Why did you choose to study International Development (now called International Poverty and Development Studies) at Avondale?

I had already started studying International Development at another University and chose to transfer to Avondale to align my learning more closely with pursuing future opportunities with Non-Government Organisations like ADRA while being closer to my then home in Newcastle. The course enabled students at the time to link practical volunteer learning overseas with theoretical assignments while completing the degree.

What came next?

It has certainly been an adventure. I started at ADRA Sudan working on project design activities (writing reports and proposals) for water supply projects, food distribution and nutrition programs, as well as small scale entrepreneurship training for women and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). From there I moved to ADRA Angola where I was Humanitarian programming in the area of primary health care, primary school construction as well as seed and tool distribution for internally displaced people returning home after the end of the civil war. Both of those countries were war-torn, dangerous and incredibly beautiful. I learned a lot.

I moved to work with ADRA Solomon Islands after the civil conflict in that country and worked on a Peace Building and Reconciliation program, which also included community health activities, training in organic agricultural techniques, small business training and adult literacy classes.

Following that, I ended up at ADRA Australia running various country program portfolios over the years including in PNG, Vanuatu, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Myanmar, Nepal and Laos. Various areas of projects including food security, small value chain development, climate change adaptation, water supply and sanitation, and small enterprise development. I travelled extensively through all of these countries and I can’t even describe the incredible experiences I had in each of them, though I will admit that Africa will always have a part of heart.

At the end of 2019, I began a new role at World Vision Australia as Country Impact Manager, managing WVA’s development and humanitarian grants in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, two countries I know and love and my role there includes supporting resilient and inclusive livelihood activities, developing social enterprise, reducing gender-based violence, implementing water supply, sanitation and hygiene programs, as well as preventing the spread of COVID19 and managing the emergency and reconstruction needs caused by Tropical Cyclone Harold. It was certainly an interesting time to start a new job in aid!

What do you love about aid work?

Initially, when you first start working overseas you enjoy the opportunities to travel, the rich cultural experiences and the unique opportunities to feel and see the impact that ‘you’ are having on other peoples lives. Once you have worked in International development for a longer period, you still enjoy and value these opportunities and experiences, but your joy tends to be focused more on how well you have passed on the skills, knowledge and experience that you have gained to your friends, colleagues and communities overseas. These days its particularly satisfying to hear someone in Africa, Asia or the Pacific Islands say in a conversation or email, that the improved farming technique you suggested during your last visit has worked very well and has been embraced by the community so that they are now seeing the benefits to their community and hope to expand to other villages. That is the outcome I find most satisfying at this stage in my career.

How did your degree help you prepare for this job?

Undergraduate degrees in International development usually provide students with a solid foundation regarding understanding the context within developing countries – history, geography, economics, politics. This foundation (together with opportunities to volunteer and learn practical work-based skills during field placements overseas) helps point students in the direction of where they need to focus their skills further upon completing their degree.

You see a lot of people in need, what should we be educating ourselves about at the moment.

That depends what social or environmental issues concern you the most, or how you choose to think about vulnerability, but these are a few of the global situations that need our attention:

Refugee populations in protracted crisis zones are extremely vulnerable, particularly those in Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo,and the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
Countries with very low rates of development or where extreme poverty is still the norm for most of the population still require significant support; Sub Saharan Africa, Bangladesh and Timor Leste for example.
Populations in Africa, Asia or the Pacific Islands exposed to increasingly extreme climate shocks (Cyclones) and ecological decline need our on-going support, in particularly The Philippines, Indonesia, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.
Shocks like COVID19 have made people who were previously developing quickly into a vibrant ‘middle-income’ class return to high levels of vulnerability due to the lockdowns and the current recession. For example, there are significant job losses in countries like Sri Lanka and Vanuatu due to COVID19 lockdowns, recession. Travel restrictions have placed families in significantly vulnerable economic situations, lacking adequate food and income to survive, leaving them poorer than they have been in years.

How can we help?

Donate to a not-for-profit or social enterprise of your choice that aligns with your interests and values. I obviously know from experience that ADRA Australia and World Vision Australia have significant and valuable programs in place that need ongoing support.
Support and advocate for Australia’s increased engagement in humanitarian and development investment in our region – this may include considering this in your national voting choices.
Don’t forget about your own backyard and help to advocate for improved opportunities for Indigenous Australians to thrive where you can.