As a part-time MA Education, Health Promotion and International Development student at UCL, I recently embarked on an extraordinary journey as a Programmes Team Intern at EduSpots.
This experience has been nothing short of transformative, challenging my perspectives and enriching my understanding of community-led education in ways I never anticipated– so much so that I asked to write this article to reach out to other potential interns should the opportunities arise. Here’s why I loved being part of EduSpots and so can you!
The EduSpots Ethos
EduSpots’ commitment to a community-led approach is not just a slogan; it’s a lived reality that permeates every aspect of the organisation. From the outset, I was struck by how this ethos extends beyond Catalysts and learners to include staff and interns. The inclusive environment fostered by EduSpots allowed me to fully immerse myself in various sessions, meetings, and activities, each contributing uniquely to my professional growth and to EduSpots’ mission, even when working remotely.
Diverse Opportunities and Growth
During my internship, I had the opportunity to engage in a rich and diverse range of experiences, with constant encouragement to be creative and take charge of my own learning based on the skills I aimed to develop. I collaborated with a team Catalysts and staff members to co-create educational materials for the EduLit strand, designing literacy activities, puzzles, and interactive games that were distributed to community Catalysts via WhatsApp. One of the most memorable aspects was adapting and creating play-based activities for EduKidz, drawing inspiration from non-colonial education principles. This challenged me to re-think and reflect upon the different cultural contexts in which educational initiatives take place, pushing me out of my comfort zone and into a space of critical reflection and creativity.
My role not only included such creative tasks but also valuable administrative experience and skill development as well. The opportunity to observe PD and training sessions, as well as sit in on potential new team member recruitment, was particularly gratifying. I enjoyed sharing my thoughts during meetings on topics such as educational pedagogy and was always made to feel included. It signified that although an intern, my views mattered and I was now part of the community further reflecting EduSpots inclusive and community-led culture. These experiences, along with participating in curriculum development and resource adaptation for rural learning environments, also emphasised the collaborative nature of EduSpots’ work and the importance of continuous learning and adaptation.
Applying Theory to Practice
A standout moment of my internship was when I was given the opportunity to facilitate a training session on “Making Healthy Choices: Understanding and Taking a Stand Against Drug Abuse” along with Rachael, the Well-being intern. I was a little nervous at first but this experience allowed me to apply theories from my university lectures, particularly regarding health promotion and the WHO’s Health Promoting Schools framework and I feel fairly confident after my time at EduSpots to take up public speaking roles. It was a powerful reminder of how academic knowledge can be translated into practical, impactful initiatives.
The EduChamp Community and Innovative Approaches
Being part of the EduSpots EduChamp community was another enriching aspect of my internship. This platform, open to all, is a treasure trove of resources on education and international development, including must-read books and thought-provoking opinion polls via Whatsapp. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in these fields and it is open to all!
Throughout my internship, I was continually impressed by EduSpots’ use of WhatsApp as an educational tool not only to the wider community but within the network as well. The organisation’s innovative approach to leveraging this widely accessible platform for education and engagement is truly fascinating, check out another article I wrote on this as well! You can join EduChamps HERE.
Reflections
This internship with EduSpots has been an eye-opening journey, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world challenges in education and health promotion. The experience has not only enhanced my professional skills but also deepened my understanding of inclusive, culturally-sensitive education. It challenged me to think critically about adapting educational initiatives to different cultural contexts, especially in remote or resource-constrained areas, while also honing my ability to work productively in remote team settings.
As my time with EduSpots comes to an end, I’m filled with gratitude for the entire team who inspired me, including Isaac, Vida, Lawrence, and our CEO Cat Davison. What stood out most was the naturally flattened structure within EduSpots – despite their leadership positions, Lawrence and Cat never made me feel constrained by hierarchy. This open environment fostered collaboration and free exchange of ideas. Cat’s leadership approach was particularly impressive, consistently emphasising decolonial perspectives by prioritising Ghanaian viewpoints and challenging her own as well as encouraging others who are also from other backgrounds such as myself to challenge our assumptions. This commitment to centering local knowledge set a powerful example of how international development work should be approached and EduSpots goes beyond discussing this but also putting it into practice.
The unique approach of EduSpots and its incredible Catalysts has provided me with invaluable insights that I’m eager to apply to the recovery efforts in my conflict-affected home country of Sudan. Their model of community-led development and education has given me a fresh perspective on addressing challenges in diverse contexts. As I move forward in my career, I carry with me not just new skills and knowledge, but a transformed understanding of the importance of challenging traditional power structures and prioritising local voices in development work. This transformative experience with EduSpots will undoubtedly shape my future endeavours in education and international development, reinforcing my commitment to inclusive, community-driven approaches.
You may notice throughout this article that I’ve rarely used the word “organisation” – this is something I also learned during my time with EduSpots. They’ve created more than just a typical nonprofit structure; they’ve fostered a true community. This community-centric approach permeates every aspect of their work, from the way they interact internally to how they engage with the communities they serve. It’s a powerful reminder that effective change doesn’t come from top-down organisational mandates, but from building strong, interconnected communities with shared goals and values.