https://www.globalcitizenyear.org/updates/stairs-to-nowhere/ Global Citizen Year immerses HS grads in developing nations to live and work on the frontlines of today's global challenges during a gap year. Tue, 27 Mar 2012 23:17:49 +0000 hourly 1 https://www.globalcitizenyear.org/updates/stairs-to-nowhere/#comment-16622 Tue, 27 Mar 2012 23:17:49 +0000 http://archive.globalcitizenyear.org/?post_type=updates&p=14079#comment-16622 Hi Emily,
I have to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed reading your blog this year. I hesitated to mention this earlier because I haven’t really officially met you — I became interested in your situation because you graduated from Overlake with my son Andrew last year. So it might seem odd to you that I signed up for an RSS feed of your blog. But after reading your first entry, I could tell that you were a young woman with something interesting to say. I am so impressed with your insights, maturity — and what terrific writing skills you have! Ellen, Marian and Army must be so proud. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for sharing your experience with us and wish you the best of luck with whatever endeavor you take on next.

]]> https://www.globalcitizenyear.org/updates/stairs-to-nowhere/#comment-16512 Sat, 24 Mar 2012 04:16:40 +0000 http://archive.globalcitizenyear.org/?post_type=updates&p=14079#comment-16512 Emily, I think you see quite clearly the situation around you. Thirty years ago I worked for an economist in Washington, D.C. whose specialty was supporting agricultural education in Cameroon — teaching the people how to raise and sustain their own crops, take care of/repair tools, etc… The problems that you mention (develop & dash) existed then, too. Perhaps you’re right that well-intended “development” can only make a difference if the local population is fully invested.

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