Thank goodness for Maria! She is colors 1st international intern. She literally came long to save the day. After observing her volunteer efforts at the children’s home in South Africa, COLORS was pleased to offer her an internship to run Project COLORS on the ground while our director was in Canada. She did an amazing job and is welcome to come back anytime.

Here is a bit of what she had to say:

I came to South Africa, eager to work at the hospice and with the children of St. Mary’s Children’s Home. Having done nothing of the sort before, I knew not what to expect in my encounter with the children. I worried about how I would cope with the impoverished areas, and the various situations I was certain to experience.
Knowing that the children here have suffered in many different ways, I wondered: How do you help in a way that shows that you are genuine? How do you meet the children in their needs, and get to know them?

I learned a lot about Project COLORS International and the different projects they are organizing here. For instance, we brought two of the children to Sunyata’s house on one of the ‘going away’ weekends. We also went to the crèches of Thembalethu and delivered the nutrition mix Nutty Buddy to the kids. When she asked me to stay here a month longer then planned to fill in for her while she is in Canada, I could not resist the challenge.
I am thrilled for the ability to stay longer in South Africa, getting to know the children better and learning a lot about the different tasks that need to be done in COLORS. I’ve had an amazing time thus far, and I am looking forward to everything that the next month will bring me of ups and downs, experiences and challenges. Most importantly – I am grateful for the privilege. Maria.