By Mila Pestun
As a MicroEmpowerED Project Manager in Rait Center within
two months my partner and I managed to kick off a new microfinance activity,
i.e. stitching self-learning platform, take mushroom farming – the other
microfinance activity that has been already in place – to the new stage and we
are holding the new training for mushroom farmers in couple of hours from the
moment when I started writing this post.
Another factor that has made my work experience in EduCARE
very diverse is that I was part time Operations Assistance – that was an
opportunity for me to polish my admin and NGO management knowledge and skills.
Though I prioritized microfinance in-field activities over any other job I was
doing in EduCARE I’m very glad managed to contribute to other areas of the
organization’s work.
I’ve been involved in SWASH project activities, Girls Club
and Fun Club, and even visited migrant camp in Rajhol where we teach those who
are deprived from formal school education basic literacy (it is surprising how
wide is the age range of our students in Rajhol). I’ve prepared monitoring plan
and evaluation design for microfinance activities in Rait that can serve as an
example and template for other projects in EduCARE.
Initially monitoring and evaluation (M&E) was my focus
as I plan to center my career in international development on these activities,
but to my own surprise I got so engaged with project activities that it even
makes me reconsider my career focus.
Apart from work in just two months I’ve visited six
different states, and saw the most treasured spots in India (Goa, Amritsar,
Jaipur, Agra, Delhi, Manali, and other amazing places). Every place I’ve
visited for work or leisure purposes is fascinating and unique. And every time
I had the feeling that I don’t have enough time to get better understanding of
new places I visit and people I meet. Still, no matter where I went I always
loved being back to Himachal Pradesh, to the village of Rait.
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