Change makers: Young Professional on the move

Published on: 18/07/2012

Besides sharing the formal outputs of their work (research results, tools and concepts developed and a range of communication products), they also have many lessons on their experience working and living abroad as part of the Southern Youth Zone Programme.

The programme aims to strengthen the knowledge and skills of young professionals involved in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene sector, with a particular focus on building the capacity of WASH Resource Centres and their Networks.

After a training at IRC, the young professionals spent nine months abroad. Reinventing yourself and learning by doing are common themes that surface in their stories. 'I used to have this technical background. There was a borehole and I was supervising people drilling. But at CONIWAS, it has been more about governance, advocacy, transparency and accountability: the social aspects. Now, I know more about my own capacities. I know that I am able to work in communications. I can multi-task and I am able to link things. I am more than a hydrologist', said Simon Peter Sekuma, the young professional from NETWAS Uganda, reflecting on his nine-month stationing at CONIWAS in Ghana.

We used personal time lines to reflect on highs and lows during the past year, identify lessons learned and understand the main issues each person had worked on.

 Andres explains the story of his time in Honduras

 

  Each also shared their 'survival tips', which helped them be effective abroad

• Be patient, persevere and keep up a positive attitude, and keep on being yourself
• Learn the language and become friends with people who can help you get things done
• Observe and adapt to the culture, and the habits
• Be creative and take initiative

Read more about their reflections, lessons and the link between their work and sector change here.