A thoughtful pause

I am at the airport right now on my way to the Philippines. Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away this week and decided that it was time to see this side of my family. The last time I was in this area was when I was 7 years old. Coincidence or not: my new passport arrives early morning the day I am about to leave. I hope to return with incredible stories of renewal and change. Thank you to everyone who has sent me their kind words and thoughts. You are also in my heart.

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Showcase: CARE

I thought this might be a good idea to showcase some of the international NGOs out there in hopes that you become familiar with some these organization's goals and objectives and decide for yourself whether their cause meet your own values and hopes for a better place to live. It does not necessarily mean that I support their work but it's a good start for learning about their work abroad either in aid or economic development. CARE International has been around since 1946 and service over 70 developing countries. There are 12 member countries in CARE each of which implement their own projects (own funding) in agriculture, income generation initiatives, emergency, health, etc. I guess CARE caught my eye in their regular advertisement in the business section: Tools for Development (http://care.ca/make_a_dif/tls/tls_e.shtm). They are gathering new and used equipment from people and industry to provide to micro-businesses abroad. Interesting concept if they are able to figure low shipping costs and good criteria as to whom these tools may be given.

Developments

It's been a while since my last post since I have been trying to put together some application letters for grad school and some overseas positions. The Canadian Society for International Health have some job postings for mainly young technology-based consultants for Ethiopia, Vietnam, the Phillipines and South Africa. I have also started to compile some good websites to pursue for other internships and scholarships for work abroad.

I recently received this publication, developments, the international development magazine, in the mail. I am not sure when or what I signed up for in the recent months but the UK's DFID funds this collection of articles and news about projects (mainly DFID-funded) happening around the world. This particular edition emphasized stories about Ethiopia and its thriving history and it's attempt to move away from the stereotypical image of the starving and famine. There are a few words from Bob Geldof on his perspective of changing the minds of our leaders to aid increase, debt cancellation and trade justice.

Another free publication is "The Rough Guide to a Better World", a short guidebook to "how the world can be a better place for everyone".

Niger and the Free Market

The Globe and Mail had an article yesterday on how the government and the UN held back distributing food to those vulnerable from the famine because they believed that the free market would naturally work to feed the community. Unfortunately, these institutions must have forgotten the whole concept of supply and demand as demand increases with limited supply of food, the price rises. The price of food in Niger has increased enough that few disadvantaged people are able to afford a small meal for their child while the food stalls next door remain abundant with food. After the recent worldly publicized famine, finally food was subsidized or distributed. Allowing markets to run steady the path of business is possible but perhaps not in the case of emergency relief.

Updated: Aug 6: New vivid images of the poverty in Niger from the New York Times.

Canadians Make a Difference

Interested in seeing what Canadians are doing abroad? Check out the short stories on CIDA sponsored individuals who decided to go out and learn more about the world around them.

The .Canadian International Development Research Centre also awards young Canadians for research.