Galen Gibian
When Professor Chierici announced at the beginning of the semester that we would be designing and localizing an NGO, I was truly excited. Sitting in a university classroom discussing systems and development theory has its place in the subject, but I found that my learning experience was greatly enriched by attempting to put myself in the place of distressed populations, empathize with their struggles, and then contemplate what the developed world can offer that might promote sustainable growth. Our project decided to tackle the issue of environmental justice. Often seen as a necessary evil along the course of economic development, pollution often hinders the growth of local communities by adversely affecting their health, food security, and water supply. Humans simply cannot thrive if their basic livelihoods are threatened. The PROSPER project was an eye-opening journey through which we created an exciting option for the people of the Niger Delta. My only regret is that we weren’t able to go through the process a second time because, had we started the project with the structure we've developed, we could have accomplished twice as much.
When Professor Chierici announced at the beginning of the semester that we would be designing and localizing an NGO, I was truly excited. Sitting in a university classroom discussing systems and development theory has its place in the subject, but I found that my learning experience was greatly enriched by attempting to put myself in the place of distressed populations, empathize with their struggles, and then contemplate what the developed world can offer that might promote sustainable growth. Our project decided to tackle the issue of environmental justice. Often seen as a necessary evil along the course of economic development, pollution often hinders the growth of local communities by adversely affecting their health, food security, and water supply. Humans simply cannot thrive if their basic livelihoods are threatened. The PROSPER project was an eye-opening journey through which we created an exciting option for the people of the Niger Delta. My only regret is that we weren’t able to go through the process a second time because, had we started the project with the structure we've developed, we could have accomplished twice as much.
Kristine Hale
I never underestimated this project; I knew it was going to be a long and difficult journey with many ups and downs. Our team has worked hard over the course of the semester to make PROSPER as real as it can be. The scary realization that I have come to, however, is that we have only scratched the surface of development work. What goes into it and how much time and effort it truly takes to get an organization up and running is so intensive. Developing this project has really shown me the disconnect between theory and practice. It was thought provoking learning the theory of development work alongside developing our own organization. The first day that we were assigned our groups I really had no idea how we were going to make it work. We all sat down and looked at each other with puzzled looks on our faces and just started. We did not even really know what exactly we were looking for but we dove in headfirst. We were given a minimal amount of direction and while at the time that frustrated everyone, I completely understand it and am grateful for it now. It allowed us to grow with our organization and mold it to be exactly what we wanted. Being a group leader in this project is something that I will absolutely never forget. Not only has it given me actual experience in leading a large group toward an end goal but it has helped me develop my individual skills as well. It has taught me that when working it a group it is extremely important to have everyone’s input and ideas. This project would have never been successful if it wasn’t for every team member contributing ideas and voicing concerns. I am forever grateful for this experience and I look forward to the day when I can employ all the skills I have learned in developing PROSPER.
I never underestimated this project; I knew it was going to be a long and difficult journey with many ups and downs. Our team has worked hard over the course of the semester to make PROSPER as real as it can be. The scary realization that I have come to, however, is that we have only scratched the surface of development work. What goes into it and how much time and effort it truly takes to get an organization up and running is so intensive. Developing this project has really shown me the disconnect between theory and practice. It was thought provoking learning the theory of development work alongside developing our own organization. The first day that we were assigned our groups I really had no idea how we were going to make it work. We all sat down and looked at each other with puzzled looks on our faces and just started. We did not even really know what exactly we were looking for but we dove in headfirst. We were given a minimal amount of direction and while at the time that frustrated everyone, I completely understand it and am grateful for it now. It allowed us to grow with our organization and mold it to be exactly what we wanted. Being a group leader in this project is something that I will absolutely never forget. Not only has it given me actual experience in leading a large group toward an end goal but it has helped me develop my individual skills as well. It has taught me that when working it a group it is extremely important to have everyone’s input and ideas. This project would have never been successful if it wasn’t for every team member contributing ideas and voicing concerns. I am forever grateful for this experience and I look forward to the day when I can employ all the skills I have learned in developing PROSPER.
Nathan Bangsil
When I learned we were going to create an NGO I wasn’t optimistic about what we could possibly do or what was even within the realms of reality. The size and scope of the problems of the developing world seemed impossible to overcome. But after weeks of research and discussion, I feel confident about our projects direction and the values it upholds. The process of crafting an NGO was a great experience and I have learned a lot from investing myself in the obstacles and hardships of the people from the Niger Delta.
When I learned we were going to create an NGO I wasn’t optimistic about what we could possibly do or what was even within the realms of reality. The size and scope of the problems of the developing world seemed impossible to overcome. But after weeks of research and discussion, I feel confident about our projects direction and the values it upholds. The process of crafting an NGO was a great experience and I have learned a lot from investing myself in the obstacles and hardships of the people from the Niger Delta.
Leila Bocanegra
Growing up in Mexico I always assumed that getting sick as a result of the drinking water was the norm. Working with PROSPER Ogoni I have the opportunity to aid communities that have been affected by the lack of clean drinking water. Having the means of obtaining clean drinking water is a crucial step to ensuring that the community prospers in terms of the economy, health, and education for the people.
Growing up in Mexico I always assumed that getting sick as a result of the drinking water was the norm. Working with PROSPER Ogoni I have the opportunity to aid communities that have been affected by the lack of clean drinking water. Having the means of obtaining clean drinking water is a crucial step to ensuring that the community prospers in terms of the economy, health, and education for the people.
Jack Doyle
Before we started this project, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Starting an NGO from scratch seemed like a very interesting and thought provoking assignment but I had no clue how much time and effort was needed to create a fully functioning NGO. Moreover, I have never worked with a team of this size. While there were some initial hiccups and growing pains, I feel as if we eventually got our act together and put together a fine project. Every discussion lead us to more and more challenges but I feel like we have responded well to the adversity and have brought attention to a place in dire need of assistance. By doing this project, and going to class, I have seen how important grassroots initiatives to promote noble causes like sustainability really are.
Before we started this project, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Starting an NGO from scratch seemed like a very interesting and thought provoking assignment but I had no clue how much time and effort was needed to create a fully functioning NGO. Moreover, I have never worked with a team of this size. While there were some initial hiccups and growing pains, I feel as if we eventually got our act together and put together a fine project. Every discussion lead us to more and more challenges but I feel like we have responded well to the adversity and have brought attention to a place in dire need of assistance. By doing this project, and going to class, I have seen how important grassroots initiatives to promote noble causes like sustainability really are.
Nazanin Moeini
At the start of this project, I had very little understanding about development work and how many responsibilities we would have in the 10 weeks we were given to organize an NGO. Sitting in a room full of strangers the first day, none of us really knew how many challenges we would be facing in the upcoming weeks. At that point, the problem seemed simple; we would pick a problem, a country and send a group there to fix it. However, we quickly realized that being a development worker isn’t just about taking care of one small problem and moving on; it is about digging deeper than what you see on the surface. As an NGO we decided to learn as much as we could about the people living with the problems we wanted to tackle, understanding the daily challenges they face in everyday life, and asking them what they wanted us to do to help. Throughout the project there were many ups and downs and new questions we had to answer at every step of the process and I learned to differentiate between theory learned in class and actual practice in the field. Working with PROSPER has been an incredibly eye opening experience and I look forward to using the skills I have acquired many times in the future.
At the start of this project, I had very little understanding about development work and how many responsibilities we would have in the 10 weeks we were given to organize an NGO. Sitting in a room full of strangers the first day, none of us really knew how many challenges we would be facing in the upcoming weeks. At that point, the problem seemed simple; we would pick a problem, a country and send a group there to fix it. However, we quickly realized that being a development worker isn’t just about taking care of one small problem and moving on; it is about digging deeper than what you see on the surface. As an NGO we decided to learn as much as we could about the people living with the problems we wanted to tackle, understanding the daily challenges they face in everyday life, and asking them what they wanted us to do to help. Throughout the project there were many ups and downs and new questions we had to answer at every step of the process and I learned to differentiate between theory learned in class and actual practice in the field. Working with PROSPER has been an incredibly eye opening experience and I look forward to using the skills I have acquired many times in the future.
Hung Nguyen
Hung Nguyen is a junior at Geneseo majoring in Biology; grew up in Vietnam, a developing country, where his mother was a member of the International Red Cross. Hung is compassionate about helping others make the world a better place. Hung has devoted a lot of his time to travel, meeting new people and learning about new cultures. Hung believes that sanity is the basic of development; that development should begin with sanitation practices and clean water. As a dedicated member of PROSPER, Hungs task was to seek for a sustainable water treatment in Ogoni. Upon finding Dr. Alcantar research on cactus, Hung believed that this method of water treatment would be an effective alternation to other high cost treatments especially where technology is not accessible.
Hung Nguyen is a junior at Geneseo majoring in Biology; grew up in Vietnam, a developing country, where his mother was a member of the International Red Cross. Hung is compassionate about helping others make the world a better place. Hung has devoted a lot of his time to travel, meeting new people and learning about new cultures. Hung believes that sanity is the basic of development; that development should begin with sanitation practices and clean water. As a dedicated member of PROSPER, Hungs task was to seek for a sustainable water treatment in Ogoni. Upon finding Dr. Alcantar research on cactus, Hung believed that this method of water treatment would be an effective alternation to other high cost treatments especially where technology is not accessible.
Hannah Parfitt
When we began this project back in August, I had no idea how challenging it was going to be to create an NGO. Last summer I had an amazing opportunity to work in development in Uganda, but even that did not prepare me for the amount of time and energy that was required to make this project successful. Through this project I have learned so much about the Niger Delta, Ogoniland, and most importantly, the massive oil spills that have harmed the livelihoods of many Ogoni people. PROSPER was formed as way to help improve the lives of the people of Bodo, and I believe as a team we worked to make that idea as realistic as possible.
When we began this project back in August, I had no idea how challenging it was going to be to create an NGO. Last summer I had an amazing opportunity to work in development in Uganda, but even that did not prepare me for the amount of time and energy that was required to make this project successful. Through this project I have learned so much about the Niger Delta, Ogoniland, and most importantly, the massive oil spills that have harmed the livelihoods of many Ogoni people. PROSPER was formed as way to help improve the lives of the people of Bodo, and I believe as a team we worked to make that idea as realistic as possible.
Meghan Saeli
Walking into this project I had no idea what to expect. Being grouped with people that I had never met before and given the task to design a NGO from the ground up is intimidating. Having twelve different opinions and ideas on what area we should pick and what issue we wanted to solve is a lot. Even after picking an area and an issue to remedy our image kept transforming. From starting out as a simple sanitation NGO and finally deciding to work on environmental issues the changes came organically. We tackled each issue as it came and worked on it together. This momentous task became manageable as the semester progressed and now it has finally come to an end. I learned so much in the span of this project; I learned to work with a large group of people towards a larger goal, I learned about many issues present in the world, and I learned that I can't fix them all. This experience and the lessons I learned will be something that I will remember for the rest of my life.
Walking into this project I had no idea what to expect. Being grouped with people that I had never met before and given the task to design a NGO from the ground up is intimidating. Having twelve different opinions and ideas on what area we should pick and what issue we wanted to solve is a lot. Even after picking an area and an issue to remedy our image kept transforming. From starting out as a simple sanitation NGO and finally deciding to work on environmental issues the changes came organically. We tackled each issue as it came and worked on it together. This momentous task became manageable as the semester progressed and now it has finally come to an end. I learned so much in the span of this project; I learned to work with a large group of people towards a larger goal, I learned about many issues present in the world, and I learned that I can't fix them all. This experience and the lessons I learned will be something that I will remember for the rest of my life.
Maria Saitta
When I was told that I had to create my own NGO for a semester long project I never expected it to be this intense. This project has opened my eyes to the daily struggles that millions of people face each day. It not only made me appreciate my life here in America more, but it made me want to help those millions of people in that struggle. Focusing the project in Bodo was the perfect place to start. They have been defenseless against oil spills for years and it is diminishing their, already low, quality of life. I am proud to be a member of the PROSPER team, helping people in that struggle and making a big difference one small community at a time.
When I was told that I had to create my own NGO for a semester long project I never expected it to be this intense. This project has opened my eyes to the daily struggles that millions of people face each day. It not only made me appreciate my life here in America more, but it made me want to help those millions of people in that struggle. Focusing the project in Bodo was the perfect place to start. They have been defenseless against oil spills for years and it is diminishing their, already low, quality of life. I am proud to be a member of the PROSPER team, helping people in that struggle and making a big difference one small community at a time.
Elizabeth Schroeder
Working on this project has been a completely eye opening experience. When we were first given our mission, I assumed that picking a region and a focus would be the easy part, and that the logistics would be difficult. However, once we actually got started brainstorming, I realized that there are so many regions across the world with such a range of unique strengths and weaknesses. This coupled with issues of safety and feasibility made it extremely difficult to narrow down an issue and a region. However, the one we decided on in the end is a cause I now hold very close. This project has taught me not only how to organize and conceptualize a working NGO, but also how to try to put myself in the shoes of an entire community on the other side of the world. This is a life lesson I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Working on this project has been a completely eye opening experience. When we were first given our mission, I assumed that picking a region and a focus would be the easy part, and that the logistics would be difficult. However, once we actually got started brainstorming, I realized that there are so many regions across the world with such a range of unique strengths and weaknesses. This coupled with issues of safety and feasibility made it extremely difficult to narrow down an issue and a region. However, the one we decided on in the end is a cause I now hold very close. This project has taught me not only how to organize and conceptualize a working NGO, but also how to try to put myself in the shoes of an entire community on the other side of the world. This is a life lesson I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Erin Seaburg
At the beginning of this semester, I came into this class not knowing a lot about NGO’s. I didn’t expect the level of work that had to be put into our own NGO. In just one semester we needed to create and support an NGO, and it came with a lot of research, struggles, and lessons learned. I will be looking back on the work I have done for this NGO for a while and remembering all the things, good and bad, that came with it. This project of developing our own NGO, to help out the people in Ogoniland to clean up the aftermath of oil spills, has been a great eye-opener into the work of development. We had become attached to the Og0ni people and we have definitely tried to make their problems our problems. This project really made me appreciate development work and realize just how grueling and rewarding it may be.
At the beginning of this semester, I came into this class not knowing a lot about NGO’s. I didn’t expect the level of work that had to be put into our own NGO. In just one semester we needed to create and support an NGO, and it came with a lot of research, struggles, and lessons learned. I will be looking back on the work I have done for this NGO for a while and remembering all the things, good and bad, that came with it. This project of developing our own NGO, to help out the people in Ogoniland to clean up the aftermath of oil spills, has been a great eye-opener into the work of development. We had become attached to the Og0ni people and we have definitely tried to make their problems our problems. This project really made me appreciate development work and realize just how grueling and rewarding it may be.
Kimberly Torres
Stepping into the first day of the meeting for the NGO I was a bit nervous. I left the meeting feeling overwhelmed and did not really know how to take in just everything we were talking about. When we decided on the oil spill in Ogoniland, I wasn't exactly sure about how much I was going to be invested in this project. After doing a bit more research, I was able to see just how big of an issue this truly is. I began working with my teammates and the more we spoke about the issue, the more I learned about why it mattered and the more I felt like making a difference. It was difficult at times to work with a group of strangers and accepting that sometimes your ideas are not what is best for the group. I quickly became accustomed to being able to listen to the ideas of others and working with them to make their ideas better. I had many days where I was so overwhelmed I literally felt like leaving. As time went on, we became stronger as a group and were able to provide the NGO the assistance it needed to be able to prosper. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have worked with a group of individuals like my teammates who taught me more about my role in a team and how to be able to truly be a team player. This NGO has truly given me the opportunity to not help others, but to help myself as well.
Stepping into the first day of the meeting for the NGO I was a bit nervous. I left the meeting feeling overwhelmed and did not really know how to take in just everything we were talking about. When we decided on the oil spill in Ogoniland, I wasn't exactly sure about how much I was going to be invested in this project. After doing a bit more research, I was able to see just how big of an issue this truly is. I began working with my teammates and the more we spoke about the issue, the more I learned about why it mattered and the more I felt like making a difference. It was difficult at times to work with a group of strangers and accepting that sometimes your ideas are not what is best for the group. I quickly became accustomed to being able to listen to the ideas of others and working with them to make their ideas better. I had many days where I was so overwhelmed I literally felt like leaving. As time went on, we became stronger as a group and were able to provide the NGO the assistance it needed to be able to prosper. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have worked with a group of individuals like my teammates who taught me more about my role in a team and how to be able to truly be a team player. This NGO has truly given me the opportunity to not help others, but to help myself as well.