The Q Fund Blog

The Columbia University Partnership for International Development (CUPID) picked the Q Fund as one of three host organizations for their summer internship program.
We are proud to announce the students who are participating.

The internship program brings together students from Columbia’s many graduate schools to collaborate on international development projects. The Q Fund is hosting a multi-disciplinary team of eight interns who are working with the Chimoza Community School community on various projects and initiatives.

Christina Bichay received her BSW from Michigan State University where she also specialized in West African Studies. She is graduating from Columbia University in May with her MSW and a focus in International Social Work. Christina has participated in multiple international social work experiences including living in Ghana and leading a refugee women’s support group on micro-financing. Christina is very excited to be returning to Africa and to be working with such a great multi-disciplinary team.

Devon Dunsmore, from Boxford, Massachusetts, holds a B.S. in Human Development and is currently completing her Masters of Social Work with a focus on International Social Welfare. Devon spent time teaching English as a second language in both Costa Rica and Spain and during that time became fluent in Spanish. Her other overseas experiences include working at a grassroots organization with children in Glasgow, Scotland, and at an orphanage Costa Rica. She now works with Spanish-speaking immigrant families, helping mothers and children who are survivors of domestic violence.

Cristin King will graduate in May 2008 with her MSW from the Columbia School of Social Work. In the future she plans to continue her work in International Social Work in the United States and abroad. Cristin has over ten years of experience working with immigrant and refugee communities in the Dominican Republic, Washington, California, New York and New Jersey. Most recently Cristin has been working at the International Institute of New Jersey, a resettlement agency under the USCRI where she provides administrative support to the Executive Director and as well as mental health counseling for survivors of torture and gender based violence. Cristin’s primary interests include women’s empowerment and gender-based violence and the social, political and economic effects of trauma.

Alexandra Knezo, from Alexandria, Virginia holds a B.S. in Human Development and will graduate with her MSW from Columbia University School of Social Work in the Spring of 2008. She spent time in Monterrey, Mexico while a student at Virginia Tech evaluating a service learning exchange program with Tec de Monterrey. Alexandra is thrilled to be participating with the Q-fund and looks forward to working with the community in Ndola, Zambia!

Ana Maria Rodriguez majored in Political Science in 2003 in her country of origin, Colombia- South America. Ever since graduating, she has been working in the social field and with vulnerable communities in order to try and understand people in their environments and figure out the best way to design social interventions to help to improve their quality of life. Currently Ana Maria is a first year student at Columbia University School of Social Work. Traveling to Zambia represents an extension of her professional and personal motivations as well as an amazing opportunity to learn from new experiences and share her skills.

Rachel Shapiro is a dual degree student at the Columbia University School of Social Work and the Mailman School of Public Health. She finds working with youth inspiring and is passionate about HIV education and prevention. This summer will mark her first time working in Africa, an experience she is greatly looking forward to.

Jackie Soo is a first-year graduate student at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. She is studying Epidemiology, and is interested in international health and infectious disease. More broadly, she is interested in how sustainable development interacts with and contributes to population health. Previously, she has lived abroad in Ireland, Taiwan, and Italy, and she is very excited to go to Zambia with the Q Fund.