Hello, All!

Happy Valentine’s Day Weekend!

Simuka Africa was given a scholarship to attend the Winter Cohort for The Trauma Informed Storytelling Program, which provides a certification for non-profits. This has required me represent our organization in virtual classes and the larger virtual meeting this past Wednesday. At the moment, Simuka Africa was noted for 3 unique things:

• We fuse art with virtual outreach through The 34 Gallery Initiative, which places both power and identity in the hands of those we serve. Their stories are told in their own voice.

• Staff Members and Contributors also write about their personal self-care, trauma and recovery in Interludes and The Simuka Africa Journal. This ensures our audience feels we are all on this journey with them.

• We are partnered with HeyPeers to enable both staff and those we serve can utilize free peer support services. The major issue with professionals and the Public seeking mental health outreach is the cost.

I will be attending classes and meetings for this throughout the month. Thank you in advance for your patience with my response times.

— M.

Administrative Updates

• The February Publication Calendar is completed. Thank you!!!

• Unpublished staff submissions from late December and January will begin next week now that our publishing queues are no longer being disrupted by our hosting provider’s A.I. Assistant.

• Our next Creative Career Focus Meeting will be Feb. 21, 2025. Register here. We strongly encourage you to attend.

• Be a sure to try AI Art Therapy Fridays with 34 Gallery Art Advisor Mind Soul Meditations on HeyPeers! Register here.

March Social Media Calendar

• The main topics for the March Social Media Calendar are maintaining hope during times of perpetual crisis and healing the inner child within. Write & create from the heart.

• Be mindful that our content resides within the scope of the UN SDG Framework to ensure those without mental health care in crisis regions can still access our websites. Freedom of speech is not a guaranteed right in many places.

• We have 10 submissions we are unable to move forward with for the following reasons: Simuka Africa and The 34 Gallery Initiative are unable to publish work that is sexually graphic, advocates violence (self or others), discrimination, hatred (societal/gender/religious/cultural) of any kind or negatively singles out specific political figures, governments, or conflicts.

Needed Content

• In March, Simuka Africa will enter its 20th year of operation. General “Celebrating 20 Years” graphics and video will be needed throughout 2026. Any additional staff with time in their schedule to work on this let us know.

• UN Observances: World Poetry Day - March 21 - a 700 word minimum article with links.

Food for Thought

The United Nations System

• Introduction to FAO

• Introduction to ICAO

• Introduction to IFAD

• Introduction to UNIDO

• Introduction to IDA

• Introduction to WIPO

• Introduction to WMO

Please note: Many of the UN Branches discussed in this section have careers & internship pages for those looking to explore new avenues of work.

Opportunities

I. Staff-led Opportunity: University of Washington Global E-Learning Program. For additional information on this opportunity, contact Simuka Africa Staff Member Ulrich Landry Georges Yomkil Noumbo. Email: yomkillandry@gmail.com — Deadline Feb. 20th

II. Staff-led Opportunity: Otjiwa Immersive Volunteering Program.For additional information on this opportunity, contact 34 Gallery Artist & Staff Member Vincenzo Cohen.

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• UN Careers - the primary UN career hub

• UNJOBNET - daily UN & UN Affiliate job listing updates

• UNJOBNET: Remote Positions

• The Graduate Study Programme (GSP) at UN Geneva. The application deadline is 20 February 2026. 

• The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is inviting applications for its Supply Chain Internship Roster 2026.

• The UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre has opened applications for the TVET Leadership Programme 2026.

•  United Nations Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme 2026

• UNHCR Innovation Fellowship 2026

• UNDP Paid Internships 2026 for Students and Graduates Worldwide

•  DAAD Research Grants – Germany (Fully Funded)

• Allen & Nesta Ferguson Trust Scholarships

• The Miller Center Accelerator 

• Allan Gray Fellowship – Entrepreneurial Leadership

• The Falling Walls Global Call for Science Breakthroughs 2026

• Fundación Botín’s Art Grants 2027

• WITS University Postdoctoral Fellowship (24-Month Research)

• McKinsey Company Career Opportunities

• CIVICUS Research & Communications Officer

• EU Experts Database – Funding & Tenders Evaluators

• LEGO Group Student Worker – Technology (Denmark)

• WE Empower UN SDG Challenge – Women Leaders

• NASA Paid Summer Internships

•  Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program – ASU Graduate Certificate (Online)

• Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJWBGSP) 2026 at IHE Delft Institute for Water Education 

• World Vision Remote Social Media Internship

• Crop Trust Global Engagement Internship

• Bergel Institute Fellowship – Innovation & Human Advancement

• TWAS Fellowships, Grants & Science Awards

• Social Cohesion Study Tour – Germany

• Bridge Seed Global Accelerator – African Entrepreneurs

• Autism Tech Accelerator – Neurodiversity Innovation

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Final Thoughts

While 2025 was certainly a roller-coaster for those of you who were volunteering with us last year, 2026 is bringing its own set of challenges. Thank you again for choosing us as your volunteer cause to give back to the world at this time. Those we serve are the beneficiaries of your incredible kindness and generosity!

Do something in the next week that reminds you why you love your life.