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First, I would like to thank the 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ Faculty of Arts Internship Office and the Faculty of Arts Action Plan to Address Anti-Black Racism Fund for making this opportunity possible through the Faculty of Arts Internship Award.

My name is Kellia Abisola Usanase, and I am a third-year student majoring in International Development, with minors in African Studies and Psychology. I have always been particularly drawn to understanding the leveraging effect of education on both micro and macro levels. As such, CAMFED’s mission fundamentally aligned with my interests.

CAMFED is a pan-African, grassroots-led movement tackling poverty, inequality, and injustice through girls’ education and women’s leadership. Their work spans from grassroots initiatives to collaborations with governments to embed proven CAMFED programs, such as the Learner Guide Program, into national education systems, as well as to shape policies that better target resources for marginalized girls.

As an Intern at CAMFED Canada, I assisted the Development Manager and Development Officers in reviewing and summarizing reports on girls’ education, women’s empowerment, and related topics in Africa, which were used for proposals and reports. I also joined conference calls with CAMFED offices in the UK, US, and Africa. Additionally, I conducted independent research on potential strategic partners, including funding partners and Canadian government organizations. I had regular meetings with my manager, which provided valuable opportunities to ask questions that deepened my learning beyond the tasks themselves, while also receiving constructive feedback on the work I was undertaking.

My academic background in International Development and African Studies consolidated the theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom by providing a comprehensive and in-depth perspective. This engagement, firmly situated within the field of international development, not only broadened my understanding of the discipline but also revealed the practical challenges and obstacles that shape its daily realities.

One of the main challenges I encountered during my internship was the remote nature of the work. As someone who deeply values interpersonal communication, I initially found it difficult to foster meaningful connections within the CAMFED team. To overcome this, I made a conscious effort to reach out to my peers, not only to better understand their work and daily responsibilities but also to get to know them as individuals. A highlight of this effort was the opportunity to travel to Toronto to meet with Reyhaneh Adbi and Bethel Seyhoum, my Development Manager and Development Officer, who played a significant role in mentoring me throughout the internship.

In conclusion, my internship at CAMFED not only inspired me professionally but also transformed the way I think about how meaningful change can be achieved. I came to appreciate how CAMFED challenges the limitations of conventional top-down development by prioritizing a holistic, community-based approach that engages all stakeholders in addressing inequalities. Experiencing this approach firsthand allowed me to reflect on the importance of inclusivity and collaboration in driving sustainable impact. What stood out even more was how this commitment was embedded in the organization’s work culture, which, even in a remote context, conveyed a genuine sense of humanity, care, and authenticity.

Once again, I would like to express my thanks for the Faculty of Arts Action Plan to Address Anti-Black Racism Fund for this enriching experience, which not only provided me with valuable insight into the professional world but also deepened my awareness of the ways in which I can contribute to creating sustainable and lasting change.