2009

Meredith Kushnir, Intern 2009

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has". - Margaret Mead

Background Bio:

I was born and raised in Southern Ontario. For my 10th year of school, my eccentric and inspirational mother took my siblings and I out of school to explore the United States, Mexico and parts of Southern Africa. The year represented a turning point in my life; as I was witness to human atrocity, environmental degradation, inequality and poverty on a scale that I never could have fathomed before. It was upon my return to the privilege and freedom that we enjoy so unconsciously in Canada, that I made the lifelong decision to search for ways to make a positive contribution to the fight against global poverty. Since then, I have pursued this conviction via my studies and extensive travel and volunteer experience throughout the world. Sustained by the injustice of unrelenting poverty in the world, I will continue to struggle with questions concerning the causes, our complicity, my own role, and of possible solutions.

Education:

B.A.H. (International Development), University of Guelph
M.A. (Development Studies) York University
Certificate in Food Security, Centre for Studies in Food Security, Ryerson University

Host Country:

The Gambia

Internship Experience:

Fall is coming to an end and a chilly wind blows outside my apartment window. Instead of the stifling humidity and constant Gambian rain, I can expect to cozy up today with a warm sweater. In my North York neighborhood, people don’t saunter into their neighbor’s yards for a round of Atai, or to wash their laundry on the front stoop, or to mumble “let peace be upon you” or “may Allah bless you and your family”. I miss The Gambia’s general atmosphere of peace, happiness and kindness. I miss feeling almost entirely at home in a place where I looked, acted and spoke like a stranger. I was humbled by unimaginable generosity and humanity on a daily basis. My internship was an all-encompassing experience and, at once tumultuous and revealing.

In The Gambia, I lived in Njawara village where the NATC is based. The internship was filled with a diversity of tasks including: writing funding proposals, helping with monitoring and evaluation of current projects, administering a survey for the GGIGS project, data analysis and teaching a variety of computer skills to eager recipients. In addition to my responsibilities as an intern, my time was also spent fulfilling the fieldwork component of my Development Studies MA. Somewhat fittingly then, I was studying the nuances of sustainable agriculture as it impacts local food security. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to go to The Gambia, learn about their culture and explore a topic which is woven into the fabric of their lives.

It was truly refreshing to retreat from the fast-paced, consumer mentality of Western life and immerse myself in a place where the ‘simple’ things in life such as family, community and daily ‘chit-chat’ seem to matter a great deal more. The popular Wolof phrase Ndanka, ndanka, muy japa golop sin yay, translated as “slowly, slowly, you catch the monkey in the bush”, is used to emphasize the importance of moving slowly both in life and in work. This beautiful mentality resonated strongly with me during my stay there and I intend to live my life here in Canada within the framework of this spirit.

To, my Gambian brothers and sisters who will always be in my heart, I will end by saying “Jerejenjef…be beneen yoon, Inshallah” [thank you all…until next time].