Hello everyone, my name is Aaron and I am new to the blogging realm. I am excited for this new way of communication and the discussions that we will all be a part of. I hope that my thoughts and experiences will some way help you in your learning process and visa versa.
I am currently a senior in the PPPM program and am minoring in nonprofit management. My background: growing up, my parents worked in international development, a large sector of the nonprofit world. We moved to Rwanda when I was ten years old. The work focused on micro finance loans, small business development, refugee rehabilitation, disaster response and HIV education. It was a great experience living and learning in NGO world. I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel all over the world and be immersed in new cultures. Since then, I have come to the University of Oregon and have always had a desire to work for a relief and development organization and am hoping that PPPM prepares me well. I love to travel, cook and play soccer and rugby. I am excited for this opportunity to learn more about the nonprofit world.
I am passionate about working for a cause, I always have been. Searching through an array of career opportunities, the non-profit sector provides the most appeal for me for working in what you believe in. I am most interested in working in nonprofits in third world countries. I believe that the poorest countries in the world are going to truly develop when the country can fully sustain itself. This means little to no international aid. This is a long way off, but currently nonprofits and NGO's have a huge role in the development of these countries. The first day of class was interesting when we all introduced ourselves. I have never seen introductions in a class that large. It was a great way to see the diversity of the class and hear what people wanted to do with their lives. The nonprofit sector is very broad; it is great when millions of people are working together for the existence of human rights and mankind. In my life I have a desire to work and travel in many different countries, I see the nonprofit sector the best outlet for that. It is so important for people to do what they love, that is when true success and happiness comes.
The second lecture in class, concerning the history of nonprofits, was very interesting to me. It is cool to see how far back, in the history of the United States, nonprofit organization go. I noticed a trend reading through the power points. Almost every one of the nonprofit organizations starting in the 1700's aim at providing people with services that not everyone could afford. All the foundations, charities, or fundraisers were key in the development of equal rights in the United States.
In chapter one of the text book, I was struck by the huge growth of nonprofits in the US from the 1950's on. The 50's and 60's were times of huge change in this country. The civil rights movement was in full swing and gender equality was a major issue. From that time on nonprofits started to grow. Change was happening and people wanted to be a part of that, without government or business. As we have learned, nonprofits are not part of the government or the business sector.
Each nonprofit had a different mission, but they all aim to protect, enable or save something in a society or environment. Chapter one really goes into detail about the wide array of nonprofits. Nonprofits give people a purpose. We see now that in times of change nonprofit participation goes up. As the economy has tanked, volunteers are in full swing. It is an interesting phenomenon that is happening right now.
In chapter one of the text book, I was struck by the huge growth of nonprofits in the US from the 1950's on. The 50's and 60's were times of huge change in this country. The civil rights movement was in full swing and gender equality was a major issue. From that time on nonprofits started to grow. Change was happening and people wanted to be a part of that, without government or business. As we have learned, nonprofits are not part of the government or the business sector.
Each nonprofit had a different mission, but they all aim to protect, enable or save something in a society or environment. Chapter one really goes into detail about the wide array of nonprofits. Nonprofits give people a purpose. We see now that in times of change nonprofit participation goes up. As the economy has tanked, volunteers are in full swing. It is an interesting phenomenon that is happening right now.
I am excited for this term and learning about nonprofits. hopefully my future will become a bit clearer...
Great stuff, Aaron.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I'm super jealous of the places you've lived and traveled around the world and I don't think I'm alone in that regard. I'm also glad to hear that you're putting your rich cultural background to good use for both this class and your future professional career. If I could make a small request, it's that I would love to hear more about your time growing up in Africa as it relates to class topics throughout the quarter.
I think you're absolutely correct in saying that, "the poorest countries in the world are going to truly develop when the country can fully sustain itself." That topic of 'sustainability' is obviously a buzz word these days and 9 times out of 10 people hear it and immediately think 'environmentalism,' and I'll provide some incite (as an Environmental Studies major) nothing pisses me off more than hear that.
The scope of sustainability extends so much further than ecology. It refers to politics, community development, education, etc. In order for a less developed nation to be able to sustain itself, it will likely need the help of some outside organization. Hopefully that outside organization with be your non-profit someday.
Hi Aaron! I would also enjoy hearing more about Africa. I have been fortunate to do quite a bit of traveling myself but have never been there and would love to hear about your experience living abroad and how it shaped you.
ReplyDeleteMy parents and 6-year old sister are living in Kazakhstan...my parents joined an international teaching organization and are currently spending their second year there. I visited them last summer and it was quite the crazy place! I wonder how it might affect my little sister, I think its great that she's getting international exposure but I wonder if they stay there until she's graduated from high school how she might turn out?
Working for a non-profit abroad is something that really interests me as well. I am trying to figure out how to mesh my PPPM and architectural interest. I'm thinking of maybe doing an independent research project on sidewalks and ADA issues in La Antigua, Guatemala. It's a UNESCO site and there is little that can be redesigned but the sidewalks and streets are absolutely horrible for people with disabilities, primarily wheel chairs. My sister worked for an organization in Guatemala called Trancisiones. You should look them up, they do great stuff for people in wheel chairs and have an awesome wheel chair basketball team!
I'm excited to read your future posts.
Hey Aaron! So I do not know you that well but after reading your blog, I am EXTREMELY jealous of your life! Your experience of moving to Rwanda and traveling the world at such a young age sounds like something which shaped your life and became a large part of who you are today. I praise your desire to reach out to third world countries and help those who lack the resources to help themselves. I would love to do something similar with my architectural teachings, whether providing affordable housing or disaster relief housing, etc.
ReplyDeleteI loved your comment about the first day of class when we were all forced to stand up and introduce ourselves in a class of 100 plus students, and the variety of people's backgrounds, majors, or career focuses. I think this directly relates to the idea of how broad and diverse the non profit sector is and the variety of purposes they serve. It is also interesting to see the correlation of current events (such as the economy and unemployment) and the fluctuation of non profit organizations.
This was a great blog and I look forwarded to getting to know you better!
Loved hearing about you and your experience. I wonder what you made of the other articles.
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