I can't believe I'm going to do this! Excitement is one of the words that comes up to my mind. So here we go!Soon I will be participating in two volunteer/research programs in Ghana and Rwanda. By creating a blog, I hope to tell many people about my volunteer trip (plus my parents and some of my friends are worried that something might happen to me while I'll be in Ghana and Rwanda, and they want to make sure I'm alive. Pressure). Therefore, I intend to share my experience before (preparation will take a while. Between waiting for visas, visits to embassies, the long list of vaccines, etc...I'll be quite busy) during and after I've completed my volunteer programs. I hope I'll be able to post videos and pictures once I'm there so you get something more visual.
For my French family and friends: yes, I'll try to post things in French
So, for today, just a "quick" run down about the projects. More information will come soon:
I'll spend 5 weeks in Ghana (January-early February). During my placement, I will act as a counselor and caregiver for people affected by HIV/AIDS and other various types of diseases. As a result of poverty, many people are still barred from the most basic health care. I will assist nurses at the Magro Maternity Clinic and Health Center near the capital of Accra, a clinic which provides health care to many people in the area. It will involve general check-ups (malnutrition, malaria, etc), maternity check-ups, promoting behavioral change through facilitating discussions on HIV prevention and sexual health with patients and community groups, helping HIV/AIDS organizations in their community outreach programs,...
In Rwanda, where I'll spend 7 weeks (April-June), my project will be somewhat similar, except that this time I will work with women who were raped during the 1994 genocide as well as those affected by gender-based violence in the post-genocide era. It will involves counseling, visitations and follow-up. The aim of the programs is to provide emotional support, facilitate care and economic opportunities by working with individuals and local organizations, promote awareness about the consequences of gender-based violence as well as HIV/AIDS and diseases that could be controlled and prevented.
I will be working with two NGOs: Global Crossroad and Global Volunteer Network (I'll tell you more about them later but you should check them out). Both are independent non-profit organizations that seek to support the work of local organizations through the placement of international volunteers and interns. I think local communities are in the best position to determine their needs and, along with other volunteers, I will be there to help them achieve their goals without being patronizing (which I think can sometimes be a danger with volunteering. I really want to avoid that)
While doing my volunteer work, I will be able to do a lot of research, which I will then write about when I come back. I decided to focus on initiatives taken by local organizations, communities and individuals to deal with problems such as HIV/AIDS, diseases, gender-based violence, reproductive rights, etc.
- How do local organization tackle the issue of HIV/AIDS, particularly in terms of prevention and education about the risks and consequences of the virus?
- In a post-genocide Rwanda what kind of grassroots movement exist to help survivors as well as women still facing gender-based violence?
- What methods and approaches are being used?
- What methods have shown the best results?
- What is the role of the community and what kind of initiatives have been taken by individuals and groups on the ground to educate others about the risks and consequences of HIV and gender-based violence?
- In a post-genocide Rwanda what kind of grassroots movement exist to held survivors and victims of gender-based violence?
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the program or any other issue. For those of you who do not know much about HIV/AIDS in Africa or some the consequences of the Rwandan genocide, I will post more information on both subjects in the days and weeks to come
Finally, both programs include a fee (placement, accommodation, local staff, food, travel insurance, etc). I'll be using my own savings and will organize a couple of fundraisers but if you're able to support my project financially in any way, it will be greatly appreciated.I know times are little tough but the economic crisis is having repercussions on NGOs and their partners as well and volunteers are starting to lack. So if you want to sponsor me or support me financially in any way, I put a link on the right hand-side.Thank you in advance!
Marie
