Excellent participation in Nepal

We love to hear positive feedback from our volunteers and field staff. Here’s the latest update from our most recent volunteer assignment in Nepal:

“We finished the day one training here in Pokhara. Amazing!!! Excellent participation, from policy makers to technicians, from Kathmandu to most remote districts! It’s really beyond my expectations, really nice! Dr Justin [the volunteer] is also happy.”

Photos and updates to come soon!

A Malian’s first time in the US! -volunteers host Farmer to Farmer staff in several states

Earlier this month, Farmer-to-Farmer (FtF) country director Bara Kassambara came to the US for the very first time. It was enlightening and endearing to experience our world through Bara’s eyes and to hear his observations of everyday life in the States. –I assume this is no different than how Bara (and our other country directors) must feel when staff and volunteers come to his home country. These kind of exchanges are part of what make Farmer-to-Farmer so special.

Bara had a whirlwind trip to five states and Washington, D.C., hosted by former volunteers and Winrock staff. Here are some highlights from Bara’s journals:

April 29 – May 1 (Conway, Arkansas) : Volunteer Douglas Isanhart warmly welcomed me in his family and drove me through the countryside to see many places.

Bara and Doug in Arkansas

May 2 – 6 (Juneau, Alaska) : Mark Stopha, FtF volunteer, welcomed me in his family and also brought me to the sea for a fishing party. For the first time, I could see deer on the seaside and whales in their natural environment. Our attention was to catch some salmon, but instead of that -very amazingly- we caught a 125 pound halibut!!

take a look at this fish! -a historic catch!

I also had the opportunity to be interviewed on the local radio KTOO to talk about FtF and the security situation in Mali.

May 7 -9 (New Jersey and New York) : Former Winrock staff Jaimie Bleck hosted me in her family and organized some visits to meet with parents and friends. This gave me the opportunity to talk about my country and also to learn more about American people and culture.

Bara with Jaimie Bleck & family in New Jersey

What caught my attention most during the trip: -the American sense of patriotism, which is visible everywhere; -Americans are all hard-working people and are aware of the benefit of their efforts; -Americans are respectful of laws and regulations; -waste management at every level, whether in individual or public properties.

The trip allowed not only a better understanding of American people in general but also the enhancement of family and cultural ties to ultimately improve volunteer management and FtF program implementation in Mali.

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Everyone was so proud to show Bara around… and as much as he learned while he was here, he also taught us about how to be good hosts in our own country and reminded us of why we should be proud.

Also, didn’t this make you want to go out and experience a new country yourself?

73 volunteers receive presidential service award!

We are honored to work with so many dedicated volunteers! This past year, 73 Winrock volunteers received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for their time and outstanding service as volunteers! –Two of these volunteers received a gold award for dedicating more than 500 hours in one year; eight volunteers received a silver award for 250 hours of service; and 63 volunteers received a bronze award in recognition of more than 100 hours of volunteer work.

Here are just a few photos of some of these volunteers in action:

Howard Prussack in Nepal

Anais Troadec in Mali

Kamal Hyder in El Salvador

John Woiwode in Bangladesh

 Thanks so much to each of you for your extraordinary efforts!

David Pearce in Ethiopia

Helping cattle farmers in El Salvador

After recently returning from his volunteer assignment with Winrock’s Farmer to Farmer program in El Salvador, Fernando Diaz states, “It was a great trip, and a wonderful experience!” The cattle farmers he worked with are excited to put what they learned from into practice. One trainee states, “Fernando gave us important information on animal nutrition and hygienic milking practices. He checked our work and approved it so we know we are doing things right!” 

Check out some photos from his trip:

Great work, Fernando! Gracias!

Helping to Feed the World

Volunteer William Campbell, who traveled to Bangladesh earlier this year, made an inspiring statement about what his trip meant to him personally.

“I enjoy thinking that perhaps I have helped people be able to feed themselves better than they were able the day before. I have made many new friends and have gained a better understanding of humanity and the challenges of feeding 7 billion people.”

We couldn’t have said it any better, William!

From Arkansas to Ethiopia

Volunteer Richard Underhill traveled to Ethiopia last month, to share his knowledge with Ethiopian beekeepers. He had a great trip, which he recounts on his blog: http://peacebeefarm.blogspot.com/2012_03_01_archive.html

Here’s an excerpt from his blog below. Thanks Richard!!

It is a long trip from Proctor, Arkansas to Bonga, Ethiopia. It’s 21 hours in the air at six hundred miles per hour, stopping at Atlanta, Amsterdam, Khartoum, and Addis Ababa. And then it’s almost two more days by truck, stopping regularly for goats, sheep, cattle, and donkeys. Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, is a cosmopolitan city. Ethiopians call it “The Capital of Africa.” The African Union meets in this colorful, flowered city. Diplomats, tourists, engineers, and business leaders are seen on the streets. The traffic in the city of four million is similar to that of American cities. Drivers negotiate busy intersections with their vehicle’s horn because there are no traffic signals. Traffic officers referee the larger intersections. Newcomers, like me, are surprised to see small herds of sheep, goats, or cattle on city streets. Driving out of the city, the sight of animals becomes the norm. The people of Ethiopia hold a strong connection to their animals. After leaving the capital city, one sees a continuous flow of humans and animals on foot along the roads. People walk with their donkeys laden with goods for the market, or they carry a plow by hand as they follow their oxen to the field to plow. Young boys herd drought-thinned cattle to rivers for water or to fields to forage. Near the small towns, two-wheeled horse carts called “garis” and three-wheeled “bajajs,” diesel-powered, enclosed rickshaws, serve as taxis. Buses carry passengers between towns, and large trucks carry sacks of coffee, grain, fuel, and goods to markets.

I knew that I had arrived in the land of Ethiopia’s forest honey when I saw the weathered sign on the side of the road. The sign proclaimed “The Town of Bees” in Amharic. Two traditional bee hives stand on the highlands above the Great Rift Valley with volcanoes in the background. The cylindrical hives are adorned with honey bees, modern bee hives, and honey. Endemic Limich plants top the hives.

–Richard

The Many Benefits of Volunteering

Volunteer Diane Griffin recently returned from her volunteer assignment with Winrock in Mali, coming home inspired and enriched.

“This assignment had a huge impact for me personally.  As a person of African descent, I have always had a great desire to positive impact the lives of other peoples of African descent.  To be able to share my knowledge while learn more about the culture of my ancestors always makes working in Africa a special experience for me. Professionally, this assignment was beneficial for me because it gave me an opportunity to provide training to illiterate people, a skill that I had never employed before. This assignment has increased my interest in doing future business in Mali.  I have gained valuable knowledge about the country and made useful contacts.”

Thanks for your hard work & spirit, Diane!