Passions

First of all, I am sorry for such a delay in my blog posting, I haven’t really gotten into the whole blog thing yet. I keep waiting for the blogs I follow to put up new posts, because I love reading them, but then I forget I actually have to write things too.

Right before reading week I got an amazing opportunity to learn more about International Development and what it is like to be putting what we learn in class in to real life.  I got to sit down with a couple classmates and have a discussion with George Roter. Don’t worry if you do not know who that is, I will be honest with you I didn’t know either until a few weeks ago. George Roter is the co-founder and CEO if Engineers Without Borders (EWB). EWB is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that is focused on finding solutions to poverty that is now focusing on areas in rural Africa. We talked a lot about what, where and how EWB works and learned a little bit about their history as well.

He told us about how EWB previously was trying to focus on too many projects in too many countries. They now focus on specific development areas in a few Africa n countries and according to George that is proving to be much more effective.  I have learned in class that this is a problem that many NGOs face. They try and spread their resources over to many projects, when it often pays to have a more refined focus so you can put more effort into those fewer projects. One other thing that I learned about EWB that I really liked is that they are mainly focused on“Locally-led, systemic development, for lasting, large-scale change”.

To learn more about EWB and their projects check out their website; http://www.ewb.ca and   http://www.ewb.ca/africa/ .

In the world of International Development, as many of my classmates know, it easy to feel overwhelmed or discouraged. Often times I feel bogged down with the images and stories about all the bad things that are happening it frankly can be depressing.  

But I left this conversation with George feeling more hopeful than anything. It was a very pleasant surprise. George was a graduate of The University of Waterloo and now is the CEO of a growing NGO. I know that just because we both have attended the same university does not mean that I will start up my own NGO, but you never know. It is just nice to see firsthand examples of the great things UW graduates are doing.

Something that I also found from my conversation with George was that he is filled with passion. He was passionate about the work that EWB and about the positive difference EEWB is making around the world. I believe that passion that is one thing that will set people apart from the crowd. I think that if you are really passionate about something, you will find a way to make it happen.

One thing that pops into my mind as something I am passionate about is the power that sport and play can have on people’s lives. I have experienced this first hand working with children at summer camps for long time and I have learned all about the great programs that organizations like the Right To Play run which incorporate sport and development.

So here is my question to you. What, big or small, are you passionate about?

What gets you excited? What makes you tick? What makes you want to get up right now and do something?

I would love to hear about your passions, I know you have them.