This summer, The University of Texas Chapter went to Cameroon to help the widows of Njinikom cultivate plantain trees so they may earn a sustainable income and increase their self-sufficiency. Below is a video of Emily Salada, a project team member and the Chapter Secretary, speaking about her experience with the project.
For more student project stories and Nourish videos, visit our YouTube Channel!
This week, NINO would like to recognize two of our great student leaders, the Chapter Leaders of Duke University: Pulkit Taunk and Puneet Raman .
Pulkit Taunk
What passion drives you and your work with Nourish International?
I really like everything that Nourish International stands for. Nourish International approaches important issues through an innovative lens by harnessing student spirit and really engaging communities. A few things that really get me excited about Nourish: it’s student run; the projects bring about sustainable change, the ventures give room for student creativity and innovation and it’s a model that actually works!
What is one of your favorite memories of working with Nourish?
My favorite memory would definitely be from the Summer Institute – just meeting so many people who are passionate about the same issues that I’m passionate about. It gave me a sense of direction, a feeling of empowerment, and a community to keep in touch with.
What career path are you interested in? How do you think Nourish will prepare you for that possible career?
I am pre-med. A lot of major problems such as heart attacks can be prevented through simple, sustainable lifestyle choices. As a doctor, I want to practice preventative medicine and give my patients ownership of their own health. A lot of what Nourish does is build accountability for a project, and as students we want to instill this sense of ownership in the community so that the community will really invest in this project.
Puneet Raman
What passion drives you and your work with Nourish International?
I’ve always been interested in positively impacting the lives of people around me. But I never liked the idea that all of the money I donate to organizations goes into some big untraceable pool. Nourish gives me a way to use my creativity and passion to finance a specific project abroad, where I’m able to be involved in everything (from earning the money, to literally conducting the project abroad). Nourish is a very unique organization that allows me to express my desire to help others in a meaningful way.
What is one of your favorite memories of working with Nourish?
My favorite memory has probably been the successful Hunger Lunches we had last fall. It was nice to have a lot of people from the organization at one of our events, and the first few lunches were both social activities and fundraisers.
What career path are you interested in? How do you think Nourish will prepare you for that possible career?
I’m most likely going into medicine after teaching for two years. Nourish emphasizes the principles that I want to live the rest of my life with.
This week NINO is featuring Anna Marie Carr, a student leader at Wake Forest University. Anna Marie is a French major with a minor in African Studies. Read on to find out how she’s making a difference for her Nourish Chapter!
Why are you interested in Nourish?
I’ve done a good deal of nonprofit and volunteer work here at Wake, but I’ve never seen an organization so professionally run with a model that is both impressive and attainable. I love the Nourish International concept because of the realistic and inspiring approach it takes toward student involvement. Having a completely student-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on a college campus legitimizes the idea of a campus philanthropy movement, and the opportunities for specialized positions and roles for each student is a great model to get the most people involved in the most productive and exciting way. This organization is more than a “charity”- it is passionate, driven students working together for REAL CHANGE, and what we do with Nourish truly makes a difference.
What is one of your favorite memories of working with Nourish?
I would say that one of the most memorable WFU Nourish moments in our first semester was our very first Executive meeting, where we had all of our officers present. Seeing this group of passionate, talented, and proactive students step up to the plate to start the Wake Forest chapter was both exciting and energizing. We spent the meeting going over the basic ins and outs of N.I., bouncing ideas off one another, enjoying getting to know one another, and realizing that this Nourish International concept really could happen here at Wake. We’ve had a great time working together so far, and I’m excited to see the group grow and flourish under such a dynamite leadership team.
What are your career possibilities, and how does Nourish prepare you?
I’m interested in pursuing a career in the Nonprofit sector, so working with Nourish International is an amazing opportunity to really observe the inner workings of a small nonprofit organization first-hand. Being part of the executive board from the start of our chapter here at Wake has really allowed me to learn more about Nonprofit structure and management, as well as how to take a great nonprofit model and put it into action in a specific situation. Working as the campus outreach director allows me to utilize the connections that I’ve already established in the volunteer/nonprofit arena of WFU to maximize our impact and success, and I hope that I can take this experience with me into the professional nonprofit world!
Nourish wouldn’t be able to expand and reach out to students on university campuses across the US without the help of its Chapter Founders team. They work hard to broadcast news about Nourish’s model and find schools that have the perfect combination of motivated students and resources that align to form a successful Chapter.
Tara Seshan is on the Chapter Founders team, but she’s no newcomer when it comes to Nourish. As a Freshman, she was a Freshman Executive Officer (FEO) at the UNC Chapter and loved it, saying that the “infectious spirit of innovation and push for student-led change” really moved her. She then became the Ventures Director at UNC and was in awe “of the deep and complex thinking that Nourish encouraged of its students.” Tara then moved from the UNC Chapter to the National Office, working as the Special Projects Intern and heading the “Give the Gift of Nourish” card campaign. This semester, she is on the Chapter Founders team, doing more marketing-focused work and utilizing graphic design and multimedia to reach out to potential chapters.
“Nourish was built by students for students, and we realize that social media is the perfect way to spread the movement from the ground up. We use Facebook, Twitter, Blog Posts, Videos, and other outlets to directly communicate with students who share our passion and give momentum to Nourish International.”
Tara loves being on the Chapter Founders team because she believes that in order for Nourish to have the greatest impact, there need to be Chapters on university campuses everywhere. “We have the potential to make a huge difference in the world, and the more students we have working together, the better.” It’s clear that Tara is passionate about Nourish. Her favorite part of her current role is talking to prospective Chapter Founders, communicating how much she loves Nourish and seeing that same spark in them. “The more innovative and interested Nourish students are, the more success we will see at the Chapter level!”
The Chapter Founders team seeks out quality students who are passionate about the mission of Nourish and who can be true leaders, bringing students together to be a part of the youth movement. Tara believes that there are many schools who could benefit from having a Nourish Chapter and is excited when she comes across schools who are not yet a part of the Nourish network, as it’s a great opportunity to harnass the passion of those students and create sustainable impact.
Check out the Chapter Founders video that Tara created, and click here to find out more and apply to start a Nourish Chapter.
What is one of your favorite memories of working with your Nourish Chapter?
My favorite memory is when our chapter successfully raised thousands of dollars to finance the eco-weaving project of Guatamalan women after our first year as a chapter. Our members utilized our unique talents and knowledge to raise the funds and implement the project.
What career path are you interested in? How do you think Nourish will prepare you for that possible career?
I hope to attend law school in two years and pursue a career in law. I think that anyone in law, a field founded on principles such as ethics and justice, should remain aware of the life situations of those who have been unjustly disadvantaged by external circumstances.
During last week’s Chapter Visits, NINO had the chance to meet and spend time with great Nourish students along the East Coast. Here we highlight Rachel and Dakota from Yale University. Read on to find out what excites them about their work with Nourish!
Rachel Looff is a sophomore History of Science and History of Medicine major at Yale University. She is serving Yale’s Nourish Chapter this year as Community Outreach Director.
What passion drives you and your work with Nourish International?
I started working with Nourish International through the ventures side of the organization, but what really drew me to get more involved was the opportunity to plan trips that I knew would directly benefit the communities we visited. I love being involved in the planning process from start to finish.
What is one of your favorite memories of working with your Nourish Chapter?
One of my favorite Nourish memories was the pumpkin smashing fundraiser we organized this fall. Trying to load 100 pumpkins into the back of an SUV was quite an experience!
What career path are you interested in? How do you think Nourish will prepare you for that possible career?
I’m interested in pursuing a join MD/MPH and working in global health development. I think Nourish will definitely give me relevant experience- particularly in public health. The trip we are planning to work on a medical clinic in Peru this summer is very similar to projects I envision pursuing in the future.
Dakota Meyers is Nourish Yale’s Ventures Director. He is a sophomore Economics major.
What passion drives you and your work with Nourish International?
I am driven to work with Nourish both because of the co-operative structure of its projects and the sustainable business-based nature of its ventures. As an economics major, I am particularly fascinated by the concept of profit being used as a tool to reduce economic disparity.
What is one of your favorite memories of working with your Nourish Chapter?
My favorite memory of working with my Nourish Chapter is of running our Pumpkin Smashing venture. The venture’s unexpected success made the venture both fun and fulfilling.
What career path are you interested in? How do you think Nourish will prepare you for that possible career?
I am interested in pursuing a career in either finance or entrepreneurship. Nourish’s ventures provide skill-building exercises for both of these career areas, in addition to providing moral fulfillment.
A Dog, A Cow, and Llama – Es Una Vida Dificil
Home Again!
One Week has Flew By!
Time dilation in a far away nation
Pre-Cameroon Musings
Many thanks to our outgoing Board Members
Orientated
Announcing our 2013-14 Student Board Members
Getting down to the nitty gritty
Pre-Departure
Irish Catering Hire: The best thing about your service is that you offe...
Sameer: oh I wish if this nourish movement could be extend...
Team DDS, Inc.: What a great project, medical clinics are never un...
Olivia: Wow that's really incredible! Hope you had an ama...
Angela Tassone: Great blog, love to hear all the exciting stories ...
