Meet Our TeamOrganization Updates
This semester, we’re thrilled to welcome a new group of talented interns who are tackling a range of projects to expand our impact and support our Community Health Worker (CHW) initiatives worldwide. Their efforts span from local projects in Charlotte, NC, to virtual trainings for Haiti, to advanced certifications in Zimbabwe and El Salvador.
We’re excited to see what this group of passionate and driven interns will accomplish. Meet each of them below to learn more about their unique backgrounds, what inspires their dedication to global health, and what each of them will be working on this spring:
Taliah Wilkerson
“I am a 47-year-old Air Force medic who is transitioning from active duty service to the civilian workforce after serving 30 years in the military healthcare system. I have been married to my husband James for 17 years, and we have one child, Makayla, who is 12. We also have one furbaby, Lala, who is 8 years old. I am currently completing my MPH-Community Health Promotion from Liberty University with an anticipated grad date of May 2025. I enjoy reading, exercising, and spending time with family and friends.”
Taliah is leading the charge on finalizing our Advanced First Aid Certification. This involves reviewing previous work completed by interns, creating a comprehensive assessment plan, developing training materials and handouts, and outlining an evaluation plan. She’s also starting the process of assessing El Sunza, El Salvador for implementation of the Advanced First Aid Certification. Alongside these efforts, Taliah is contributing to grant research and writing.
Maricela Esparza
Maricela Esparza is a Master of Public Health student at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, currently interning at International HELP. With a keen interest in international public health, Maricela is eager to learn about various countries’ public health policies and healthcare systems.
Maricela’s primary focus is on the Advanced Nutrition Certification (ANC) in Zimbabwe. She will be spearheading the initiation, assessment, and preparation phases of this critical certification program and supporting its evaluation. In addition to the ANC project, Maricela will also assist with grant research and writing to support International HELP’s mission.
Kiswendsida Dianda
“Hello, my name is Kiswendsida Dianda and I am excited to be part of International HELP as an intern. I am currently a student at Liberty University studying for a master’s of public health in global health. I enjoy learning, discovering, and exploring new places. I have 2 cats that I consider my children and I love them so much. A dream of mine would be to be part of an NGO that addresses disease prevention and nutritional needs in developing countries. Health promotion is very important to me and I look forward to being a part of this organization.”
Kiswendsida is focusing on the Charlotte Project, working on assessment, implementation, and sustainability to strengthen CHW programs locally. Additionally, she’ll be supporting various other organizational projects, including the Haiti Virtual Training Project. Kiswendsida is also conducting grant research and writing to help secure funding for these projects.
Samantha Good
“My name is Sam and I am an MPH student studying Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Boston University. As a researcher in both chronic and infectious disease pathology, I value International HELP’s commitment to curbing the spread of preventable disease through global health education. During my time as an MPH practicum intern, I hope to contribute useful education materials and thorough program evaluations for the development of sustainable global education programs.“
Sam began her internship with International HELP in Fall 2024, focusing on the Advanced Maternal Health Certification in Uganda. Last semester, she played a key role in assessing and preparing the training. This spring, she plans to travel to Uganda with International HELP’s team to help implement the training and work directly with Community Health Workers. When she returns, she will assist in evaluating the program’s impact and refining future maternal health training efforts.
