Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) students are invited to pursue a variety of Field Studies experiences based upon their individual connections, interests, religious and political views. These learning experiences are challenging, yet highly valued and transformative.
Cole Atlin, PACS/Environment and Resource Studies Joint Major - London, Ontario
From May to August, 2009 Cole will work with Michael Coyle, the founding director of Community Mediation Services at the University of Western Ontario's Faculty of Law. Cole's involvement may include assisting to design a conflict resolution course. She may also be involved in research for a project that examines different aspects of the challenge of developing new governance arrangements with aboriginal peoples.
Adam De Sousa, PACS Major - St. John's, Newfoundland
Adam is working with Oxfam in St. John's, Newfoundland. He writes:
I'm currently working on their new national campaign entitled Climate Change and Women's Rights. So far for the past three weeks I have been given the task of coordinating (with people of different regional environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs)) this nation-wide event called Pedal for the Planet. I'm basically coordinating the Newfoundland leg of the event, which seeks to gain support from Canadians all throughout the country in pushing the government to sign a new climate deal in Copenhagen in December. People will be cycling across Newfoundland and then meet up with the Nova Scotia leg, which will then meet up with Quebec, and then meet Ontario in Ottawa on September 20 for the re-opening of parliament. We're scheduled for a July 3rd kick-off date here in St. John's, the same date that Vancouver will be kicking off on
as well. It's really good experience so far. Working in an NGO is interesting. I find that I am always learning new things, both good and, maybe, not so good!
Cassie Mathies, PACS Major - Bethlehem, West Bank
For the months of May to August, 2009, Cassie is involved with the Palestine Summer Encounter program run by the Holy Land Trust and the Middle East Fellowship. She volunteers in a local NGO and lives with a host family while studying Arabic.
Chaylene Grieve-Saunders, PACS Major - Cameroon
Chaylene works with Ubuntu, based out of North Bay, Ontario. Her Field Studies involved doing administrative and planning work with the organization as well as leading a group to their community partner in Cameroon for two weeks. Chaylene writes:
The term “Ubuntu” is an African concept that embodies the belief we share: a person is a person through people. As we see it, we are not offering charity but rather support so that others may achieve some fundamental human rights - clean water, health, education, a sustainable income.
The main areas that Ubuntu works on are: health, education and sustainability. Currently we are focusing our efforts in the area of health, specifically, water quality, sanitation and hygiene. Lack of clean water, poor sanitation and hygiene, and diarrhea caused by these factors, are major contributors to the high morbidity and mortality rates in children under 5, and clearly, also affect the wellness of adults.
When planning our projects, we always strive to ensure that they are completely sustainable - the community must be able to get all the supplies locally, be able to build and maintain the equipment, etc. We also aim to engage in projects that have growth potential outside of our involvement so that the people we work with aren't forever dependant on our resources or financial support.
The education component involves sharing all the information with the villagers so that they understand the initiatives, are comfortable with them, and are able to sustain them. In many of the areas in which we work, the literacy rate is quite low; all of our 'how to' information has been put in pictorial form to ensure that all villagers are able to access the information and follow the steps to ensure the projects' success.
Patrick MacInnis, PACS Major - Ugunja, Kenya
Patrick volunteered with the Ugunja Community Resource Centre (UCRC) in Ugunja, Western Kenya from January - April 2009. Patrick was able to work with a 2009 PACS diploma graduate, Rose Ong'ech who returned to her home community after studying at University of Waterloo for one year. Patrick wrote the following mid-way through his assignment:
The most consistent project I have been working on has been a case studies project of sponsored students at the high-school to see how their performance is going. These are students who cannot afford secondary school, and so receive money from sponsors to get them there.
I have kept a number of ties with the Peace Sports Academy project, of late we have been clearing the field which they are to use for sports. It is currently not very suitable because of scrub and trees and an uneven field, so we have slashed the scrub, filled in holes, and removed trees, as well as leveled some small hills. I am very much hoping to start on a hand-washing project which I will still continue with even when I have come home. It is more of an awareness campaign than anything, and I will be teaching hand-washing to the staff of the UCRC as well as to that of the health centre which is partnered with the centre.
I spend my after work time either reading or with the family of Aggrey Omondi (the director of UCRC and my host), which is where I take my meals as well. I also sometimes go on trips to the city of Kisumu on weekends. It has definitely been a fantastic time here, and I am sad to say it is drawing to a close.
Rosabeth Koehn, PACS Minor - Vietnam
For 2008-2009, Rosabeth will work through Mennonite Central Committee in Vietnam with the Vietnamese National Committee for the Advancement of Women and The Gioi (World) Publishing House as an editor. She will also be a writing intern for Mennonite Mission Network.
Rosabeth is working towards a PACS Minor together with an English Major and Women's Studies Minor. Read Rosabeth Koehn's blog!
[M]y assignment with the National Committee for the Advancement of Women is especially invaluable to my interest in involvement with women-centred agencies in North America; culturally sensitive and international feminist perspectives are in ever increasing demand.
Sarah Jutzi - Nepal
Sarah Jutzi, an executive member of the on-campus student organization called University of Waterloo International Health Development Association (UWIHDA), has participated in planning two summer projects abroad for them. This year's project is in Nepal where Sarah will work with Environment and Child Rights Protection Center (ENPROC) a Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) sponsored NGO. Her involvement will be to work at youth mobilization in conflict resolution with a team of two others. Sarah is a PACS Major.
Marianne Popovacki - Israel
Marianne will be working in Jerusalem with One Family Fund - Helping Israel's Victim's of Terror, where she will have firsthand experience communicating with victims of terror, supporting them in various areas and settings. The projects/programs she will be involved in establish and promote peaceful relations. Marianne is a PACS diploma student.
My interest in the land of Israel and its people has been at the heart of my desire to do an internship there. Such an urgent need for unity in a place where the premise of conflict resides and ongoing strife prevails. Spending time at One Family in October and December 2007 had such a profound influence on me. Resonating within me were the voices of the victims expressing gratitude toward those people (workers and volunteers) who have been instrumental in their healing process. They felt indebted to One Family for being such an integral part in rebuilding their shattered lives. It is in these very moments that I knew I wanted to return to Israel to work within such an organization instilling peace, restoration and forgiveness. Also, I will be attending the Hebrew University for a course in Trauma and Resilience: Theory and Practice from an Israeli Experience, a field study component involving a visit to the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism in Herzlia. As a part time student employed with the Canadian Cancer Society, I am grateful to my workplace for granting me a leave of absence to fulfil my educational pursuits abroad.
Denise Whaley - Waterloo, Ontario
Denise will work with the Sunnydale Community Centre in Waterloo through House of Friendship assisting with English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, Focus for Ethnic Women, the Healthy Lifestyles group, Job Connect and a new group for at-risk youth in the 12-13 year-old age group in partnership with Family and Children's Services. One of Denise's objectives is to
become more familiar on a more meaningful level with the socioeconomic, ethnic, immigration and other factors that contribute to community conflict, and the poverty cycle.
Denise is a PACS Major. The photo is from "What's New" web page in House of Friendship.
Kathryn Deckert- Rwanda
Kathryn will work with Friends Peace House, an NGO working for peace, reconciliation, human rights, and development in Rwanda. She plans to aid in developing the political capacities of the poor, particularly women and hopes to develop a manual to assist future international volunteers in their work at Friends Peace House.
I really need to stress that much of what I experience here in Kigali, and this country as a whole, is very positive. Most of the people I've met here are really generous, welcoming, and filled with hope for their country's future. People are proud to be Rwandan and so they should be, it is amazing to see how much this country has accomplished since the war. One of the biggest surprises I have experienced after arriving here is how safe I feel. Normal precautions aside, I sometimes feel safer than I do in some parts of Toronto.
Check out Kathryn Deckert's blog!
Nicole Heaney - Ghana
Nicole worked thorugh Global Volunteer Network in the Buduburam Refugee Settlement that has Liberian refugees in Kosoa, Ghana. She expects to be involved with peace education and training peace cell leaders.
My first impressions were nothing like I expected. I think I was preparing myself for the worst, especially in terms of culture shock, but everything has been going quite smoothly. The Liberians in the camp are very friendly and have made me feel very welcome. I think the most challenging thing so far is dealing with the pace things move here. Everything moves very slowly in Africa which is very frustrating for Westerners since we are so used to busy schedules and knowing what's going on at all times! I also hope more volunteers sign up for Population Caring Organization through Gobal Volunteer Network. It really is a great program and I already feel like I have learnt so much.
Tamara Lewis - Turkey
Tamara planned to work with Isan Haklari Dernegi (IHD) also known as the Human Rights Association of Turkey. Tamara expected to spend a good deal of time learning about the condition of human rights in Turkey as well as participate in IHD's daily activities including meetings, clientele visitations, and filing reports.
Jessica Reesor - Laos
Jessica worked as a story and report writer for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and will taught English at a local community centre. She hopes to research the land mine removal project that was undertaken by MCC in Laos as well as analyze the role of interfaith and intercultural dialogue. Read Jessica Reesor's blog!
In an unexpected addition to my job description, I am now becoming highly involved in MCC Laos' team of young peace educators. This is a brand new initiative and so progress is slow, both in terms of waiting for funding to come through and in terms of defining who we are as a team, and what it is we’re setting out to accomplish. “What is peace?” is a question we wrestled with at a recent meeting. Language barriers aside, peace is a very flexible word and it must be put into context if it is to have any meaning at all. And so I launched into an explanation of “negative peace” as the absence of war and direct violence, and “positive peace” as the presence of justice and over all well being.
Steven Rempel - Bangladesh
Steve lived with the Taize Brothers through Mennonite Central Committee, and worked as a teacher and program developer in schools in Mymensingh District, Bangladesh. He also helped to develop peace and conflict resolution program and taught English. Read Steven Rempel's blog!
It looks like challenges are going to be starting right off the bat, as much of Bangladesh is submerged by flooding at the moment and over 5 million people have been displaced. Who knows how that will affect my position but I'm sure with over crowdedness and homelessness, violence will be high and teaching conflict resolution may be necessary.
Fatima Ahmed - Vanuatu
Fatima spent a year on a PACS field study in Vanuatu working with the Vanuatu National Council of Women teaching computer skills, setting up a computer lab, and writing proposals. She also worked with women leaders to help increase representation in future elections. Read Fatima Ahmed's blog!
Truly, this entire experience has been nothing short of amazing... In fact, amazing is an understatement. Perfect is more like it. Even at times when it gets oh-so-lonely, it only means that I’m able to truly appreciate how long an hour is, or how long a day really is. To realize that; to realize that there are these small droplets that we readily waste away; to realize that these droplets can be used here and there to work on long-awaited self-improvement projects; to realize how much family truly means to us; to realize that our life goals and dream jobs aren’t exactly as “dreamy” as we had anticipated or imagined; to realize that no matter what you dream of, when that dream turns to reality, it is less glamorous, less perfect and more “real” with a lot of those minor details that we don’t, and possibly can’t, daydream about; lastly, to realize that all those realizations are only possible when your not surrounded by those who you love or who you can freely interact with.
Kevin Hurford - Kitchener
Kevin volunteered at Community Justice Initiatives. He was supported to do their required training course by PACS.
David Neufeld - Guatemala City
David spent four months studying Spanish at a language school in Guatemala City with Central American Study and Service (CASAS). The program included a cultural component with visits to local villages, co-ops, and other important cultural sites. In the last month of the program David worked at the Centro de Atención al Migrante, a center that deals with migration issues.
I feel lucky to have a chance to interact with interesting and friendly people and learn quite a bit about something I am interested in, all the while practicing my Spanish. My work so far has consisted of updating the periodical clippings library.
The challenge seems to be the ability to maintain the essential part of who I am while being able to adapt and fit into a new culture, language and way of thinking. And the great part is that with each day and each new word I learn, I am able to reveal myself and understand the people here better.
Leah Reesor - Jamaica
Leah spent eleven months in Kingston, Jamaica with Mennonite Central Committee’s Serving and Learning Together (SALT) program where she worked for the Independent Jamaican Council for Human Rights (IJCHR) and participated heavily in a local Mennonite church.
The last few days, I’ve been visiting the prison where the Haitian refugees are being held and doing interviews. Today my coworker and I interviewed 7 people between us, going from about 10:30-2 with no breaks. Today was especially intense for me because I did my own interpretation as I interviewed. I couldn’t always understand right away, but by asking a lot of questions and repeating back what I understood them to be saying, I got through the interviews. I was surprised that I could actually do it.
Maeghan Ray - Uganda
My trip to Africa was a life-altering experience that has awakened me to my responsibility as a global citizen to try with all of my being to dedicate my every action to improving the world. I now see that even in Canada I can be part of AIDS prevention and care, if I only take the time to look for the opportunities. While in Africa, I saw people live through hardship that I could never imagine; through war, violence, discrimination and disease. The deepest lesson that has been imparted on me is that there is hope. The women that I worked with lived every day for hope of a change tomorrow for their children. I realized also that my education is a tool that I can use to prepare myself for helping people, and since I have come back, I am more focused in my studies. Overall, I am grateful for the chance I had to learn from these women what the true meaning of strength is, and to see how beautiful the human spirit is in the midst of difficulty. I will never be the same person, and Africa will always be in my heart.
Jonathan Schmidt - Timmins, Ontario
My internship in Timmins, Ontario with Mennonite Central Committee and Mushkegowuk Council showed me how little I know about life in northern Ontario, especially life in the First Nation communities in the North. My education in environmental studies and peace and conflict studies found a welcome home as I worked on issues surrounding natural resource development and conflict, environmental clean-up, and economic justice. I left my internship with an eagerness to learn more about northern Ontario. This semester I'm enrolled in a Canadian studies course entitled Current Issues in Native Communities in Canada; I'm looking forward to continuing my learning about Aboriginal issues in Canada.
Amanda Poste - Downtown Eastside Vancouver, Ontario
Overall, my summer was a success! My experiences as the Praxis project intern have been quite stretching. It was interesting and wonderful to have the opportunity to serve and live in solidarity with the poor in a North American context… This held unique challenges and joys. Most of all, this summer was a lesson for me in faith. Faith that there is hope, even in the midst of despair, brokenness and pain.
Conrad Grebel University College
140 Westmount Road North
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G6
519-885-0220
Follow Us on Facebook
