#KeepingUpWithTheInterns
Hey all, it’s Rimaz and Matthew! We are the new Human Rights Interns of aditus foundation, and we’re so happy to welcome you to #KeepingUpWithTheInterns
Together with being super honoured to be members of the aditus foundation family, we are really excited to kick-start a learning experience with aditus and with you! Yes that’s right! We are going to be updating you weekly about or experiences, things we are learning, and our personal views related to the human rights moments we’ll be living here at the aditus office.
So, how is this going to work? We’ll be updating you on a weekly basis…this is our first post, so many more to follow so stay tuned! Today’s blog post is an introduction of who we are. We hope you like our ‘Get To Know Us’ Q&A!
What is your name?
My name is Matthew Saverio.
My name is Rimaz Bitrou.
How old are you?
M: I am 19 years old. Soon 20 on 8 May.
R: I am 19 years old.
What are your preferred pronouns?
M: My pronouns are they/them or he/him.
R: My pronouns are she/her.
Where are you from?
M: I am from Malta.
R: I am from Libya.
What are your interests?
M: I am interested in a lot of things, such as reading and being informed on the LGBTIQ+ community and other minority groups. I also like to go on adventures like hiking and camping. I really enjoy myself when I am surrounded by nature!
R: I like to do a bit of everything, such as community work, voluntary work, traveling, music and listening to podcasts.
What motivates you?
M: Activists that regardless of backlash keep fighting for what they believe in. They keep going even though they face a lot of challenges. My goal is that one day I can be an activist myself. My friends also motivate me, mostly my best friends who are always by my side.
R: My family is the number one motivator for me, even though sometimes they don’t agree with me. My goal also motivates me. It is basically what makes me wake up early every morning, otherwise I’ll end up sleeping till the afternoon. There is also a special friend in my life who motivated me a lot this year! So shout out for them! I’ll take the chance and say thank you all for being a part of my life!
What is one thing you like and dislike about yourself?
M: I do love my determination. If I put my mind to something and really want it, I do everything to achieve it. On the other hand I don’t like my bad memory. I have the memory of a goldfish!
R: I like that I am a good listener, I dislike that sometimes I judge too quickly and have magical expectations from something and/or someone.
Describe yourself in 3 words!
M: Open minded, understanding and passionate.
R: Oww that’s hard! I would say flexible, energetic, and crazy sometimes but ambitious…oops I guess they are 4 now 😉
If you had the chance to meet 2 people, who would they be?
M: My grandparents, without a doubt. Even if I could see them for a split second I would. They always supported me in everything. I miss them every day.
R: One would be Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest Nobel Prize winner! The other person I’d keep for myself.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
M: Well, that is a bit hard. I hope I will be graduated in Social Work. I also would like to have a partner and maybe start my own family.
R: Being financially stable and done with PhD in something that interest me, be more approachable for help, and maybe start a small family!
Why did you apply for this internship?
M: I wasn’t going to apply, because I thought I did not have a chance. But who knew?! I applied for this internship for more knowledge on this line of work and to get familiarized with the reality of this profession.
R: Long story short, I have always been interested in humanitarian work. Applying for this human rights internship was a huge chance to kick-start my path in this field. I am more than lucky to be accepted as an intern and join the aditus team, one of the well-known NGOs in Malta!
What is your aim in this internship?
M: To get familiarised with the duties of such organisations. Also with this internship I will gain a lot of skills which in the future will give me a lot of opportunities.
R: Developing personal skill-sets required for future jobs, understanding how the humanitarian field works in Malta, to understand how tasks are conducted in an organisation, to gain knowledge in day to day tasks, and of course get to know some amazing people!
Favourite quote?
M: “Raise your words not your voice. It’s the rain that makes the flowers grow not thunder.” Rumi
R: “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.”
Thank you and stay tuned for next week!
#KeepingUpWithTheInterns is part of our project Marginalised Persons as Human Rights Volunteers. If you want to follow Matthew and Rimaz as they navigate their way through Malta’s human rights landscape, subscribe to our News & Updates or follow them on our social media pages!
This project has been funded through the Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector on behalf of Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Sports and Voluntary Organisations within the Ministry for Education and Employment. This project/publication reflects the views only of the author, and the MEDE and the MCVS cannot be held responsible for the content or any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
