On behalf of CILSA, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to FSD for the funding that you gave us this summer. Your funding enabled the purchase of books and other educational materials, which will be used daily and permanently in the day care centers that CILSA has here in La Plata. The funding has also made it possible for CILSA to expand its local advertising efforts, thus ensuring that the children will have the best materials and human resources as they receive their education. The funding we received from you has made it possible for a generation of Argentine children to have better access to educational resources, thus improving their chances for their future success in the educational realm. The entire community of La Plata will benefit, now and in the future, from a better-educated and better-prepared youth population. Thanks to this new presence of improved educational resources, these children, who come from economically marginalized backgrounds, will now be able to more wholly integrate themselves into the La Plata community. Thus, your funding has fostered the integration of marginalized populations into their larger communities. All of the CILSA employees at the La Plata day care centers have expressed to me that the availability of these new resources will benefit the children in ways that would not have been possible before. Your funding made it possible for CILSA to live up to its potential, as an organization that supports marginalized populations within the La Plata community. For that, I express my deepest thanks and appreciation.

Jeannie Campbell-Urban - Princeton University Student
CILSA - La Plata, Argentina - 2006

As a social worker and pastoral minister, I lived out my faith and commitment to service through volunteering in Africa. I witnessed strength, resilience, and generosity of spirit amongst the Kenyan people.

During my summer internship, Country Director, Peter Ingosi, guided the interns through the new geography, languages, way of life and culture. He helped in facilitating our contributions to the community. My beautiful host-mother, Julia, provided a loving and supportive home where I always felt welcomed and part of the family.

I worked on several projects at my internship site, The Shikokho Medical Clinic. These projects included an FSD funded initiative to improve hygiene conditions and access to clean water through an extensive project of repairing water tanks, installing new gutters, installing plumbing for an indoor toilet, and building a gravity-powered system for a maternity ward shower. I also taught HIV prevention at the local schools. The students found it amusing to ask me questions they probably wouldn’t feel comfortable asking their teachers, especially through a ‘question box’ where they could remain anonymous.

I witnessed the effects of the male subjugation of women, particularly sexually and economically, and also the disintegration of the family and wider social structures through the AIDS epidemic. Yet, there were rays of hope shining amongst the struggles: the love of single moms working to support their families, community members sharing what they have, families taking in orphaned children when their parents died of AIDS, and churches, village chiefs, and community members sharing their knowledge about HIV prevention. I visited many widows living with HIV with the assistance of the local community health worker and a clinic staff person translating the Luhya tribal language into English. Through these dialogues I witnessed the great courage it takes to put one foot in front of another, especially when there is no food on the table, no medicine, no money to pay school fees, and no way to support your children.

One day, I mentioned to Peter (the FSD Country Director), “Wouldn’t it be great if these widows came together to support one another?” He agreed and began mobilizing the women who created a constitution and bylaws and registered as a Community Based Organization in Kenya. They call themselves ‘Yote Yawezekana’ Women’s Group, meaning ‘All is Possible’ in Swahili. The women support and engender hope and courage in one another.

Yote Yawezekana has been supported in their goal to send children to school (thus far, 26 children have received scholarships to continue their elementary and high school education) and through a maize farming project to provide food for their families and generate income. Projects of Hope, an initiative I began upon returning from Kenya, has made this possible. I certainly did not expect that out of my witnessing of children suffering in the wards of a provincial hospital, and dialoguing with many widows living with HIV, would arise the motivation and commitment among the people I met in Kenya, and in family and friends, to join in hope together, to respond to the challenges of poverty and AIDS. I am grateful and joyous that Projects of Hope continues to impact the community where I was an intern.

My ten weeks in Kenya were fruitful in contributing to worthwhile community projects, connecting with many kind people, and growing as an individual. I have learned that ‘All is Possible.’ In the midst of immense challenges, the Divine gives us the grace to pull together in community and use our gifts to create sustainable change in a more peace-filled, socially just world.

Shanna Branciforte
Saint Louis University – Master of Social Work
Aquinas Institute of Theology – Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies
Shikokho Medical Clinic, Shikokho, Kenya – Summer 2005

"I’m a practical person and don’t usually experience intuitions or revelations—the closest I can come to thinking about a revelation is by reflecting on when things “first hit me.” I was walking to work, the same way I went every day, on this beautiful dirt road, littered with trash and pitted with potholes. It cut through bean fields and banana groves, and was already scorched by the early sun, like every day that summer. I think it was toward the end of my time there, and I remember that we had just begun to put up signs advertising the library that we had just begun; but I hadn’t just passed any of them and nothing out of the ordinary had happened that morning.

But for some reason, as I started to walk up the last hill, it suddenly hit me that I had done something there, in that community. I had an enormous feeling of awe, almost bewilderment, because I realized that the library that we had created was needed and wanted, and that it would stay for a long time, with its little collection of books, offering something that hadn’t been there before. And that, incredibly, it wouldn’t have been there, at this time, if it hadn’t been for my presence in Jinotepe; I didn’t have to be a doctor or Nicaraguan or even brilliant."

Mary Ellen Stitt, Carleton College
Centro Escolar de la Cruz Mena, Jinotepe, Nicaragua - 2005

Having been trained as an urban planner in North America, there are certain assumptions about how things are done that simply can't be translated to this culture. I found myself faced with the dilemma of finding the balance between acknowledging that things work differently here, because there is a different social and political and economic culture, and trying to introduce new ideas and foster some sort of positive progress, while still remaining culturally sensitive and respectful of the way things are done here. My challenge, then, was to step outside of my usual way of seeing and doing things, which have been shaped by my own cultural identity and biases as well as my education and experience, learn to see alternatives that are more aligned with the realities here, and develop an understanding of how to make progress toward sustainability within the opportunities and limitations that are imposed by the context of this place.

One of the most memorable and profound moments during my internship happened at the most unlikely of times and under the most unlikely of circumstances. Horacio (supervisor) and I had driven early one morning to the city of Avellaneda, an hour away from La Plata. Avellaneda is one of two municipalities in Argentina that has been involved in local planning to combat the problem of climate change with support and funding from international organizations. It had taken us several weeks and repeated phone calls to set up a meeting with the woman from the local government who was in charge of the project, and for me it was a very important meeting that would hopefully provide me with useful and valuable information. When we arrived for our appointment with her, she was out of the office. No reason, no explanation, no apology. Just out of the office; we’d have to call back to reschedule the meeting.

So we turned around to drive back to La Plata, both of us feeling discouraged and frustrated. I found myself wondering, “What’s the point? Why even try, why waste my time? Why should I care if no one else does?” After sitting for a while in the car in silence, watching the run-down suburbs of greater Buenos Aires whiz by, I turned to Horacio and asked him, “What do you think is the most important thing in life?” He smiled and answered, “Ser feliz.” To be happy. I smiled back at him, because it was exactly what I had been thinking too. “And are you happy?” I asked him. “Yes,” he responded, nodding.

I turned back to the window, thinking about my own life: my roots, my family, my relationships, my education, my work, my country. Everything I had, everything I still wanted. My dreams, my struggles, my professional ambitions, my fears and insecurities. I had always wanted to dedicate my life to making the world a better place, and now that passion had taken me to the other side of the world, to an unfamiliar place where sometimes things made no sense. But in that moment it hit me with the force of an epiphany: on one level, the most important thing that any of us can do to make the world better is simply to learn to be happy.

More than they could ever realize, my colleagues, friends, and neighbors in Argentina, have played a very important role in teaching me about tranquility, simplicity, optimism, peace, and happiness – which I strongly believe are the most important qualities that any person can strive for in the quest to bring more sustainability and justice to this world. The friendships and bonds I formed with my co-workers as well as the experience of everyday life in La Plata became a beautiful metaphor and learning experience. The folks from the local grocery store all knew me by name and loved to greet me in English every time I came in. Although I noticed that they work very long hours, they were always cheerful and positive and friendly. The couple who ran my favorite fruit & vegetable stand were always warm and welcoming toward me. There is a house that I would pass by every day on my way to work where two elderly women were often sitting out on the sidewalk holding the most adorable little baby boy – I imagined that one of the women is the child’s grandmother and the other his great-grandmother. In observing and chatting with all of these neighbors of mine, I was reminded of the importance of family ties and of community in the broader sense that are so often missing in North American culture. I was also struck by the simplicity of everyday life, and the happiness and fulfillment that can be found in every moment, even though the external circumstances in the world may be difficult or less than ideal.

I feel that I have provided some very useful tools that Fundación Biosfera can use in the future to continue to promote local climate protection initiatives, including the template for the greenhouse gas emissions inventory, the educational materials I wrote, the presentation and activities used in the workshop, and the advocacy materials I developed to encourage local governments to take action against climate change. Though a lack of financial resources is a constant challenge for the organization, I hope that they will be able to continue the project that I initiated and take it to the next level.

My work with Fundación Biosfera ended on a very positive note and I feel very fortunate to have had this wonderful opportunity. My Spanish has improved immensely during these six months and I now feel comfortable using my language skills in a professional setting. I developed many important professional skills; for example, I learned how to analyze a complex problem in an unfamiliar context, and then adapt familiar models and design interventions or solutions at an appropriate level. Living and working in Argentina also taught me to be more patient, creative and resourceful, and to keep things moving forward with limited resources. This learning process has been an essential and integral part of my experience, without which I wouldn’t have been able to move forward and accomplish meaningful work. I plan to continue pursuing work in local community planning for sustainable development in Latin America, and having hands-on work experience in this field in Argentina will undoubtedly help open new doors for me professionally.

Holly Pearson M.A. - Community Planning Professional
Fundacion Biosfera - La Plata, Argentina - 2006

Working with FSD provided me with valuable international experience and insight into my own aspirations. I have worked on various projects with FSD for the past 2.5 years in Bolivia, Argentina, Nicaragua, Uganda, and Kenya. Over the years and at each site, I learned about local culture, grassroots development work within FSD’s organization of networks, and from the other FSD staff and interns. Over time I witnessed grave human rights abuses that I had only learned about as a Development Studies major, along with the solutions being attempted by global and local aid. It was in Uganda working as FSD summer Program Coordinator, where I was inspired by the unique socio-political dynamics that existed there, to pursue a dream that I had long held of studying law. Upon returning to my native San Francisco, California, I began applying to JD programs with a focus in international law. I was surprised to look back at my resume and see how much experience I had acquired. It is this experience working abroad with public interest and human rights organizations, that I believe swayed a scholarship committee at American University, where I now plan to begin a JD program in the fall of 2007 as a Public Interest/ Public Service (PIPS) Scholar. As a PIPS participant at AU, I will be surrounded by the leading authorities on international law, as well as opportunities to become involved in research and writing projects, international internships and pro bono work in the capitol. My ability to obtain this scholarship and work for social change came from the experience and exposure that FSD gave me.

Morgan Alen - FSD Volunteer and Program Coordinator

Recently, as I have been more and more involved with the Phd application process at various schools, I have been thinking about what it is that motivates me to pursue a doctorate in international education policy. Of the many experiences that have served to mold my personal and professional path, my time working with FSD has been a huge influence.

Through FSD, I spent the summer of 2004 working in Nicaragua with ASODENIC (Association for Opportunity and Economic Development of Nicaragua), and living with a Nicaraguan Family. In addition to learning about and working with the loan officers to carry out the daily functions of the lending institution, I had the opportunity to work with the individuals in the community on a one-to-one basis. During the day, I would meet with the borrowers and discuss strategies to improve their accounting practices for their small businesses. In the evening, I would spend time with my host family and their relatives throughout the barrio. For me, this was the most valuable aspect of the experience.

The close interpersonal interaction was the catalyst for my personal and professional growth. In most all my interactions with them, the residents of Ciudad Sandino showed me compassion and taught me a lesson about selflessness. Although they had little by the standards of the United States, they shared with me their scant resources, offering me their food, wisdom, and, most of all, their time -that one finite resource precious to us all. The display of generosity and the sense of injustice that I feel regarding the appalling economic and social disparities between first and third world countries, has, as a result, instilled in me a great sense of gratitude for the educational and economic avenues available to me growing up in the U.S. At the same time, on a professional level, it has motivated me to devote my career to the improvement of education systems throughout Latin America, working to design and implement appropriate policies and programs that will support and facilitate economic development.

The memories and connections that I made while interning through FSD in Nicaragua provide the motivation that I need to continue working to eliminate the economic and social ills of Latin America, while the skills that I gained while partnering with ASODENIC help to make that possible.

Donald Edwards FSD Intern - ASODENIC - Ciudad Sandino, Nicaragua - Summer 2004

My valuable experience as an FSD intern will help me immensely in the future both professionally and informally. I have more confidence of accomplishing tasks in a short period of time and also in my ability to speak Spanish. The initial process of getting to know the members of the cultural center was extremely important in building a strong working relationship. If you do not know and understand how the center functions and where they need the most help you would not be able to identify their most urgent needs and effectively address these needs. I learned that it is alright to ask for help and the process is most effective when people collaborate - you may find amazing ideas coming from people you least suspected. Knowledge of what your goals are and what you are trying to accomplish are important to their successful implementation. These aspects of my internship were helpful to me in terms of my professional and personal growth.

Ashley MacMitchell, University of Oregon
Asociación Cultural Daniel Omar Favero, La Plata, Argentina - 2006

A note from the Executive Director of Animal Aid - a partner NGO in Udaipur, India

The successful experience of hosting Foundation for Sustainable Development's summer 2005 intern in India, Yves Bouillet, was a turning point for our animal welfare organization. Yves was an 18-year old German sophomore on a full scholarship to University of Georgia studying political science. Although he had no background in street animal care, he developed a very effective animal welfare education package for presentation to students ages 13-18. He selected 30 visual images to accompany the 40-minute verbal presentation; he worked with a local bi-lingual volunteer to translate the text into Hindi, organized 15 school programs within a 4-week period and ultimately presented to, and we believe influenced, more than 3000 students of Udaipur, Rajasthan.

This education program became the pilot which we believe played a significant role in Animal Aid's receiving a grant to hire a full-time Education Director and continue this invaluable work. Thank you, FSD, for making it possible. The intern was flexible, cheerful, motivated and self-aware. He had fun meeting the other interns, he was circumspect about the strengths and weaknesses of staying with host families; he was independent and showed warmth and respect to all who met him. Certainly a most positive ambassador for the FSD program. From Animal Aid's perspective, the experience was A+. Thank you FSD for giving us the gift of such a talented and remarkable young person during the summer.

Erika Abrams - Executive Director - Animal Aid - Udaipur, India

“The chapter that I co-wrote for Pro Habitat about their work training the low income community members to form water committees was just published by an NGO in Cochabamba called Centro AGUA. Writing the chapter was one of the most valuable results of my internship with Pro Habitat. The fact that Centro AGUA gave me the opportunity to write this chapter was extremely lucky and provided the perfect closure to the internship.”

Rebecca Kirchheimer, FSD Grad Corps Fellowship Winner
Pro Habitat, Cochabamba, Bolivia – 2006

"I just wanted to thank all of you so much for this fabulous experience. I feel like it provided me with a lot of insight about what International Development work entails, and really seemed to clarify my career direction. I am now planning on studying for the GRE's in the coming months and hope to go to grad school in International Development next year."

Marisa Gant, Arco Iris, Ciudad Sandino, Nicaragua – 2006

“I found that people would call to me on the street ‘doctora, doctora, gracias!’ My patients remembered me and valued the treatment I gave them as well as the opportunity to meet someone from another country. As a student working towards a career in medicine and research, this practice in solving problems was indispensable to my personal and future professional growth.”

Julie Lander, Pre-Med, Brigham Young University
Hospital Velasquez de Zedillo, Ciudad Sandino, Nicaragua – 2005

“The intention of the project was to improve Pro Mujer´s response to violence against women. The project will not only meet the goals, it will have a significantly positive impact in the lives of thousands of women living in Cochabamaba. To me, this is its most important goal.”

Beth Bee, Masters of Women’s Studies and Geography, Penn State University
Pro Mujer, Cochabamba, Bolvia – 2005

“The experience taught me patience and creativity. I learned that the project I decided on had to be culturally sensitive. I think that donors who give humanitarian aid too often do not consider the culture of their recipients. I tried to be culturally sensitive in my project and I hope that it will be successful with the community.”

Cara Siprelle, Environmental Science, University of North Carolina
COVIDEP, Mbale, Uganda – 2005

“Experiencing the culture, learning the customs, and interacting with the people are crucial in the field of sustainable development, not only to be able to understand the problems better but also to gain respect. Overall, the experience has been challenging, rewarding and inspiring.”

Lori Parks, Environmental Sciences, UC Berkeley
Biosfera, La Plata, Argentina - 2005

"Although I savor every moment of this experience, what makes me happiest is the possibility that what I am doing will make a change, however small, that will last beyond my stay."

Kate Vyborny, International Affairs and Economics, University of Georgia
Fundación Jóvenes Para El Futuro, Ambato, Ecuador – 2003

"With the benefit of hindsight I know that turned out to be the first lesson of the experience: You can't help but getting more back than what you put in."

Ben Gullet, University of North Carolina
Hogar de Menores, Puno, Peru – 2003

“As an FSD intern I learned many things about myself and development. I learned that development is extremely complex and that underdevelopment does not have an easy solution. I also learned that there is happiness and pride in even the most humble of situations.”

Erin Lindsay, Masters in Latin American Studies, Georgetown
MICIP, Ambato, Ecuador – 2005

“During my internship at the Reserve, I was able to bring water monitoring equipment and a new outlook on their usual approach to conservation. I realized how important it was to not only have initiative but also to be organized enough to do something with it. This was an important personal realization and will undoubtedly help me in professional life.”

Ken McKinley, Undecided, Harvard
Lake Titicaca National Reserve, Puno, Peru – 2005

“My experience with this internship has taught me many things about how nonprofits work, about the skills necessary to write a grant, and about the differences in the way of life in the U.S. compared with developing nations. The experience has been very beneficial to me and I feel as though I have learned a great deal about myself and the world around me.”

Mary Alvarez, Spanish and International Affairs, University of Georgia
Todos Damos Una Mano, La Plata, Argentina – 2005

"My FSD internship, as my first experience in a developing country, helped me immensely to think about the human and social context in which development occurs, rather than to rely entirely on numerical data and economic theory."

Todd Pugatch, University of North Carolina
Asociacion Para El Desarrolla Chaguitillo, Nicaragua – 1998

"The participants in FSD's internship program are a brave and ground breaking group of individuals that are sure to be leaders in their chosen fields."

Elizabeth Foley, Political Science, University of Connecticut
Centro de Mujeres Ixchen Masaya, Nicaragua – 2002