How does a non-profit organization implement a sustainable solution to global hunger and poverty?

Since I have been interning at The Hunger Project remotely, I have sometimes found it difficult to remain fully engaged and present. One thing that I have discovered about my work habits is that I need to change directions and take a break when the work I am doing is dull and repetitive. For instance, in the beginning of my internship, I was tasked with creating a new interactive orientation booklet for future interns to learn about The Hunger Project and its approach to ending global hunger and poverty. At the beginning of my internship, I was fully engaged while creating this booklet. This was partly because everything was new and exciting. I really enjoyed conducting research and designing a platform. However, towards the middle of Senior Project, I began losing interest in my work. As each day went by, I began feeling more and more bored and I could feel my motivation disappearing. This was also partly because I was participating in fewer internship meetings. This all changed during my fourth week of Senior Project when I was tasked with interviewing various THP staff and investors. This new project allowed me to take a break from the intern booklet and engage with lots of different people. As I enter this final week, I feel refreshed and I am ready to return back to working on the intern booklet. My experience has taught me that shifting directions and taking breaks is essential to remaining motivated and present in my work.

In terms of answering my essential question, one thing I want to learn more about the movement for community-led development (MCLD). The Hunger Project has helped lead this movement for about five years. This movement unites a broad range of international development organizations that deeply believe community-led solutions at the local level are critical to effectively and sustainably end hunger and extreme poverty. I want to examine how this movement connects with the organization’s overarching strategy. I also want to continue interviewing THP staff and investors on their THP stories. These interviews have taught me a lot about what makes The Hunger Project so unique and how much the organization has impacted the lives of its investors and staff.