Interns and Volunteers – The Ark Foundation, Ghana

ELIJAH JOHNSON

Elijah Johnson is a student at the University of Florida, pursuing a major degree in Computer Science with a minor in Astronomy. With a strong interest in user experience design (UXD), his goal is to make the most intuitive interfaces and experiences for users in software applications. He works with The Ark as an IT and software engineering technician, helping construct and modify the website, and also assisted in developing the in-house training software Noah. Working together with Pieter and Endrit, he was able to update The Ark’s website to better reflect current goals, missions, and to feature greater responsiveness, as well as provide useful trainings and tutorials to the team both in-person and through the Noah application. Personally impassioned by the prevalence of sexual assault and gender-based violence, Elijah greatly values his time with The Ark and is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with their humanitarian mission.

ENDRIT BERBERI

Endrit Berberi is a dedicated Computer Science student at the University of Florida with a passion for technology and community service. During the summer, Endrit worked as an intern for the Ark Foundation Ghana and was part of a team with Elijah and Pieter that played a pivotal role in rebuilding their website. His efforts were focused on creating a more modern, user-friendly online presence and equipping the Ark team with the necessary tools to update and maintain the site themselves. Endrit is very happy to contribute to an organization with such a noble mission, supporting women’s empowerment and child protection. His experience at the Ark Foundation has further fueled his commitment to utilizing technology for positive social impact.

PIETER ALLEY

Pieter has been pursuing a bachelors degree in Computer Science at the University of Florida’s Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering since his acceptance in 2021. As a student, Pieter is constantly learning and growing into his talent as a computer scientist, working with his professors and peers to foster an inclusive and constructive learning environment. He delivers an endless workflow and an exceptional tenacity for growth in every aspect of his work. Pieter’s involvement with the Ark Foundation began with a study abroad in Ghana focused on UI/UX design.

In his role as an intern with the Ark Foundation, Pieter was in charge of singlehandedly designing the homepage of the website as it is now. He also designed the header, footer, and the publications page. He’s really proud of his contribution, and looks forward to continued partnership with the foundation.