Meet our Summer 2015 Interns!
August 12, 2015
Julia Sacha, Health Impact Studies Intern
From: Charleston, SC
College: Davidson College, Class of 2017
Major: Biology
Why intern at Water Missions?
I decided to work for Water Missions because I was intrigued by the way they serve people in a committed, thorough, and God-driven way. I wanted to work with the Health Impact Studies team because I am personally interested in research and wanted to see how Water Missions uses research to improve the health of others.
Favorite project?
Arranging the Uganda KAP survey that my supervisor, Kristen Check, will use to investigate cultural barriers for why people use or don't use the safe water.
What should everyone add to their Charleston bucket list?
Salsa dancing at Southend Brewery.
You worked in our brand new office space, the Vault. What would you add to the space to make it better?
The Vault needs a disco ball for those moments when a dance break is all you need.
Kathryn Jenkins, Engineering Intern
From: Greenville, SC
College: Clemson University, Class of 2017
Major: Civil Engineering
Why intern at Water Missions?
I wanted to intern at Water Missions to learn how my engineering major can be used for ministry purposes around the world. This has been one of the greatest experiences I've ever had!
Favorite project?
My favorite project has been working on drawings with my supervisor, Jeff Zapor, and learning how projects are run and built all over the world. Jeff, Brian and Carrie have all helped me to see what it takes to carry out a project and the details and thought that go into each one. I've learned a lot from the engineers working here that I am excited to take back to school with me. Learning an overview of the projects and the process it takes to carry them out has helped me experience what I might like to do with my future after graduation and makes me excited to go back to Clemson and conquer hard classes.
Favorite Charleston adventure this summer?
Sailing with Jay every Wednesday night!
What should everyone add to their Charleston bucket list?
Take an afternoon to visit Cyprus Gardens (where the Notebook scene was filmed) and rent a kayak to float around the beautiful lake!
You worked in our brand new office space, the Vault. What would you add to the space to make it better?
A foosball table in place of the ping-pong table so I can take Chris's spot as office champion!
Mitchell Morris, Engineering Intern
From: Birmingham, AL
College: University of Alabama Birmingham, Class of 2017
Why intern at Water Missions?
The global water crisis has been on my mind and heart for over a year, and I was interested and excited when I found the Water Missions website. I want to do mission work and therefore wanted to learn more about how an engineering ministry like this works.
Favorite project?
Retrofitting new filter heads to send out to country programs, such as Uganda and Indonesia.
What's been the best part of working at Water Missions HQ?
Getting the opportunity to gain a "big picture" perspective of meeting physical needs in the world while also fulfilling the Great Commission.
What made you laugh the hardest this summer?
Bert [Morrison, his supervisor]
Meryl McCants, Church Partnerships Intern (pictured right with supervisor Kevin Herr)
From: Irmo, SC
College: College of Charleston, Class of 2016
Majors: Public Health & Psychology
Why intern at Water Missions?
I fell in love with the organization as a volunteer starting in 2014 and wanted to stay connected. Everyone is so encouraging and helpful with my journey getting to know Christ.
What has been your favorite project?
My favorite part of the internship was getting to know my boss, Kevin Herr, and the creation of a youth program from start to finish!
Favorite Charleston adventure this summer?
Enjoying berry cobbler at 1am at Kaminsky's and going to the beach with other interns.
What should everyone add to their Charleston bucket list?
Kayaking on Shem Creek.
What made you laugh the hardest this summer?
Mitchell and Chris speaking in Russian accents and Kyle's throwback story telling at Q'doba.
Meredith Cantey, Education/Internship Program Intern
From: Chicago, IL
College: Indiana University, Class of 2016
Major: Non-Profit Management
Why intern at Water Missions?
Majoring in non-profit management, I figured I should eventually see if I actually like working in the non-profit sector. I also knew my supervisor, Lea, for a long time before my internship, so I was very excited to work with her.
Favorite project?
Creating a webpage for the internship program and cutting out spots for all the girls to dress up like cows on Chick fil A day (earning us 5 free meals).
What's been the best part of working at Water Missions HQ?
Being so close to amazing restaurants and coffee shops has been a lot of fun for lunches and off-site meetings.
What should everyone add to their Charleston bucket list?
Sailing with Jay, Riverdogs game, and the USS Yorktown.
You worked in our brand new office space, the Vault. What would you add to the space to make it better?
Coffee maker, for sure. And maybe a bean-bag chair.
Nathan Landon, Information Technology Intern
From: The big city of Polkton, NC
College: UNC Charlotte, Class of 2017
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Why intern at Water Missions?
One of the main reasons I wanted to intern at Water Missions was so I could explore opportunities to serve in a ministry like Water Missions. I really wanted to get a feel for how it works and what the needs are. Water Missions seemed like the ideal ministry to explore these opportunities with because of their philosophy and mindset about poverty alleviation and our place in it. On a day to day basis, I was able to learn tons from the staff and volunteers. It was great to be around people who think hard about how we can best serve others and then work hard to implement that vision.
Favorite project?
Throughout the summer I've been working on code to gather information about our projects from PDFs that our staff in the field fill out. This information is then uploaded into the databases so that it can be accessed by our staff. Updating this software, called the PUMP, was probably my favorite project from the summer.
What's been the best part of working at Water Missions HQ?
Making an actual contribution to the work of Water Missions as part of the team has been great. The staff really welcomed the interns into the group as we all do significant work together. It's been great to be deeply involved in the daily work of Water Missions.
You worked in our brand new office space, the Vault. What would you add to the space to make it better?
An automatic cookie dispenser... and then maybe some speakers connected to the projector.
Abby Pascutti, Special Events / Third Party Fundraising Intern
From: Mt. Pleasant, SC
College: Clemson University, Class of 2016
Major: Communication Studies
Why intern at Water Missions?
In the past year, I've become more aware of the global water crisis and wanted to work with an organization that was applying different areas of talent and creativity to alleviate it. I love the way that Water Missions pursues healing by tending to communities' physical and spiritual needs. Being from the Charleston area, I had been loosely involved with WMI in the past so I figured it would be a great fit!
Favorite project?
Brainstorming for the 2016 Walk for Water.
What should everyone add to their Charleston bucket list?
The Saturday farmer's market in Marion Square downtown. One of my favorite spots!
What made you laugh the hardest this summer?
Chris performing the entire dance to NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye."
Chris Gilson, Engineering Intern
From: Norcross, Georgia
College: Virginia Tech, Class of 2016
Major: Biological Systems Engineering
Why did you want to intern with Water Missions?
I've felt a tug towards the global water crisis for a few years now, and I saw Water Missions as a unique intersection of Jesus's restoration and a passion for engineering to meet dire physical needs in the world.
What has been your favorite project?
Mitchell, Bert, and I worked to set up a permanent outdoor testing site donated by Charleston Water System at Bushy Park. Because city water already has chlorine in it, we needed a fresh-water source to test new designs. Setting up the site involved wiring up solar panels, wiring and priming a few different types of pumps, installing electronic measuring devices, and a lot of other tasks that required a little elbow grease. Most of this was new to me, so learning quickly and applying it immediately was a rewarding challenge.
What's been the best part of working at Water Missions' HQ?
Ping pong with Bert. Or making it on the Water Missions' Instagram (finally). Actually, I loved working in the warehouse with a lot of the older volunteers who bring their years of experience and wisdom to the table. Our diverse tasks required using tools and processes that they frequently walked me through. Watching them take time out of their retirement to volunteer taught me a lot about the way we worship God through work that He gives us.
Favorite Charleston adventure this summer:
Mitchell and Kevin towing me behind their bikes on a longboard (with a rope) to the Ravenel Bridge.
What should everyone add to their Charleston bucket list?
The African drum circle that happens near Folly Beach on Tuesday nights, free for anyone to walk up and join in (in my case no experience/skill required).
Daisy Schwarz, Community Development Intern
From: Greenville, SC
College: College of Charleston, Class of 2016
Majors: Biology & Public Health, with a minor in Anthropology
Why intern at Water Missions?
I wanted to intern with Water Missions to gain experience in a professional environment that dealt with matters of water sanitation. Ironically enough, my interest in global health issues stemmed from a class that I took with Dr. Deal (Water Missions' current Health Impact Studies director) and ever since I have been looking for ways to get involved in projects abroad. I felt as though that I could involve myself in this organization to create a real difference and serve a great purpose - and I think I have accomplished that!
Favorite project?
My favorite project by far is creating a component for the WASH promotion cycle from the ground up, the Tippy Tap Project. The Tippy Tap Project includes a component that goes into the lesson plan and workbook, and with the help of a fellow colleague it also includes a children's song that aids children on how long to wash their hands!
What's been the best part of working at Water Missions HQ?
The best part of working at Water Missions HQ has been working amongst a group of talented professionals in several different fields all working towards one common goal: providing safe water for those in need. The Christian family within the organization made for a comfortable and open work environment that allowed for me to grow spiritually and professionally.
Favorite Charleston adventure this summer?
Going to the intern/supervisor party at Lea's house! It was a joy to get to know everyone and their families outside of Water Missions in a fun setting!
What made you laugh the hardest this summer?
I would have to say the person that made me laugh the hardest this summer was Ms. Julia Sacha!
Nina Wiersma, Communications & Grant Writing Intern
From: Frankfurt, Germany. Since then, I've lived in 15 places on 3 continents. Currently, I live in Vienna, Austria.
College: The Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, Masters Candidate 2016
Degree: Masters of Advanced International Studies
What's been the best part of working at Water Missions HQ?
It's been so spiritually encouraging for me to work alongside other Christians at Water Missions. The best thing for me has been learning and seeing God's character in the daily devotionals, weekly Bible studies and actions of my coworkers.
Favorite thing about Water Missions?
Besides the people that make the work environment at Water Missions an enjoyable experience, the workspace itself is absolutely beautiful. It's been really fun working in an open office environment with large windows and modern furnishings. It beats working in a dark office everyday!
Thank you to this amazing team of interns for all your hard work in aiding our team to give more people safe water and sanitation around the world. We're so proud of you! Interested in our internship program? Learn more here.
Related Impact Stories
