Employer Profile

Resilient Communities

Resilient Communities is an American non-profit organization that specializes in sustainable development and cultural exchange. They team up with local communities, associations, and international students in the research, design, and development of sustainable community and infrastructure projects in partnership with universities and government agencies. They specialize in engaging the local residents in the community development process via community activities and capacity-building workshops for youth and associations. Implementing these sustainable community engagement projects, programs, and technology in small communities that are rapidly growing, their vision is to inspire residents, especially the youth, to gain the realization that they are detrimental to leading change in their communities.

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Keeping in consistent contact with Robert Eastman Johnson, the President of Resilient Communities, my supervisor has made my travels to Morocco and work in the country as smooth as possible. As the only intern for the summer, my workload consists of creating and traveling around the country to facilitate workshops, producing creative work solutions for design projects, and utilizing project management skills to make sure everyone is keeping up with their tasks in the projects I am a part of.

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Creating and facilitating workshops has allowed me to develop my collaboration and communication skills, especially at an international setting. Working with partners of Resilient Communities, we have produced workshops in consideration for the participants' age groups, their proficiency in English, and what could provide them with the skills necessary for individual growth. With these workshops, I have traveled to multiple cities and villages throughout the country, exploring, learning, and comparing the way of life in each of these locations.

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Aside from the workshops, I am actively working alongside partner organizations to curate designs for a library at Essafsaf Middle School as well as a library, courtyard space, and mural at Lycee Aoukba Ibn Nafia High School. These designs have required me to visit the sites, take images and measurements, and observe the existing space. Utilizing the documentation and measurements, I brought forward design iterations through digital software for both projects. Coordinating with partners and clients towards a final project proposal, I have sent multiple design updates for their comments and feedback. In addition to the design aspect of the projects, I am seeking donations and funding for books as well as furnishings for both schools.

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Throughout my experience, I have found the work culture and pace different from what I was used to in America. At my previous internships, I had a set time where I was required to be in the office and get my work done, interacting with my co-workers in person. Without an office to go to and with no available wifi at my apartment, I usually spend my days at a cafe or my friend's place to complete my work. I would work, take breaks as needed, and get back to satisfying my tasks for the day. As a growing non-profit organization, everyone is responsible to make sure they are playing their roles and keeping up on tasks. At least once a week, I would catch up with my supervisor and plan for the upcoming week. Even without being in an office setting where my work would be checked consistently, collaboration with partners is key to achieving progress towards Resilient Communities' mission of community development. Reaching out to partners often as work pace here in the country can be slow, I make sure I can get my own assignments done in appropriate timing. This experience has provided me with a lot of freedom and individuality in following a work style that suits me best!