Batticaloa Town is located on the east coast of the island. It is the biggest town in the district but I often feel like I am living in a rural community. The roads are not paved, there is no hot water and the town is bustling with bicycles, three-wheelers, motorbikes, and army vehicles speeding through the streets creating clouds of dust that settle on the cows and stray dogs that have planted themselves along the road. The town is built around a network of beautiful lagoons, the untouched beaches are within walking distance, and palm trees provide a priceless shade during the hot afternoons.

 I am interning with the WUSC-East office in with the Youth In Transition Project (YITP). The YITP is funded by UNICEF and has the broad aim to deliver soft skills training (ex. conflict resolution, gender equity, psycho-social support and leadership) to 1000 war-affected youth, including former child soldiers. As a part of the programming, the youth participate in a four month internship placement in their communities to facilitate the reintegration process. The project is very unique to the region and has the potential to create a strong positive change for the beneficiaries.

Initially, my role was to support the YITP team in developing Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) tools to document the challenges and strengths of the project. However, our Project Manager was offered an international position with another NGO and left for Africa, leaving us with a lot more responsibilities. Although it has been very difficult and stressful at times, it has been a great experience for skill-building in the area of project management and coordination. I have been given the opportunity to engage in various activities, such as participating in UNICEF forums – which I previously thought would only be available to me in the distant future, so I am very grateful! 

As my time comes to an end, my last assignment is to work with Devin on testing our case study format in the field. As a part of the M&E tools we developed, we created a standard format for case studies and delivered training to local staff on how to conduct case studies and the importance of them for documentation and evaluation. We will be spending the next few weeks in the field interviewing the youth and finding out what has been effective and which areas need improvement.

I have now adjusted to the insanely hot curries, doing laundry by hand in a bucket has become the norm and sleeping without a mosquito net makes me feel agoraphobic, I am concerned about my transition back into my Canadian lifestyle. Although at times I really miss cappuccino, wearing coats and scarves, and efficient public transportation, the idea of having to choose one of the millions of options that are available for everything makes me cringe.

Another update coming in two months once I’m back home in Winnipeg!

I am a graduate from the University of Winnipeg with a double major in International Development Studies and Politics. As a part of my degree, I studied International Relations and Middle Eastern Politics at Bogaziçi Üniversitesi in Istanbul, Turkey. Learning in a new environment from professors with different teaching methods and expertise, as well having to learn a new language proved to be an extremely rewarding cultural and educational experience.

Gathering with students from around the world in Norway, trekking through jungles in India, exploring Kosovo during the struggle for independence, and wandering through maze-like souqs throughout the Middle East, my most memorable experiences have been while abroad. I am enthusiastic and ready to add a new chapter to my life and take on the adventures that wait for me in Sri Lanka!

I am going to be spending the next six months with the WUSC-SL team in Batticaloa Town, working as an intern with the Youth in Transition Project (YITP). The YITP is an empowerment program for war-affected youth, including former child combatants. As an intern, my main responsibilities will be to create monitoring and evaluation tools to document progress and lessons learned. I will also be involved with program delivery, writing reports and proposals, and possibly creating a film about the project.

For the past year and a half I have been working as a Children and Youth Program Worker at the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM) and as a Dialogue Facilitator with the Youth Peacebuilding Project through the Institute for Community Peacebuilding. The experience I have gained from these positions has prepared me for this internship by building on my cross-cultural communication skills as well as my ability to interact with youth whom have experienced trauma. I am passionate about working with youth and my academic interests are in peace and conflict studies which is why I chose to apply for this position.

I know that this internship will provide me with a very valuable perspective which will be highly beneficial to my work with newcomer youth in Canada. My work has been focused on building on the skills and knowledge the youth bring to help facilitate their integration and to help overcome the challenges and barriers of the immigration process. This internship would give me with a chance to experience the “other side”, allowing me to gain knowledge on how life is for conflict-affected youth in their home countries and the struggles they face in integrating and re-establishing relationships in their communities.

Although I have spent time in post-conflict regions before, this will be my first time working in one. The day-to-day uncertainties and possible routine interruptions will take some time to get used to, but it is all a part of the experience! I know that when I leave Sri Lanka, my experiences will have contributed to my growth as a person and as a professional.

I hope you keep an eye on my blog because the updates are coming!