Youth in Action: Highlights From Our International Interns
Interns from the International Youth Internship Program (IYIP) have been busy learning from local communities in Africa and South America. We’re excited to share some of their standout moments. From community events to creative projects and international collaborations, their work reflects the spirit of learning, leadership, and global engagement.
IYIP gives young Canadians meaningful, hands-on experience in social programs and community work. Through three- to six-month placements with partner organizations across Africa and South America, participants gain practical skills, build global connections, and return to Canada to deliver a Public engagement activity that captures and shares their experience abroad with the goal of create awareness among Canadians about global issues.
Below, we highlight just a few of the powerful experiences and accomplishments from our participants.
Celebrating Culture and Community Through Food
During her placement with the YMCA of Cali in Colombia, an intern gathered family recipes from the children she worked with and compiled them into a vibrant recipe book—rich with local flavours, personal stories, and cultural traditions. What began as a creative way to connect with children and their families soon grew into a heartfelt celebration of community, resilience, and the shared joy of food.
More than a simple collection of dishes, the recipe book reflects the experiences she witnessed during her internship, where food was not only a source of nourishment and joy, but also a window into deeper global issues like poverty and food insecurity. For many families, a meal meant stretching limited resources while ensuring that their loved ones could eat well.
The intern observed how closely food security and well-being are tied together in Cali. Some children relied on the daily meals provided by the YMCA, while others could not attend school because they needed to work to help support their families. Many faced unstable home environments caused by economic and social issues that affected their health, education, and safety.
Through this cookbook, the intern aimed not only to celebrate the colourful flavours of Cali but to also invite readers to reflect on the global challenges that shape communities everywhere.
You can download a sample of her recipe book here.
Youth in Action for a Cleaner Planet
On World Clean-Up Day 2025, more than 60 young volunteers came together to clean the shores of the beach near the Hôtel de la Paix — one of the areas most affected by marine pollution in Lomé, Togo.
Also contributing to the initiative was a participant of the YMCA of Greater Toronto’s International Youth Internship Program (IYIP). As part of their placement, the intern supported local youth engagement and environmental activities, working alongside YMCA Togo to promote sustainability and community leadership. Their participation in this cleanup day reflected the program’s broader mission of fostering global citizenship and cross-cultural collaboration. Volunteers managed to collect more than 700 pounds of waste, contributing to the reduction of plastic pollution and the preservation of Togo’s coastline.
Waste brought in by the sea and human activity threatens coastal ecosystems and the health of nearby communities in Lomé. Thanks to the dedication of these young volunteers, the day became a powerful symbol of community engagement and shared responsibility.
Bogotá Meets Canada: A Cultural Day at local elementary Schools
Interns in Bogotá planned and hosted a special cultural day at one of the schools, bringing a taste of Canada to Colombia. The event engaged students in fun, interactive activities that celebrated Canadian culture, language, and creativity, while encouraging cross-cultural learning and empathy. From spelling bees to Canadian trivia and art activities, the day was full of energy, learning, and laughter.
The day began with a spelling bee that included Challenging word in English such as the lake name, Pekwachnamaykoskwaskwaypinwanik from Manitoba.
A trivia activity followed, where students showed their knowledge of Canadian geography, landmarks, famous people, languages, and time zones.
To end the day, the classroom was transformed into a creative space where students participated in art activities inspired by Canada. They painted maple leaves, polar bears with northern lights, and recreated the Canadian flag with mixed media, adding a Colombian touch. The cultural day was created not only for learning but also to build bridges and foster empathy through shared cultural experiences.
For six months IYIP interns, have been consistently going to schools and interacted with students and teachers to gain meaningful knowledge about local communities, Spanish language and the social context.
Through their participation, IYIP interns show how youth engagement can spark meaningful learning, deepen global understanding, and inspire creativity.
Learn more about the IYIP program.
