Our Malawi Practicum Experience (Part 1)

Introduction

After a two year hiatus due to Covid-19 pandemic, this summer, two students, Sierra Kochersperger and Steven Shamblen, traveled to Malawi as part of the Malawi Research Practicum - a nine-week applied research experience for undergraduate students in Chilumba, Malawi with a local development organization Determined to Develop (D2D) in partnership with the Human Rights Center. In this series of posts, we reflect on our time gaining graduate level research and fieldwork experience in the area of local governance in Malawi. 

Our dream experience come true

Sierra: In the spring of 2020, I was accepted into the Malawi Practicum, a ten-week applied research experience for undergraduate students. For me, this was a dream come true. I would be traveling to Chilumba, Malawi in order to gain fieldwork experience, collaborate with D2D and be immersed in what is quite literally the warm heart of Africa. This dream was put on hold when the COVID-19 pandemic started pausing most travel everywhere. Our cohort of students was devastated and the pre-immersion course culminated in a Literature Review on our specific topics, instead of a fully fleshed out research report. I was convinced that COVID-19 had ended my dream of participating in the full Practicum.

Fast forward two years. As a second semester senior, I was nervously searching for what the next chapter of my life would look like. Would I complete a year of service? Go directly into the workforce? I had no idea. I knew that the ETHOS center, Engineers in Technical Humanitarian Opportunities of Service Learning, was facilitating an engineering project in-country with D2D to survey land for a new high school in the area. If a group of engineers were traveling to Malawi this summer, what was stopping the Human Rights Center from reinstating the Malawi Practicum? I immediately emailed the Center about my previous involvement with the Practicum in 2020 and an inquiry into joining the Practicum for the summer after my graduation from the University of Dayton. My interest, as well as the interest of Steven Shamblen (also a member of the 2020 cohort) helped influence the resumption of the Malawi Practicum. It was mid-March when my previous cohort was given notice of the re-opening of the Malawi Practicum for 2022 and within 2 months, we were all set to travel. It was happening! Two years delayed, but nevertheless happening.

Steven: This past semester, I wrapped up my four-year tenure at the University of Dayton. My friends and I spent the semester wondering what the next chapter in our life would be. It was not until halfway through March that I knew what was in store for me. The Human Rights Center’s Malawi Practicum, a ten-week research trip in Malawi, Africa had finally reopened after Covid-19 had caused a two-year hiatus. Originally, I was a part of the 2020 Practicum cohort and had had the unfortunate experience of being told that Covid-19 had canceled the trip. I assumed that the opportunity of a lifetime, one I had spent a semester preparing for, was no longer a possibility. Therefore, when I heard this past March that the trip had reopened, and that they were allowing 2020 cohort members to apply, I was beyond ecstatic. Finally, I would be able to finish what I had started two years ago.

The Malawi Practicum is usually a ten-week research stay with Determined to Develop (D2D), an education-based NGO founded by UD alum Matt Maroon in Malawi, Africa. Specifically, five students spend their time in the Karonga district under the Chilumba catchment area. During the time in-country students work on a research project that is useful for D2D and reflects their needs for further data and information. Working with a Malawian student, as a research partner and translator, students survey and interview local community members to gather data for their projects. While each research project looks different, by the time students leave they have already started writing the reports of their findings. Our research, under the theme of local governance, will explore traditional court systems, still legal in Malawi, and how fair they are to people in light of the norms in the constitution. By interviewing village chiefs, local authorities, and village members, we hope to ascertain how effective traditional justice is being administered and whether it's equitable for women. 

Our trip started with over 36 hours of travel. Flying from Rhode Island to Chicago, and Chicago to Ethiopia (a 14-hour flight), with a final flight from Ethiopia into Malawi, made for a long day. After spending a day in Lilongwe (Malawi’s capital) getting oriented for our next ten-weeks in D2D from Matt Maroon, we embarked on a near 12-hour car ride to the site (Maji Zuwa). Arriving at long last, we took a quick shower, ate a quick dinner, and passed out from the day’s travels. Sierra: Our team has been in Chilumba for two weeks now, conducting interviews, sorting out logistics, and reviewing data. Our project has begun to take shape as we look at the system of local governance in rural Malawi, and how justice changes from village to village and man to woman. These interviews have given us a greater insight into the lives and struggles of the members of this community and it has been eye opening about how governance works in northern Malawi.

Malawi is 174th out of 189 countries and territories in the Human Development Index. This index, published by the United Nations, analyzes life expectancy at birth, mean years of schooling, expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita in order to measure quality of life within countries. For comparison, the United States ranks 17 out of 189 countries on the HDI.

Access to education services is very limited in Malawi, especially in rural areas like Chilumba. The local Chief informed us in an interview that he sees child labor issues in the community, though theft and land disputes are the most common cases. Because our project is focused on these larger issues, I did not think much of the issue of child labor until I noticed the large amount of kids swimming in Lake Malawi, wandering into the local town of Hara, completing different tasks around their homes. In our free time here at Maji Zuwa, when we are not conducting interviews or organizing data, we often cool off in the lake. And when we do, around 15 local children wander over and swim with us or watch us from the rocks. This was taking place in the middle of the day, when school is typically in session. 

In a world where education is essential to the growth and success of individuals, Malawi lacks the infrastructure to support its population of youth (people under 25) which encompasses two thirds of the total population. Child labor contributes to low academic enrollment and educational outcomes because parents prioritize income generating activities for their children over schooling. Coming from one of the wealthiest countries, where education is free and required up until high school, and where I had the access and support to become college educated, it is hard for me to see so many children be left behind in terms of educational opportunities. I am sure that many of these kids who we see every week, swimming and laughing, and helping their parents catch fish, have brilliant minds. While D2D is working on building schools in the area, until Malawi's educational infrastructure and enforcement changes, these kids will not have the same access to quality education as other Malawians. These kids will also continue to help their families generate an income, in order to survive. 

Seeing this has been part of the culture shock that I have experienced. From a human rights perspective, it is hard to see so many children lacking access to quality education. Although this problem is so overwhelming, I am glad that D2D is working to chip away at it.

Sierra Kochersperger graduated from UD May '22. She was an INS student with a concentration in international education and minors in Africana Studies and Women and Gender Studies. After her time in Malawi she will be returning to work for a local nonprofit here in Dayton, OH. 

Steven Shamblen graduated from UD in May '22. He was an INS student with a concentration in global peace and security along with minors in Spanish, political science, and human rights. He is from Saunderstown, Rhode Island with an older brother and a younger sister. Steven has been fortunate enough to study abroad in Xela Guatemala, and spent time working with an orphanage in Belize. After the Malawi practicum, he hopes to find a job where he will be able to get out and see even more of the world!

Our Malawi Practicum Experience (Part 2)

Introduction

As we roll into our 7th week in Malawi, we have experienced a lot of the culture and the beauty that this country has to offer. From eating goat and grilled cassava (a staple plant in the community) to wearing local chitenge garments, we have been immersed in the local customs. We have also been fortunate enough to travel to Nkhata Bay, a beautiful town on the coast of Lake Malawi near Mzuzu, a major city here. 

For our research, we continue to conduct interviews with local chiefs and their villagers on questions concerning the system of local governance. As we do these interviews, we have a lot of help from our research partners, Lucy Banda and Tango Banda, from the University of Livingstonia. They have played an important role in conducting our interviews, as they translate our questions into Chitumbuka, the local language, and then translate the villagers' answers into English. Without them, we would not have been able to accomplish nearly as many interviews, as many Malawians living in rural communities do not know English. We sat down with Lucy and Tango to ask them more about their experience working with us on the research this summer. 

Our Conversation

How has your experience with the research gone this summer?

Lucy: “During my experience this summer I have had loads of fun and learned lots along the way. It is my first time interacting with chiefs and learning about how they solve problems within the villages, along with using my language skills as a translator.”

Tango: “Both Lucy and I grew up in a more city-like environment with less of a focus on the village and its chief. Therefore we have both learned a lot of things, such as seeing how people live in villages and how they interact with the chief and deal with conflicts. Neither of us have ever witnessed a chief's court case before so the justice process in the village is also entirely new for us. For example, I thought that child marriage and family disputes were cases that are typically solved by the police or government court systems, however, through this research we have realized that chiefs often solve these disputes.

What is the most surprising/interesting thing you have heard in one of our interviews?

Lucy: “The most interesting thing that we have heard in an interview is how they solve issues of child marriages. They have bylaws that the community follows. And given how the people answer our research questions regarding child marriage, it is clear that the community follows these bylaws”.

Tango: “To me, the most surprising thing is that witchcraft cases are no longer common. Because it was many years ago, I thought that they would be a bigger problem in the rural areas of Malawi. But we have learned through our interviews with villagers that this is not a common issue anymore due to the lack of evidence that exists in these cases. I also thought it was interesting that the Chief of Sangilo (the village where D2D is located) had a bracelet that is passed down from generation to generation.”

What is the most valuable aspect of this experience?

Tango: “For me, I think the most valuable aspect of this internship comes from the experience I have gained in interviewing. Being able to put the experience from this research project on our resume will greatly help us in our job search after this summer.”

Lucy: “Along with what Tango has said about how valuable interviewing experience can be for the resume, I think that the knowledge we have gained from the interviews will also be very helpful. The villagers provided so many new ideas and opinions on local governance and how to improve it which will be useful to consider later in life.”

What has been your favorite part of this experience?

Lucy: “I enjoy being able to translate for you guys, and using Tumbuka when interviewing villagers. I also like introducing myself on your behalf, its funny.”

Tango: “I really like meeting new people and interacting with people who have different ideas and beliefs.”

And Steve, what has been your favorite part of this experience?

Steven: “I think my favorite part of our research so far has been learning about how the justice system involves so many different groups here in Malawi. Getting to talk with representatives from both the Child Protective Services office (CPS) and Chilumba Police Department was incredibly enlightening. Depending on the case, community police (separate but affiliated with the actual police), the chief, Nduna (advisors), CPS, NGOs, and the court may all be involved in solving the case which is entirely different than in the U.S.”

What has been your least favorite part of this experience?

Lucy: “My least favorite part is getting incomplete answers when interviewing.”

Tango: “I agree. Also, when villagers clearly are not interested in answering and give one word answers. Then we have to try and prod them for more information.”

Sierra, what about you? Least favorite part?

Sierra: “Well, we are in week 7 and at this point we have not been successful in attending a local court session. Whether the accused person does not show up to court, or an event such as a wedding or funeral happens that the chief needs to attend, they are constantly getting canceled. It is giving me the impression that the current system in place does not uphold justice, or doesn’t do so in a timely manner. This is concerning, especially when the cases we hear about in our interviews involve gender-based violence or domestic abuse.”

Would you be interested in doing this kind of work in the future?

Lucy: “Yes, this experience is very valuable. Companies look for survey work on resumes and will pay well for being out in the field. It is useful to have this experience, and I would be interested in doing this in the future.”

Tango: “Yes. This work is productive, other people may sit around and play Bao (a local game similar to Mancala), but we are out in the community.”

Do you think your classes and degree has helped with this research?

Lucy: “Yes, very much so. We used a lot of what we learned in our degree during these interviews. We also had a research course that taught us how to do these interviews and style of work, which we are able to use here.”

Tango: “Yes, we are implementing what we have learned here, as we do interviews and research with you.”

Conclusion

In wrapping up our time here in Malawi we are excited to begin reviewing all our research in its entirety and breaking down our findings. Completing 40+ interviews over six villages has really allowed us to branch out and interact with numerous communities that have all been special in their own way. Lucy and Tango have been an integral part of our research and experience while in Chilumba, Malawi. The challenge of language barriers and appropriate research methods could not have been maneuvered around without their assistance. 

While each village is unique and has their own particularities, we are seeing some interesting broader trends in the data. One example is that many believe they are able to participate in deciding how their case is brought to court (90% yes) and that their rights are upheld and respected within the court systems (80% yes). However, when asking participants whether women were treated equally within the system only 64% of participants answered yes. Further, when asking whether people have access to transportation to the courts 57% of participants answered no. This just goes to show that there is a lot to unpack within our findings as to how effective Malawi’s justice system really is and what kinds of improvements they might hope to incorporate in the future. 

We also got to wrap up our time by observing the local Child Protective services office in their interviews with the head of the local police department and a lawyer practicing in the high court system. These interviews allowed us to better understand how the local justice system is truly a community effort as well as to compare that to courts at the national level. The research that we have conducted will inform our partner organization, D2D in any future work they do in the area.

Sierra Kochersperger graduated from UD May '22. She was an INS student with a concentration in international education and minors in Africana Studies and Women and Gender Studies. After her time in Malawi she will be returning to work for a local nonprofit here in Dayton, OH. 

Steven Shamblen graduated from UD in May '22. He was an INS student with a concentration in global peace and security along with minors in Spanish, political science, and human rights. He is from Saunderstown, Rhode Island with an older brother and a younger sister. Steven has been fortunate enough to study abroad in Xela Guatemala, and spent time working with an orphanage in Belize. After the Malawi practicum, he hopes to find a job where he will be able to get out and see even more of the world!

Lessons from a Grassroots Development Nonprofit

In July of 2019, I found myself embarking on a journey to a small and unfamiliar, but  special corner of the world. As the third Human Rights Center’s Malawi Graduate Fellow, I had the unique opportunity to travel to northern Malawi and gain field experience working as a program officer for Determined to Develop NGO (D2D). The thought of traveling thousands of miles from home was stressful and exciting, fear invoking, yet empowering. I knew I would face challenges in the months to come, but was eager to embrace all what the program had to offer.

At the time, what I did not expect was an early return home - after a short eight months - as UD suspended all international programs in response to uncertainties of the global pandemic. Despite this abrupt end, my time in Malawi was incredibly influential, impacting how I view the world and my role in it. I have been challenged to grow both personally and professionally, questioning my values, actions, and capacity as a global citizen. I came to understand not only the intricacies of grassroots development work but also the organizational development of a small nonprofit, from its humble beginnings to the high-impact organization we see today. As I continue to unpack this experience, this is a short reflection on my work with D2D, and what I have learned about international development and nonprofit spaces. 

My position as program officer encompassed media and donor outreach, as well as assisting with project implementation in the areas of female empowerment and extended learning opportunities for youth. The position was dynamic and offered me opportunities to work in various activities of the organization, such as raising awareness through multiple social media platforms or supporting fundraising efforts. As a grassroots organization, D2D uses a bottom-up approach that emphasizes community participation in every aspect of its development initiatives, from problem identification to program implementation. D2D’s local collaborations span across local schools, community groups, and local government, harnessing the power of networks as a means of building capacity. 

What struck me about D2D’s commitment to the community was their tireless efforts to connect with its beneficiaries in a genuine way. D2D staff members cultivate role model relationships with sponsored youth and meet with families regularly to ensure the academic success of each student. As a result, many of D2D’s graduate sponsored youth return to its campus to contribute and support ongoing efforts. This approach underscores the spirit of community, enabling D2D to create and sustain a measurable impact in the Chilumba area. Through its local presence and U.S connections, D2D has also contributed to a larger community both in Malawi and across the globe. Through its partnerships and open-source approach with universities and nonprofits such as the University of Dayton and Rotary International, D2D is actively contributing to shifting the landscape of international development work.  

As time passed and the seasons changed from hot and dry to cool and rainy, I gained a deeper understanding of D2D’s history and programming. It became apparent that D2D was founded on a generative culture focused on learning. A known virtue of nonprofits is their ability to adapt and respond to unseen circumstances. As many small nonprofits like D2D are held up by individual donors or operate in areas where resources are scarce, adaptability and growth are essential. To maintain a learning culture, D2D staff and board members ask questions such as: What is our impact on the community? Is it the kind of impact we want? How can we do better? What challenges lie ahead? Are our actions aligned with our mission and values? These questions help to guide organizational decision making and are supported through constant monitoring and evaluation (M&E). D2D staff continuously collect both quantitative and qualitative data related to each program’s defined goals and intended impact, which is then used to track progress, guide strategic planning, and inform proper implementation of its programs. It’s M&E methodology is based in consistent data collection and reporting, which sustains its ability to effectively identify and respond to challenges. 

Since its inception, D2D has continuously pushed for quality improvement across all aspects of its organization, including revised programming and internal operations. D2D was established in response to community need, and offered wide ranging programming such as school tuition sponsorship, women’s income-generating groups, and feeding programs. But as time progressed, the impact of school tuition sponsorship and the need for access to quality education far surpassed that of the other programs, causing D2D to move its focus entirely to education and related programming. 

By conducting community needs assessments and utilizing research from the Malawi Research Practicum, D2D created a new set of programming to best serve its beneficiaries. For example, D2D developed the Girls Empowerment Program in response to high rates of girls’ school dropout in the Chilumba area. Under this program, D2D offers Girls’ Clubs, a Female Mentorship Program, and a Girls Income-Generating Activity to support female youth in life-skills and educational development. These programs were produced together with local experts, and following student Practicum research. To date, this research has encompassed factors contributing to school dropout and absenteeism, exploring best practices for girls’ economic empowerment, and an assessment of the effectiveness of current Girls Club programming. By employing a learning culture, D2D has grown its adaptive capacity and ability to implement high-impact programs that significantly contribute to the local development of its part of Malawi. 

These principles of collaboration, resilience, and growth are ones that I regularly leaned on in my role as program officer and as a community member. This independent role encouraged me to make time for learning as I navigated how to engage D2D’s supporters through new and interesting media posts, and communicate strategically  with its partners. But most importantly, my experience with D2D taught me the importance of resilience, and to view change as an opportunity. 

Unfortunately, like the rest of the world, Malawi is facing a time of hardship due to the pandemic, among other challenges. D2D has made the difficult decision of putting its programs on hold, in addition to making financial cuts. Nonprofit organizations around the globe are finding themselves facing new challenges, though they remain more adaptable than ever. During these uncertain times, we can all benefit from the lessons I’ve learned from D2D. These lessons of centering community, learning, and development are more critical than ever. 

Rebecca Westphal is a recent graduate from the University of Dayton, where she received degrees in Human Rights Studies and Spanish. She returns to UD this Fall as a graduate assistant for the Human Rights Center after spending a year in Malawi working with Determined to Develop as a program officer. Rebecca is passionate about international development, and in the future hopes to support girls’ empowerment internationally through access to quality education.

Beyond UD: 2019 Malawi Practicum Present at the University of Notre Dame Human Development Conference

During the summer of 2019, five Malawi Practicum student researchers spent nine weeks in Chilumba, Malawi with the NGO Determined to Develop (D2D), conducting research related to the theme of Food Security and Nutrition. Upon their return to campus in the fall, the students continued developing their final research projects on specific topics, which they presented at the Social Practice of Human Rights (SPHR) 2019 conference. Seeking to share their findings beyond UD, the Practicum cohort attended the Human Development Conference at the University of Notre Dame in March 2020. 

The conference theme, ‘Development on the Move: Global Strategies Informed by Local Contexts’ calls for global cooperation on issues, like food insecurity, that transcend national borders. The right to food is guaranteed in article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights and article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, food insecurity remains an existent issue in communities around the world. Food insecurity is not a matter of scarcity, but rather one of distribution. In Malawi, 80 percent of the population practices smallholder farming. The dependence on the climate for food production makes recurring droughts a threat to the agricultural sector and the livelihood of farmers. Micronutrient deficiencies have led to high rates of anemia and stunting, particularly in pregnant women and children, with 47 percent of children being stunted. During times like the current COVID-19 pandemic, the inequality gap in access to life-sustaining resources like food becomes more profound, making the call for global solidarity with a focus on community development especially pertinent. 

The conference allowed for personal reflection on the students’ yearlong research development process as well as the chance to learn amongst student researchers from across the United States. We share here the research findings and conference takeaways from two Practicum participants: 

Matt Schubert, Communication and Political Science, ‘20

Analyzing community garden initiatives and techniques in the Chilumba area: How communities take a village approach to food security and nutrition.

The focus of this research was to investigate factors that contribute to the success or failure of community gardens. Together, the UD student researcher along with his Malawian research counterpart conducted focus groups and individual interviews with members of community gardens. Findings show that one of the most important factors of a successful garden was access to capital, water, and a market for sales. Also helpful was external support from NGOs, which can assist in providing resources and knowledge. A final contributing factor to success was group cohesion among the community gardeners. Recommendations include the creation of a forum for knowledge-sharing among community gardeners, cooperation among gardeners to yield greater profits, and less reliance on NGOs for resources in order to increase self-sufficiency. 

Conference Reflections

“At the conference, I was impressed by the number of other students doing development research all over the globe. The panel I presented on addressed food security, where I learned, through the other presentations, about economic models, gender issues, and problems facing refugees and minorities in the U.S. During Q&A, a question was raised on how our identities affected our work and how we ensured we didn’t act as “white saviors.” I thought about my identity frequently during my time as a researcher and since leaving Malawi, so I am thankful for opportunities for continued reflection on these important questions. After attending the conference, I feel more confident about the future of development,” said Schubert.

Marigrace Moses, Environmental Biology, ‘20

Sustainable fish farming as an income-generating activity and women’s role in adoption. 

Fish farming has been developed as a method of reducing overfishing in Lake Malawi. While the fishing industry in Malawi is male-dominated and there are many barriers to women’s entry, pond fishing serves as an entry point for women’s participation. This study aimed to better understand how fish farming is impacting development in Malawi and women’s role within this dominant means of generating livelihoods. The UD researcher and her Malawian research partner interviewed 19 fish farmers within the Northern region of Malawi. Findings show that, while women face heightened barriers, such as access to information and resources, physical barriers, and thievery, fish farming is a viable industry in which women can succeed. 

Conference Reflections

“Presenting at this conference allowed me to continue my reflection on my time in Malawi and opened my eyes to possibilities post-graduation. Each time I share my experience or present my research, I understand my time in Malawi a bit more. I presented on the panel: “Beating the Binary: Challenging Gendered Norms in Development Practices.” My research examined women’s empowerment in sustainable fish farming as I shared stories of some incredible women I learned from this summer. Being on a diverse panel allowed me to hear similar stories from other student researchers. A member of the audience asked us during the panel to discuss our identity’s impact on the research. I think this is a critical question for development researchers to actively reflect on. This past summer, I would have had a very different experience if I chose to not reflect upon my identity and positionality. After the conference, I feel more confident discussing my research and role in Malawi,” Moses reflected.

The Malawi Research Practicum prompts students to engage with questions of identity and privilege, encouraging a more critical approach to international development. These are questions that students continue to reflect upon beyond their participation in the Practicum. Many former Practicum members have continued on into the international development field, including 2013 participant Alyssa Bovell, who has sparked conversations on power and privilege in development work.

Interested in international development work? Take time to examine your power and privilege.

In the field of international development, aspirations to eliminate poverty include efforts towards food and nutrition security, gender equality, climate justice, access to health, and quality education. While international development professionals seek long-term solutions to enhance human rights and well-being, it’s often forgotten that the foundation that underlies all forms of development practice is a structural imbalance of power relations and distribution, many of which have been historically utilized for harm. This context demands that development practitioners actively practice self-reflection to understand our power and privilege within international development work.

In All About Power: Understanding Social Power & Power Structures, Srilatha Batliwala defines power as: “the capacity of individuals or groups to decide who gets what, who does what, who decides what, and who sets the agenda.” Power influences opportunities, access to privileges, enjoyment of rights, distribution of resources, and sets control over decision-making. In the agenda of international development and human rights work, the majority of that power discussed by Batliwala is concentrated with international organizations and professionals who are often far removed from the contextual realities of the communities they’re engaged with. This professionalization of international development and human rights work has led to a focus on the technical practice of project delivery and management. As a result, it is clear that “doing development successfully” and working towards justice and equity with impacted populations are not necessarily the same thing.

It’s convenient to think that as development, humanitarian, or public health professionals, we’re all free from these systems of privilege and power disparities, when in fact, we’re perpetuating them in both explicit and nuanced ways. Harmful ideologies, including patriarchy and global systems of racial domination, are deeply embedded within international development structures, and we have a responsibility to formulate a critical consciousness around all areas of injustice. In that way, a transformative approach to international development needs both systemic change and to be deeply personal. Understanding the role you hold and play within the process is important in recognizing your power and privilege. The following actions provide guidance for actively examining with your positionality in order to engage with development practice in an intentional and ethical way:

• Do no harm. The history of international development has been damaging to communities around the world. Your first intention should be to undertake this work in an ethical manner that centers the agency, rights, and experiences of all impacted populations.
• Take time to make yourself aware of the power and privileges you hold within your home community and in the context of international development work. Develop a reflective nature as this practice will not be a one-time exercise. Self-reflection in the context of your work should be an ongoing experience that you actively seek out independently and in team-related work. Prompt reflection encourages others to join you in the experience!
• Remember, identities intersect! Intersectionality, a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, is about recognizing the ways in which overlapping identities, representation, and expression are deeply embedded in the way that individuals and communities are able to experience and utilize their power across various spheres, at all levels of society. This is also reflective of the inequalities that individuals and communities experience.
• Value diverse forms of knowledge and experiences from all stakeholders and be open with knowledge and information. Be inclusive in knowledge sharing, especially within the spaces where decisions are made. In situations where knowledge and information are being produced (research, monitoring and evaluation, communications), ensure that it is co-constructed with a variety of stakeholders, rather than an extractive process. How are your ways of working excluding or preventing individuals and groups from freely accessing these spaces and contributing to the conversation? How is language (for example, development discourse) being used in an exclusionary manner? 
• Ground your work in principles of solidarity and accompaniment. Challenge blind assertions that local institutions lack capacity or efficiency to produce community-identified change. Work in collaboration with and amplify the voices and experiences of those who are agents for change within a specific space. Listen to and learn from women and feminist-led organizations, social movements, and groups that have been working in their own contexts, long before you and the organization arrived. Your goals should be aligned with the broader goals of locally-based community organizations.
• Look internally, at the organizational culture, not just their external practice. How are equitable working environments being created and encouraged? It’s essential that organizations are also focused on advancing principles within their organizational structures that are focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion and creating a safe working environment for all. 

Overall, this self-reflection is a continuous and iterative process which is always required. It will not only allow you to become a better development practitioner but will also ensure the minimization of harm and unintended consequences by your actions. 

With over 5 years of experience in international development, Alyssa has worked with community-led organizations in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Kenya, and India on initiatives focused on women’s agency and rights. Alyssa holds her Master’s in Development Practice (MDP) from Emory University in Atlanta, GA and has worked with several organizations including CARE USA, IPM, and Save the Children Canada.

Photo: Snapshot from the Malawi practicum 2019. Alyssa Bovell was a member of the first Malawi practicum in 2013.

My Year in the Warm Heart: Reflections from a Malawi Graduate Fellow

In the fall semester of my senior year, I found myself in the place so many students do: wondering how I would apply what I had learned over the past four years to a world beyond the university. As a student in the Human Rights Studies (HRS) program, my post-graduate path was more ambiguous than that of many of my fellow students pursuing conventional degrees. While the ambiguity of human rights education is an asset in allowing students in the program to pursue a breadth of careers within the field; at the time, I was overwhelmed by the uncertain trajectory of my future. It was when I learned about the Malawi Graduate Fellowship that my hazy future, for the first time, began to take shape. 

The fellowship encompasses a year-long program officer position with Determined to Develop NGO (D2D) in Malawi, Africa followed by enrolment in graduate school at UD while working as a Graduate Assistant in the Human Rights Center (HRC). The combination of international experience and a Master’s degree is an invaluable opportunity for a person pursuing the path of international development. 

I had heard UD alum and founder of D2D, Matt Maroon, speak about the organization on a couple occasions. I was impressed by the breadth of the impact the grassroots NGO had made since its inception in 2009. One thing I admired about D2D was its bottom-up approach, working with the community in which it is situated to establish and continue its mission: “to empower, through education, the people of Malawi to become agents of development for their families, communities, country, and world.” When I was offered the position as Malawi Graduate Fellow, I was thrilled about the path that lay ahead. 

Prior to my departure, the prospect of spending a year away from home was daunting. My excitement at the chance to participate in development work in an unfamiliar culture, however, far surpassed my fears of homesickness. I had learned of Malawi’s reputation as the “Warm Heart of Africa” owing to the friendly and welcoming nature of its population. While this sentiment is obviously an overgeneralization of the richness and multifaceted nature of the Malawian people, I felt it in the warmth that exuded from the people I met upon arriving in country, within and outside of D2D. This quality is not one that dissipated with time, but rather, became more meaningful as my appreciation of the place deepened.

It was not just the country itself that made my time in Malawi meaningful, but also my position as a program officer. Among my responsibilities were maintaining media and donor relations and assisting with D2D’s ongoing programs, primarily Girls’ Empowerment. It was this part of my job that was the most challenging and rewarding. One of the primary initiatives within the Girls’ Empowerment Program is Girls Club, an after-school life skills program for primary and secondary (high school) girls. School dropout is prevalent among Malawian girls, as they often face pressures of early marriage and pregnancy. Girls Club encourages its members to stay in school by promoting life-skills including self-esteem, healthy decision making, personal hygiene, and HIV/AIDS education, among others. Alongside the Malawian Girls’ Empowerment Program Officer, I facilitated Girls Club lessons, steadily growing in my own confidence as an instructor as I encouraged the girls to build theirs. 

It is difficult to put into a brief blog post all that I gained from my year in Malawi. I was exposed to the inner-workings and challenges of a small grassroots nonprofit, worked through cultural and language differences, and formed lasting friendships. My rich experiences and deepened worldview, which will prepare me for a future in continued development work, are things for which I am eternally grateful. I thank D2D and the University of Dayton for offering me this unique opportunity for personal and professional enrichment. 

In my return to UD as a GA this fall, I will continue to strengthen the HRC-D2D partnership through the Malawi Undergraduate Research Practicum, Malawi Graduate Fellowship, and related initiatives. 

To learn more about the Malawi Graduate Fellowship visit our website.