An Office Update...

"Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose."
-Helen Keller

I just got out of a meeting with Jacques, the Acting Regional Director here at the Arifca Regional Office the the World Scout Bureau. I set up the meeting since I had more or less finished off my first project, and was eager to see if I was on the right track. My assignment was to compile a document containing a list of the current partnerships the WSB has, complete with background information on each organization, and how they are affiliated with us. This ended up being a 29 page document, but was mostly just gathering the information, not a lot of writing required. As well, I had to make a list of potential donors and partners. I spent the last week looking up hundreds of foundations and donors, and seeing if the WSB would qualify for their funding. As well, I researched many other non-profit non-governmental organizations (NGO's) to see if a partnership with them would be beneficial. This document, which I had to write from scratch, was about 9 pages long.

So I had a meeting with Jacques, and I was incredibly nervous, since it was basically my first opportunity to show the work I am capable of, and I was just hoping that he would be pleased with what I had accomplished. I sat down with him, and he was really impressed. He said it was a very thourough list, and that I had done a really good job. He is going to review it over the weekend and give me some feedback, as well as suggest some other things that could be included in the report. But he was really happy with what I had done so far; yay!! I feel so relieved. It's so much different to be in a work environment instead of a school environment but I'm really enjoying it. I like putting on nice clothes and getting to the office and settling into my desk for the day. My first few days I felt kind of like a kid just playing grown-up, but I'm starting to feel like I really do belong here. I can see myself being really happy doing this sort of work as a career.

The next project I'll be working on is so neat, I am almost giddy about it. I have the draft of a proposal from 2004 about getting computers into regions with extreme poverty. While countries in the Global North have experienced all the advantages of a digital revolution, the same cannot be said for the Global South. Africa is falling further and further behind in terms of technology. This project aims to bridge that gap by getting computer centers set up in rural areas. This will enable people to have access to the information found online that we all take for granted. With access to the internet, people in these regions will be able to use these resources for all sorts of purposes: seeking higher education, becoming more employable through gaining computer skills, etc. I have read over the whole proposal, and it sounds like such a great project. My job is to basically revamp the proposal (its 5 years old now)and try and get the ball rolling on this project. I can't even handle how excited I am about it! If this project takes off, I could be a part of providing this huge opportunity to thousands of people! I just can't even believe it!

I've spend alot of time and money at school trying to find something, anything, to be passionate about enough to major in, and I think I've finally found it. I could see myself working for this kind of organization forever. Through Heather, I found out about this great thing called an "Associate of the Arts" degree, which is basically a two-year degree that you can use towards a bachelors degree. It's a great way to use up so many of the credits I've spent so long accumulating. I think this semester is the last one I need to finish as well, which is a total bonus. Then I think I'll take some time off to work like a maniac and pay off the semester, and then travel (Europe? South America?) before I crack down on finshing up my bachelors degree, which I am thinking may be a Bachelor of the Arts degree with a minor in business and an extended minor in criminal justice. I am feeling so empowered and motivated right now, I can't wait to crack down and get things done. I'm taking the following courses this semester, all of which I am really, really looking forward to!

1) Crim 240 - Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
2) Crim 230 - Criminal Law
3) Geog 241 - Social Geography
4) Anth 220 - Culture Change - 3rd World
5) Bus 204 - Non-Profit Management ****** Should be AWESOME!
6) Soc 250 - Sociology of Development - 3rd World

It will be a ridiulously heavy course load, but one I can totally handle if there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I took a 5 course semester last year and pulled off A's, so I'm sure one more course will be a piece of cake :)

So that's the latest from Africa, I'm feeling really inspired and positive and happy. This internship just kind of fell into my lap, but it totally feels like this is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing. Life is good :)

-Delaney xo