Volunteering at the Frontline of Change Cusointernational.Org
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CUSO INTERNATIONAL’S MAGAZINE THE ON GLOBAL VOLUNTEERING CATALYSTSPRING 2018 Volunteering at the Frontline of Change cusointernational.org Launch into your next adventure Volunteer again! THE CATALYST | 1 INSIDE LETTER 2 FROM THE CEO NEW 3 APPOINTMENT SOUTH AFRICA 4 REVISITED SI A 8 LA PAZ IN THE MOOD FOR 11 A BETTER WORLD RULE 12 OF LAW 14 ALUMNOTES On the cover: Health clinics were often targets in countries like Mozambique for South Africa backed destabilization in neighbouring countries. The Catalyst is published by Cuso International Cuso International is a registered Cuso International is a non-profit international development charitable organization. organization, working to improve the lives of people living with Canada: No. 81111 6813 RR0001 poverty and inequality around the globe. Each year we mobilize hundreds of volunteer professionals who work with local partners to create positive, lasting change. Established in 1961, Cuso Inter- national is a registered charity in Canada and the United States. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada. We wish to thank the many volunteers, alumni, partners and staff who have contributed to this edition of The Catalyst. Please send your comments, ideas and submissions to: [email protected] Le Catalyseur est également disponible en français | The Catalyst © Cuso International, 2018. Printed in Canada. is also available in French 2 | THE CATALYST LETTER from the CEO page 4 t the end of 2017, I traveled with our new Chair, page 8 Frank O’Dea, to visit our programs in Colombia. I was immediately taken by the warmth of the people and the culture. It’s a beautiful and fas- Acinating country, and throughout my visit I could feel a tremendous energy everywhere. The changes that are taking place are palpable. Colombia, like many countries, has experienced sig- burden.nificant Todaychallenges Colombia’s over the people past arehalf enjoying century. aAs time in allof peaceconflicts, unlike it’s the any country’s they have citizens known who for generations.bear the greatest I met Windy Johanna Castro when in Cali, Colombia. thanks in part to support she received from Fundación page 12 Carvajal.Windy is working at a restaurant, Crepes and Waffles, Fundación Carvajal connects clients like Windy to psychological and emotional support to help them deal Myanmar—all countries that have been challenged and changed by people struggling for a better life. a barrier to employment. I am proud that Cuso Inter- Your stories are part of the changes that have taken with the impact of living through conflict, which is often place all over the world and every story is important. We like Fundación Carvajal who have trained over 450 people want to hear them. Please share your stories with us at andnational linked has nearly partnered 300 individuals with an important with employment. organization [email protected]. Thanks to her drive and the support of Fundación Carvajal, Windy told me she’s on her way to achieving her dream of owning her own house for her and her son, and to someday starting her own business. Cooperation between Cuso International volunteers of this edition of The Catalyst CEO, Cuso International and the people of conflict affected countries is the focus C. Glenn Mifflin . South Africa, Colombia, THE CATALYST | 3 NEW APPOINTMENT BOARD CHAIR Frank O’Dea Lloyd Axworthy uso International is pleased to announce the appointment of our new Board Chair, Frank O’Dea. Mr. O’Dea will be existed,”with even says greater Frank. impact “Our and current efficiency. senior “We’re management finding Cwho has been in the role since 2014. andnew Boardways to are be inspired more flexible by the using opportunity systems thatto change never Frankreplacing O’Dea is outgoinga celebrated Chair, entrepreneur Hon. Lloyd Axworthy, who has even more lives in new and innovative ways.” We would also like to thank outgoing Chair, Hon. Lloyd and businesses, including Second Cup and Street Kids International.launched and ledHe isa number an inspiring of successful speaker whonot-for-profits shares his lessons-learned from his days of living on the streets asAxworthy, Chair, Cuso for Internationalhis dedication introduced and guidance our Canadian of Cuso of Toronto. programInternational. to contribute During toMr. meaningful Axworthy’s reconciliation. three-year tenure Under his leadership Cuso International has improved our street in his youth, Frank O’Dea hoped for a better life, - and After with struggling the spirit through to forge alcoholism ahead, co-founded and years Second on the sitioned for a new phase of programming. Cup, which soon became the largest chain of gourmet financial and programmatic strength leaving us well-po coffees and teas in Canada. “Even when I was out pan- international development and volunteerism borne from handling,” says Frank. “I was pretty lucky. I had the great his Mr. vast Axworthy international has experiencebrought with as ahim champion a perspective for human on good fortune to be born in Canada.” rights and international diplomacy. Speaking at the launch It was in part, Frank’s experience overcoming his own like Cuso International that support the vulnerable and onof thethe importanceMino Stat An of partnershipvolunteering with to Canada: the Ma “There Mawi areWi struggles that has inspired him to work with organizations Chi Itata Centre in Winnipeg, Mr. Axworthy commented support, people can achieve their dreams. “Cuso Internationalmarginalized. also This speaks experience to me showedas an entrepreneu Frank howr,” withsays Ia think,large number is one way of people which of the good whole will countrythat want can to takefind somea way realto express pride.” it. And the whole idea of volunteerism, helping women and youth start businesses and While in his time as Cuso International Board Chair, changeFrank, recognizing the course theof their impact lives, Cuso “It International resonated with has my on story,” says Frank. the Pearson Peace Medal for outstanding achievements Frank is excited about our unique position to bring Mr. Axworthy was recognized by the United Nations with together skilled Canadians with new technology to work asin thea Board field Director.of international service and understanding. We are very pleased that Mr. Axworthy will be continuing 4 | THE CATALYST Donna Macdonald and her militia escort in Mozambique. South AfricaGreg overseeing the construction of a new bridge. Revisited THE CATALYST | 5 In 2018, all eyes will be on South Africa as the nation marks what would have Donna Macdonald and her militia escort in Mozambique. been the 100th birthday of its beloved anti-apartheid revolutionary leader, Nelson Mandela. This milestone has inspired Cuso International to revisit the important work its cooperants did during what would later become a defining moment in African history. While Cuso International cooperants were banned from entering South Africa because of its support to the resistance, many were stationed in nearby countries at the time, bearing witness to the devastating effects of South Africa’s destabilization policies and efforts—all the while trying to help local communities. In this story, three Cuso International cooperants share their memories from Mozambique and Zambia. hen Canadians Donna Mac- Cuso International had been supporting the state farm Wyoung couple with a three- year-olddonald daughter and in Greg tow, Utzig, set out a cooperants,by supplying Greg a generating had visited station. to provide A week supportbefore South and as Cuso International cooperants checkAfrican-backed on the program. rebels (theDespite bandidos) the attack, murdered the couple the what they would experience couldn’t have been imagined. “CUSO was committed to the anti-apartheid struggle,” It was 1983, a pivotalto time Mozambique, for the country—and the magnitude all of Donnachose to said. move “We to didn’t another want project to leave in Mozambique.and give in to South - “It was hard to abandon our colleagues and friends in Africa—as The neighbouring South Africa was rife with con theAfrica north,” and theGreg horror said. “They they were had towreaking continue on in this a dangerous country.” flict while masses rose in protest to apartheid. situation without our support.” couple was aware of South Africa’s attempts to The couple ended up spending more than two years fromdestabilize B.C. had the beenregion, assigned but the impactto a rural had development been limited projectto southern in a Mozambique. northern area The near two Lake forestry Malawi professionals that had they were home. in Mozambique, and their efforts continued long after Through the year, however, the situation changed. “It An Era of Change startedbeen, so with far, untouched a few attacks, by violence and just or kept conflict. getting closer, until it culminated in an ambush on German cooper- was also an important one for Cuso International as an ants working on a nearby state farm,” Greg recalls. Not only was it a critical time in African history, but it “The main reason for the attack was to scare off and staff member, David Beer recalls: “We were moving foreign cooperants.” fromorganization. innocence As in former the 60s Cuso and Internationalearly 70s—that cooperant was the 6 | THE CATALYST decade of development. But, we - teers living and working in nation- became politicized with volun poweral areas consciousness where there was rising conflict: in the Caribbean—allAsia with the Vietnam of this war, was black hap- - rienced a struggle, but we were awarepening. of Not the all trials volunteers and tribula expe- David (centre) in Lusaka with colleague Dorcas Nduna (right), at an ANC daycare centre being funded by CUSO. rights.” tions David of people was a fighting youth leadership for human trainer in Zambia in the early 1960s before taking on a staff position in Lusaka with Cuso International in 1970.