Rachidatou, International Development and Globalization
Country of field placement: Senegal
Canadian NGO: Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI)
Local NGO: Agricultural Producers' Consultation Framework (CCPA)
My name is Rachidatou, and I'm a 4th-year International Development and Globalization student at the University of Ottawa. My journey has taken me to Senegal for an exciting internship, where I'm working in collaboration with the Canadian NGO Center for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI) and the local NGO Agricultural Producers' Consultation Framework (CCPA). In this post, I'm going to share my experience so far and talk about the difference between academic theory and field reality.
I'm currently in my fifth week of placement, which has enabled me to compare what I've learned in theory with what I'm experiencing in the field. Theory emphasizes results and productivity, but it doesn't adequately prepare development workers to deal with the feeling of uselessness at the start of their mission. At first, it may seem that the local NGO's need for our tasks is minimal, and we may feel overwhelmed by our tasks. Especially as our academic mandates limit our room for manoeuvre.
However, I'd like to put the emphasis on what I've learned in these first five weeks. The way the world of work works here differs considerably from what I experienced in Canada, and this has undeniable advantages for the local population. I've also noticed that, even during their studies, young people here prefer to learn on the job.
My local NGO focuses on bringing farmers together for agricultural production. I had the opportunity to see how they promote the financial empowerment of women and encourage the involvement of young people in agricultural production. All this is done while respecting the traditional roles of women in Senegalese and Muslim culture. The organization aims to promote gender equity in the Kaolack region of Senegal, by fostering women's economic empowerment through the creation of income-generating activities (IGAs).
My experience in Senegal has already opened my eyes to many differences between academic theory and the reality of international development on the ground. I look forward to continuing to learn and contribute to my internship mission, while highlighting the positive aspects of this unique experience.
This blog is a valuable way to share my discoveries with the public, including my family, friends, professors, future interns and potential employers, while supporting the University of Ottawa's international cooperation activities. I would like to thank CECI and CCPA for this rewarding opportunity.