Our first 9th-grade intern wraps up a week of learning and impact

Priya Krishnapillai, AKAM's first ninth-grade intern. // CREDIT: Maia Galmés Feuer

This week, marked a special milestone for Aktion Amazonas: we welcomed our very first 9th-grade intern, Priya Krishnapillai, a bright and thoughtful 15-year-old student from Denmark. Her visit was part of a national initiative where students in 9th grade spend a week in a workplace to explore what working life is really like; a hands-on introduction to professional environments and civic engagement.

For us, it was a chance to share our mission and learn from a new generation’s perspective and insights.

What did Priya do during her week at AKAM?

Priya dove into the inner workings of our organization, learning about how different roles and structures come together to support environmental advocacy. She participated in brainstorming sessions focused on expanding Aktion Amazonas’ network in Denmark, especially through youth involvement. Her ideas helped us think creatively about how to engage Danish youth in climate action and environmental protection.

Through conversations with our leadership team, she also learned about the #SAFCA partnership and our partner organizations, gaining insight into their work and how it connects to our broader mission.

Priya contributed to different project proposal drafts and designed a flyer for our upcoming event on the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). She even helped us post event posters around the city, bringing our message directly to the streets.

Reflections from Priya

We sat down with Priya on her last day to hear about her experience. In a short video interview on our social media channels, like Instagram, Priya shared what her favorite parts of the internship have been. Overall, she appreciated the chance to work on creative tasks and learn about international collaboration in environmental advocacy.

We’re incredibly grateful for Priya’s energy, insight, and thoughtful presence. Her time with us has sparked new ideas for youth engagement and reminded us why intergenerational collaboration is so powerful.

Make sure to check Priya's short video interview, and to all 9th-grade students curious about making a difference: our door is open :)

Thank you, Priya, for being part of our journey!