Name: Kelsey Chegus, P.Eng.
Volunteer Location: Ghana
Organization: Engineers Without Borders & KITE
Q1. Tell us about your EWB experience in Ghana - When did you go, what were you doing and what engineering work was being done there? The first time I went to Ghana with EWB was in 2004 as a student volunteer and I worked for a local Ghanaian not-for-profit organization called KITE, focused on facilitating access to clean energy solutions mainly in rural areas. I worked on a project called the Multi-Functional Platform (MFP). A MFP is a diesel engine set-up with multiple end-use equipment attached such as a cassava grater, corn mill, battery charger, blade sharpener, etc. Owners of the equipment charge a user fee to others who would like to access the equipment. These small, rural businesses can be more profitable and efficient with more end-use equipment. There were many existing businesses throughout Ghana, and the project aimed to help entrepreneurs set up new businesses and support existing business owners to expand. These businesses can have a large impact in a community that does not have electricity where charging a battery means being able to run a small light after the sun sets and processing the cassava you have grown saves time, energy, and prevents crops from going to waste. As the only woman on the project team at the time, I connected with other women leaders in communities to co-facilitate community meetings in rural villages using participatory techniques, such as drawing maps and creating activity timelines to gather information about community needs and to identify future entrepreneurs. I worked along side two other Canadian volunteers and with other Ghanaian engineers, some of whom are still good friends of mine today. When I wasn’t traveling, I lived in the city of Kumasi with my host family.
The second time I went to Ghana was in 2007, this time as a staff member of EWB-Canada supporting a team of volunteers. This was an eight-month commitment that involved setting up placements with local governmental and non-governmental organizations in Ghana, returning to Canada to help facilitate a week-long pre-departure training for student volunteers, traveling back to Ghana to help support and mentor volunteers in their host communities during their 4-month placements, and assisting with post-trip debrief sessions back in Canada. There are many challenges that volunteers go through when integrating into a different culture, language, and way of life; experiences that call into question many things we take for granted about life in Canada. One of the greatest gifts we receive through experiences working in different countries is the shared learning and an expanded awareness about the world. I believe we have a responsibility to take those lessons learned and integrate them into our being and everyday lives and choices to make the world a better place for us all.
Q2. What lesson(s) did you learn from the people or experience in Ghana? There is a quote often attributed to Lilla Watson that reads:
“If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”
I would encourage anyone considering volunteering in a community outside of their home culture to reflect on this idea, to consider what sort of impact you believe you will have, and to be open to being impacted by others.
By living in a different culture, learning to speak a different language, wearing different clothes, and eating different food, I learned a lot about what makes me who I am without a lot of the external things I was used to identifying with. I often describe it as my human-ness. My human-ness was enriched by living a different way of life and by being cared for by a different land and different people. I learned a lot about the idea of “development” and how much we have to learn from each other if we are to develop more sustainable societies. International development is a two-way street of people helping people.
When I came back from Ghana the first time, I was inspired to learn a lot more about my home community such as where my food comes from, where my water comes from, and how my garbage is processed. I also gained an appreciation for the impact that access to energy has on reducing poverty.
Q3. How did you prepare for your trip in terms of taking time off school and packing for an 8-month deployment? The first time I went I prepared for at least 4-5 months in advance; working through readings, learning about Ghana, meeting with people who had been to Ghana before, and participating in a week-long pre-departure training in Toronto with the other volunteers before we left. The pre-departure training included cultural awareness training and facilitation skills.
Q4. Safety and health are two main concerns that seem to cross the mind of someone who would like to volunteer overseas. What measures did you and/or EWB make to ensure you were safe and healthy throughout your experience? As part of my preparations, I made sure I had all the recommended vaccines and malaria medication. EWB connected us with a doctor who we could email with questions at any time. I was matched with a mentor from EWB who I checked in with regularly. I also lived with a host family, which was helpful and supportive in many ways.
Q5. It seems that many engineering students get exposed to EWB in university. How did the University of Alberta and EWB work together and encourage you to get involved? When I first got involved in my first year of university, EWB was a new organization with only a handful of people at the local chapter. The U of A chapter was supporting a project in Guatemala at the time, and I had just returned from Guatemala as part of a different global awareness program with other youth. As soon as I heard about EWB, I knew it was for me. I didn’t need a lot of convincing. I was very excited by the idea of applying engineering skills towards international development.
Q6. Aside from EWB, what other organizations would you recommend engineers to consider volunteering with to acquire some engineering experience while making a difference? As engineers we work with technology, but it is all for the purpose of serving the public good. I would encourage other engineers to consider volunteering for experiences that expand their sense of the world and their human-ness. I believe it is important to ground the engineering skillset in felt experiences and to consider the impact of our actions where ever we are working. You don’t need to travel to other countries to do this.
Q7. Where should people go to learn more about the work you are currently doing? I am currently working with 3 Point Environmental where I focus on sustainable building. I have maintained an interest in energy ever since working in Ghana. This interest also took me to Canada’s north where I did community energy planning, which led into an interest in healthy and sustainable building design.
A special thank you to Kelsey, Erin and Brian for sharing their volunteering experience, lessons and recommendations.
Nice subject and experiences to share, the valuable questions & answers had almost covered everything someone needs to know about overseas volunteering. Thanks.
As an environmental major with a background in agriculture, I noticed a lot of oversea volunteer opportunities. Some of them even in famous tourist sites, like Tahiti. However, never come to my mind that people can volunteer while working in companies. Nice article, gave us all kinds of heads-up if you want to volunteer overseas.
Those really motivated to continue my volunteering journey. It’s really important to give back to the community and contribute to society, especially when we are given so much! Great article!