The last few weeks have been great to recharge from school, and start cramming things into bags as I prepare for Malawi. This past week has been busy with saying goodbye to friends and family, grabbing a couple last minute things for the trip, and communicating with the other JFs and the Water and Sanitation (WatSan) team in Malawi. It sounds like folks in Malawi are nearly ready for our arrival, and I'm stoked!
At this point, feelings are all over the place. I'm feeling:
- excited about getting to Malawi to learn more about my placement, my new home, my coworkers, and my host community
- nervous about leaving all of the wonderful people in my life for 4 months. This will be hard, but in the end it will be positive, I'm sure of it.
- panicked that my clothes won't be appropriate enough for the business image that I will trying to present. It sounds strange - but this is on my mind. Image will be key in this placement - in more ways than one!
- NERVOUS! (again..) that my blogging skills aren't where I want them to be. I ask for your patience - I will get better at this, and there will certainly be more inspiration to write from about once we jump start this JF engine on Saturday! This is certainly an area of personal development.
With all of these thoughts in mind, I'm moving forward with open ears and an open mind. Here I come Toronto, ready to participate and learn! From April 30th to May 7th, the JFs going to Southern Africa (Malawi and Zambia) will be living and learning together in the EWB house. I can't wait to share thoughts and stories throughout the week!
Be well, and much love.
Kevin
Kevin and Spencer
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
(Kevin) Water and Sanitation
If we know that water and sanitation services are essential for human health, why are there still so many people who lack access to safe drinking water?
The answer to this question is complicated - and I will only ever be able to begin exploring the answers. Through years of collaboration with communities (since 2006), NGOs, and district governments in Malawi, EWB has explored the reasons behind inadequate water coverage in Malawi.
In many parts of Malawi, poor access to water isn't necessarily because there isn't access to these water points*, but is often because the technology used at these points isn't functioning properly. It's the quality over quantity argument - what good is drilling 5 new wells in a community if they won't be working in a year and can't be easily fixed?
Also, there is often a difference between coverage rates outlined on paper and the realities in the field. As a hypothetical example, let's say a report presented to a donor outlines that there are 50 wells located in a certain district, which statistically would provide water access for everyone in that district. But what if 15 of those well aren't functioning, and 20 of those wells cover only 20% of the district? This means that only 15 wells are left to cover 80% of the district! This is a very exaggerated example, but it outlines the need for change in this approach.
The Decision Support System is appropriate technological approach that uses systems thinking and simple Microsoft Excel programs (pivot tables and maps) to collect, store, and analyze data regarding water point access and functionality rates. Users of this approach include district governments, field workers, and NGOs. The hope is that this approach can become another tool in the toolbox - an appropriate strategy that governments and decision makers can use to make more informed decisions.
So why is this shift in thinking important? Well, a few reasons include:
1) It will minimize the bias that exist in regards to infrastructure development (this the focus of my placement this summer, and something I will be talking about at great lengths).
2) It will use minimize money that is wasted on clustered infrastructure development (this is also something that I'll be touching on this summer).
3) It will paint a more realistic picture and current image of water coverage in Malawi.
EWB hopes that the percentage of non-functioning water access points will decrease from 40% to 10% in the next 5 years. I look forward to sharing updates on this progress through conversations this summer.
Happy long weekend!
-Kevin
*NOTE: water points are sources of water, usually a borehole or source protected well, meeting regulated standards which allow them to be considered a providing potable water free from contamination
The answer to this question is complicated - and I will only ever be able to begin exploring the answers. Through years of collaboration with communities (since 2006), NGOs, and district governments in Malawi, EWB has explored the reasons behind inadequate water coverage in Malawi.
In many parts of Malawi, poor access to water isn't necessarily because there isn't access to these water points*, but is often because the technology used at these points isn't functioning properly. It's the quality over quantity argument - what good is drilling 5 new wells in a community if they won't be working in a year and can't be easily fixed?
Also, there is often a difference between coverage rates outlined on paper and the realities in the field. As a hypothetical example, let's say a report presented to a donor outlines that there are 50 wells located in a certain district, which statistically would provide water access for everyone in that district. But what if 15 of those well aren't functioning, and 20 of those wells cover only 20% of the district? This means that only 15 wells are left to cover 80% of the district! This is a very exaggerated example, but it outlines the need for change in this approach.
The Decision Support System is appropriate technological approach that uses systems thinking and simple Microsoft Excel programs (pivot tables and maps) to collect, store, and analyze data regarding water point access and functionality rates. Users of this approach include district governments, field workers, and NGOs. The hope is that this approach can become another tool in the toolbox - an appropriate strategy that governments and decision makers can use to make more informed decisions.
So why is this shift in thinking important? Well, a few reasons include:
1) It will minimize the bias that exist in regards to infrastructure development (this the focus of my placement this summer, and something I will be talking about at great lengths).
2) It will use minimize money that is wasted on clustered infrastructure development (this is also something that I'll be touching on this summer).
3) It will paint a more realistic picture and current image of water coverage in Malawi.
EWB hopes that the percentage of non-functioning water access points will decrease from 40% to 10% in the next 5 years. I look forward to sharing updates on this progress through conversations this summer.
Happy long weekend!
-Kevin
*NOTE: water points are sources of water, usually a borehole or source protected well, meeting regulated standards which allow them to be considered a providing potable water free from contamination
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Chapter expectations
Hey beautiful people,
Back in March, we asked you to outline your expectations of us to give us clarity as we prepare for our placements. We've broken expectations down into 3 categories: Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes. We hope that you will keep us accountable to these expectations throughout the summer (i.e. give us a swift kick in the but towards the path of accountability). We'd love to hear your thoughts about the summer, and any ways that your expectations of us change.
Skills
- Give yourself to people you meet about who you are
- Cook something for the chapter when we return
- Keep an updated blog that talks about thoughts and feelings
- Keep journals
- Take pictures and videos
- Bring back stories
- Learn limits and respect them
- Share experiences with EWB's development approach (long term, sustainable solutions)
- Reach outside your comfort zone
- Let us know about your goals and preparation for the summer
- Know when and when not to take a picture
Attitudes
- Love where you are, who you're with, what you see, what you do and who you are
- Work hard
- Do your best
- Smile at strangers
- Treasure moments
- Be honest with yourself
- Be a good representative
- Invest in the placement
- Invest in understanding perspectives
- Accept hard times and challenges
- Keep your passion
- Have fun
- Be lost
- Be found
- Be happy
- Be sad
- Be scared
- Be excited
- Really think about your impact overseas
- Be respectful of culture
- Answer the chapter's questions about Africa
- Question meaning of family and friendship
- Bring your full self to the placement
- Be honest with blog sharing (good and bad)
- Enjoy yourself and remember its only four months
- Explore perceptions and opinions about development and global community
- Try all the food presented to you
- Share goals and efforts with EWB
A long list of acronyms
Confused by all of the acronyms? Have no fear!
Agric – Agriculture (as a Business). This is one of the sectors that EWB works in, both in Ghana and Burkina Faso. This team is often referred to as the MoFA team in Ghana.
ADB - African Development Bank. This is the partner organization that Kevin is working with in Malawi.
APS – African Program Staff. This refers to EWB’s long term overseas volunteers (13+ months). As their placements are long-term, the purpose of the APS is to build relationships with EWB’s partners on the ground, execute EWB’s African programs, and create impact overseas. An APS will also be paired with each JF to serve as a coach and mentor for the duration of the JF’s placement.
AVC – Agriculture Value Chains. This is one of the sectors that EWB works in, both in Zambia and now in Ghana as well.
CIDA – Canadian International Development Agency. The federal agency in charge of Canada’s foreign aid.
EWB – Engineers Without Borders. Refers to the Canadian organisation unless otherwise stated. EWB is a Canada-based International Development NGO.
Dorothy – A symbolic person that represents the rural Africans to whom EWB and its members are ultimately accountable. Many EWB members have their own personal “Dorothy” who keeps them inspired and focused in their work with EWB.
G&RI – Governance and Rural Infrastructure. This is one of the sectors that EWB works in, and is one of the three program areas in Ghana. This is Spencer's team!
INGO – International Non-Governmental Organisation.
JF – Junior Fellowship/Junior Fellow. EWB’s Junior Fellowship is a short-term volunteer/internship program through which canadian chapter members travel to Africa to work in one of EWB’s sectors for four months. As the placement is short-term, the main purpose of the JF program is to bring knowledge and experience of EWB’s overseas work back to the chapter. “Junior Fellowship” is the name of the program, and “Junior Fellow” refers to the participant; both are abbreviated as JF. In summer 2011, Spencer and Kevin are the JFs for Guelph.
MoFA – Ministry of Food and Agriculture. This refers to the ministry in Ghana, specifically. EWB is partnered with MoFA for the Agriculture as a Business program area. MoFA is sometimes used interchangeably with Agric to refer to the Agriculture as a Business sector team in Ghana.
NGO – Non-Governmental Organisation.
WatSan – Water and Sanitation. This is one of the sectors that EWB works in, and is the main program area in Malawi. This is Kevin's team!
Agric – Agriculture (as a Business). This is one of the sectors that EWB works in, both in Ghana and Burkina Faso. This team is often referred to as the MoFA team in Ghana.
ADB - African Development Bank. This is the partner organization that Kevin is working with in Malawi.
APS – African Program Staff. This refers to EWB’s long term overseas volunteers (13+ months). As their placements are long-term, the purpose of the APS is to build relationships with EWB’s partners on the ground, execute EWB’s African programs, and create impact overseas. An APS will also be paired with each JF to serve as a coach and mentor for the duration of the JF’s placement.
AVC – Agriculture Value Chains. This is one of the sectors that EWB works in, both in Zambia and now in Ghana as well.
CIDA – Canadian International Development Agency. The federal agency in charge of Canada’s foreign aid.
EWB – Engineers Without Borders. Refers to the Canadian organisation unless otherwise stated. EWB is a Canada-based International Development NGO.
Dorothy – A symbolic person that represents the rural Africans to whom EWB and its members are ultimately accountable. Many EWB members have their own personal “Dorothy” who keeps them inspired and focused in their work with EWB.
G&RI – Governance and Rural Infrastructure. This is one of the sectors that EWB works in, and is one of the three program areas in Ghana. This is Spencer's team!
INGO – International Non-Governmental Organisation.
JF – Junior Fellowship/Junior Fellow. EWB’s Junior Fellowship is a short-term volunteer/internship program through which canadian chapter members travel to Africa to work in one of EWB’s sectors for four months. As the placement is short-term, the main purpose of the JF program is to bring knowledge and experience of EWB’s overseas work back to the chapter. “Junior Fellowship” is the name of the program, and “Junior Fellow” refers to the participant; both are abbreviated as JF. In summer 2011, Spencer and Kevin are the JFs for Guelph.
MoFA – Ministry of Food and Agriculture. This refers to the ministry in Ghana, specifically. EWB is partnered with MoFA for the Agriculture as a Business program area. MoFA is sometimes used interchangeably with Agric to refer to the Agriculture as a Business sector team in Ghana.
NGO – Non-Governmental Organisation.
WatSan – Water and Sanitation. This is one of the sectors that EWB works in, and is the main program area in Malawi. This is Kevin's team!
Hello EWB Guelph!
Hey folks!
The day has come, and Spencer and I could not be more excited. We are finally launching our JF blog! Why is this exciting? This is the medium to connect you with us over the summer! Be prepared for lots of stories, names, faces, and challenges.
We've been working behind the scenes to complete approximately 5 hours a week of JF training over the past 3 months. EWB is renound for the training it provides their overseas volunteers. As a Junior Fellow (JF), our preparation consists of the following:
1) Creating and following my own Personal Development Plan (PDP)
2) Coffee Shops with the Return JF (RJF)
3) Foundation Learning Program
A personal development plan is a personalized growth plan. In order to make one, you must reflect on your strengths and weaknesses as a development worker and come up with a list of things you'd like to improve on, the ways you intend to improve them and a timeline for growth. This plan is shared with the RJF and they act as a mentor throughout your personal development.
Coffee Shops are what we call weekly meetings between the RJF and incoming JF. This time was used to discuss readings, work through exercises and monitor PDP progress. Kate, Spencer, and I completed 6 coffee shops over the semester - 2 of which were open to the chapter!
The last part of our preparation is the Foundation Learning Program. It is a very extensive, full of suggested readings to prepare us for one week of training that happens in Toronto right before departure. The Foundation Learning Book is structured in a way that mirrors the sessions we will be having during pre-departure training. The program follows EWB's Learning Pyramid and you must develop competence in one level before you can move to the one above it. I've outlined the content, required readings and activities associated with each level and assigned a timeline for the completion of each section.
1) Understanding Culture and Approach (January 5th)
1. Read Culture as an Iceberg
2. Read Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
3. Read White Privelege and Unpacking the Knapsack
4. Discuss Readings at Coffee Shop
2) Health, Safety and Well Being (January 11th)
1.Vaccinations
2. Safety, EWB' emergency response plan
3. Nutrition, nutrition by crop, Canada's Food Guide
3) Understanding of Livlihoods and Poverty (February 16th)
1. Read Rural Livlihoods in Zambia
2. Read Introduction to Agriculture
3. Complete Ill Being and Well Being Activity, discuss at coffee shop -- future post
4) Understanding the Development Sector (March 12)
1. Read chapter one of Mastering the Machine by Ian Smilie
5) Project and Sector Specific Learning (March 25th)
1. Read EWB Profile Malawi and Ghana
2. Read provided documents on water and sanitation and agriculture
3. Arrange a phone call with Regional Director or current Africa Programs Staff to identify at least 3 new knowledge skills or attitudes I will have to develop before starting work
4. MS Office General Skill Building (Pivot Tables and Formatting)
6) Understanding how to Create Change (April 30th)
1. Complete an MBTI analysis,a personality test to help me understand my working style
2. Learn about Participatory Approaches
3. Learn about different learning styles
3. Read the Coaching Handbook, practice mentoring!
That's all for now! Talk to you all soon :-)
The day has come, and Spencer and I could not be more excited. We are finally launching our JF blog! Why is this exciting? This is the medium to connect you with us over the summer! Be prepared for lots of stories, names, faces, and challenges.
We've been working behind the scenes to complete approximately 5 hours a week of JF training over the past 3 months. EWB is renound for the training it provides their overseas volunteers. As a Junior Fellow (JF), our preparation consists of the following:
1) Creating and following my own Personal Development Plan (PDP)
2) Coffee Shops with the Return JF (RJF)
3) Foundation Learning Program
A personal development plan is a personalized growth plan. In order to make one, you must reflect on your strengths and weaknesses as a development worker and come up with a list of things you'd like to improve on, the ways you intend to improve them and a timeline for growth. This plan is shared with the RJF and they act as a mentor throughout your personal development.
Coffee Shops are what we call weekly meetings between the RJF and incoming JF. This time was used to discuss readings, work through exercises and monitor PDP progress. Kate, Spencer, and I completed 6 coffee shops over the semester - 2 of which were open to the chapter!
The last part of our preparation is the Foundation Learning Program. It is a very extensive, full of suggested readings to prepare us for one week of training that happens in Toronto right before departure. The Foundation Learning Book is structured in a way that mirrors the sessions we will be having during pre-departure training. The program follows EWB's Learning Pyramid and you must develop competence in one level before you can move to the one above it. I've outlined the content, required readings and activities associated with each level and assigned a timeline for the completion of each section.
1) Understanding Culture and Approach (January 5th)
1. Read Culture as an Iceberg
2. Read Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
3. Read White Privelege and Unpacking the Knapsack
4. Discuss Readings at Coffee Shop
2) Health, Safety and Well Being (January 11th)
1.Vaccinations
2. Safety, EWB' emergency response plan
3. Nutrition, nutrition by crop, Canada's Food Guide
3) Understanding of Livlihoods and Poverty (February 16th)
1. Read Rural Livlihoods in Zambia
2. Read Introduction to Agriculture
3. Complete Ill Being and Well Being Activity, discuss at coffee shop -- future post
4) Understanding the Development Sector (March 12)
1. Read chapter one of Mastering the Machine by Ian Smilie
5) Project and Sector Specific Learning (March 25th)
1. Read EWB Profile Malawi and Ghana
2. Read provided documents on water and sanitation and agriculture
3. Arrange a phone call with Regional Director or current Africa Programs Staff to identify at least 3 new knowledge skills or attitudes I will have to develop before starting work
4. MS Office General Skill Building (Pivot Tables and Formatting)
6) Understanding how to Create Change (April 30th)
1. Complete an MBTI analysis,a personality test to help me understand my working style
2. Learn about Participatory Approaches
3. Learn about different learning styles
3. Read the Coaching Handbook, practice mentoring!
That's all for now! Talk to you all soon :-)
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