My name is Jesse McDonald. I live in the interior of British Columbia, in stunning Nelson.
I have been given an opportunity that most people don’t get:
working as a front-line research assistant
on a prevention
program to reduce the risk of child abuse in rural South Africa.
As soon as I found out I was accepted to Selkirk College’s
Rural Pre-Medicine program, I set my mind to looking for an opportunity to
build a foundation for my career as a family doctor in remote Canada. A reference from my volunteer work
at Canadian Mental Health recommended I apply for a position with the Sinovoyu Caring Families Project in South Africa.
Sinovuyo means “We Have Happiness” in isiXhosa, the predominant language in the Western Cape.
I believe volunteering for the Sinovuyo project will give me relevant, hands on experience, giving me a window into what my career as a family doctor will be like.
The Project's Purpose
Researchers
at the
University of Oxford's Centre for Evidence Based Intervention lead
the Sinovoyu Teen Project, a collaboration with Clowns Without Borders, local Cape
Town NGO, Ikamva Labantu, the University of Cape Town,
and the South African government. The purpose is to evaluate a
culturally-relevant, evidence-based parenting and teen program designed to
reduce the risk of maltreatment and abuse inside and outside the home. The
program is aimed at high-risk families (families affected by HIV/AIDS and those
already in Child Protection services in social services) with children aged
10-17.
I can’t believe my good fortune to be offered this 4-month
internship, starting this May, to be part of such
incredibly meaningful, life-changing and community building research!
Take the first step with me in what I hope will be a
lifetime of making a difference; help fund my amazing summer of 2014
volunteering in South Africa!
My Record
Successes when people have invested in me:
- Through my volunteer work with Selkirk College and Canadian Mental Health, I am working with a group on the Healthy Minds Healthy Campuses project, opening dialogue on mental well being and healthy relationships with substances on our post secondary campuses.
The Impact
Through all of my life experience I see a common thread; I succeed
when there is an opportunity to connect with people. I have learned that I thrive in a dynamic
environment, where I have to use my intellect, my insight and my creativity to
come up with holistic and realistic solutions to complex challenges. I am able to approach a situation and think
my way through critically.
When
I see an opportunity to help out, to learn or grow, individually or for the
community, I make it a priority.
Investing in people was modeled for me growing up. I saw dedicated community members giving
others the chance to thrive. For me,
parents, teachers, our mayor and council members, doctors, and volunteers made
my desires to want to organize or participate in something become reality. I am now in a position where I can give back
and create opportunities for children and families in the developing
world.
Other Ways You Can Help
The funding I receive with help me pay for my flight to South Africa, travel within SA, living costs, and insurance.
Even if you can't
contribute money, there are other ways you can help:
·
Get the word out and
make some noise about this campaign!
·
Feel free to use the
Indiegogo share tools.
Do
not hesitate to contact me directly with any questions about my campaign. I
love talking about my future and about how this opportunity would play a significant
role in my studies, personal growth, and learning experience enabling me to
make a difference in all communities in which I work and volunteer.
