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 I've just had a first exchange of messages with my main contact in Vietnam and have received a more detailed version of my mandate. My experience and background are looking like a very good fit for the posting I've been given. Next step is to get my vaccinations and I'll be all set to go! Clive

 Being part of Leave for Change and going to Ghana in 2010 was a tremendous privilege, and not one I ever expected to be fortunate enough to repeat. It is scarcely possible to convey how humbled I am to have this opportunity once again. There is a sense of wonder that surrounds this opportunity -- like lightening striking twice. At the pre-departure orientation, there were eight of us from Guelph, by far the largest contingent. It was a diverse group, though, ranging from one person about to embark on a two-year placement in Botswana to a number of Students Without Borders going for various postings. By far, though, the greatest number were those of us going on Leave for Change.

It was a real honour to be asked to speak a bit about my previous posting in Accra with Child's Rights International. Proudly wearing my Justice for Juveniles shirt, with all the logos of the project's sponsors, the presentation wove my experiences volunteering in Ghana with a more generalized view of volunteering that would be relevant to those going to Nepal or Peru or Burkina Faso or Malawi. There are unifying features going with Leave for Change, but in the end each experience will be unique and personal and dependent upon what each of us makes of this opportunity.

The presentation brought back the excitement of being in Ghana and the kaleidoscope of experiences.  The presentation ended with a picture of "The Door of Return" at Cape Coast, Ghana. That was always my wish upon leaving Ghana and now it has come true. 

Pre-Departure Orientation Presentation: "The Door of Return" Cape Coast, Ghana

• LFC

I’m gave a talk today at the University of Guelph for the Better Planet Project. Welcome to those coming from that event. I hope you find some interesting information and pictures about my two International Volunteer trips, to Nepal and Indonesia.

I have a showing of photos from my Nepal trip at the University Library if you’d like to drop by.

If you have any questions, please get in touch. I’d love to talk. sean.yo@uoguelph.ca or @seanyo on twitter.

Beginning July 17th 2011, I began participating in Leave for Change. Sponsored by Uniterra, Leave for Change is a initiative that enables employees from participating organizations to transform part of their leave into a three to four week assignment in a developing country.

In my case, the University of Guelph has made an investment in my professional development, while demonstrating amazing leadership in academic (corporate) social responsibility. I get an opportunity to put my knowledge and skills to work in an international development project, expand my personal and professional horizons, and acquire a deeper understanding of broader global issues.

To this end, I find myself working in Nepal at the Center for Microfinance (CMF). CMF was established in July 2000 to strengthen the capacity of microfinance institutions and enable them to provided savings, credit and other financial services to the poorest-of-the-poor families, especially women. CMF runs a wide range of programs designed to meet the emerging needs of microfinance institutions. To promote the microfinance sector, CMF engages in training, technical assistance, consultancy services, research, knowledge management, publication and documentation, dissemination of best practices, and networking in partnership with national and international organizations.

I am still reflecting on this experience. There were many amazing things that I learned and shared. There were also some incredibly difficult experiences. In response, I used my camera as a way to discover the beauty of Nepal. I expected tranquility. I discovered chaos. But I found beauty as captured in these images. I thank everyone for this opportunity. /ml

Ganesha: God for Good Luck, God for Prosperity, God for Safe Journey

It’s the end of my journey in Nepal. I’d like to thank the University of Guelph, Leave for Change, the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation, and Uniterra. I hope you have enjoyed following my travels while volunteering. 

Sunil Babu Pant has been described as a gender minority rights activist, a GLBT activist, an openly gay politician, but it is also important to remember his is an elected member of parliament in Nepal. His center for GLBT people in Nepal still needs funds so it can be completed. Think you can help? Let us know… Here he is talking to the BBC. Meeting him was one of the more rewarding aspects of my volunteer mandate in Nepal. Please consider inviting him to speak to your community. Thanks,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdnyrulnwnc&feature=related

Activists march in Nepal for Gay, Lesbian, Transgender Equality!

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and intersexed people have equal rights under the law in Nepal thanks to legislation written by the Honorable Sunil Pan. Member of Parliament Sunil Pant invited me to attend Nepal’s Gay Pride Celebration on August 15th, 2011. This year it was taking place outside of Kathmandu in the town of Narayanghat. I wish I could have spent the entire day with the group of activists. I was impressed by the number of transgender people. “The activists gathered to remind law and policy makers to include gay and lesbian provisions in the country’s new constitution, which is in the process of being drafted. “We want spread awareness among the people in the rural areas too. People in the capital mostly accept the idea but we need to spread the awareness,” Pant told the BBC” Pink Pages (Aug. 15th 2011).

One part of my mandate was to “promote equality between women and men.” Based on my experiences in Nepal and learning from the Honorable Sunil Pant, I urge Canadian International Development Aid organizations to reconsider how they define gender equality.

http://news.pinkpaper.com/NewsStory/5888/15/8/2011/Activists-march-in-Nepal-for-gay-and-lesbian-equality-.aspx

On a related note:  When census gatherers went door-to-door visiting 5.6 million households across Nepal this month, they collected information not only on the country’s men and women, but also on a so-called third gender.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/05/31/nepal.census.gender/index.html?hpt=T2

Bonding with my elephant after a ride through the jungle. It was amazing to get out of Kathmandu and see a bit of the country of Nepal. 

Black horned rhinoceros

Nepal: things great and small

Namaste

I caught the Celebration of Karva Chauth in Bhaktapur Durbar Square. My young guide informed me that this was a festival where women fast and then celebrate—for the safety of their husbands. My 16-year-old guide was more interested in pointing out the single women who were praying to find a husband. The mood in the square was rowdy yet romantic. Most women were dressed in bright red. It reminded me of Valentine’s Day.

I finally made it to Bhaktapur! Some say Bhaktapur’s Durbar Square isn’t as “exciting” as the Durbar Square (Palace Square) in Kathmandu and Patan. I disagree. Bhaktapur was a focal point of my trip–a real favourite. Some amazing examples of Newari architecture (despite 1934 earthquake) and culture.

Newari culture is not Nepali culture. The Newars are careful to distinguish themselves from other hill peoples. There are over 40 different tribes in Nepal. But in the Kathmandu Valley, Newari culture is most visible and is greatly respected. 

Exploring moments of calm in Kathmandu. Not easy. I actually expected Nepal to be tranquil and meditative. I thought this would be a city that would “slow me down.” I was wrong. Instead, I learned to find my stride. I was amused one day to discover another traveler's graffiti which expressed the same sentiment: “Wish list: Peace of Mind.” I found beauty and calm in Nepal’s flowers, flags, windows, & bricks.

Dusk; the view from Passage House Roof in Kathmandu

Ethnographic Images from my work at the Center for Micro Finance, Nepal

Sadhus: the Holy men of Hinduism…demonstrating in front of Xotica!

The inner life of nature in Kathmandu