This is where it begins

https://achiengcanadaexperiences.wordpress.com/2022/06/08/this-is-all-where-it-begins/

My Reflection: What does it mean to be a part of QES?

I have been home in Canada for just over a month, and I have been trying to write this piece in a way that is cohesive, persuasive and nuanced. My time in Kenya through the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship program truly altered my perspectives on aid, the “developing” world, international organizations and more. I found my …

Foreign Aid: Hidden Agendas in Development

A few weeks ago, I sat in a conference meeting hosted by the European Union (EU) where they unveiled their Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP) 2019 for Somalia. Somalia’s situation is, “complicated,” to utilize the words of those representing the EU. Somalia is on the precipice of significant political, economic, social, and security developments that could …

My Internship with UNOPS: The Role of the Partnership Development Office

Before starting my internship, I did some extensive research on UNOPS and found myself confused and perplexed regarding the work they do, and how they do it. Furthermore, I was confused about the relationship between UNOPS and The United Nations (UN). UNOPS is inextricably connected to the United Nations as they dub themselves the “operational …

Open Eyes and Hearts

Travel with open eyes and you will become a scholar–        Swahili Proverb *Dear readers:  I must highlight that there are many other factors that play a part of in this topic, such as privilege and the pedestal outsiders can be put on, but such topics are for another time. And by no means am I …

Nairobi Food Day and The Future of Food

This week in Nairobi is another busy one of meetings and research as we dig deeper into our work with the East Africa Institute and UNOPS, as well as our volunteering and community involvement. All three of us interns got the joy of attending the EAI at the “Nairobi Food Day” event on Tuesday, joining …

An internship in food systems & empathy

Here in Tanzania this semester we are a team of six women, all in our 20's, all studying in different fields, all with varying amounts of international experience, research experience, work experience, and all with different personalities, triggers, annoyances, likes and dislikes. Prior to leaving, our advisors tried to explain to us how it might …