During the past three months, I had the opportunity to complete my internship from HOGENT here in Cusco at Añañau.
And yes, the guy in the picture is me, not in the office, but somewhere in the beautiful Peruvian mountains. When I’m not helping Añañau with IT-related projects, that’s usually where you can find me.
My main assignment was to rebuild the entire WordPress website. Originally, the plan was simply to update the existing website, but after diving deeper into the project, it quickly became clear that the structure had grown too complex over the years. Everything was so interconnected, and not always in a good way, that making changes had become difficult and time-consuming.
This was not due to a lack of effort from previous students or volunteers, on the contrary. The website had simply evolved over time without a sustainable long-term structure in place.
That is how my new challenge began, creating a completely new website in WordPress that is modern, sustainable, and easier to maintain for future interns and volunteers. An important part of the project was also creating proper documentation, so future contributors can continue building on the website without starting from scratch.
At the beginning, this was definitely challenging. Although I had worked with WordPress before, this project pushed me much further technically and creatively. After many hours of troubleshooting, testing, and learning, I became fully motivated to not just rebuild the website, but to improve it in every possible way.
After about six weeks, the project really started to come together. The new website kept the strong visual identity of the old one while becoming much more responsive, modern, and user-friendly, especially on smartphones and tablets. Building a website always comes with endless possibilities, but one of the most important lessons I learned is that clarity and simplicity are just as important as functionality.
Besides working on the website, I also had the opportunity to give STEAM classes to children in Huancaro. During these classes, we taught programming using Micro:Bits and Micro:Bit Cutebot robots. Together we explored concepts such as sequences, variables, loops, and conditions in a fun and interactive way. The children were incredibly enthusiastic and eager to learn, and for me it was a real eye-opener to see how much impact education and technology can have on the future generation.
It was also a real pleasure to work closely together with Ellen, Gilmourd, and Sadith throughout the process. Great pictures and authentic stories are essential for any website, and the management team provided both. Their support helped me better understand the mission and goals of Añañau, which was incredibly important because the website needed to reflect not just information, but the heart of the organization itself.
Besides the internship itself, what truly made these three months unforgettable were the people. I had an amazing time with the entire Añañau team, the other interns, and all the volunteers. From Pisco Sour workshops and BBQ evenings to spontaneous dinners and shared adventures, there was always something bringing everyone together.
Outside of work, we also had the chance to explore Peru together. Together with other students and interns, I visited places such as Lake Titicaca, completed the Salkantay Trek, and experienced many other unforgettable trips and activities. These moments made the experience about much more than just an internship, they created friendships, memories, and stories that I will carry with me for a very long time.
Looking back, I am very proud of the final result, especially considering where the project started. What once felt difficult to navigate and maintain has now become a cleaner, more accessible, and future-oriented platform.
Of course, a website is never truly “finished.” It requires continuous updates and improvements as the organization grows and evolves. That is why documentation has been provided for the management team, allowing them to easily update pictures, blog posts, and smaller changes themselves. Future web interns or volunteers can then continue improving larger structural features over time.
Finally, I would like to sincerely thank the entire Añañau team, as well as all the volunteers and interns, for making these three months such an unforgettable experience. I could not have asked for a better opportunity to grow professionally and personally. If I ever get the chance to come back, I definitely will.