This summer, Clean the World Asia is hosting two summer interns. Here is a fun interview with Victoria Umutoni,a rising senior at Emory University.
1. What’s your name?
My name is Victoria Umutoni but most people call me Vicky.
2. Where are you from?
I am from a small beautiful country in the heart of Africa, Rwanda
3. What are you studying and what do you want to be when you grow up?
I am double majoring in Human Health and Anthropology. I plan to work in the public health sector. I am still trying to figure out what fields in public health I want to work in but currently I am very interested in epidemiology and health policy.
4. What’s a quirky fun fact most people don’t know about you?
I am terrified of height and water!! However, I went ziplining and white water rafting. There were a lot of screaming involved but it was a lot of fun
5. Why did you choose Clean the World Asia?
After working with NGOs in my country and in the US, I was interested in working with NGOs in other parts of the world. I was drawn to the education part of Clean the World Asia. I liked the fact that the organization is not just about recycling and distributing soaps but they also educate about hygiene and sustainability.
6. What’s your role whilst working at CTWA?
I am a summer intern at CTWA. One of the projects I am working on is to develop a storybook that will be used to educate children about proper hygiene and can be translated in Cantonese for local people to use. I have also been assisting with other projects such as hygiene education workshop with Jumpstart kids, website editing, hygiene and nutrition project, and other logistics.
7. What’s been your favorite experience working with CTWA so far?
My favorite experience was working on the hygiene education workshop with Jumpstart kids. I had the opportunity to teach children how to properly wash hands by getting them to play with glitter.
8. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen or eaten in HK?
The weirdest thing I have seen in HK is cooked chicken feet and raw fish. I haven’t had the courage to eat them yet but I want to taste them at least once.
9. What’s your favourite quote?
“ Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that”- Martin Luther King
10. What has been your biggest lesson from your intern experience at CTWA?
Education is key to making long-term change in a community. Through reading reports of CTW’s work in other parts of the world, such as Tanzania and Kenya, and through discussion with Gyneth, I have realized how powerful education is in impacting people’s lives.
11. What is your favorite thing about Hong Kong?
The views!!! I love the fact that even though Hong Kong is such a crowded and dense place, it is easy to get away from the crowd. There are amazing hikes with such breathtaking views. My favorite one is Lion Rock 🙂