Andy Tan – Bachelor of Arts (Law and Society)
Marketing & Digital Engagement Intern, Nakuru Hope
For Andy Tan, an internship with Nakuru Hope provided an opportunity to see how communication can help connect communities across continents.
Nakuru Hope is a Perth-based charity that supports more than 300 children in Nakuru, Kenya, providing food, education, shelter and care. As a Marketing and Digital Engagement Intern, Andy worked to help Australian audiences better understand the organisation’s work and the communities it serves.
“I wanted to experience something new, something that placed me in a real-world environment where I could see issues firsthand and better understand the lives of the people who dedicate themselves to helping communities in need,” he said.
Andy’s role focused on social media outreach, digital content and community engagement. Rather than simply promoting the organisation, he spent time researching the social and economic challenges faced by families in Nakuru to ensure the stories being shared were accurate, respectful and meaningful.
One of the key challenges was communicating issues such as poverty, barriers to education and water scarcity in a way that informed audiences without reducing people to their circumstances.
His supervisor, Vice Chair at Nakuru Hope, Mark Tomasz, said Andy approached this thoughtfully.
“Instead of relying on generic fundraising messaging, Andy focused on human-centred storytelling that highlighted dignity, resilience and community-centred stories,” he said.
Alongside creating content and awareness campaigns, Andy developed reusable design templates and content structures that the organisation can continue using beyond his placement. His work also contributed to increased social media engagement and stronger online community participation.
“I think bringing a fresh perspective into the organisation, particularly through marketing, helped introduce new ideas and approaches,” Andy said.
For Andy, one of the most rewarding aspects of the internship was the mentorship he received.
“Seeing the professionals I worked alongside support me and recognise the growth I showed throughout the internship was incredibly rewarding,” he said.
Andy actively sought opportunities to learn from professionals across different fields. Beyond his immediate responsibilities, he connected with people working in marketing, digital design, community engagement and communications to better understand how different skill sets contribute to the organisation's mission.
“I had the opportunity to speak with professionals who were once in my position and were genuinely willing to share their advice and experiences,” he said.
The experience also changed how he thinks about community and social responsibility.
“It opened my eyes to communities in need,” he said. “Putting myself in other people’s shoes made me realise the importance of giving back and why so many people choose to do it for reasons beyond financial gain.”
Mark Tomasz said Andy’s contribution extended beyond the technical aspects of marketing.
“Andy embodied the values of active citizenship throughout the internship,” he said. “His ability to connect professional work with genuine social purpose made him a highly valued team member.”
For Andy, the internship demonstrated how effective communication can help raise awareness, strengthen community connections and support organisations working to create opportunities for others.
“I would recommend a McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship,” he said. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to gain meaningful, hands-on experience while making a positive impact on vulnerable communities.”
Image Caption: Andy Tan with Susan Saleeba (Founder/Chair) and Mark Tomasz (Vice Chair) at Nakuru Hope.