By GSIF Communications Team

Sister Judith Nandrianina from Madagascar spent 3 months at the Generalate in Rome to undertake an internship in Finance & Accountability at GSIF. This internship opportunity is part of a broader collaboration and training journey between sisters from Africa and the Middle East and GSIF, designed to strengthen the technical capacity of the Mission Development Offices (MDOs) while fostering cultural knowledge and experience sharing. As Judith’s internship was coming to an end, we sat down with her to hear about her experience, the challenges she faced and the lessons she learned along the way.  

Could you introduce yourself and tell us more about your background?

My name is Judith and I was born in Anjepy Manjakandriana, Antananarivo. I studied management, finance, and accounting at the Catholic University of Madagascar in Antananarivo for 3 years. After completing my studies, I moved to Congo for an international experience and worked for 10 months for the Bon Pasteur Kolwezi program, where I was responsible for administration and finance. I then returned to Madagascar to study theology and took my perpetual vows. Before coming to Rome, I spent some time familiarizing with the work of the Mission Development Office in Madagascar, took English lessons and learned some Excel to be ready for this internship.

 Was it difficult to settle in at first? What challenges did you encounter? 

At the beginning, it wasn’t always easy for me. I’m a reserved and quiet person. But this experience helped me step out of my comfort zone, approach others, and communicate more. Little by little, I’ve opened up. By the end of my internship, I felt much more confident and comfortable because I got to know people and felt welcomed.

With the internship coming to an end, how would you describe your three-month experience at GSIF? 

Looking back, my internship has been very interesting and enriching. Even though three months is a short time, I learned a lot and gained experiences I will carry with me. It was a period of intense learning, practical engagement, and personal growth.

What skills or knowledge have been most valuable to you and that you will take back to Madagascar? 

The most important skills I acquired are in strategic financial planning, which has given me a broader understanding of our development office’s finances. I also improved in monitoring and reporting – a critical skill in finance, especially when dealing with donor guidelines. I also learned how to prepare funding requests for donors, understanding what documents are needed and how to comply with their requirements.  The tools we created during my internship (planning, mentoring, and financial evaluation files) will make it easier for me to put this knowledge in practice. I will be able to bring more structure, accuracy, and efficiency to financial processes back home and better support the sisters, staff, and partners-in-mission responsible for the projects.

Has this experience changed you personally? 

Yes! Personally, I have grown in knowledge, cultivated openness, and I feel more confident communicating, collaborating, and contributing in a team setting.

How has it been collaborating with GSIF staff? 

The GSIF staff is experienced, open-minded and has strong technical skills. In Madagascar, we sometimes feel more limited in terms of knowledge, training, and professional experience. But I also believe we bring something valuable. We have field experience, we are part of local communities, and we carry the values of the Congregation. This collaboration has been a valuable exchange: I learned a lot, but I also shared the realities of Madagascar, helping staff understand the challenges we face. For example, I talked a lot with Laura [GSIF Finance Manager] about how our projects work and what we truly need. The MDO is still very young, so we need support and funding. In Antananarivo, many children in vulnerable situations do not go to school because their parents cannot afford the tuition fees. There is the Fihavanana social center but it does not have the capacity to welcome all the children who need help. I shared with Laura that if we could find funding to support their education, we could help so many children and support their families in becoming more independent. Together, we brainstormed possible solutions and looked for potential donors for 2027.

Have there been moments when you felt especially aware of the cultural differences? 

Yes, especially with English. I had English-taught courses, I was surrounded by people who spoke English, so I immediately understood I was abroad. But this helped me practice a lot. When the training was online or in person with the staff, I could ask questions when something was not clear. With online courses like Excel, it was a bit different: I had to pause if I did not understand and check the dictionary. Sometimes I also felt I lack practical skills. But this did not block me. I asked questions when I needed help, I did not hesitate.

Do you think intercultural exchanges enrich the mission? 

Yes, absolutely. Intercultural experience enriches the mission because it helps us be more open-minded and connect beyond Madagascar. We need to connect with others and learn from each other. We all have something to offer. We can share our skills, knowledge, and experience. It is important for the mission that sisters stay connected with one another: sharing about the mission, about how we work, and learning from each other.

What final message would you like to share with the sisters and partners in Africa? 

What I would like to share with the sisters and partners in Africa is the importance of having an open spirit – being ready to receive, to learn, and to better understand how GSIF works, how to collaborate with GSIF and the MDOs, and how to work together with both staff and sisters within the MDO. I would like to invite them to take an interest in finance. Finance may not seem appealing to everyone but it is essential for managing expenses responsibly. We like to spend, but often dislike being held accountable. I would also encourage curiosity and a willingness to learn. I really invite others to be curious. For example, even if we don’t know how to use Excel and don’t have a background in finance, we can still choose to learn. we can find learning resources, watch tutorials and take the initiative to develop new skills.

We need to think about the future of our mission, so that our work can be productive and sustainable. I invite everyone to stay curious, keep learning new things and develop a broader vision of the mission.