5Q4 > An ADRA Intern

Hannah Saunders, a bachelor of science/bachelor of
communication graduate, was in a good position to start a
comfortable life in Australia. Instead, in January, she left for a
two-year internship with ADRA Nepal.

1 What motivated you to leave home
for an ADRA Nepal internship? > I wanted to get my priorities right. I liked nice things and being comfortable but didn’t want either one of those factors to be my life’s focus. Also, I wanted to trust God more in every area of my life and allow Him to work through me as much as possible.

2 What learning experiences would
you have missed if you didn’t do this
ADRA internship? > I recently stayed in a small village in south-western Nepal while visiting an ADRA Women’s Poverty Alleviation Project. Sitting in a literacy class, I noticed the group leader was wearing a really pretty ring. Thinking she might appreciate the comment, I told her it was beautiful. As I left the village she came up to me, took the ring off her finger and put it on mine. I didn’t know what to do. Here was someone who had next to no possessions wanting me to have one of her treasures. That experience had a huge impact on me and taught me an important lesson about giving. I wear her ring as a reminder of her generosity and of the impact giving can have on a life.

3 How do you think this internship will change
your life? > There’s no doubt that God is using this internship to make me a stronger person, both spiritually and mentally. I will never take a hot shower, a flushing toilet or a comfortable mattress for granted again!

4 What would you say to young people in
Australia and New Zealand who feel they aren’t
wealthy? > Living in Australia I didn’t feel wealthy; but after living here, on next to no money, I realise I had so much more than the majority of people in this world. I now understand that if you enjoy a hot shower every day, don’t have to handwash your clothes, can read, write or have the opportunity to get an education, you are wealthy.

5 What’s your advice for young people
wanting to share their wealth with those in
need? > Sharing your wealth is one of the best things you can do. It helps people who really don’t have much and cements your priorities in life. It’s important to share your wealth to help others who are less fortunate than yourself but also to realise that giving allows God to work miracles in your life.