My Internship with the Red Cross: Part 1

Written by: Morgan Levin, Intern

The idea of helping other people has always been appealing to me. I consider that when you are lucky enough to be born in a safe place, with a good education and a stable situation, it is natural to go out and help those who have been less fortunate. I come from the South-East of France, in a small village near Montpellier, a very dynamic and young city off the Mediterranean coast. I grew up there, and started studying geopolitics this year, which made me realize even more so how much some parts of the world are in great need of help, and seem at first glance totally forsaken. When taking a closer look, I noticed that non-profits are the ones that provide help and assistance to communities around the world without discrimination, regardless of their gender, social status, race or religion. And that is what made me want to join a non-profit for an internship, to discover from the inside how these organizations work and get a better understanding of their impact on our societies.

Why pick the Red Cross to intern with?

The Red Cross combines not only a strong international presence, which is what attracted me to the organization in the first place, but also a presence in every day life to provide the best assistance possible to the local community. I remember that there has always been a Red Cross Team at our student events in France! And that, in my eyes, made a difference that made me want to join them.

Additionally, joining the Red Cross abroad guarantees me the opportunity to discover the American culture and therefore the differences in terms of focus and methods of the American Red Cross compared to the French Red Cross.

During my internship, I hope I will be able to understand and get as much information as I can on the different service areas and the way the Red Cross works here in the United States, and that I will be involved as much as possible in making a difference for the Red Cross.

International Independence Days

By Sarah Oldham, Volunteer Contributor

America's Independence Day is celebrated across the country on July 4th and our very own chapter here in the region is involved in supporting DC's spectacular celebration. On the heels of our country's celebration is another country's special day to honor and recognize independence - La Fete Nationale Francaise.

This day is celebrated on July 14th and is also known as Bastille Day. It marks a crucial point in history for the nation of France. The Bastille was a prison used primarily to house political prisoners in the 17th and 18th centuries and symbolized King Louis XVI's absolute power. In an act of uprising, the Bastille was attacked and captured by a large crowd of citizens on that fateful July 14th day in 1789, ushering in a new feeling of freedom and forever changing France's government from a monarchy to a republic. 

Years later, the French Red Cross would be founded and become involved in supporting the country during times of conflict. It was involved in the liberation of Paris in August of 1944 when emergency squads aided the injured that were spotted in the streets and on the rooftops of buildings. It was also during this time that the nurses of the French Red Cross began to play a prime role during the war. 

Today, the French Red Cross partners with other national societies, like the American Red Cross, to respond to international disasters like the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and the tsunami that struck India in 2004.