A Record of Happenings (Part 1)

I bought a rather lovely journal at the start of my time here in Camrose and proceeded to write the first entry the same evening. I have yet to finish that entry. This is mainly because of the fact that I don't believe pen and paper are able to do my thoughts justice in recording them...so I see little need to try. It does look like I am doing a little better with this blog though.
I'm gonna split this one into two parts I think. So much has happened that one will never suffice.

For the first, I will focus more on happenings as opposed to...feelings...

Our second official week in Camrose was exhausting and more than a little stressful. I am surprised my hair didn't turn all gray....
In order to ensure that we started the program off with a bang, our Canadian supervisor enrolled us in three different community events all of which took place in the same weekend. On top of this, most of us started work placements as well. Thankfully my first week with Sahakarini was very relaxed...but more on this later.

The three events we had to participate in were:
1. Alberta Arts Days: A weekend to showcase Alberta artists of every imaginable kind, and to promote the importance of art and culture in a community.
2. Open Door Bed Race: The fundraiser was held for the Open Door, a local organization that works with youth at risk.
3. Stand Up Take Action: An international campaign aimed to bring awareness about worldwide poverty, to bring attention to the UN's MDGs, and to demand world leaders to take action.

Now, these are all great events to participate in, and I fully support involvement in each...but all of them...in one weekend? So you can see how the week might have been just a little stressful

We did manage to get everything done, though I wasn't quite satisfied with the end results. I feel that due to lack of time, lack of interest from some in the group, and zero energy, we half-assed everything. For those of you who know me, I am not one to half-ass a project, and it was incredibly painful not putting more into the events. But it just was not an option. Not only that...I didn't think it was worth it...which makes me feel even worse....but enough..this was not supposed to be about feelings!

Oh. And on top of that, we were asked to participate in the Sahakarini Hike for Hope which also took place that weekend. Though I was looking forward to the event as it was held at a provincial campsite just outside of town and can be quite a lovely spot. BUT, it was raining...and probably around 5C. So, I spent much of the day with my feet up next to the fire trying to dry my socks and shoes....


The following week was definitely less stressful as I continued work at Sahakarini (I will have a fairly routine schedule from now on). Though there is still a lot I don't know about the organization, I did become somewhat more familiar with it this past week....
Sahakarini is an NGO that puts most others to shame. It operates on a scant budget, with most of its funds going to where financial support is needed. In fact, there is only one paid employee (along with countless volunteers) who just so happens to be my supervisor. Her name is Tiff, and she is quite possibly the most good natured, kind hearted person I have ever met.

Sahakarini works by funneling funds (from provincial/federal sources and the generous public) to partner organizations in the international community that initiate and carry out projects with a focus on the development of women and children. International organizations are chosen, and projects funded, based on Sahakarini's mandate...which I won't get into here...


Anyways. What exactly am I doing with them you might ask? That's a good question...and one I'm in the process of answering myself. Our (my work CP and I) main job is to work on Public Engagement. We are to research the existing projects and underlying issues and write articles both for the organization's newsletters and for local media. We also have the opportunity to help put together a curriculum regarding the organizations work, with which we may be able to present to local schools. We hope to also set up community information sessions where we would have panels made up of local experts selected to speak on a topic of our choice (relating to health, gender and development). There is the potential to do as much (or as little) as we choose. I am definitely going to take advantage of the opportunity I have to work with the organization...and I'm really quite lucky that Tiff is so open to the idea of us taking initiative and exploring whatever avenue we desire. I'm hopeful I'll come away from this having a much clearer picture of what development work (even if it's the office aspect) actually entails.


A typical week in Camrose should follow a similar format for the remainder of our time here...
We work Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and have Community Activity Days (CAD) on Tuesdays and Educational Activity Days (EAD) on Thursdays. I would love to tell you what a CAD is, but so far we've only had one and it was a bit of a disaster. Following our stressful weekend we were told it would be a day of relaxation where we would watch a relevant and thought provoking movie and perhaps play a game of soccer or something afterwards. We ended up watching 'Shake Hands With the Devil'. Don't know if you're familiar with Romeo Dallaire, or have seen the movie...but it's not one you can watch and not have an intense conversation about afterwards. However, not everyone was of the same mindset. Half of us wanted to talk about it...the other half...had nothing to say. How could you NOT have anything to say about one group of people exterminating another? They said it was not relevant....or that it wasn't fit for a day of relaxation. I was pissed. If the purpose was to meet at 9am to watch 'Enchanted' or something ridiculous, I would have slept in. But again...this blog wasn't supposed to be about feelings...

One other thing that happened this past week. We were all invited to go see Stephen Lewis speak at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. The guy has his own foundation...you can check it out here: http://www.stephenlewisfoundation.org/
It ended up that only 9 of us could go (which caused more grief), but I was one of the lucky few chosen. Anyways. The guy is apparently some big shot. A former politician, CBC broadcaster, UN ambassador, and now a huge advocate for women's empowerment and the eradication of HIV/AIDS.
I have to say though. Despite all the hype this guy has received and all the work he has done...I was pretty disappointed with the talk. I know I can't make any judgement after a one hour presentation, but still... I was hoping to come away enraged, hopeful, and full of passion. Instead I felt the presentation was very subdued and too safe. I also felt he spent too much time patting the Albertans on the back for all of the wonderful work they've done. I found myself embarrassed by some of the things he was saying...how we Canadians are changing the world and saving those in need. I kept thinking what the South African girls might be thinking...and how ridiculous this might sound to them. Us Canadians, heroes who spend ten days in an impoverished country, feeling good about ourselves, and then taking off again. All the bulletins in the foyer from the Canadian NGOs had slogans saying something along the lines of 'Canadians challenging poverty...helping the poorest of the poor...saving the world'. It made me feel a little sad inside.

In fact, this past week has been quite eye opening in the way I view the process of development. Not only in how I perceive it, but in thinking of how those we are 'helping' to develop might perceive it. This will be a big focus of Part 2 of my blog....


I think that's enough for happenings wouldn't you say?

As for a song! I came across this today while doing some research on substance abuse....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFE3140Lhw0. Normally the sound of a saxophone makes me want to throw up. But I love how they've incorporated it into this piece....

Stay tuned for Part 2: Feelings