Food and Water Watch

So… What is my job description? I am currently an intern with Food and Water Watch. It is a non-profit organization (completely unfunded by the government) that champions healthy food and clean water for all. Currently, my responsibility is to work on the Detroit water crisis, which is the crisis of water shutoffs taking place in Detroit. Many people’s water, in this city, is being shut off because they haven’t paid their bills, however, DWSD charges an absurd amount of money to the citizens of Detroit (where 40% of the population is in poverty) and doesn’t provide any affordability programs.

Keeping that in mind, I will be expanding on the work that De’Mario Longmire, last year’s intern, did and continue to look for different affordability programs. Also (trying to give myself things to do and feel useful), I conjured up the idea to even look at programs that were international. I also am working on developing a survey that will allow Food and Water Watch to better understand the circumstances and conditions of Detroit’s community members’ struggle with this water crisis. I also developed this idea.

Lynna, my boss, and I finally had a meeting today that helped me sort of understand my position better as an intern. I have 3 main tasks: municipal affordability plans, international affordability plans, and surveys. She said that the first couple of weeks will be me doing a lot of reading and that made things make more sense. I was honestly getting bored A LOT and couldn’t focus. I didn’t really know what I was supposed to do, plus the lighting isn’t the best there and it kind of makes me sleepy. I got to the point where I emailed De’Mario for advice. Lol.

However, I feel better now. I am nervous though because I’m not sure how effective will be and I don’t know if I’ll be able to gain the skills that I truly set out to develop.

Sincerely,

Tierra Christian