UPEI student to spend six weeks in Mali
Kelly Gillis, third-year psychology student at UPEI, has been selected as one of 12 Canadian students to take part in the 2012 International Seminar in Mali supported by the World University Service of Canada (WUSC). The seminar has been offered by WUSC for the past 60 years and is now managed by the Uniterra Program, a joint initiative of WUSC and the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI).
Each year, the International Seminar offers Canadian post-secondary students their first in-depth experience in a developing country through volunteer work in projects that are relevant and important to the host country. This year's seminar will take place, in Bamako, the capital city of Mali, from June 25-August 5. This year's theme is 'Employability, Health and Well-Being of Youth in Mali,' and students will be supporting the RENAPESS Mali, a network of local non-government organizations who seek to improve social, economic, and ethical issues in human socio-economic development. Gillis and the other Canadian students will join students from this year's host country for a six-week collaborative community project.
Gillis can't wait to start her volunteer adventure as she is interested in pursuing international development as a career. 'I want to make a tangible difference in the lives of others. I love helping people and I'm attracted to career opportunities that emphasize this,' she said. 'I am very grateful and excited to have this opportunity, and I can't wait to work with other students and RENAPESS this summer.'
Leo Cheverie, UPEI staff advisor for the WUSC local committee, was thrilled to hear that Gillis was chosen to take part in this year's seminar. 'She has shown a strong commitment in promoting international awareness and development throughout UPEI's WUSC committee,' he said. 'I hope that Islanders and the UPEI community can assist Gillis in achieving her fundraising goals, and I wish her all the best as she prepares to take on this exciting challenge.'
Most of the financial costs for the 2012 International Seminar are covered by the Uniterra program with support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). However, participants are still required to fundraise and contribute $3,500 towards the program for related costs.
Gillis has been selling raffle tickets for a scratch card Lotto Tree and movie rentals, and will continue to do so for the next two weeks until the draw on March 24. She will be selling the tickets on campus as well as at the Farmer's Market on Saturdays. She is also hosting a St. Patrick's Day bake sale on March 15 from 11:30-1:30 pm in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre, as well as a Zumba class with certified instructor Lyndsey Paynter at the Murphy's Community Centre on Sunday, March 18 from 6:30-7:30 pm.
For more information, contact Kelly Gillis at (902) 218-0244 or ksgillis@upei.ca http://www.facebook.com/groups/249394371808248/
