Malawi 2004-2005

            My experience of working with the Family and Reproductive Health Project in Lilongwe, Malawi has been monumental.  I have found that while working in the field most of the learning has actually taken place on my part – the Malawian medical teams have built more capacity on the Canadian side of the world than I have in their domain.  With those experiences in mind, I am approaching next year’s challenges in grad school with increased understanding, decreased naïveté and a desire to continue my work research and work in the same field that I have been working in here in Malawi.  Indeed, after my internship’s completion date, I will stay in Malawi to continue my work with the project! 

            At the same time, I have had extensive experience in maintaining a database containing most of the data being collected from our target health centres.  The project on which I am working now has an indispensable tool for sourcing information on project outputs and working toward real change in the communities served.  We are also working on building capacity with rural youth clubs around challenging popular myths and stereotypes surrounding issues relating to reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and life skills.       

            Obviously the Netcorps/Cyberjeunes programme is unique – and it is essentially a chance for Canadians who want to work in the field of development to get some real, hands-on experience working in the field.  With most job advertisements in the development sector demanding at least three years of on-the-job training, these internships are a necessary building block in Canada’s commitment to increasing its commitments to overseas development.  It is a chance for Canadians to genuinely learn from an international work placement and either bring that experience back to Canada or contribute by continuing to work at the international level.  On a larger, less tangible level it contributes to the diversification of Canada’s unique social fabric; indeed, it is impossible not to share such an experience as living and working in sub-Saharan Africa and these messages are passed along formal and informal networks upon return to Canada. 

Adam Graham
Malawi, 2004-2005