Sahiyo’s Fundraising and Auction Intern Elaina Baliner is a recent graduate of The Ohio State University where she earned a Bachelors of Science in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences with a minor in Biology. A passionate global health equity advocate, Elaina actively seeks to maximize positive impact and close health equity gaps. Currently living in France for her gap year, Elaina is working to become fluent in French before pursuing a masters degree in Global Health Economics with the hopes of decentralizing global health funding to enhance resource accessibility for implementing organizations. In her free time, Elaina enjoys teaching yoga and being in nature. Elaina is thrilled to join an organization that empowers all people and to be a part of the solution to end FGC.
When and how did you first get involved with Sahiyo?
I began working with Sahiyo in July after coming across their internship posting on LinkedIn. At the time, I was actively searching for an opportunity to work in nonprofit funding to build my skills before pursuing a master's in global health economics. Before discovering Sahiyo, I was aware of the practice of female genital cutting (FGC) in parts of Africa and Asia, but I had no idea it was still occurring within communities in the United States. This realization really struck me, and Sahiyo's mission to end FGC resonated deeply with me.
As someone dedicated to advancing global health equity—particularly in areas related to gender-based violence (GBV)—I felt a natural alignment with Sahiyo’s work. As a woman myself, I am also deeply passionate about ensuring that women's rights and voices are heard. I vividly remember being genuinely excited for my interview, eager to learn more about Sahiyo’s initiatives and hopeful for the opportunity to contribute to an organization working to end such a significant human rights violation.
What does your work with Sahiyo involve?
As a Fundraising and Auction Intern, my work primarily focuses on supporting the funding efforts for Sahiyo’s programs. This includes researching potential funding opportunities, writing grant proposals, and assisting with donor relations and fundraising events, such as our end-of-year Season of Giving campaign. I also contribute to donor engagement strategies and create graphic designs to help enhance our individual giving campaigns. Additionally, I’ve contributed toward building and soliciting packages for our annual Celebrate Her: Silent Auction and Comedy Show, working to secure sponsors and make the event a continued success.
How has your involvement with Sahiyo impacted your life?
My involvement with Sahiyo has profoundly impacted me, opening my eyes to the sheer number of women worldwide who are survivors of female genital cutting—regardless of what country they live in. It has taught me the power of storytelling. I've had the distinct honor of hearing some survivors' stories firsthand, witnessing their bravery and resilience. This experience has shown me just how essential storytelling is in public engagement and the value of empowering individuals to be effective storytellers, specially when garnering support for addressing widespread, systemic issues. In just two months, I have learned a great deal about movement building, the importance of a strong network, and the power of individual donor support.
With Sahiyo, I've also gained practical skills, such as streamlining the grant application process and effectively engaging with businesses for our upcoming silent auction. What stays with me the most is my new awareness of how many women and girls endure this practice daily—and how little training and understanding medical providers have about FGC. As I look to pursue a career in global health, this knowledge will undoubtedly shape my priorities, especially when advocating for funding and resources.
What words of wisdom would you like to share with others who may be interested in supporting Sahiyo and the movement against FGC?
Sahiyo makes it easy for anyone to get involved, and there are so many ways to support if you're interested. If you don’t have the financial means to donate or the time to commit as a full volunteer or intern, you can still engage by attending one of our virtual educational events—even spending just an hour with us can leave a lasting impact. Organizations like Sahiyo work tirelessly to address the issue of female genital cutting from every possible angle. Everybody here is committed to improving support for survivors, pushing for policy change, engaging more people to raise their voices against FGC, and ultimately ending this practice.
But we can’t do it alone—we need the support of our community. If you're passionate about ending FGC, then focus your efforts on supporting an organization like Sahiyo that is driving real, impactful change. Whether it’s spreading awareness, attending events, or contributing in any way you can, your support is crucial for us to continue this important work.
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