Maria Garcia serves as OEP's Written Communication Organizing Intern. Maria is a recent master’s graduate in Gender, Media, and Culture from Goldsmiths, University of London. She reflects on On Earth Peace's impact on her life during her internship.

Why are you drawn/applied to On Earth Peace?

I was drawn to OEP because of its emphasis on Kingian Nonviolence. Before my internship, I was unaware of KNV teachings, that perspective of approaching conflicts was utterly new and intriguing to me.

What are the favorite project/s that you worked on?

As the newsletter editor, I got the chance to get an inside look at a lot of the projects that OEP was working on, and I have loved being able to report about them. Among the stories I reported on that I will always carry with me are Spark Junior and On Earth Peace’s Agape-Satyagraha training in Gaza. I learned how OEP interns are helping Gaza’s youth and got to learn more about how the occupation of Palestine has affected people. I also attended one of their meetings via Zoom, and even with a language barrier, I enjoyed that opportunity immensely.

How has OEP affected your outlook/future aspirations?

I truly believe that OEP has really left a mark on me because my internship has made me realize how much I love social justice and want to keep participating in different movements in my future career or during my free time. OEP's belief and integration of Kingian Nonviolence teachings into everything they do has made me incorporate the KNV teachings into my life, and I'm very proud of that.

What would you like people to know about OEP and yourself?

OEP is such a welcoming and open-minded organization that wants to make the world a better place. Thanks to OEP, I have met people from all over the USA and the world. I am so happy to be able to work at OEP and to have met such wonderful people.