Hi!
Posted by Atkilt on September 23rd, 2009
Hi, my name is Atkilt Geleta. I completed my Honours degree in Political Science and International Development Studies at the University of Toronto. I have been fortunate enough to live and study in different cultural environments – Addis Ababa Ethiopia, Tokyo Japan, Ottawa Canada, Geneva Switzerland, and Toronto Canada. My professional experience includes working as a Team Assistant for the Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) in Toronto, as well as fulfilling a research assistant position with the IFRC in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I hope to cultivate a career as an international civil servant, with a specific focus on human rights and humanitarian assistance.
My motivation for undertaking a placement in Asesewa, Ghana is driven by my personal and professional objective to expose myself to new experiences and environments. I hope to learn and grow by engaging with a new culture, language, and socio-economic setting. In seeking to challenge myself, I anticipate that this experience will provide me with an opportunity to live without the usual comforts and securities. This I expect will allow me to relate in some small capacity to the underprivileged people that I aspire to help through my work. In turn, I trust this insight and understanding of their livelihood and circumstance will improve my field work.
I am beginning my placement as a research assistant with Child Rights International, a local NGO that protects and promotes the fundamental rights of children. CRI develops advocacy, school club, and service programs that function to provide children the right to survival, protection, development, and participation. The purpose of the project is to monitor the access and availability of essential social services (School Feeding Program, National Health Insurance Scheme, Capitations Grant) for children in 10 remote communities that surround Asesewa. The research aims to engage children in participatory advocacy and data collection activities that will produce a long-term framework to monitor the availability and procurement of essential services.
I expect to successfully contribute to this program, and immerse myself in as much of the Ghanaian culture as 3 months permits. Ghana is a diverse society with rich history and traditions, and I’m certain that this experience will greatly contribute to my personal and professional growth.
