Thank You!
Because of your generous contribution, we were able to touch the lives of so many young people through our programs. Read their stories, learn about their projects, and know that all this is thanks to you and your support of our work. We hope you will continue to donate and support our work.
2020 Interns
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| Balkis Chaabane Tunis, Tunisia |
Ermelinda Gjeci Tirana, Albania |
| Faith Kabora Nakuru, Kenya |
Maria Paula Ramirez Bogota, Colombia |
| Mauricio Toledo Bogota, Colombia |
Mohamed Chahbi Tunis, Tunisia |
| Paula Andrea López Rodríguez Bogota, Colombia |
Santiago Ruiz Hernandarias, Paraguay |
2019 Interns
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| Cynthia Wangari Nairobi, Kenya |
Eileen Ayieko Nakuru, Kenya |
| Wabia Nganatha Karugu Nairobi, Kenya |
Diwa Ghimire Kathmandu, Nepal |
| Dardecs Villanueva Manila, Philippines |
Camille Lu Manila, Philippines |
| Joel Arzaga, J.D. Manila, Philippines |
Vam Vam Macabanti Iloilo, Philippines |
| Jayj Velez Cebu, Philippines |
Jessica Naval Bangkok, Thailand |
| Andrea Gutiérrez Mexico City, Mexico |
Andrea Suárez Bogotá, Colombia |
| Sofia Soubervielle Mexico City, Mexico |
Blanca Fernández Sevilla, Spain |
| Alfons Riera Brell Barcelona City, Spain |
Sebastián Luna Querétaro, Mexico |
| Bruno Sosa Ciudad del Este, Paraguay |
Gerard DeAngelis Port Washington, New York |
| Gabrielle Silberman Florida, USA |
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2015 Interns and Fellows
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| Julian Coronado Mexico City, Mexico |
Elisabeth Gudenus Vienna, Austria |
| Margaux Inocando Manila, Philippines |
Evelyn Velásquez Oyster Bay, New York |
| Amy Nolan New York, New York |
Magda Laszlo New York, New York |
2014 Interns and Fellows
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| Go, Pauline Vancouver, Canada |
Ignacio Feliu Barcelona, Spain |
| Priscille Pialoux Rennes, France |
Albert Mengual Spain |
| Juan Miguel San Luis Manila, Philippines |
Janine Tutanes Manila, Philippines |
| Natalie Lam Singapore |
María José García Manzano Guadalajara, México |
| Fernando Vial Santiago, Chile |
Ana Laura Hernández Martínez Mexico City, Mexico |
2013 Interns
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| Edward Abland Virginia Beach, VA |
Diane Rosales Makati, Philippines |
| Mary Imbong Manila, Philippines |
Zarina San Jose Manila, Philippines |
| Weronika Janczuk New York, NY |
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It is impossible not to increase our commitment to our common goals. Drawing inspiration from everyone, while developing positive networks of collaboration are just some of the highlights of the internship program. – Julian Coronado, Mexico Download Letter – Julian |
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I wanted to thank all of WYA’s friends for giving me this amazing opportunity to work here in New York. I have always felt so at home with the World Youth Alliance, and I feel so lucky to have spent all these months at their global headquarters. – Elisabeth Gudenus, Austria
Download Letter – Elisabeth
Since this letter was drafted, Elisabeth has assumed a full-time staff position with WYA Europe as Regional Director. |
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I came to New York with three years of experiences and perspectives I had collected in my travels, work and volunteer jobs in Asia and Europe. My nine months with WYA consolidated them and helped me understand what it is that has been driving me forward, orienting me to a deeper purpose. This is a huge turning point for me, and it is with immense amount of faith and excitement that I plan my future. – Margaux Inocando, Philippines Download Letter – Margaux |
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It was great to see and experience how people from various parts of the world can unite in an effort to build a culture that supports and nurtures the dignity of each human person, and how much can be accomplished when this happens. – Evelyn Velásquez, USA Download Letter – Evelyn |
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My time here has inspired a secret desire to work defending human dignity through legal advocacy, but whatever happens, I now have more confidence and enthusiasm to allow the WYA principles to guide me. – Magda Laszlo, New York Download Letter – Magda |
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I am immensely grateful to have been able to spend these past months interning with the World Youth Alliance. The Track A Training course, advocacy training, and hours spent at the United Nations offered powerful testimonies to the practical impact individuals’ ideas have on political movements and cultural norms. – Amy Nolan, USA Download Letter – Amy |
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I was surprised to find an organization that promoted the very same ideals and beliefs I also have. My internship developed my leadership and project management skills. I hope to continue the work that WYA does, particularly in my region, to inspire the youth and engage them to become leaders and pro-active members of society. – Pauline Go, Canada
Download Letter – Pauline
Since this letter was drafted, Pauline has assumed a full-time staff position with WYA North America as Regional Director of Operations. |
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Through the Marketing Internship at the New York office, I learned new things everyday. But I have gained more myself, meeting WYA’s members from all over the world. – Ignacio Feliu, Spain Download Letter – Ignacio |
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From all these different experiences, I learnt perseverance beacause everything was new to me, especially speaking English. I learned to base my arguments on human dignity and human rights issues on the reality of objective values. – Priscille Pialoux, France Download Letter – Priscille |
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I am a Research and Advocacy Fellow working at WYA Headquarters in New York. In this role, I attended major conferences and meetings at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on WYA’s behalf, and worked on legal research projects related to WYA’s advocacy work. – Albert Mengual, Spain Download Letter – Albert |
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All the values I needed to learn, I learned from WYA–both from Asia Pacific and New York. It is a privilege to have been and still be a part of WYA. The experience is unforgettable and will surely be a great story to share in the future.– JM San Luis, Philippines Download Letter – JM |
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Working to help organize the ISF pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me to be more detailed-oriented with my work. I learned to be a leader. Working on the ISF made me fully understand the mission and vision of WYA and all that the organization stands for.– Janine Tutanes, Philippines Download Letter – Janine |
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It was a great learning experience to participate with like-minded young people and work together to achieve a future that we can all be proud of. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to be here in New York City and for all I have learnt since coming to WYA. I’m grateful for being able to live and work with so many young people from around the world who share a similar vision of empowering youth through education and holistic learning.– Natalie Lam, Singapore Download Letter – Natalie |
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This experience taught me that there is a hopeful window of opportunity to shape positive change at the United Nations. I am now determined to pursue a career as a human rights legal advisor, influencing public policy in my own country of Mexico.– María José García Manzano, Mexico Download Letter – Majo |
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The whole experience of WYA has been incredible: WYA mixed learning, working and fun all the time. I’m still deciding whether to work in the private or the public sphere, but I am confident that no matter which road I take, I will always advocate for human dignity and solidarity.– From Fernando Vial, Chile Download Letter – Fernando |
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Here in New York I serve as a WYA Advocacy Fellow, which has given me an invaluable experience in the international field, especially in global policy. Thank you for your generosity. The chance to come to New York and see how WYA’s work is made possible, the chance to meet and work with the good people that surround WYA made me realize that there still is goodness in this world. Every day I wake up in the WYA house, I thank you in my heart because you make all of these incredible things happen.– Ana Laura Hernández Martínez, Mexico Download Letter – Ana Laura |
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My WYA experience has benefitted me in two ways. First, spearheading a variety of cultural and educational events allowed me to develop versatility in administration, providing work experience under the reassuring guidance of former WYA interns. Secondly, exposure to the happenings at the UN and other civic institutions revealed to me a dimension of WYA’s invaluable presence, confirming the importance of sustaining its mission in advocacy work. Both grassroots and policy endeavors are vital to upholding a perspective of life so underappreciated in a world of objectification and materialism.– Edward Ablang, USA Download Letter – Edward |
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I’m glad to have met everyone during my internship. From my fellow interns, to the staff, to WYA’s founder, Anna, everyone was down-to-earth and passionate about what they did. The internship not only helped me hone my talents as a designer, but formed me into a better person, too.– Diane Rosales, Philippines Download Letter – Diane |
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WYA gave me one of the best summers I ever had. I distinctly remember the feeling of wanting to fly to WYA every morning. I loved the work that I did. Besides the enlightening Track A training lectures, I was thrilled by the many opportunities where I was able to share my skills with co-interns and with other WYA members and guests. We had a lot of projects that allowed us to practice management, creativity, and hospitality whenever we opened our events to the public.-Mary Imbong, Philippines
Download Letter – Mary
Since this letter was drafted, Mary has assumed a full-time staff position with WYA Asia Pacific as Regional Director. |
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The ability to share WYA’s principles and beliefs with other young people and help them understand is a very worthwhile experience. Coming from a different culture, it’s never easy to relate to the people here, but whenever I go out to attend conferences, events or even just small get-togethers, I am always amazed at the universal applicability of WYA’s principles.– Zarina San Jose, Philippines
Download Letter – Zarina
Since this letter was drafted, Zarina has assumed a full-time staff position with WYA Asia Pacific as Regional Director of Operations. |
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I will graduate this December with a B.A. in The Philosophy of the Human Person−−a self-designed major concerned with personhood in a philosophical, social, and religious context−−and a minor in Religious Studies. The WYA internship program, especially the Track A training, was an outlet for the many ideas I’ve encountered in a very explicit, directed, and delightful way. I look forward to taking everything I learned, about research, writing, marketing, directing, and planning; about a person-centric working environment; and about the ideas that animate WYA and its work with me as I hunt for a job in which I can apply all this varied experience.– Weronika Janczuk, USA
Download Letter – Weronika
Since this letter was drafted, Weronika has assumed a full time staff position with WYA as Director of Education. |
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I’ve been in New York for more than two months and I am glad that I could live this experience, in this NGO and in this house with my new WYA friends. I enjoyed every moment during my internship, especially learning how to defend human dignity and meet young people from different countries with the same values and ideals. I am really thankful for the WYA staff, members, alumni and friends because of all their effort, their kindness and generosity. Now I have more hope that the world will change. – Andrea Suárez, Colombia
Download Letter – Andrea
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I am grateful to have had the opportunity to undertake the internship at the WYA Headquarters. This opportunity has opened up my mind to the positive change young people can bring to their societies. I am eager to take everything I have learnt here to the youth in Africa. I am thankful to you, for making all this possible through your donations and continued support. – Cynthia Wangari, Kenya
Download Letter – Cynthia
Since this letter was drafted, Cynthia has assumed a full-time staff position with WYA as Regional Director for Africa.
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As I end my wonderful and amazing stay here in New York, I would like to extend my gratitude to all of WYA’s friends for giving me and my fellow interns this opportunity to work here in WYA HQ. We appreciate your generosity and we will be forever grateful! – Dardecs Villanueva, Philippines
Download Letter – Dardecs
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I wanted to thank everyone who so generously supported WYA for giving me this opportunity to live, work, and meet new/old friends here in New York. This experience surely makes a big difference in our lives as interns. Because of you, we are lucky to have spent all these months at the Headquarters. – Jessica Naval, Thailand
Download Letter – Jessica
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I’m very thankful for this whole experience, for the hard moments and for all the happy ones. This experience has changed a lot my vision of the world and of myself. I hope I can take just a tiny part of everyone that I met and keep it with me forever. – Sofia Soubervielle, Mexico
Download Letter – Sofia
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Due to WYA, my worldview has expanded. I have learnt a great deal about American culture, as well as other cultures across the world. This is due to the CTP encapsulating readings from different cultures and religions. It is also due to the staff and interns that I have met from across the globe. – Wabia Nganatha Karugu, Kenya
Download Letter – Wabia
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The knowledge and experience I have gained have helped my professional and personal growth and will remain in me forever. None of these would have happened without the constant support of donors, benefactors, and friends of WYA who share in its vision and passion for human dignity. As such, they deserve all gratitude and recognition for their magnanimity. – Joel Arzaga, J.D., Philippines– Download Letter – Joel |
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All of us have different cultures and traditions and we learned new things not only about other cultures but also about how we have to live to serve others. What reigned was a positive environment of joy, kindness, teamwork, and solidarity. Now we all wish to come back to our countries and to share this gift with our loved ones. – Blanca Fernández, Spain
Download Letter – Blanca
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By working in such a wonderful environment, I have seen how the WYA HQ house has been a gift for all interns and staff members as we have been working hard for what we think this world needs: nothing less than a good understanding and respect for human dignity. – Alfons Riera Brell, Spain
Download Letter – Alfons
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This whole experience was really a blessing. It did not only helped me to develop my professional skills and experience, but it also helped me in a personal way by living with many people around the world. I learned very valuable lessons about friendship, love, God, and life. These lessons have made a really big impact on me, allowing me to grow as a person. – Sebastián Luna, Mexico
Download Letter – Sebastián
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What makes this experience different from other internships is the chance of living with people from around the world. Every day we learn from each other’s cultural backgrounds and see that we are all here for the same goal: to advocate for human dignity. – Bruno Sosa, Paraguay
Download Letter – Bruno
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My experience this summer has been a priceless one. Meeting amazing, like-minded young people from around the world, expanding my philosophy and practical knowledge through the Certified Training Program and the White Papers, and learning more about nonprofits and the UN has been truly a unique experience I could have only had at WYA. – Gerard DeAngelis, New York
Download Letter – Gerard
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Living in the WYA household has been an absolute joy. The ability to share my life to day life with passionate, hard working people has allowed me to learn and grow with them outside of the normal working hours. Additionally, working with these people has taught me a lot within an office environment. – Gabrielle Silberman, Florida
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No words can describe how incredibly blessed I feel to have been given the opportunity to push through with this internship program. It has allowed me to learn more about myself and about other cultures as well. My co-interns and the WYA staff were nothing short of amazing people who will do great things in the future not only in their own country but for others as well. – Camille Lu, Philippines – Download Letter – Camille |
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This organization gave me an opportunity to meet new people of different backgrounds and be able to find new friends I will keep forever. This journey has been surreal and I can’t wait to continue spreading the work of WYA back in my home country. – Vam Vam Macabanti, Philippines
Download Letter – Vam Vam
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It is such a great experience when you know you are working with others who share the same convictions you are fighting for and this facilitates good, hard work. – Jayj Velez, Philippines
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Every bit of my internship experience was made possible with your continuous support to WYA. You change the world through your generous support in whichever way and encouragement. People, regardless of any form of diversity, can share and experience the World Youth Alliance through you. – Eileen Ayieko, Kenya
Download Letter – Eileen
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As well as professional experience, overall, this internship was more of personal experience in a way that I got the honor to meet very special people, learn from them, and strive to be like them one day. I am very thankful for all you do for WYA and for believing in their mission as firmly as I do. Thank you for being part of this dream. – Andrea Gutiérrez, México
Download Letter – Andrea
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It’s really amazing how, despite not knowing everyone personally, we could all connect with each other due to the common mission and belief in our hearts. I am really thankful for getting this chance to live this amazing experience. – Diwa Ghimire, Nepal
Download Letter – Diwa
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I wanted to thank all of WYA’s friends for giving me this amazing opportunity to work here in New York. I have always felt so at home with the World Youth Alliance, even working remotely. It is always great to be staying at the Global HQ and meeting the Global staff members. You are always welcome in my home in Tunisia whenever you can visit, please let me know! – Balkis Chaabane, Tunisia
Download Letter – Balkis
Since this letter was drafted, Balkis has assumed a full-time staff position with WYA Middle East and North Africa as Regional Director. |
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I greatly appreciate all your support to the World Youth Alliance and I am grateful for having the opportunity to be part of this wonderful internship. This would not be possible without your dedication and belief in our work. Thank you so much! – Ermelinda Gjeci, Albania
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I am very grateful for the opportunity to have lived and experienced New York City and more so, the time I have spent at World Youth Alliance, the amazing house, facilities, and an experience of a lifetime that cannot be quantified. Asante sana! The work done by WYA would not have been possible without you. – Faith Kabora, Kenya
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I would like to thank every friend that supports our mission. Without your help our work wouldn’t be possible. Thanks to you, our efforts to make a positive impact in the world are reaching more and more people. – Maria Paula Ramirez, Colombia
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I want to extend my thanks to you for giving me the support of making this incredible and unforgettable experience of working with the World Youth Alliance in New York City. Being an intern at WYA was an enriching experience in every way. Thank you very much for such a unique opportunity. – Mauricio Toledo, Colombia
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I wanted to thank all of WYA’s friends for giving me this amazing opportunity to work here in New York. I have always felt so at home with the World Youth Alliance, and I feel so lucky and blessed. I thank Allah to have spent all these months at their Global Headquarters. – Mohamed Chahbi, Tunisia
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I want to thank all the generous people who made this experience the best of my life. Thank you to all the friends, members, donors and team of the World Youth Alliance, but specially to the Seabright Family who made this possible. – Paula Andrea López Rodríguez, Colombia
Download Letter – Paula
Since this letter was drafted, Paula has assumed a full-time staff position with WYA Latin America as Regional Director. |
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I wanted to thank all of WYA’s friends for granting me this amazing opportunity to work here in New York. I have always felt so at home with the World Youth Alliance, and I feel so lucky and grateful to have spent all these months at their Global Headquarters. – Santiago Ruiz, Paraguay
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