This year, Blood:Water has two interns dedicating their summer to helping us end the HIV/AIDS and water crises in Africa. We’re excited to introduce you to Emily and Hannah. Because who runs the world? GIRLS!

Meet our marketing intern, Emily Diehl, a local resident of Nashville with a love of reading and writing!

What is your name and where are you from?

Emily Diehl. Nashville, Tenn.

Why did you apply to be an intern at Blood:Water?

I applied to be an intern at Blood:Water because I wanted to use the writing and critical thinking abilities that I acquired as an English major in a way that helps others. As an intern, my hope is to learn how a nonprofit works and to gain new skills that will help me as I continue to pursue ways in which I can use my writing.

What is your dream job?

My dream is to write novels and poetry, but my dream job would be to own or work at a farm—urban or countryside—that benefits the surrounding community and environment.

What is your favorite book?

I’m pretty sure my answer to this question changes all the time. For now, I’ll narrow it down to three: “East of Eden” by John Steinbeck, “Les Misérables” by Victor Hugo, and “Gilead” by Marilynne Robinson. I also love “The Lord of the Rings” and anything by C.S. Lewis.

What is your favorite pastime?

My favorite pastime is bike riding or hiking with my friends.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life what would it be?

Anything with curry, but particularly the kind my mom makes, which is a sweet curry sauce that goes over rice with coconut, raisins, green onions, and mandarin oranges.

Tell us one of your special quirks!

I hate walking or biking in front of a group of people. If I am walking with friends and somehow end up in the front, I will stop abruptly until everyone has passed me and I can continue following from the back. I feel the same way about being followed when driving, but I resist the stopping abruptly part.

Meet our engagement intern, Hannah Eland, a believer in sustainable development and the color pink!

What is your name and where are you from?

My name is Hannah Eland and my hometown is Columbus, Ohio.

Why did you apply to be an intern at Blood:Water?

I applied to be an intern at Blood:Water because I love the grassroots approach it takes to combat HIV/AIDS and the water crisis in Africa. Blood:Water truly seeks to listen to its partners and desires to come alongside them in this endeavor. The book that co-founder Jena Lee Nardella wrote, “One Thousand Wells,” was phenomenal as well!

What is your dream job?

My dream job is to be involved in the nonprofit sector. I don’t know what this looks like right now, but I have a deep desire to see those who are invisible to the rest of society.

What is your favorite book?

My favorite book is “Half the Sky” by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. “Half the Sky” is full of compelling narratives and data about the oppression of women across the globe, and how empowering women can be a pivotal asset in solving worldwide poverty.

What is your favorite pastime?

My favorite pastime is probably reading. I also enjoy thrifting!

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life what would it be?

If I could only eat one meal for the rest of my life, I would choose steak or chicken Caesar salad (I’m a huge fan of both!).

Tell us one of your special quirks!

A quirk of mine is that I’m OBSESSED with the color pink!