Network
Lindsay Carlin
Location:
USA
University: University of Missouri
Regions of interest: Africa
Skills: teaching, marketing/strategy, fundraising, economic development, work with children
Volunteer Activity:
Amy Biehl Foundation August 01, 2010 - December 01, 2010
Amy Biehl Foundation February 01, 2011 - June 01, 2011
Stories by this Volunteer
Jumping Into Work
Amy Biehl Foundation, by Lindsay Carlin
June 30, 2011
You might be wondering to yourself...if the Amy Biehl Foundation runs after-school programs in the afternoons four days a week, what have I done with the rest of my time here in Cape Town?? Well, let me tell you....ABF is not a place to let a volunteer sit around so as my previous post explained, I was doing a bit more than I had originally anticipated. I was put in charge of Centre Registration. Now, this was not something I had any idea about how to do or had any intention of doing when I came over, but the realization when I arrived was that this was a HUGE and urgent need. ABF has 5 different centers where we run our after school programs which reach...
Can You Double Click? Adventures in Teaching Computer Literacy
Amy Biehl Foundation, by Lindsay Carlin
June 29, 2011
Computers....how do you use them for good in a third world environment? What skills do you teach to provide the building blocks for further education? How do you teach your students to teach others after you’ve gone? And how in the world do you explain the art of double clicking??? All these questions and many more surrounded my time teaching a group of adorable 10-14 year olds the basics of computer literacy in Cape Town, South Africa.Because my kids varied in age and level of schooling, the language barrier has been a bit difficult. I know they understand most of what I said; but in terms of them responding, it’s been a bit more challenging. I know these kids are super bright and have...
It's not about you...
Amy Biehl Foundation, by Lindsay Carlin
June 21, 2011
Something I’ve noticed throughout my travels is that volunteering is a huge part of Western culture. It’s almost expected to have some kind of volunteer experience on a resume or CV these days and if you don’t, people even question your dedication. With such an emphasis on building a resume and ensuring that one has some kind of volunteer status, it’s important to take a deeper look at the reasons why you are volunteering.Do you volunteer because you want to build your resume? To gain valuable experience? To create relationships and network in hopes of a future job? Because of a dedication to a cause? To ‘help others’? Whatever your motive is when you volunteer for any kind of organization, I’ve found that...
A Cultural Conundrum
Amy Biehl Foundation, by Lindsay Carlin
May 09, 2011
Hundreds of children and adults alike streamed into the building, almost as fast as the water streaming down the road outside. A little rain wasn’t about to deter this crowd from attending the first ever Mr and Miss Sinako Beauty Pageant. Masixole had been working on this event for over a month and today was the final product of his hard labor. Kids chatted with excitement as the dj played their favorite songs to enhance the atmosphere for what was about to unfold. Many of the guests, in tattered clothing, still wet from the rain outside and many without shoes; had never been to a beauty pageant before, let alone one with contestants from their own community.I was thrilled that Masi asked me to judge the...
A Little Gift Filled with Pride
Amy Biehl Foundation, by Lindsay Carlin
March 31, 2011
Every year, South Africa hosts an international jazz festival in Cape Town. On the foothills of Table Mountain, music lovers come from all over to hear the wafting tunes of saxophones, bass guitars and soulful songs fill the southern suburbs as they sip their wine and enjoy their picnic baskets. Unfortunately, for many South Africans the festival is only a dream as the majority of the population is confined to the informal settlements and townships surrounding the city. The cruel reality of a first world/third world conundrum is evident on weekends such as this. Unable to afford the ticket prices, transport, or even a full meal for their family the South African citizens of the townships are left to only imagine what it the jazz festival would be like. Until...