Learn about EWB’s African Programs at www.ewb.ca/africa

…………………..

EWB’s values in action: dream big and work hard

28 February, 2010 by Carissa Vados

In early December 2009, Carissa Vados returned from her four month volunteer placement in Ghana full of enthusiasm and energy. Carissa worked with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to promote the EWB-developed Agriculture as a Business Program at the local agriculture colleges.

Throughout her travels, Carissa connected with many inspiring Ghanaians, and truly saw EWB’s newly articulated organizational values in action. In her own voice, she shares the first in a series of these stories now, providing her insight into the resilient and innovative nature of so many African leaders.

Dream Big and Work Hard

In a makeshift classroom with broken windows and a stool as a desk, Florence studies 3 – 5 am and 7 – 10 pm daily. She was my Ghanaian roommate, a devoted student at Ghana’s veterinary agriculture college.

Florence was my alarm clock every single morning that I was in Ghana. Even thinking about sleeping in was unnecessary, because when I opened my eyes each morning, her dedication and smile was guaranteed to start my day with a jolt of inspiration.

Florence doesn’t just study hard, but she truly loves what she studies. She has passion and drive, and works hard to lead the best life possible. Even in the wake of ongoing power failures and a general lack of resources in Ghana - which most of us Canadians could not even fathom – she is not deterred from her dreams.

Florence dreams of a more prosperous Ghana. She dreams that through her chosen career as a veterinarian, she will be a part of positive changes for her country. She dreams of a world with more connections, than boundaries.

More than anyone I have ever met Floence embodies dreaming big - and early each morning, and late each night, she works incredibly hard to make these big dreams a reality. Florence truly is EWB’s values in action.