Interning with iTeams

My name is Jonah Barkey and I live in Waterloo, ON with my wife Hannah. I recently graduated from the University of Waterloo with a degree in International Development and have now begun a six month internship with International Teams Canada (iTeams). iTeams is a Canadian nonprofit based in Elmira, ON that exists to see lives and communities transformed by the power of God. Our mission is to see vulnerable people move toward fullness of life characterized by dignity, justice, hope and peace. We work alongside people experiencing poverty, christian congregations and local leadership in 10 countries around the world. 

In this internship, I’ll gain experience in fundraising, program design, monitoring, and evaluation, while contributing directly to the incredible work of iTeams’ global partners. It is an opportunity to gain skills critical to my future career and mentorship from leaders in transformational development. I am particularly excited to connect with partners to hear stories of success and transformation, as well as challenges that still lie ahead.

Partnership with local leadership is central to our mission as they have an intimate understanding of their community’s needs and a vision for how transformational, long-lasting change can take place in their communities. I can personally attest to the work that is being done by local leaders as Hannah and I were in Guatemala in 2019 and I had the opportunity to meet Hilmar. Although I didn’t know it at the time, Hilmar is one of iTeams international partners. Hilmar’s ministry, Senderos de Luz, provides 145 children weekly with nutritious meals and opportunities to engage in art, sports, and English practice. During my time with Hilmar, he shared with us a vision for a Vocational Training School where adults could learn valuable skills and provide employment opportunities for the community. This vision is now a reality with 45 women and men enrolled in vocational training programs. Through iTeams’ partnership, leaders like Hilmar amplify their impact and bring transformation to their communities. 

Senderos de Luz was recently able to renovate and repair their kitchen. The kitchen is used for cooking classes, nutrition education and providing regular, nutritious meals to kids!

A female student ponders an exercise at Impact Burkina Faso's CFPC Vocational School. CFPC is a vocational training center which specifically focuses on addressing gender equality within the context of practical construction skills. Providing opportunities for women to find meaningful vocation in male-dominated trades has been a priority for our local leaders in Burkina Faso.

Fundraising Goal

My goal is to raise $10,000 over six months that directly goes to support these initiatives in 10 countries around the world, including Hilmar’s work in Guatemala! Your gift, no matter the size, would help me reach this goal while empowering local leaders to create long-lasting transformational change in their communities. Would you partner with me to reach this goal by donating through my fundraising page? When you donate through my page, you will automatically receive updates and stories that I will be sharing through this platform every few weeks!

I hope this serves as an invitation to participate with us in our mission and vision to see lives and communities experience long-lasting transformation, one that is very important to my own heart. If you’d like to learn more about iTeams or can’t give financially but want to discuss other ways to support, I’d love to connect! My email is jonah.barkey@iteams.ca.

How to Give

When you give, you support making the world a better place for those who have it the hardest. As if that wasn't enough, we can offer charitable tax receipts for donations of any $ amount!

Online- You are welcome to click on the big blue 'Donate' button on the top of this page.

Cheque- Cheques can be addressed to International Teams Canada (Memo: Forge Jonah Barkey, or Forge Jonah) and mailed to:

International Teams Canada

1 Union St, Elmira, ON N3B 3J9

Support in Other Ways - Don't have money, but have time? Reach out to me at jonah.barkey@iteams.ca and I can connect you with opportunities to help me reach my goal that don't require disposable income!