Story by Taylor Nilsen, Current BU BSPH Student
Urban Reap is a non-profit, social enterprise operating under Mission Waco. Its mission is to build a sustainable future, providing the Waco community with positive actions that help care for the earth and the community. The organization embodies the motto, “Loving our neighbor by loving our earth.” Urban Reap offers 4 initiatives – compost, education, aquaponics, and garden center – all of which provide community engagement and participation. These initiatives address environmental challenges by focusing on education, food production, composting, and community building.
This semester Hildana Bereket, a senior public health student, is serving as a Garden and Compost Specialist intern at Urban Reap. In her role, Hildana makes and monitors compost, works in the garden monitoring plants, and provides help to community members. Hildana was recently highlighted on the Baylor Public health instagram. Follow @baylorpublichealth to see a day in her life at Urban Reap!
I had the opportunity to interview Hildana and learn about her experience as an intern. Check out the questions below.
What is your experience at Urban Reap?
“I have really enjoyed working at Urban Reap. The staff and interns truly care about what they are doing and are interested in carrying out the company mission.”
What have you learned?
“Since I was not knowledgeable of the specific components of composting and gardening, I was able to learn these components and apply it to work every day. I quickly learned when to water a plant, when the plant is root bound, and how to make and take care of compost.”
What are the most important skills?
“Willingness to learn and try new things are the most important skills.”
Why did you choose this internship?
“A professor told me about Urban Reap last semester. I read their mission and was intrigued by what they did and what they cared about.”
What is the culture and community like?
“The team is collaborative yet independent, proactive, and good at communicating and helping each other.”
What has been your biggest challenge?
“My biggest challenge was building confidence in skills specific to compost and gardening because it was an unfamiliar field for me. I had a lot of support before I did the work on my own.”
What is the most rewarding aspect?
“Talking to community members and getting to hear their stories. I could answer their questions confidently and help them.”
If you could go back and give yourself advice at the start of your internship, what would you say?
“There is no need to be scared or worried about not having the specific garden and compost skills because you have so much support.”
What’s one thing about the internship that blew you away?
“The culture is really fun and you get to know people at a deeper level and make friends.” In fact, Hildana is going to the basketball game with a coworker who she didn’t know before this internship.
How will you take what you have learned during this internship into the future?
“I understand the importance of listening to the stories of the people you are serving. I will help others but also get to know them on a deeper level and build a relationship with them.”
