My grandmother often exclaims, “I don’t know where you came from!” The claim, while neglecting the genetic certainty of my origins, somehow rings true. A lot of people I meet interested in international development grew up playing in an embassy sandbox. They seem to have some predisposition to traveling.
My family, though unbelievably supportive, hasn’t really traveled outside of the Caribbean. But my parents instilled in me the value of experience. They wanted me to have every opportunity not to have everything, but to do everything.
It wasn’t until late in high school that I developed a sense of social justice; a recognition that I had privilege and therefore a responsibility to utilize my capacities for others. Soon tame excursions morphed into a trip to Uganda, then Oman. I loved immersing myself in a community, challenging myself to build a life in a new place where I knew no one, and finding opportunities to affect change.
Which led me here, to a one-year fellowship with the UN World Food Programme. I’ll be challenged to navigate the UN system, make new friends, and find a dry cleaner. No one knows where I’m from, and I sure don’t know where I’m going.
Hey Allie!
Great to see you work yourself up to the top
Hope this all goes super!
Comment by Thor S — August 26, 2010 @ 2:04 am
Allie this is amazing!!!
Greetings from Peru,
Felipe
Comment by Felipe VD — August 26, 2010 @ 7:49 pm
You’re such a rock star, I wish you the best of luck with everything you attempt because you can make things happen!
Also, I was just there today! The pyramids that is. Incredible aren’t they? and incredibly HOT!
Comment by Frances Alexander — August 27, 2010 @ 5:25 am
Hey AB. Proud of you. You may not know where you are going but as long as you bring that Allie energy you will be just fine!!
Comment by Maddie O — August 30, 2010 @ 8:26 pm
hey allie,
love reading your impressions of etheopia. gives me a view to the other side of the world.
jackie
Comment by jackie p — November 7, 2010 @ 12:19 pm
Allie! I had no idea what you were up to and now that i do it sounds amazing! great to know that you’re out there doing something that I know you’re so passionate about. best of luck! i’ll be following you!
-kerala
Comment by Kerala — November 30, 2010 @ 9:20 am
Hi Allie,
Welcome to Ethiopia.I am sure by this time you have had a very nice memory of Ethiopia, my country. I am emailing you from Hawassa, the beautiful city in the south of Ethiopia.
Great! Well-done.
Aweke
Comment by Aweke — March 6, 2011 @ 8:34 am