Shami, Honours BSocSc International Economics and Development, 3rd year
Internship country: Senegal
Canadian NGO: CECI
Local NGO: APROFES (Association for the Advancement of Senegalese Women)
As I studied, I began to understand that many of the factors observed in a society are connected to larger, more abstract realities: economic systems, governance structures, and global forces. I wanted to understand those systems because I hoped to contribute to meaningful change. When I began my degree in international economics and development, I was slowly introduced to theories that gave words to thoughts I had carried for years. However, I often felt critical of the theories I learned, even if I could not fully explain why. Perhaps it was my experience with the “developing world” since childhood, or perhaps it was simply an overly critical character. Either way, I hoped to find answers to questions that I never quite resolved in class.
Two questions stayed with me. One concerned the role of NGOs. I wondered whether they had enough influence or resources to create lasting change. Given the history of certain NGOs, I was also uncertain about the long-term effects they could have on communities. The other question was about economics itself. Though economics is a social science, it often felt more scientific than social. I remember learning a macroeconomic model about how interest rates affect inflation in Canada and asking myself whether that same model could truly apply to countries where debt is far less common. I knew I was learning a great deal, but I also sensed a gap. That is why I decided to do an internship in the field, as I knew it would give me an opportunity to learn beyond the walls of a lecture hall.
I am now volunteering with CECI, which placed me as a Women’s Economic Empowerment Officer with APROFES in Kaolack. So far, I have been deeply impressed by the organization’s work. For instance, they have a bank that is run by and for women in the community. As a student of international development and economics, this is the first time I have seen such a clear example of economics and development working hand in hand. I have already attended a health insurance meeting, observed the creation of a new savings group, participated in a general assembly, and attended smaller community meetings. Through these experiences, and with some knowledge of Wolof, the local language, I have come to understand that APROFES is an example of what an NGO can mean to a community, especially when it is led and founded by members of that community themselves.
As I continue this internship, I am excited to learn more about my own place in development work and to continue the simple yet enduring reflection I have carried since childhood: How can one contribute to society, and how does that contribution change across different contexts? I am certain that, throughout this semester, I will continue to develop this reflection further by analyzing what contribution and “help” can look like, and how those ideas may differ or overlap between Senegal and Canada.