for other NGO’s including Kick Start Art based in Mae Sot, Thailand who I helped with digital media, and I did a small bit of work for Development Support Initiative based in Tanzania. This ability to work with multiple NGO’s was a huge benefit of the internship as learning about how different NGO’s operate and the contexts they operate within helped improve the quality of my work with Ayang Trust. and develop my broader understanding of international development.

I would certainly recommend an internship with Connected Development to anyone interested in international development or in developing cross-cultural competency. "

"My internship with Connected Development was the perfect opportunity to gain experience in international development, which is a field I'm passionate about. I was specifically looking for hands-on experience in the field to further my understanding of what the work entails. I thankfully learned so much in a very short period of time. I worked directly with a nonprofit organization called Kick Start Art, based in Mae Sot, Thailand. I was previously not very familiar with the region, so becoming involved with Kick Start Art also enabled me to learn about the histories and cultures of Thailand and Myanmar.

The tasks of the internship included creating a website for Kick Start Art, which involved collaborating with the directors to create content and tell the story of this incredible nonprofit in a way that was engaging and authentic to everyone who was invested in their work. The internship also involved writing grant reports and fundraising applications. I had expressed my interest in grant writing at the start of my internship, and William ensured to tailor the experience to what I was looking for, so I could make the most out of the internship. I feel grateful to have improved upon my writing and communication skills, and also gain new skills in website development, content creation, and project management."

"This internship experience, co-supervised by Connected Development and Development Support Initiative, has been one of the most fulfilling work experiences I have had to date. The learning experiences were endless, as I got to develop my knowledge in a wide range of non-profit development and management skill areas. Getting to work with DSI during their first year of official operations allowed me an inside look into what it takes to get an organization started, how to maintain their work, and how to expand their reach, in Tanzania and beyond. Working with the Connected Development gave me incredible insight into the overarching field of the non-governmental sector, developed my understanding of the potential roles external partners can play in development work, and the value of global connections and locally led solutions. This internship as a whole fueled my desire to work in the non-profit and development sector after my graduation from Penn State, specifically in a project management and/or research role, and for that I am endlessly grateful. "

"While I was doing my master's double degree in International Management and Business Analytics, I wanted to do a Summer Internship, but the Covid-19 pandemic came and shifted my original idea to do a virtual internship instead. I wanted to learn more about NGOs and how they operate, and I was lucky to be placed with Connected Development. My role as a “New Partnerships Intern” consisted of matching NGOs to potential donors or partners to help them get funds. I have researched NGOs and Donors from Thailand as an initial step, but the main goal was to do the same for Timor-Leste and include it in a country report. As a Portuguese, I have always heard about Timor-Leste and this was a great opportunity to learn more about the country, its culture and its people. I have also had the opportunity to interview wonderful people that shared their experiences with me and I also created general guidelines for future matching and on how to go about doing a country report for other countries. Furthermore, I created a more automatic way to match NGOs and donors based on the areas they operate in, and by using my digital and analytical skills I created an Access database with all the information gathered, which is more user-friendly than Excel. This was a unique experience, that allowed me to get to know different cultures even though I haven’t left my country. My initial goal of understanding how NGOs operate and what are some of the challenges they face was certainly achieved. I feel that I have learned a lot, but at the same time, it was a really fun experience. I really enjoyed the work I was doing, and I felt that I was being useful and listened to, which sometimes doesn’t happen in internships."

"Working with equal and opposite was an absolute privilege, one I hope every professional entering the development gets. I worked with the organisation as a part of my professional placement for my final thesis, where I was responsible for solving various communication challenges that the partners faced. Working with DSI, Minmahaw and CEDAR gave me insight into the diverse profiles of the sector and the challenges along with the nuances of their geography, which can only be learnt while working on the ground. I gained a valuable understanding of how digital media is playing a pivotal role in shaping narratives about NGO’s and reaching their stakeholders. Learning about the gaps that the sector faces due to funding and other variables, was also interesting, where Equal and Opposite play a revolutionary role in providing support and resources that it deserves. I hope to be a part of the sustainable development future that Connected Development has endeavoured to create. William and Ian were encouraging, giving me the freedom to approach the project with as much creative liberty as I pleased, and I am indebted to them for this experience and find myself humbled by their support and understanding."

"My summer internship with Connected Development was a deeply valuable experience that has drastically enhanced my contextual and practical understanding of my degree in International Development. I was paired with a Tanzanian NGO called Development Support Initiative (DSI)and worked closely with their director, Shimba to learn about and support their sustainable capacity-building initiatives. With the guidance of William, I worked with our partner to engage with various donors and gauge funding opportunities. Together, we produced a grant proposal and end-of-project report, building my strengths in technical writing and allowing me to observe every element of NGO governance from the grassroots up. I also cemented my skills and passion for networking and community fundraising, acting voluntarily as an ambassador for DSI both during and after the internship. Above all, I appreciated Connected Development’s commitment to localisation, as every element of the internship was led by the NGO based on its current needs and aspirations. The internship’s triangular structure enabled me to benefit from William and Shimba’s contrasting (yet equally impressive)perspectives and expertise within the development sector. My time with Connected Development has therefore reinforced my hopes to enter the world of international development - I could not recommend it enough! "

"I completed my internship following my second year at university, with the aim of gaining practical experience of working with an NGO. The internship surpassed my expectations by exposing me to a wide range of tasks, from proposal writing to interviews and social media content creation. Supervision from William was invaluable in upskilling me to contribute meaningfully to the work of Minmahaw School, the NGO partner. Having started the internship online, it was an incredible experience to spend three weeks with Minmahaw School in Mae Sot, Thailand. The blend of online and in-person working introduced me to different styles of meeting and communication, whilst spending time in-country was a fantastic opportunity to deepen my relationship with staff at Minmahaw and improve my knowledge of the complex political situation in Myanmar. I was fortunate to meet many inspiring individuals from multiple organisations in Mae Sot, and the experience has fuelled my interest in working on projects abroad after graduation. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity, and I feel that the internship has equipped me well to take further steps into the international development sector. "

"I have loved being an intern for Connected Development this summer and building on the work conducted in previous years. My partner organisation was Development Support Initiative (DSI), which is based in the rural Kageria region of Tanzania. DSI’s director Shimba taught me about Village Community Banking, the microfinance system that DSI has implemented to ensure community ownership over its projects. To support Shimba’s work and help DSI build relations with international donor organisations, I produced two grant applications building on his ideas, along with an end-of-year project report. I also updated DSI’s website with information on its recent projects, and drafted an inquiry letter that was adopted by other partner organisations of Connected Development. Working alongside a group of other interns was a great experience: not only could we share resources and lessons, but, crucially, I could appreciate what makes DSI unique as a small organisation truly embedded in its community. I would recommend this internship to anyone interested in a career in international development. William’s advice throughout has been invaluable, and I have gained skills and knowledge that will stay with me for a long time to come!"

"Over the summer, I worked closely with Karishma, Balaji and Pon from CEDAR in Tamil Nadu, helping to develop their international platform. During the internship I learnt so much about the amazing work CEDAR does, gaining many new skills and sharing information to help them boost their already impressive platform. Working with a team of creatives, as well as non-profit workers, allowed for a diverse and vibrant experience, where I was able to appreciate the creative development in children they work so hard to support. CEDAR’s connections in the UK are expanding more and more, and I hope to be continually involved with their progress. Connected Development allowed me to meet more people with similar aspirations and interest in international development, and I’m very grateful to William for his hard work and providing the opportunity!"

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"During my summer with Connected Development, I spent time working with the Dalia Association, a passionate and active NGO based in Ramallah. I engaged with a range of projects, from donor research to social media/graphic design; I particularly enjoyed researching and compiling a concept note on food sovereignty, which has been a core focus for my NGO partner for a while. My writing skills were also broadened by producing an article on re-greening in Karnataka, for which I interviewed a key stakeholder over the phone and through video. Finally, I compiled a database of key philanthropic networks in the community NGO space.
My internship has been insightful and rewarding, and I have learnt much from the expertise of all across the Connected Development network. Gaining such a hands-on exposure to the world of development has been an invaluable experience, and one which I will carry through both my further studies and my future career."

"I had such an interesting time working closely with William in my role as Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer. I appreciated the fact I was able to take ownership over the delivery of a wide range of tasks. Amongst other things, I designed a new framework for quantitatively evaluating the impact Connected Development has had on the capacity of the network members and I wrote several articles seeking to raise awareness of different ways 'community-led development' can be realised, using our network members as case studies. It was fascinating learning about such a wide range of development contexts and the novel solutions these organisations have implemented. The highlight of my internship was working on a long-term theory of change for Connected Development, directly with William. Getting such a hands-on exposure to the strategic planning of an organisation working in development was invaluable"

“I learned huge amounts during my ten weeks with Connected Development. I was partnered with a Colombian NGO called FEDUT and worked closely with their team. I worked on a range of tasks including research into roughly thirty potential donors, editing grant proposals, and producing a project budget. I also worked with some of the students enrolled on FEDUT’s programmes to develop a strategy for increasing the charity’s social media presence. I also greatly benefitted from the generous advice and support of William over the course of the internship. This included a weekly one-on-one meeting during which we were able to discuss the week’s work. I also attended a weekly meeting with the other interns in which we were able to discuss the work we had been doing and share our different ideas and perspectives. Overall, I greatly benefitted from the internship–both personally and professionally–and would really encourage anyone interested in the world of international development to apply! ”