Luisa's World of Opportunity

Friends, family, and colleagues –

On March 1st I will be taking off for Ghana on a one year placement with Engineers Without Borders, to assist in building a world of opportunity for rural Africans.

There is an old Chinese proverb that says,

"Go to the people, Live amongst the people, Learn from them, Love them, Serve them, Plan with them, Start with what they know, Build on what they have"

I believe these words exemplify the work that our African Programs Team is doing in Malawi, Zambia, Burkina Faso, and of course Ghana. These words also represent my inspiration for engaging on this upcoming journey.

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.

Over the next year, I will be helping Engineers Without Borders to build a World of Opportunity for rural Ghanainas through my work with the Governance and Rural Infrastructure team in Northern Ghana.

All across rural Ghana people have limited access to public services and infrastructure. There are not enough wells and hand pumps for clean water, only a few reliable roads to transport food, and minimal schools to secure a strong future. For the people in these vibrant communities, the lack of infrastructure severely inhibits their potential.

EWB is focused on addressing the root causes of widespread infrastructure failure. Over the next year my team will be collaborating with local government staff in testing new approaches to evidence-based planning and improving leadership to ensure that infrastructure investments are made where they are needed most.

This is why I am asking you to support EWB's work today. Your contributions will go towards covering a portion of my placement and directly to supporting EWB's work overseas.

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.

Together, we can help increase the opportunities for rural Africans to thrive.

Sincerely,

Luisa