EWB Saskatchewan

Engineers Without Borders 2010 fundraising campaign, World of Opportunity is ongoing.  This is a great chance to financially contribute to EWB's work, and support great projects  both on the ground in Africa - in water, infrastructure and agricultural sectors - and here in Canada pushing for government policies that better help the poor.  It's a great cause, and with the tight ship EWB runs, you can be confident the donation you make is actually going to help directly.  You can find the full details on the Where your donation goes page.

You can directly support our upcoming Junior Fellow candidates - Kathryn and Payton - by donating to their individual campaign pages here:
Kathryn's World of Opportunity  -  Payton's World of Opportunity
Kathryn and Payton will be volunteering overseas with EWB in the summer of 2010 - we're really excited for them and for the work they'll be doing.

A number of other U of S chapter members and alumni are also running World of Opportunity campaigns for EWB, including Sarah Grant (currently working as a long-term EWB volunteer in Ghana!), Colleen Steele (one of our 2009 Junior Fellows), Jonathon Stockdale, Andre Pant (both past U of S Junior Fellows), John McClean, Erin Placatka, Sydney Byrns and Mark and Sean Boots.

Thanks to everyone who is donating to these campaigns for supporting EWB's great work.  Kudos also to everyone who has set up a campaign so far!  If you have and aren't on this list, email communications@usask.ewb.ca. 

Have a wonderful holiday!

EWB's 3rd Annual Fair Trade Fair:

November 18 - 20, 2009 from 11am to 4pm
in the Arts Tunnel.

Come out and learn what Fair Trade is, where and why to buy Fair Trade, and shop for some ethical gifts this Christmas!

The Fair Trade Fair brings together local Fair Trade and ethical businesses - find some great gifts for the holidays and support farmers and producers around the world!

Participating groups and businesses:

Applications for the Engineers Without Borders Junior Fellowship in International Development for the summer of 2010 are now available here on the website.

These placements are a life-changing experience, and a chance to see and contribute to EWB's development work first hand, and to share those experiences with our EWB chapter over the following year, helping us create changes that benefit those in need.

Learn more about the EWB Junior Fellow program >>

Toilet paper - goodbye newspaper and leaves, hello my old friend Charmin

Cheese - need I say more

Forks - although eating with my hands did bring back many childhood memories, there's something magical about forks

So back to Canada am I.  Back to the grind and not so much breathing space as I had in Malawi.  But if you ever see me in the hall, ask me one of the following (and eventually all of them)

You:

1.  "tell me about one random person you met, someone who is                      ." (in this space you think of a describing word like wize, funny, mean, cute....

2.  "How can you compare Malawi to Canada?"

Coming up this thursday!  Sept. 10 and 5:30 in Arts 133.  Want to learn more about EWB?  This is the perfect place to meet the new team, find out what's happening this year and learn how you can get involved!

We'd love to have you there!  There will be cookies.  If you have any questions, email newtoewb@usask.ewb.ca

Herds of children are running,

Gigantic pots of nsima are being strirred,

mice are being sold for 10 cents and cooked up

no electricity except the shed with the TV in it, playing Zoro everyday.

I went to a village in Mulanje, right near the 3rd largest mountain in Africa.  It was my boss' home village.  I was overwhellmed with large #s of kids in the area and women cooking in the same back yard and the fact that the latrine and the bathouse didn't have a door.  But I've come to accept a little less privacy.  I even shared the bed with the grandmother for a while.  And right now I gave up my room for a guest staying at our house.  I sleep in the living room behind the couch with 2 others.  Don't worry if this all sounds terrible.  It's not that bad.

People I know:

Meggie- my sister here.  She's 20, loves to sing, is a fine fine cook, has a fashion sense beyond mine, is a good dancer, takes good care of me, shares my bed, is afraid of the dark.

Prince- my neighbours kid.  He's 8 and plays in the yard and always wants my attention.  We play a lot of games together and I've taught them a few songs.  He's an only child.  His mother's name is Barbara.

David- my host father.  He's a pastor and has just retired from a telecommunications job.  He's dramatic and knows English and French. He likes 4 teaspoons of sugar in his tea, like most Malawians.

Chimwemwe- my 25 yr old sister.  She has one child, Gerradi and is getting married in December.  She will move to South Africa with her fiance.