LiA Weekly Reflections (Running Doc)

Interning at a local economic development & youth empowerment NGO in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Week 1

What went well?

The progress I made; what was achieved and done


I am able to meet and greet people in Swahili. I have met and onboarded with ICCAO. I am working on deliverables related to building alcohol/drug awareness training and reviewing the organization's strategic plan. 

What could have been done differently?

Things that did not get done and/or could be changed


I am continuing to expand my Swahili vocabulary and strengthen my relationships with my internship colleagues. 

What did I learn about myself when working with others?

Contributions, behaviours and values I exhibited


I learned the importance of local NGOs in the landscape of Tanzania. I supported my colleagues and fellow classmates.  

What did I learn about leadership?

Leadership attributes and insights I developed


I learned about the importance of cultural immersion and context-dependent leadership. 

What do I want to develop or focus on next?

What I still need to develop


I am focusing on working alongside the Executive Office at ICCAO to understand the organization at a higher level.

Week 2

What went well?

The progress I made; what was achieved and done


Forming more complex sentences in Swahili. Conducted a field visit at a local school. Finished SWOT analysis. Finished designing alcohol awareness training. 

What could have been done differently?

Things that did not get done and/or could be changed


I am continuing to learn how to navigate the city and to manage my sleep schedule. 

What did I learn about myself when working with others?

Contributions, behaviours and values I exhibited


I learned more about the constraints of local NGOs, including in getting funding and being subject to the whims of international donors. I learned more about the complicated relationships between Tanzania and civil liberties/democracy. 

What did I learn about leadership?

Leadership attributes and insights I developed


I learned that I could form relationships (e.g. with school children) as the building block of leadershipo

What do I want to develop or focus on next?

What I still need to develop


Grant-writing skills to help with organization's funding

Week 3

What went well?

The progress I made; what was achieved and done


Having more sophisticated conversations in Swahili with host family. Finished designing drug awareness training. Began grant-writing proposal. 

What could have been done differently?

Things that did not get done and/or could be changed


N/A

What did I learn about myself when working with others?

Contributions, behaviours and values I exhibited


I learned about creating relationships with colleagues and adapting to a different work culture

What did I learn about leadership?

Leadership attributes and insights I developed


I learned that in this setting, there are times where it is better to NOT be a leader, as I don't know best. I learned there are unique skills I can bring and lead on. 

What do I want to develop or focus on next?

What I still need to develop


Further contribute to strategy and communications

Week 4

What went well?

The progress I made; what was achieved and done


Finished grant proposal. Wrote a presentation for SADC and the Parliament of Tanzania. 

What could have been done differently?

Things that did not get done and/or could be changed


Being a little sick

What did I learn about myself when working with others?

Contributions, behaviours and values I exhibited


I learned about balancing priorities

What did I learn about leadership?

Leadership attributes and insights I developed


I learned about the importance of asking ppl what they want instead of telling them what they need

What do I want to develop or focus on next?

What I still need to develop


Finishing up my work, including receiving feedback on prior projects

Week 5

What went well?

The progress I made; what was achieved and done


Wrapped up my internship experience at ICCAO. Received final edits on grant proposal. Received off-boarding instructions. Helped with setting up an event with university students. 

What could have been done differently?

Things that did not get done and/or could be changed


Failed to reach a contact at an INGO -- will need to follow up next week. 

What did I learn about myself when working with others?

Contributions, behaviours and values I exhibited


I learned about creating sustainability in my contributions even when I am in a place for a brief period of time

What did I learn about leadership?

Leadership attributes and insights I developed


I learned that leadership means learning from other leaders, especially those that come from a local culture and context of the area you are in

What do I want to develop or focus on next?

What I still need to develop


Continuing to develop my relationship with my colleagues so I can support ICCAO's work, and goals, into the future. 

Week 6

What went well?

The progress I made; what was achieved and done


Left Tanzania and arrived in Mombasa, Kenya to prepare for research on climate change and mental health. Continued to apply Swahili in everyday conversation.

What could have been done differently?

Things that did not get done and/or could be changed


Research did not immediately begin because of IRB delays

What did I learn about myself when working with others?

Contributions, behaviours and values I exhibited


I learned about finding my independent way in a new place.

What did I learn about leadership?

Leadership attributes and insights I developed


I learned that leadership involves applying experiences from elsewhere to new ones (as I have from Tanzania to Kenya)

What do I want to develop or focus on next?

What I still need to develop


Developing my research in Kenya, including conducting my first interviews