Report

As a development practitioner from a Latin American country, Colombia, this internship gave me a great opportunity to have a close view of the complex world of International Development NGOs.  I must say that I was lucky to experience El Salvador from three different perspectives: through my internship at an international NGO (Mercy Corps), through Mercy Corps’ local partner organization, Asociación para el Desarrollo Humano (ADHU), and through the wonderful people I met while living in San Salvador.

I was requested to collaborate with Mercy Corps (MC) to work on the Community Development component of the MC/ADHU Permanent Housing project by identifying social indicators, creating a monitoring plan, and designing and applying a group interview with a small sample of beneficiaries of the housing project.  In addition to this, I was requested to prepare and develop gender training for the project staff.  The process of carrying out these tasks showed me the different facets required to ally both the international and local NGO.  I was confronted with many issues and conflict situations that determine whether a partnership project ends up being successful or unsuccessful.

I have to conclude by saying that the WCP internship provided me with a valuable opportunity to get a close view of the complex, difficult, and sometimes chaotic world of the people involved in development programs.  As a development practitioner from a Latin American country, the opportunity to face a development agenda from the “other side” provided me with a better understanding of the contradictions that development projects imply.  The experience made me more aware and increased my commitment regarding my present and future role as a development practitioner.  I am thankful to the Coca-Cola Foundation, The World Citizenship Program at University of Florida, and Mercy Corps for providing me with this opportunity. 

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