Ange, PAP,
CECI, Haiti,
Association Femmes Soleil d'Haïti (AFASDA),
Information Officer
Wanting to break away from the traditional learning model of my specialized bachelor's degree in public administration, I didn’t hesitate for a second to apply for this adventure. After a long administrative process (which was absolutely worth it!), I was finally selected to collaborate with the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI) in Haiti as an Information Officer.
However, deep down, my anxiety kept growing. As an Information Officer, my role was to support the collection of information on partner women's organizations in northern Haiti. I kept wondering: How would it be possible to help collect field data if I wasn’t physically there? How would I maintain effective communication with project stakeholders? How would I truly understand the realities of the region if I had to rely solely on second-hand information? These were just a few of the many questions that plagued me in the beginning, all boiling down to one major concern: What would I actually learn and contribute during my internship? At first, all I could see were the challenges and uncertainties.
But little by little, thanks to relevant training sessions, informative meetings with the university’s coordination team, CECI staff, and the field team in Haiti, things started to become much clearer! On one hand, my concerns were being addressed with solid answers, and on the other, I started seeing the benefits of a remote experience.
For example, regarding my task of gathering data on women’s organizations, CECI’s fantastic team assigned me to work with a newly recruited team member already on the ground. While she handled data collection, I focused on processing and structuring it into a comprehensive and reliable database. Additionally, I supported her efforts by conducting research to identify relevant women's organizations for her to engage with.
CECI is an incredibly dynamic, inclusive, and highly respected team that values each of its members without exception. They welcomed me warmly, and despite the physical distance, I immediately felt like part of their world. We hold at least two meetings per week, in addition to regular communication via a WhatsApp group to coordinate our activities efficiently.
Moreover, this remote experience has allowed me to work on projects across multiple regions of Haiti, providing support based on my skill set. This is something I likely wouldn’t have been able to do in person, given the country’s challenging socio-political situation, which would have made travel difficult.
In the end, my initial concerns quickly faded, and my resilience grew stronger in the face of this global crisis. Whether virtual or not, I have come to realize that anything is possible.