Pre-departure Training: Day 2

For anyone unfamiliar with Engineers Without Borders, you can get a pretty good idea of who we are by browsing the website www.ewb.ca

Here's EWB in a few words:

-EWB currently has 27 university chapters and 7 professional chapters.
-EWB ensures projects that are implemented are sustainable by the local beneficiaries.
-In order to do this, EWB rigorously trains all of its volunteers, putting special emphasis on cultural integration so that the volunteers may gain a better understanding of the realities of local people and co-workers at partner organizations.
-Although EWB doesn't have all the answers, they help its members to develop skills to think critically and also, EWB partners with local non-government organizations (NGOs) overseas who may already have an extensive network set up with locals.
-EWB also creates change in Canada by raising awareness about global issues through highschool outreach presentations and events, and also by having volunteers bring back what they have learned to share with chapter members and the public.

When I head over to Malawi, I will be working with CPAR. Who's CPAR?

CPAR (Canadian Physicians for AIDS Relief) works in partnership with vulnerable communities and diverse organizations to overcome poverty and build healthy communities in Africa. They have projects in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda and Malawi. These projects focus on basic things such as primary health care, water and sanitation, food security and income-generating activities. For more details on CPAR, check out www.cpar.ca .

I'm two days into the six days of training, it's intense and 2AM. Goodnight!