- Studied Political Science and Sociology here at U of T, graduated in 2011 - My motivations…wanting to go back home and starting there before going anywhere else- Philippines is the most dangerous country to work in for journalistsResearched profile cases on slain journalistsTook part in demonstrations and helped organize documentary screenings/panels on the issue of impunity
Joined Operation Groundswell in June 2012 of last year as the Communications Coordinator
Our goal is to show our generation that there is an alternative to vacation package travel. We want students and youth to delve into new cultures and experiences from a local perspective.We’re trying to build a movement of globally active and social conscious backpackers.
- Non-profit…all our money is reinvested back into our organizationExperiential learning…trying to get students outside of the classroom and into the real world for hands on learningMeaningful and genuine experiences for volunteers…this is not a vacation and volunteers experience the regions they travel to as temporary locals, taking local transpo, eating local foodServing our partner communities – we don’t go into a community thinking we are going to eradicate poverty in 6 weeks. The way we see it…we are members of a community for 6 weeks and as community members, we have a duty to serve. We are partnered with a number of local NPOs and charities around the world and we work on community-requested projects. Environmentally conscious – we are partners with PlanetAir, a Canadian org that offers Gold Standard offsets…most widely accepted quality seal of offsets at the momentFinancial accessiblity – bursary funds
We are not a development organization nor do we claim to be. Our focus is on experiential and service learning. We spend a lot of time with our volunteers discussing what we experience on the ground everyday…discusisng, debating, questioning and challenging. We lean into these conversations and do not shy away from them because we know that exploring the discomfort rather than shying away from it will help us grow.
Applying what we learn back home to the communities we live in. You don’t need to travel half way around the world to volunteer and contribute in some meaningful way. Occupy Sandy, Romero HouseEngaging our alumni