by Maria Koropecky
the Peninsula News Review newspaper
Wednesday, September 16, 1998, page A15
Packing heavy sweaters and warm slacks alongside shorts and sandals, local resident Sara Kushner is ready for whatever lies ahead. She's heading off to Quebec and then to Africa to volunteer.
Kushner, who graduated from Stelly's French Immersion porgram and finished her first year at the University of Victoria, has signed up with Canada World Youth, an organization promoting community development exchanges in various parts of the world including Asia, Eastern and Central Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa.
Nine students from Canada (including another person from Victoria) and 10 from Africa will join Kushner on her goodwill adventure. Their first stop will either be Ste. Marie or St. Jean Quebec, near Quebec City where they will be assigned to a host family and a voluntary job placement.
Kushner, who leaves the Island on Sept. 20, chose the Quebec-Africa program because in both places, she will be completely immersed in a French-speaking environment, giving her a great opportunity to further polish her French communication skills.
To add to her learning experience, Kushner will also be paired with a person from Africa who will be her buddy for the next seven months. Together, the group will collaborate with members of their new communities to seek viable strategies that enhance sustainable development.
"It's important to live in a community because you get to integrate with others and are not isolated like in some other programs. You become aware of global issues and share local perspectives," said the well-spoken and determined 19-year-old.
Kushner believes she'll benefit from her trip by gaining concrete work experience, learning about the environment, building inter-cultural understanding and strengthening her leadership and life-skills.
"The experience will provide a hands-on education and gives you the confidence that will complement any formal education."
Kushner has lived in the same house, surrounded by tall trees, all of her life but is no stranger to travel. She went to Nepal a couple of years ago and really enjoys learning about people in what Westerners see as exotic places.
"I believe that travel for me is one of the most valuable learning experiences I'll ever have because it really opens your eyes." After spending three and a half months in Quebec, the volunteers will travel across the globe to Benin, a country on the Northwestern coast of Africa. She has no idea if she'll have the chance to see giraffes, elephants or lions because going on safaris is not part of the scope of the program.
Besides having an interest in volunteering in small communities, for the last four years the friendly teenager with long curly brown hair has regularly traded in her jeans to dance professionally at Butchart Gardens in a show called "Lights Up."
Before choosing CWY, an organization launched in 1971, Kushner researched many over-seas work programs that concentrate on community development but was attracted to CWY because it has a Canadian component. Not only are there opportunities for Canadians to work abroad, people from other countries have a chance to come here, she said.
"One of the qualities they're looking for when selecting people is a desire to learn," said Kushner.
Eventually, she would like to pursue a career in International Development, International Law or Education. "Maybe I'll incorporate them all together."
The volunteers are also expected to raise $1500 to cover some expenses and CWY will provide the rest of the money needed to pay for the trip. So far, Kushner has raised $1100 and is looking for some help in raising the rest. Anyone interested in finding out about the program, or in making a donation to CWY, can contact her at 656-xxxx.
