Erin's World of Opportunity

With neighbours in Ghana, 2008

Friends, family, and colleagues –

This year I am helping Engineers Without Borders build a World of Opportunity for rural Africans.

In communities across Zambia, Malawi, Ghana and Burkina Faso there are millions of hardworking and innovative people seeking the chance to improve their lives. Yet, all too often they are stuck - unable to move forward because they lack the same opportunities that you and I have here in Canada.

I support EWB’s work to foster these opportunities for rural Africans. Specifically, I am motivated by EWB's focus on agriculture - the cornerstone of most African economies. EWB works in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Malawi and Zambia to increase opportunities for farmers to gain the business skills and knowledge they need to make a viable income from their humble plots of land. By working with farmer unions, development partners, government agencies and private companies, EWB is helping to develop lasting solutions to rural farming challenges.

You may remember that I spent time in Ghana during the summer of 2008 working on a girls' education project. Many of you supported me during that time, both financially and emotionally, and I thank you enormously! If you would like to learn more about what I did, feel free to visit my blog.

In February, I will be taking my support for EWB's work one step further as I start a 14-month placement as an Overseas Volunteer. I will be working in Northern Ghana with EWB's agriculture team in an effort to increase the effectiveness of Ghana's Ministry of Food and Agriculture. If you are interested in finding out more about this team's work, take a look at this blog put together by our volunteers.

This is why I am asking you to support EWB’s work this holiday season. I have set an ambitious fundraising goal of $5000. This will cover more than one third of the cost of my placement with EWB and go directly to supporting my work overseas. So whether you can donate $10, $100, or $1000, every little bit counts.

I believe that EWB is a powerful vehicle for creating positive change. EWB is seeking to increase its impact by doubling its volunteer capacity and flexibility to innovate. I know that they will use your donation effectively, and continue to make great things happen.

This holiday season please donate to my World of Opportunity campaign and support my passion and commitment to EWB. Together, we can help increase the opportunities for rural Africans to thrive.