Pam Cheema
Impact: Our Volunteer
Pam, a journalist with a strong interest in the development sector, wanted to experience development first hand. Pam’s placement gave her an invaluable insight into life in developing countries, and changed the way she views her life and career.
Impact: The Placement
Our partner works among the Maasai, delivering education, health and environmental programmes. During her placement Pam supported HIV/AIDS victims and disabled children and implemented a feeding project for street children.
2Way Development Volunteer: Pam Cheema
Prior to volunteering with 2Way Development, Pam had been working as a journalist. She had a strong interest in development issues and had been involved in charity work and fundraising for some years before she decided to volunteer.
She had known for a long time though that she wanted to do something proactive to underprivileged communities. A volunteer placement with 2Way Development gave her the opportunity to live in a developing country and experience development work first-hand.
The Match
Pam’s enthusiasm for living and working in a developing country and experiencing hands-on development projects meant that she was well matched with Maasai Missions’ wide-ranging programmes and she joined them for two months in 2007. During her placement she spent time teaching English in the village schools, implementing a feeding programme for street children and working on a project helping HIV/AIDS victims and disabled children. Pam was able to immerse herself in the daily life of the Maasai people, and commented afterwards that “the Maasai are some of the most inspiring people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting…I feel so privileged to have been a part of their life.”
Impact: Pam’s Career Progression
Pam’s placement was a transformative experience. She had known for some time before she departed that she wanted to visit Africa and her placement gave her the opportunity to immerse herself in Maasai culture. Through her volunteer work she contributed to the important development initiatives of Maasai Missions and gained valuable experience to take with her into her future career: “I am so glad I made the decision to take the plunge and go there. The experience was a huge learning curve for me. What I saw and went through has really changed my outlook on life.”
Quotes
“The Masai are some of the most inspiring people I have had the pleasure of meeting. I feel so privileged to have been a part of their life. They have given me such an appreciation for my life and the opportunities open to me, not to mention a lasting set of memories and relationships.”
“All I can say is: travel, volunteer and visit Kenya! You will love every minute of it!”
2Way Development Partner: Maasai Missions
Established in 1993, Maasai Missions focuses on the development of the Maasai people of Kenya. They engage in the following key programmes to achieve their aim of spiritual, mental, social and physical development:
- Medical services, including HIV/AIDS programmes and disabled rehabilitation programmes.
- Maasai school sponsorship programmes and orphanage services for street children.
- Water projects and food security programmes.
- Education and empowerment of women.
- Environmental protection and veterinary services
Impact: The Placement
- Pam taught English in both primary and secondary schools during her placement.
- She was able to implement a feeding programme for street children and to help care for HIV/AIDS victims and disabled children.
- She also spent time assisting Maasai Missions with administration and in the running of their orphanage.
