“Co-op On Speed”

When I first introduced Communications Coordinator, Jennifer Liu to the organization and the multiple projects we had on the go, she said wow this is like “co-op on speed” (A reference to university co-operative education or internship program). I truly believe this sums up the experience of the typical Global Agents For Change committee.

With the 2008 Riding to Break the Cycle team of youth leaving on May 31st, there are a million and one things happening. We’re meeting with potential sponsors, securing accommodation during the ride, planning community awareness events, and the list goes on.  Being a part of the Communications Committee is often organized chaos. First it’s a blog post, then it’s email catch up, then coordinating graphic design projects, then writing media releases, and then realizing last year’s campaign has won an international award.

This is a snapshot of my life as a young volunteer, and this is no exaggeration. If only time would stand still, we could all sit back and see the impact this is having and will have on the lives of the poor. With rising food prices and worldwide shortages of wheat and rice, advocating and giving a voice for the basic needs of the poor has never been so critical. Through creative ideas like microcredit, it gives me great hope and motivation to continue on through the chaotic and some times frantic moments as a volunteer.