Going to Ghana!
Posted by Leigh on July 23rd, 2009
Hello, my name is Leigh Spanner and I am so thrilled to be in the midst of preparing for an internship placement in Fotobi, Ghana. I hold a degree in political science and public administration from the University of Ottawa, and have been lucky to gain experience through work on Parliament Hill. I am now looking for new challenges and fresh experiences that may contribute to my educational, professional and personal development. There is so much to be learned from dialogue between people of diverse cultures and backgrounds, and I am so excited to have the opportunity to grow through my upcoming experience abroad.
Moreover, I have a desire to contribute to the development initiative and this stems from sense of duty as a citizen of the world. I am very aware of my fortunate position and have trouble accepting that a majority of our world’s people do not have half the luxuries, comforts, and security that I as a middle class Canadian have never been without. Because I do not feel any more deserving of this wonderful life, I embrace the opportunity to lessen the extreme disparity of wealth, security and comfort that exists throughout the world.
The placement I have accepted is as Project Assistant with the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), which is an NGO that promotes women’s education in sub-Saharan Africa. Operating in 35 countries in Africa, FAWE works with ministries of education, and education stakeholders to promote access, retention and performance of girls. Women’s involvement in the development process, a process that has traditionally been dominated by men, is of particular interest to me. Gender equality is one of the primary indicators of development and prosperity of a nation, yet women experience the injury of poverty on a much greater scale than men, thus rendering equality a difficult challenge for many Third World countries. The empowerment of women in the Third World is essential for humanitarian reasons as well as the success and sustainability of the development initiative. I am ecstatic to be able to contribute, in any way that to eradicating gender inequality in education.
I hope that I will come out of this experience with a new perspective on life and global relations, an increased awareness and appreciation of a different culture, and a feeling I have contributed to a cause that is dear to me. I am sure this experience will change my life, and be one that I will never forget.
Hi Leigh,
I was wondering if you can tell me a bit more about Fotobi and where you stayed while there? I have just accepted a 12 month assignment with the same organization with which you worked. All insights, suggestions, and ideas on what you wished you taken with you are welcome – well everything is welcome.
Basically I have been asked to help improve the management practices of the org. by:reviewing present practices, analysing their impact, design a manual of best practices, do training on same,train staff in proposal writing and implement guidelines and approaches to fund raising. (I did this recently in Vietnam with a couple of organization, plus more!)
So I am very interested in the circumstances and the people with whom I’ll be working. and a more about the work station itself.
Thanks a million, I loved reading your story.
Marilyn