Connection
Volume 23 • No. 1 • 2008
The Coady
St. Francis Xavier University • Antigonish, Nova Scotia • Canada
In this issue...
Building
on
Innovation
❒❒ Coady Graduates making a difference
❒❒ Alumni Insight
❒❒ We Hear From
❒❒ Coady News
•Coady-Ford Microfinance Study launched
•Frontiers of Microfinance
by Mary Coyle
•New Coady book focuses on asset-based
Director, Coady International Institute
Vice President, St. Francis Xavier University
approach
•Global Partnerships: Coady supports
launch of the Indian School of
Microfinance for Women (ISMFW)
•Campaign success leads to new home
•Monument to Moses Coady graces campus
•Editorial calls for Nobel Peace Prize for
work of Coady graduates
•Coady works with First Nations
❒❒ Program updates
• Xtending Hope
• Youth In Partnership
❒❒ Our special insert:
• Strategies: ABCD Experience in Ethiopia
A Coady education strengthens
leaders and their organizations in
order to build stronger communities
and societies. Coady and its partners
are building a better world.
Today’s Coady: More than 5,000
graduates and partners improving
people’s lives in 130 countries
worldwide,
helping
people
everywhere become masters of their
own destiny.
T
he Coady International
Institute celebrates its 50th
anniversary in 2009. It is time to
celebrate our successes and the
impact the Institute has had in
communities around the world.
That impact, of course, is the
impact of our graduates and
their organizations.
addressing
the
HIV/AIDS
pandemic. Building a stronger
Coady Institute positions us
to contribute in a more robust
way through supporting you,
our graduates and partners, as
you carry out the active work
on the ground that, to quote
our namesake, Rev. Dr. Moses
Coady, will “help the people
You, our alumni, and our partners everywhere to get the good
and supporters are building and abundant life….to be come
a better world through your masters of their own destiny.”
leadership in promoting citizen
participation, advocating for The Coady Institute believes
peace and effective government, innovation is key to providing
working to increase access to the best possible support to
economic opportunities, and
. . . .continued on Page 2
Coady turns 50!
2009 marks the Coady International Institute’s 50th anniversary and
what a year it will be! We will be celebrating in a variety of ways,
including the grand opening of the Coady International Centre.
Another event to note is the publication of a new book which will
tell the Coady story through the eyes of the people who have helped
keep the Coady vision alive and share it with the world – you, our
graduates, and your work in social and economic development. We
encourage everyone to visit our website regularly for posted updates
on events and activities.
Building on Innovation ....
. . . continued from page 1
development leaders and organizations who are working
on the front lines in their communities. We strive to develop
and deliver innovative courses, knowledge resources and
programs with our partners. We are proud that, in recent
months, we have:
• launched “Reaching the Hard to Reach: Comparative
study of member-owned financial institutions in remote
rural areas”, a set of research papers which highlights
issues, obstacles and new ways to reach the hardest to
reach people in rural and remote areas through memberowned organizations;
• completed a new book that will be published this fall.
“From Clients to Citizens: Communities changing the
course of their own development” showcases 13 case
studies of highly successful communities and the assetbased and citizen-led approaches they took to achieve
their success;
• worked to develop a new distance learning portal called
“Frontiers of Microfinance” which will serve as a single
window to meet the wide range of learning needs in the
microfinance industry.
We are pleased to report that we currently have 57
development professionals from 22 nations on campus
studying in this year’s Diploma in Development Leadership.
Soon, many more will join us for certificate programs in
Advocacy and Citizen Engagement, Community-based
Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding, CommunityBased Microfinance, Livelihoods and Markets, Mobilizing
Assets for Citizen-Driven Development and Organizational
Learning and Change.
With this issue of Coady Connections, we hope to bring you
up to date on events at the Coady International Institute, and
to discuss new ways to continue building and strengthening
our network with each other. This newsletter is one tool for
our graduates to use to share information with each other
about what is happening in their part of the world and in
their respective areas of development, while staying up to
date with the activities and accomplishments of the Coady
Institute. But it is only one. We hope you will take advantage
of our quickly evolving web-based connections too.
Read on and find out more about what we’ve been up to,
what members of our alumni and partner networks are up
to, and what we are planning in the future. We encourage
you to send us your stories to be shared through the Coady
network with your fellow alumni in future issues. Let’s stay
in touch, stay connected, and continue to share our innovative
approaches to building a better world.
Happy Anniversary Silver Jubilee Graduates
For nearly 50 years Coady graduates have been promoting sustainable development worldwide. In this issue, we would like to
recognize the Coady Graduates of 1983 and join them in remembering and celebrating the 25th anniversary of their graduation.
If you see your name, please get in touch with us to share your memories of the Coady and let us know what you are doing now.
Happy Anniversary!
Antigua: Henrietta Roberts Bangladesh: David Hirolal Baroi, Stephen Sushil Halder Brazil: Janete Pires Canada:
Jennifer Brownell, Kannikatt Chacko, Leon MacLellan, Christopher Potvin, Ann Stainton, Michael Stainton, Robert Taylor
Colombia: Marcela Perilla Rodriguez Dominica: Cecil Randolph Roberts Ethiopia: Assefa Beyene, Dennekew
Handro Chebelo, Shiferaw Ligaba Gambia: Fatou Faye, Doudou Sulaymand M’bye, Safiatu Singhateh, Baboucar Touray
Ghana: Kuma Agbenyega, Samuel Charles Bugyei, Veronica Munya, Francis Yeboah Haiti: Jean Benito Antoine India:
Narenda Bam, Mary Berchmans, Sebastian Elanjimattom, Usha Goel, Lalita Mirmira, Uma Padmanabhan, Jose Puthur, Jacob Raj,
Chevuri Ramakrishna, Manda Reddy, Sunalini Sattoor, Ranvir Sisodia, Vigi Thamby Solomon, Joseph Vadayaparampil, Mathew
Valiaparambil, Augustine Vallooran Jamaica: Clinton Lloyd Gordon Korea: Augustine Ki-Seok Lim Liberia: Joseph
Tamba Kettor Malawi: Elliot Yuziel Kapote, Robert Jackson Njewa Malaysia: Shuib Ismail Mauritius: Poorundewoo
Callychurn Nepal: Martha Joan Mcginn Nigeria: Justus Akinwale, James Bules, Nnadi Goddy Chukwudum, Agboola Julius
Fayese, Michael Omotoso Ogunleye, Moses Oluwafemi Omolusi, Albert Nnann Osuchuo, Anthony Tolani Philippines:
Jerome Polonia, Corazon J. Veneracion South Africa: Harold Brooks, Thokoza Joseph Dlamini, Hazel Gogela, Victoria
Makhaye-Biyela, Samkelisiwe Mdlalose, Muzikayise Ndaba, Japhet Ngubane, Zeph Zipo Nyathi, Johannes Senona, Laetitia
White, Sitile Zondani, Sri Lanka: Anthony Cyril, Senaratne Sampayo, Tissa Liyanage Wijetunga Sudan: Bakri Fadl,
Hassan Saeed Tanzania: Rodrick Mashayo Uganda: Kihika, John Paul Kirigoola, Lawrence Mbonimpa-Awuru, Estencia
Namaganda USA: Kabba Colley Zambia: John Gaudehsio Banda, Fred Lubinda Mukwita
Our thanks to Coady Graduate Antony Palocaren (DI78), Tamil Nadu, India for his suggestion to include Silver Jubilee Graduates
in Coady Connections!
Page 2
Alumni Profile
Coady Grad Keith Bourne: The Credit Union Man
By 1980, Mr. Keith Erskine Bourne had already dedicated It took five days of serious consideration for Keith to
some sixteen years to the Government/Public Service of decide to attend Coady Institute, and while signing a memo
Barbados in the West Indies. At the time, Keith was a confirming his decision he uttered the words, “Dolce et
member of the Barbados Public Workers’
Decorum pro patriae mori est” (“It is sweet
Co-operative Credit Union and volunteered
and glorious to die for one’s country”).
“Most
people
forget
his time as Assistant Secretary and Chairman
During Keith’s month at Coady he took
where they come
of the Information and Publicity Committee.
the time to visit some local credit unions.
The credit union was registered in 1970 and from... Coady is where He absorbed ideas, initiatives and the work
membership showed steady growth until
of Rev. Dr. Moses Coady, even quoting
I come from.”
1973 – 1975. In 1975, elections were held,
- Keith Bourne Coady regularly: “Your life on earth will
and Keith was elected to the Committee
be measured by what you’ve done for your
of Management and further served as
fellow man.” Assistant Secretary for seven years. Keith, while working
for the government, would meet with potential credit union By 1983, the credit union began to expand rapidly, leading
members during his lunch hour and after work, hoping to to the creation of permanent jobs, hiring its first employee
reverse the membership decline. By 1980, the credit union shortly after Keith’s return from Coady, while Keith himself
had 1,250 members and $500,000 in assets.
was named to the new position of Operations Manager in
1993. Through Keith’s efforts, the Credit Union began
Keith’s strong desire to improve the lot of his fellow public offering incentives for recruiting new members: educational
workers, who found it difficult to “make ends meet,” led grants and scholarships, member education sessions and a
to a determination to learn how Credit Unionism might Youth Savers’ Scheme. Keith has held several titles and
be strengthened to improve these lives. Keith successfully responsibilities, including one unofficial title that follows
applied to attend the Coady International Institute. His him everywhere he goes: the Credit Union Man. It is often
employers in the public service sector did not approve, said that Keith Bourne eats, drinks and sleeps the credit
suggesting to Keith that his government job should be given union. At one point, he had accumulated over seven months
priority. Keith was faced with a decision: to pursue training of vacation. Keith has a dedicated staff and knows everyone
more specific to his government job or to fulfill his heart’s from top to bottom. He defines success as demonstrating
desire by pursing studies in Credit Union Management at commitment throughout one’s career. His dedication was
the Coady. rewarded in 1995, when the credit union finished building
a new home. A Special General
Meeting of membership voted to
name the entire complex after Keith
Bourne. The Credit Union Man has always
wanted to come back to Coady
and in August 2007, he had that
opportunity. Before returning home
from a business trip to Calgary, Keith
took a detour to Antigonish, where
he met with Coady staff, telling them
of his success and thanking them for
continuing the work of Rev. Coady.
“Most people forget where they
come from … Coady is where I come
from,” he said. Page 3
Former Canadian Prime Minister helps Coady
launch major Microfinance study
On June 20, 2008, former Canadian
Prime Minister the Right Hon. Paul
Martin, P.C., M.P., helped the Coady
International Institute launch its Fordfunded study, “Reaching the Hard
to Reach: Comparative Study of
Member-Owned Financial Institutions
in Remote Rural Areas.” The megastudy, conducted over a three-year
period across several continents,
highlights issues, obstacles and
innovative ways to reach the hardest to
reach people in rural and remote areas
through member-based organizations.
The full set of research papers includes
a literature review, a synthesis report,
seven case studies and three thematic
articles on governance, networking
and linkages, and regulation and
supervision. This latest knowledge
product from the Coady was released
at a reception at the Growing Inclusive
Markets Forum, an international
gathering of microfinance practitioners
and academics which the Coady
Institute co-hosted with Dalhousie
University’s School of Management
Studies in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
In his remarks, Mr. Martin lauded
the Coady for its focus on innovative
and effective adult education
approaches to building leadership
and strengthening organizational
capacity, and for the successful
completion of this important study:
“This research on what it takes to
get financial services to remote
rural areas is so relevant and of such
immediate need.”
The study is available through the
Coady website: www.coady.stfx.ca/
projects/ford/.
The Right Hon. Paul Martin, infused his remarks
with humour: “I was heading to London for
meetings last week and Mary Coyle had given
me an advance draft copy of this study. She gave
me strict instructions not to share it with anyone
before the launch. I was very careful, Mary, and I
didn’t share it with anyone, except Prime Minister
Gordon Brown, the President of the African
Development Bank and a number of ministers
of key African governments. That is because this
research on what it takes to get financial services
to remote rural areas is so relevant and of
immediate need.”
Coady supports launch of the
Indian School of Microfinance for Women (ISMFW)
The Coady International Institute
joined forces with the Self-Employed
Women’s Association (SEWA) and
Friends of Women’s World Banking
India in the development of the
Indian School of Microfinance for
Women (ISMFW), with funding from
CitiGroup. The ISMFW was formally
launched at the Global Microcredit
Summit, which was held in November,
2006 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
The first of its kind, the ISMFW is
designed to close the gap between the
financial institutions and the millions
of people – mostly women – who
lack access to basic financial services.
Improved access, on a large scale, will
enable the poor to earn a living, build
financial assets, take control of their
lives, and weather crises.
Ela Bhatt, pictured here, is the founder
of India’s Self-Employed Women’s
Association (SEWA) and Chair of the
Indian School.
Page 4
Alumni Insight
Greetings from Uganda!
I was among the first students who
did a Certificate course in Women’s
Leadership in 2002. The course was
a turning point in my life. By the time
I attended the course, I was a Deputy
Head-teacher in the very school where
I am now Head-teacher. I celebrated
two years in that capacity on 24th April
2008.
When I went for interviews for
headship, I know that one of the aspects
that helped me get the job was the fact
that I had done a Certificate course in
leadership through the Coady Institute.
I head the oldest and most prestigious
girls’ boarding school in Uganda, Gayaza
High School. It celebrated 100 years in
2005. Many of its alumnae hold highly
placed jobs all over the world.
I learned so many things at Coady but
the landmark for me during that course
was the last presentation we made. Olga
Gladkikh chose two powerful speakers to
open and close the presentations (she was
to tell me later on that I was a powerful
communicator, but that I needed to
work on a few challenges). That did it
for me. I didn’t know that I was a good
communicator. I made deliberate effort
to work on my shortcomings to be able
to communicate even better. It is an asset
that I now cherish and I’ve lost count of
the sessions where I’ve been invited to
speak. The more addresses I make, the
more invitations I get. What Olga did for
me, I will never forget! I think one needs
to be told of any gift one may have; it
builds one’s self esteem!
Currently, I am doing an online MSc.
in Education for Sustainability, London
South Bank University.
to the Convention on Disability. When
I came back from Canada, I reverted to
the lobbying tactics I had just learnt from
you.
Due to other commitments, neither
our President nor the Minister for Foreign
Affairs, attended the ceremony. But our
UN Ambassador was granted powers to
sign the Treaty. You can imagine how
happy I felt following the solemn promise
I made to my friends in international
circles that Tanzania will be among the
first countries to sign the convention.
Kaganzi meets with Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, the
President of Tanzania, during the Day of the
African Child celebrations in 2007. Kaganzi’s
organization, Information Centre on Disability,
works to ensure that children with disabilities,
who are traditionally sidelined, have
opportunities to demonstrate their abilities.
Victoria Kisarale
Coady Women’s Leadership Graduate,
2002
…
We were looking for the minimum of
20 signatures to formalize the Treaty,
but we got 82 on the first day the treaty
was opened for signing. Now we are
addressing ourselves to popularize the
convention and assert for the ratification
by party states, including Tanzania.
I was asked to rewrite the proposal
for our partnership with Finland. This
granted me an opportunity to apply all
the knowledge acquired at Coady. I will
dedicate the copy to the Marie Michael
Library. By the time you come to Africa,
the partnership will have already been
signed and advocacy implementation in
full swing.
Greetings from Tanzania,
My
most
recent
advocacy
achievement has been in influencing my
country to be among the first signatories
Best wishes,
Kaganzi Rutachamagyo Traseas
Diploma, 1993
Advocacy Certificate, 2006
Greetings from Indonesia!
It is not a short time since I graduated
from the Coady Institute, and yet I feel
as though I just completed my diploma
program. H.R. Amit’s words still echo in
my ears: “When you go back home do
a lot to build your people.” The Coady
environment, hospitable staff and methods
of teaching all contributed to building
student character and leadership.
After I graduated, I worked with Dr.
Keith Foulcher (who had supported me
to go to the Coady) to develop LSPP
(Lembaga Studi Pembangunan Pedesaan),
an NGO which conducts workshops to
help strengthen other NGOs. In 1993, I
worked as an organization development
consultant with Plan International
Lombok for a year as Training Expert to
help develop staff capacity. From there I
began to really use the skills in leadership
that I’d gained during my time at the
Coady Institute.
In 1994 I organized small NGOs
working with people at the grassroots
level in disadvantaged areas in Lombok
Island. In 1995, I conducted a national
workshop for small NGOs in Indonesia
funded by Canada Fund, thanks to the
recommendation of Mr. Amit.
Over the years, I have sent two of my
staff for the same program at the Coady
Institute. Both of them work with UNICEF
and other NGOs in Indonesia. Personally,
I have never wanted to work with an
international NGO because my ambition
has been to disseminate knowledge and
skills in program planning and leadership
to smaller NGOs in Indonesia as a way of
reaching more remote areas. That is why,
in 1998, I again began to organize small
NGOs.
In 2005, I volunteered for Jogyakarta
Earthquake Emergency Aid and Recovery
Project, a cause to which several Coady
staff members donated. The Coady
staff seems to share my concern for
disadvantaged people, and this motivates
me to learn more and more about the
philosophy behind the Coady. To this day,
I keep in touch with the Coady through the
. . . . continued on page 6
Page 5
Alumni Insight....
. . . . continued from page 5
Marie Michael Library. My appreciation
goes to (former librarian) Sue Adams and
(current librarian) Catherine Irving, who
have always been patient and enthusiastic
in assisting me to find information. I was
pleasantly surprised when, in 2005, I met
Coady microfinance specialists Nanci
Lee and Rewa Misra in Bali, Indonesia.
The skills and knowledge gained
while at Coady has been so helpful in
helping communities build their capacity
in order to see and plan their future. I
believe that the Coady has succeeded in
building my own capacity to work with the
community. Coady skills and knowledge
are based on universal concepts, help
both academics and non-academics alike,
and have the ability to help graduates
become international leaders and better
professionals. As for me, my ambition
is to see my NGO become an agent of
change through training dissemination.
Sincerely,
Abdul Chamid
1985 Coady graduate
P.S. A great thank you to: Helen Murphy
and the staff, Dr. A.A. MacDonald,
H.R. Amit, Mildred Toogood, Marilyn
Milner, Philip Milner, Hugh Landry,
Betty McLean, Fr. Andy Hogan, Fr.
MacKinnon, Fr. Gardiner, Donna Ashe,
Olga Gladkikh, the caretakers, Colin
Stuart, Rieky Stuart.
…
Dear Editor,
I was transformed with knowledge
and skills through the diploma program.
My perceptions and perspectives changed
and I began to think about and look at
development through the Asset-Based
Community Development (ABCD)
lens. I developed self-confidence and
actualization, and I discovered all the
potential in myself, realizing that my
glass was already “half full.”
After receiving my Coady diploma,
I enrolled for a Master of Arts Degree in
Development Studies (2005/06) here at
the Uganda Martyrs University. Just as I
was about to complete that program, the
famous Management School of Bocconi
University in Italy offered me a full
scholarship to pursue a Master of Public
Management course, which I completed
in May 2008.
When I started at the Coady,
I possessed a diploma in business
studies, and today I am recognized as an
authority on a variety of issues, big and
small. In August 2007, I represented
“My study helped me to understand
development holistically and grow
as a better social development
practitioner.”
our organization at a symposium on
HIV/AIDS in Mexico City. I presented
a paper on our successes on the use of
ABCD strategies to enhance conditions
of orphans and vulnerable children
in Uganda. In fact, our organization
has become the leader in practical
development using ABCD strategies
that most of our donors appreciate
and this has increased the element of
community contribution, ownership and
sustainability.
Long live the Coady!
Apollo Jaramogi, Coady Graduate 2002
and Executive Director, Uganda Orphans
Rural Development Program
…
Dear Friends,
My time at Coady was life changing.
Participating in the Coady diploma
program taught me a lot. The learning
was not only in class but everywhere.
We not only learned from the faculty
but also from fellow participants, all of
whom were experienced development
practitioners from around the developing
world. It was like iron sharpening iron.
Coady was a melting pot!
My best class was Management of
Development Organizations (MDO).
Mary Coyle was a leader. I admired her
simplicity and servitude. She led simply
but with an infectious passion, traits that
have continued and helped her to make
Coady an excellent place for learning.
While at Coady I became friends with
Dr. Sean Riley, President of St. FX. He
found me and my friend Kennedy from
Kenya struggling to float at the pool.
For us it was a nightmare until Dr. Sean
Riley spotted us. Just like Mary Coyle,
or maybe vice versa, I was struck by his
simplicity. He came to us and asked if
he could help us with some swimming
lessons. In haste we muttered yes. The
next day he came with swimming gear
and off we went. Since then I know how
to swim and have stayed friends with Dr.
Riley.
When I left Coady I did a two year
stint in the U.S. as Team Leader and
Therapeutic Intervention Specialist
with Vision Quest (At Risk Youth
Rehabilitation Organization). While in the
USA, I sponsored two orphaned girls in
Uganda who were living under the care of
their elderly grandmother. Elizabeth had
lost all her children and was left helpless
and hopeless with the responsibility of
looking after the grandchildren. In a
country where the only insurance in old
age and disability is family, she was at a
dead end.
During a visit to Elizabeth and her
grandchildren in December 2002, I saw
the needs of my country’s poor older
persons in a new and intense way. I saw
loneliness, extreme poverty, disease and
hopelessness. This touched and changed
my life. I did not have peace until
October 2003 when, after prayer and
encouragement from friends, I returned
to Uganda to start what is now Reach
One Touch One Ministries (ROTOM).
ROTOM is a Christian Non-Profit
Organization that has grown to become
a most effective mission organization
meeting the needs of poor older persons
in Uganda.
In the past four years, through
ROTOM Senior Sponsorship and
ROTOM Grandmothers Support Project,
ROTOM has provided assistance to tens
of thousands of poor elderly.
Page 6
Alumni Insight
These efforts have touched and
changed lives of many older persons and
children under their care. They are now
happier, healthier and above all, have
hope. My desire now is to reach more
needy older persons and orphans under
their care in Jesus’ name!
Sincerely,
Edmund Kenneth Mugayehwenkyi
2001 Coady Graduate
…
Dear Editor,
I attended the Youth Leadership
Training organized by Coady, Young
Women in Action and the African Youth
Parliament. We learned a lot about
the African Union Structure, and also
the African Peer Review Mechanism
(APRM).
I must say it was the first time I had
heard of African Peer Review, but you
will not believe that out of that training I
got a job as Civil Society Coordinator for
the APRM Activities in Zambia. I am so
happy and grateful to the Coady for the
opportunity it accorded.
I am currently applying for a Diploma
in Development Leadership hoping it will
help amplify my knowledge and work
standards. Bravo Coady! Keep up the
good work - you changed my LIFE!
Sincerely,
Susan Mwape
Zambia
Youth Certificate Overseas, 2006
…
Greetings from Kathmandu, Nepal!
I had a great opportunity to be
a Coady diploma graduate in 1988.
My study helped me to understand
development holistically and grow as a
better social development practitioner.
After the diploma course, I returned to my
country, sharing my acquired knowledge
with colleagues.
The follow-up supports from Coady,
particularly the visits of Ms. Olga
Gladkikh and Dr. Wilf Bean, were most
helpful to me and my organization.
Later, I worked as a freelance social
development trainer. During this period,
I worked with many development
organizations in areas of training,
research activities and evaluation.
Further, I was selected as United
Nations Volunteer (UNV) Specialist by
the UNV/UNDP Afghanistan program
in July 1998. My position was “Social
Development Advisor” for the project
“Alternative Development for Poppy
Crop in Afghanistan.” During my
tenure, I was able to develop a module
on alternative development and train the
project staff and communities. My focus
was to explore community-based income
generating activities appropriate to the
local communities which were ready to
move out of poppy farming.
It was a great challenge for me to
work with the Taliban regime where
women had many restrictions in society.
I was one among a few professional
women who were present in Afghanistan
during the most difficult period for
continued until the end of 2007. It was
my pleasure to meet Mary Coyle in
Kabul (2006) during her visit there.
My academic and practical learning at
Coady has helped me to achieve success
in my career in social development.
Thank you Coady for helping me to
create a foundation and to develop
insights. Furthermore, I like to share with
you a few articles, which reflect my work
in Afghanistan. The articles are available
on the following websites:
• Working with Women in Afghanistan:
a satisfying experience: http://www.
worldvolunteerweb.org/news-views/
volunteer-stories/doc/working-withwomen-in-1.html
• Education Promotion through Food Aid
in Western Afghanistan: http://www.
unv.org/en/news-resources/news/doc/
education-promotion-through-food.html
Devaki Shrestha
Coady Graduate 1988
…
Afghan women. Fortunately, I was
somehow able to organize women’s
activities, particularly in areas of health
and income generation with the help of
a few community SHURAS (body of
elders). After the closure of the project at
the end of 2000, I came back home.
I got the opportunity to return to
Afghanistan in 2001. After the fall of the
Taliban regime, I worked with the World
Food Program in the western region of the
country. I was given the responsibility to
work in “Food for Education” activities.
I was able to support thousands of
students and teachers through this
activity. I felt myself fortunate to support
the young girls and women teachers in
the education campaign of Afghanistan. I
completed my contract with this program
in July 2004.
Once again, I joined the WFP
Afghanistan program in 2006 as
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer and
Dear Editor,
When I enrolled at Coady in June of
1964 I had a chip on my shoulder because I
had almost ten years of service in the field
and I had attended a course in Agricultural
Cooperatives at Loughborough College
and attended Summer School for
Registrars of Cooperative Societies at
Oxford University under the auspices
of the British Council during 1961. That
chip fell off my shoulder before the end
of the first week in Antigonish.
Students who enrolled in the Summer
course in 1964 were recruited from
several parts of Africa, Canada, India, the
West Indies and the USA. It did not take
long for us to tear down the fences and
defenses.
We learned to respect each other long
before the course concluded at the end of
July. I will never forget our graduation
and the tears which were shed at parting
after just six or seven weeks together. We
had learned to live together with mutual
respect for each other. I departed Coady
taking that lesson with me, and it is still
with me, nearly forty five years after I
graduated.
. . . . continued on page 19
Page 7
Prominent Canadians help spread the
Coady message in Canada
The Coady Institute and the work
of its graduates are being profiled
in a major advertising campaign
in Canada, thanks to a generous
in-kind donation from St. Joseph’s
Media, which owns a number of
prominent Canadian magazines.
the campaign is to raise awareness
among Canadians about the Coady
Institute and its work.
“Imagine the ripple effect of 5,000
Coady graduates and partners
working in 130 countries, applying
their Coady education to building
The ads feature testimonials about a more just, secure and prosperous
the Institute by three prominent world,” Seamus O’Regan says in
and respected Canadians: The Hon. his ad.
Frank McKenna, P.C., ONB, Q.C.,
former Premier of New Brunswick
and Canadian Ambassador to the
United States, Lt. General the Hon.
Romeo Dallaire, (ret’d), Senator
and Seamus O’Regan, Co-Host of a
nationally broadcast morning show,
the world by providing inspiration
Canada AM.
and practical skills and by creating
knowledge for thousands of leaders.
The campaign consists of a series
This ability to create knowledge is
of three ads focusing on the Coady
a principle ingredient of Coady’s
success and one that Canadians need
to invest in, not just for our benefit
but for the benefit of all people.”
The ads have, and will, run in issues
of Toronto Life, Ottawa Magazine
and Canadian Family throughout
Senator Dallaire’s testimonial 2008 and new ads are expected for
exclaims: “The Coady story is 2009.
compelling and the impact of its
people worldwide is exceptional. It “We are extremely grateful to St.
is a true Canadian success story: a Joseph’s Media for its generous
home-grown institute that is sowing donation of space in its publications,
the seeds of peace, prosperity and and we are pleased with the campaign
justice around the world by engaging and the response it is generating,”
people, through education, to work says Coady Director and StFX Vice
together with their neighbours to President Mary Coyle. “To have
strengthen their own communities Canadians of this caliber stating their
International Institute’s impact from the inside out.”
support for the Coady International
and success, each one featuring a
Institute in this way brings honour
testimonial quote and information The Honourable Frank McKenna to us and to our development leader
about the Coady. The idea behind says: “Coady has made an impact on alumni and partners.”
Page 8
Nobel for Coady?
When Coady alumnus Tae Young Sim (Diploma 2007)
of Korea was interviewed for a story in the local
Antigonish paper, The Casket, he told the reporter he
believes the Coady should receive the Nobel Peace
Prize.
“The work of the Coady has helped millions of people,”
Tae Young was quoted as saying in the December 12,
2007 issue of the paper. Apparently, the editor of the
paper agreed, and he outlined the many reasons in an
editorial that ran in the same issue. Here it is in its
entirety:
From The Casket, December 12, 2007
First Nations At-Sea
Mentoring Initiative
(ASMI)
Coady’s First Nations At-Sea Mentoring Initiative
(ASMI), funded in partnership by the Department of
Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Atlantic First Nations
communities, works to develop the technical skills of
Aboriginal fishers working in the commercial inshore
fishery. The ASMI program wrapped up in March
2008, with projects completed in the communities
of Pictou Landing, Membertou, We’koqma’q, and
Eskasoni in Nova Scotia as well as Woodstock in New
Brunswick. We continue to explore new opportunities
for partnerships with First Nations communities.
Page 9
“Frontiers of Microfinance”
Coady’s new E-Learning program
The Coady Institute will soon
launch a distance learning portal
called “Frontiers of Microfinance”
which will serve as a single window
to meet the wide range of learning
needs in the microfinance field.
other development partners will be
able to learn and share information
about reducing poverty through
microfinance. At the core of the
portal will be two certificate
programs, one at a basic level to meet
the needs of new entrants to the field
The Frontiers of Microfinance of microfinance, and one at a more
portal is a learning forum where advanced level to meet the needs of
practitioners,
policy-makers, mid- to senior-level professionals
donors, research institutes, and who are already experienced in
the field. There will be flexibility
to tailor programs for institutions
based on whether participants
would be focused on member
owned microfinance, commercial
microfinance institutions (MFIs) or
on the downscaling of commercial
banks. The new “Frontiers of
Microfinance” Diploma will meet
a wide range of educational needs
in the microfinance field.
South African Delegation visits the Coady
A delegation from the Ugu District Municipality,
KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa was recently
on a fact-finding mission to Nova Scotia to study cooperative and credit union organizations, government
agencies and universities. The purpose of their visit
was to learn about support programs, education and
training, and other mechanisms in place in Nova
Scotia to support the development of new and existing
co-operatives. Three members of this delegation are
graduates of the Coady International Institute.
Front Row Left to Right: Samson Nyawuza, Ugu District Municipality; Duncan Mehlomakulu (Coady Graduate 1984), WSN Business
Enterprises; Mary Coyle, Coady Institute; Ruth Bhengu (Coady Graduate 1991), Ugu District Municipality; Nozi Ndamase, Esayidi Further
Education & Training College
Second Row Left to Right: Mandla Mkhungo, Ugu District Municipality; Sue Lang, Coady Institute; Janet MacDonald, Coady Institute; Sipho
Nkosi (Coady Graduate 1984), WSN Business Enterprises; Queeneth Madikiza, KwaZulu-Natal Province Department of Health; Hugh
Landry, Convergence Consulting Solutions Atlantic; Sipho Tibane, Umuziwabantu Municipality
Back Row Left to Right: Ravi Pillay, Ugu District Municipality; Casper De Koker, Esayidi Further Education & Training College; Ishmael
Mkhabela, WSN Business Enterprises; Rewa Misra, Coady Institute; Mdu Mnyandu, Ugu District Municipality; Alison Mathie, Coady Institute
Page 10
Monument to Moses Coady Unveiled
In September, 2007, the Coady Institute unveiled a
life-size monument to the Rev. Dr. Moses Coady.
The monument includes a life-size (6’ 4”) bronze
statue of Moses Coady in conversation. At his side,
a bronze of his book, Masters of their Own Destiny,
sits open. Viewers are invited to pause on the bench
to contemplate the man and his ideas for self-reliance
and community betterment which led to the Antigonish
Movement and, ultimately, led to the founding of the
Coady International Institute.
“We are so excited about having this work of art
integrated into the landscape of our campus,” said
Mary Coyle, StFX Vice President and Director of the
Coady International Institute. “The artist has rendered
a creation that will inspire and engage people and help
us to keep the spirit of Moses Coady and the Antigonish
Movement alive and flourishing.”
Coady Participants gather at the new Moses Coady monument. The monument will take up its permanent
home in the gardens of the soon to be built Coady International Centre.
New Book on Asset-Based Community
Development (ABCD)
Watch for the publication this
fall of a new book edited by
Coady Institute Senior Program
Staff members Dr. Alison Mathie
and Gord Cunningham. “From
Clients to Citizens: Communities
changing the course of their own
development,” is scheduled for
publication in November 2008. The
book showcases thirteen case studies
of highly successful communities
and the asset-based and citizen-led
approaches they used to achieve
their success.
TO ORDER: http://styluspub.com, or through most internet booksellers.
Page 11
Building campaign success….
S
eptember 28th, 2007 was an
historic day for the Coady
Institute as StFX President, Dr.
Sean Riley and Coady Director,
Mary Coyle announced to a
room of Coady participants,
staff, supporters and friends that
the campaign to raise money
to construct the new Coady
International Centre had achieved
success, and that the University’s
Board of Governors had voted
to allow construction to begin
on the new Centre. By that date,
the Coady Campaign had raised
an incredible $14 million, thanks
to the exemplary momentum
Coady announces success with its campaign.
of the campaign’s local support
combined with leadership gifts from various individuals, including an anonymous gift of $3 million.
“The Coady Institute’s success with this campaign has tremendous significance,” said Dr. Riley in making the announcement
to the large group of supporters. “Right here, in the calm surroundings of this university town, we have a resource, a treasure,
that no other university in Canada enjoys. The Coady supports, by action, the fundamental, precious and often threatened
dignity of people everywhere. Coady educates leaders with the goal of supporting self reliance and the ability of people to
take control of their own destiny.”
Since that announcement in September, we have been overwhelmed by the community’s continuing generosity in helping us
further the Coady mission. The current campaign total of $15.6 million is a proud achievement in Coady history and could
….. leads to groundbreaking
Coady breaks ground! From left to right: Michael Bonner, Jim Gogan, Sr. Theresa Parker, Gerry Doucet, Harold Redekopp, Julie Chisholm,
Dr. Sean Riley, Hon. Mayann Francis, Mary Coyle, Steve Smith, Bishop Raymond Lahey, Graham Dennis, C.J. MacMillan, Dan Hodgins,
Maria Volpe, Dave MacLean
Page 12
not have been possible without the hundreds
of volunteers, donors and friends who have
demonstrated their faith in the Coady vision,
which is exemplified so well every day by the
exceptional work of the Institute’s graduates
and partners.
More than 300 people gathered on the lawns
between Augustine Hall and Somers Place on
the afternoon of Saturday, June 14, 2008 to
enjoy the formal groundbreaking ceremony
which marked the official beginning of
construction on the new Coady International
Centre. In addition to the large crowd on
the shovels dug into the earth, the appreciative crowd was delighted as the
hand, Coady graduates, partners, donors and After
campaign’s original $1 million donor, Antigonish businessman and philanthropist John
friends around the world had access to the Chisholm, drove onto the lawn in a mini excavator and took up a sizeable chunk of sod.
ceremony via a live webcast.
After sixteen gold-coloured shovels broke the ground, attendees were delighted as the
campaign’s original $1 million donor, Antigonish businessman and philanthropist John
Chisholm, drove onto the lawn in a mini excavator and took up a sizeable chunk of sod.
As his much larger shovel dug in, Mr. Chisholm quipped: “Shovels might be fine, but we
only have a year to get this thing done!”
The 55,000 square foot facility that will be housed in renovated heritage buildings in the
heart of the historic St. Francis Xavier University campus is slated for completion in 2009,
when the Coady celebrates its 50th anniversary. The new Centre will add much-needed
capacity to meet demand for Coady programs and ensure that the facilities meet the needs
of current and future practices in leadership education and distance learning.
Ms. Coyle highlighted the generous support of all the donors to the capital campaign:
“Thanks to their support and faith in our work, our vision for a new home for the Coady
International Institute is one momentous step closer. The Coady International Centre will
be our platform for growth and innovation in the future.”
Antigonish businessman and
philanthropist Steve Smith
represented donors during his
speech at the groundbreaking
ceremony.
“Now, with the success of the Capital Campaign, our attention will turn to building
capacity to deliver more of the Coady’s world-renowned education for action programs,”
said Ms. Coyle. “We are committed to educating more community development leaders in
coming years because these leaders are the people who really make things happen in their
communities. Our vision is to support and build leadership that will make a real difference
around the world.”
The proposed new Coady International Centre will bring the Institute into the heart of the
historic StFX campus in 2009.
Page 13
We remember those who have passed away recently:
Ms. Hoang Thuy Bang (Vietnam), 2006 ABCD Certificate, August 16, 2007
Ms. Donna “Dolly” Ashe (Staff), October 25, 2007
Mr. Lorne Richard “Buddy” Marsman (Canada), 1968 Diploma, January 16, 2008
Cardinal Peter Porekuu Dery (Ghana), 1958 Diploma in Social Studies, March 6, 2008
Mr. Daniel Baroi (Bangladesh), 1985 Diploma, March 7, 2008
Sr. Irene Doyle (Staff), July 7, 2008
SR. IRENE DOYLE
Sr. Irene Doyle, formerly Sr. Mary Anselm, 95, a
Sister of St. Martha of Antigonish, died at Bethany,
the motherhouse, on July 7, 2008, in the 76th year of
her religious life. Sr. Irene was born in Melford, Cape
Breton County, N.S., the daughter of the late Daniel
O’Connell and Catherine (Boyle) Doyle. The Coady
Institute is grateful for her interest and support over the
years.
accomplishments, her exemplary dedication and service
to adult education with the extension department, in the
field of social service, as well as for her contribution to
the university and the church.
(With information from the Halifax Chronicle-Herald,
July 8, 2008)
Sister Irene was a field worker with the Extension
Department from 1935-39, 1940-44 and 1947-52.
She began full-time study at Boston College in 1953,
graduating in 1956 with a Master of Science in Social
work.
In 1975, she received an Exemplary Service Award
from the Extension Department and Coady International
Institute of St. Francis Xavier University, and in 1982
she received an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws
from St. Francis Xavier University. In 1997, Sr. Irene
was inducted into the Hall of Honour at the same
university. These awards were given for her qualities and
Mary Coyle (right) presents Sr. Irene Doyle with a
photo of Sr. Irene with her Extension Department
Colleagues.
Donna “Dolly” Marie ASHE (Reddick)
Donna “Dolly” Ashe died Thursday, October 25, 2007
in Halifax. Born May 21, 1947 in Glace Bay, Dolly
was a daughter of the late James Reddick and Dorothy
(Francis) Brewster. Dolly was employed with the Coady
International Institute for over thirty years, and was also
involved for many years with X Project. During these
years, Dolly was integral in the active daily life of the
Coady, someone who had the answers for staff, faculty
and participants in equal measure. Her calm presence at
the Coady Institute has very much been missed.
“Dolly was a very special person
who spread joy, calm and
enthusiastic feelings among all
who surrounded and worked with
her. She was one of the kindest
persons I have ever met.”
-Hala El Moukaddem, COADY
Graduate, 2001
Page 14
Youth In Partnership Alumni Profile:
Lindsay MacMillan, Coady Youth Associate, 1999
Lindsay MacMillan did her Coady Youth In Partnership
placement in India with the Children in Crisis Program
of YMCA Bangalore. It’s an initiative that provides
shelter, training programs and advocacy for street
children. The StFX Science graduate was asked to
document the history and nature of the program which
she compiled in a 50page publication that was
used to lobby the Indian
government for increased
funding.
Since returning to Canada in 1999, Lindsay has
completed her medical training and is working as a
family physician at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto,
where she does primary care and low-risk obstetrics. In
2005 as a resident physician in Moose Factory, Ontario,
Lindsay flew with hospital chief Dr. Murray Trussler to
the reserve of Kashechewan
after learning of a spike in
e-coli levels. They visited
forty homes and in nearly
every one found children with
skin infections aggravated by
poor hygiene and intensely
chlorinated water. The case
made international headlines
and sparked an evacuation
of 1000 residents. Lindsay
also served in the emergency
department in Francistown,
Botswana, a placement she
obtained through the Xtending Hope Partnership at the
Coady Institute.
“The finished document
was a huge success,”
says Lindsay, “but for me
personally, just getting
to meet and interact with
these amazing children
who grew up on the streets
with nothing was a lifechanging experience. These children had some of the
most beautiful spirits of anyone I had ever met. The fact
that the Children in Crisis Program was truly helping to
increase the quality of their lives was just gratifying to “The internship was the first overseas experience for
be part of.”
me,” Lindsay recalls, “and it ignited a passion inside
me and a desire to continue working in the developing
Lindsay has high praise for the preparation she received world. Working with street children gave me a new
before her placement. “Nothing could have completely perspective on life and my own priorities, a perspective
prepared me for 5 1/2 months of living in urban India, that has influenced my decisions on the direction of my
but the Coady Orientation Program was a tremendous future.”
asset,” says the native of Sydney, Nova Scotia. “One
valuable part of the preparation was researching “The opportunities that the Youth In Partnership program
and learning about our placement countries and the gives young people is invaluable,” she continues.
organizations we would be working with. The best part “It gives youth experiences working in different
though, was getting to know the Coady diploma students cultures and opens their eyes to the world outside of
from all over the world. It was a magical experience. North America. It allowed me to cultivate my social
We learned so much from these people about their conscience and realize that we all have a responsibility
countries, their work and passions. It was a magical to give our time to those who are in the greatest need
experience. It was incredible to have the opportunity to around the world.
spend time with them.”
For information on the 2008/09 Youth In Partnership Interns, visit www.coady.stfx.ca/youth.
Page 15
Youth in Partnership:
Supporting young leaders and helping partners
Since 1997, the Coady International Institute’s Youth In Partnership Program has given recent Canadian university
graduates experience working with development organizations in their area of expertise, to help them increase
their understanding of development issues and participate in their roles as global citizens. The program is also
aimed at providing experience that will improve participants’ employment opportunities when they return from
their internship.
The interns work for six months with one of the Coady International Institute’s partners in Asia, Africa, the Middle
East, Latin America and the Caribbean. Interns who go to Rwanda and Botswana are placed with Xtending Hope
partner organizations whose work focuses on issues related to HIV and AIDS.
To date, 155 young Canadians have gone abroad with the YIP program. Currently sixteen interns are in placements,
having left in late July, and returning in February 2009.
C.J. MacMillan (left) is a Coady Youth Associate who participated in
the program in 2007-08. C.J. has a background in biological sciences,
and worked on curriculum development at the Kigali Health Institute
(KHI) in Rwanda.
“My experience with the Youth In Partnership Program was
phenomenal. I went to Rwanda hoping to contribute in some way but
I came back with far more than I feel I gave. My first-hand exposure
to development issues has granted me a clearer understanding of
how I can effect change as an individual, and a passion to share this
knowledge with people in my own community. The Coady Institute
has been integral in my development as a global citizen.”
- C. J. MacMillan
Burke Vindevoghel (right), YIP 2007-08, worked with Coady’s
partner, Oxfam Canada, in Ethiopia as an associate in the Asset-Based
Community Development (ABCD) program. In his free time, Burke
ran a soccer program for orphans.
“The ultimate goal of development is to enable citizens to create
and achieve their own destiny. ABCD is all about enabling citizens
and transferring knowledge so there is a sense of accomplishment
and ownership in the community - the true sense of sustainable
development. Seeing communities fight through resistance to
identify their successes, being open to new ideas and then creating
their dreams is amazing to experience - It helps us reflect on what
opportunities we have in Canada, and learn that there is always
something more to gain from every situation.”
- Burke Vindevoghel
Page 16
Xtending Hope in
Rwanda and Botswana!
by Daren Trudeau, Xtending Hope Coordinator
Based at the Coady International
Institute,
the
Xtending
Hope
Partnership (XHP) is a St. Francis Xavier University
(StFX) initiative that is mobilizing the extended university
community to assist and support the people, governments
and NGOs in Rwanda and Botswana as they deal with the
HIV/AIDS pandemic. St.FX answered the call made by
Stephen Lewis, former United Nations Special Envoy for
AIDS in Africa and co-Director of AIDS Free World, for
Canadian citizens and institutions to help African countries
address the pandemic.
What’s new
In August 2008, the 17th International AIDS Conference
under the theme Universal Action Now was held in Mexico
City. The conference was an opportunity for scientists,
development workers, politicians, youth and people living
with HIV/AIDS to discuss the social, cultural, economic,
and policy issues related to the epidemic and to exchange
success stories and challenges in the fight against HIV/
AIDS. The latest UNAIDS report, released prior to the
opening of the conference, states that although their efforts
to stem the spread of the disease are making a difference,
“the epidemic’s future is still uncertain.”
The epidemic has not only increased the vulnerability of
the poorest (most of whom are women and children) but has
also destroyed family networks, slowed economic growth
and made more people poor. The UNDP says that HIV has
caused the “single greatest reversal in human development”
in modern history. Although there is much being done
to reverse the epidemic and its effects more action by
individuals, civil society and governments is needed.
The Xtending Hope Partnership continues work with its
partners to provide assistance and support to people living
in Sub-Saharan Africa. Since 2001, Xtending Hope has
mobilized university and community resources to increase
the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS related health, education and
community based interventions. Over the next year Xtending
Hope will continue to match the expertise of Canadian health
professionals, teachers and development professionals to:
• strengthen the impact of community based initiatives
and help address the human resource needs as identified
by our partners;
• work with larger NGOs and governments in the areas
of health and education, so as to support systemic level
replies to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Examples of Xtending Hope projects currently being
developed include:
Health Care Support Project
The XHP is working to develop a project with the
Rwandan Nursing and Midwifery Task Force to
strengthen the teaching and leadership abilities of health
care professionals in Rwanda.
Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Project
The XHP is working with four partners in Botswana
and Rwanda to develop a strategy that will improve the
knowledge of adolescent and sexual reproductive health
(ASRH) and reduce the incidence and spread of HIV/
AIDS among very young adolescents (10 to 14 year
olds).
In addition to these initiatives in Botswana and Rwanda, the
XHP is working to develop other initiatives in Sub-Saharan
Africa. We believe that with our support, the creativity
of communities can produce sustainable solutions to the
pandemic.
The Xtending Hope Partnership is a strong proponent
of a people-driven development process. Please contact us
if you would like to become part of our broad network of
partnerships to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa:
http://www.stfx.ca/xtendinghope/
Coady Institute Senior Program Staff member Colleen Cameron
delivers a workshop on Gender and Health to faculty members
at the Kigali Health Instititue (KHI) in Kigali, Rwanda through the
Xtending Hope Partnership.
Page 17
We
Hear
From...
Charles Kapitapita (Diploma
2007) has been busy since his return
to Malawi, organizing training for
his colleagues, and members of the
communities in which they work,
in the areas of Appreciative Inquiry and
Asset-Based Approaches for CommunityDriven Development. He has also facilitated
training in development leadership for
community leaders.
Since graduating from the Coady Diploma
program in 1980, Francis W. Mulwa
of Kenya has gone on to complete his
Ph.D. in Development Studies. He is
founding Executive Director and senior
lecturer at PREMESE Africa Development
Institute, which provides training at the
certificate and diploma level in community
development and project management,
social work and welfare, leadership
training, business administration, strategic
planning and participatory evaluation
services. In addition, PREMESE (which
stands for Participatory Rural Education
Methodologies and Evaluation Service)
is also involved with training in early
childhood and primary education. Dr.
Mulwa is also part-time Research Associate
and Supervisor for MA and Ph.D. students
in Development Studies at the University
of South Africa, External Examiner,
Department of Community Development
at Daystar University (Kenya) and Senior
Visiting Lecturer at Tangaza College, the
Catholic University of Eastern Africa in
Nairobi, Kenya.
Sujitha Thomas (Diploma, 1993) of India
is working as a Scientist at the Central
Marine Fisheries Research Institute (Indian
Council of Agricultural Research) which
comes under the Ministry of Agriculture,
Government of India. She is involved with
marine biodiversity at the institute.
Kishore Kumar Nag (Diploma, 2004)
returned to the Coady to complete a
certificate in Conflict Transformation and
Peacebuilding (2008) which he believes
will be helpful in his work with
the United Evangelical Lutheran
Church in India, a federation of
eleven Lutheran Churches with
a membership of 2.5 million
people. In 2006, he was promoted
from his position as Director
for the Urban Communications
Project in Calcutta, where he
was working among the poor
and marginalized people in the slums of
Calcutta, to the head office in Chennai, as
Director for Development and Emergency
Desk. In his new position, he works with
development projects and emergency
responses through the member churches in
India.
Joram Tarusarira (Diploma, 2006)
of Zimbabwe is currently pursuing his
Master of Adult Education, Community
Development Stream, through StFX.
Stanley Pokish (Diploma, 1975) of
Bangalore, India reports that he has enjoyed
a distinguished 30-year career in the field
of human resources, serving in a variety of
posts. Between 2001-2005, he worked as a
consultant in the field of Managing Change
in Social and Community Development
activities. Since 2005 he is head of
Corporate Affairs for John Distilleries
Limited. Stanley is hoping to hear from
his classmates from 1975. You can contact
Stanley via e-mail: stanleypokish@yahoo.
co.in
Rolland Sioui (Diploma, 1965) retired in
June 2000, after teaching English to 6,000
Canadian youth in a high school in Quebec
City, Canada during a span of 32 years. He
has since become an elder in the Huron
First Nations community of Wendake, and
gives conferences on First Nations peoples
and participates in many activities in his
community. He wanted to share his “then”
and “now” photos with his classmates:
Moses Njobvu (Diploma, 2007) of Malawi
is founding member and Director of an NGO
called Fountain of Hope Children’s Home
(FOHCH). The organization’s purpose is to
improve care and support services for the
youth and vulnerable children of Malawi
by working to provide comprehensive,
integrated, community-based care and
support to orphans and vulnerable children,
widows and the community.
Tazemul Haque (Co-op Certificate,
1992) of Bangladesh is working with
PRAN (Program for Rural Advancement
Nationality) group, which is an agro-based
organization. It seeks to create employment
opportunities and to eradicate poverty in
rural Bangladesh by eliminating “middle
men” and establishing direct relationships
between farmers, who are supported in
producing agro-products at reasonable
prices, and the companies that will buy
for a fair price. Tazemul is the Manager of
Contract Farming, and his responsibilities
include bringing the farmers into an
organizational framework that supports
income generation, and provides training
on crop production technologies that help
increase and improve yield. Prior to joining
PRAN, Tazemul worked as a Deputy
General Manager with Grameen Bank in
Grameen Uddog, and was a founder in
Grameen Poshak. It was during his time
with the Grameen Bank that he came to
study at Coady.
Amonia Glenda Paul-Rolle (Diploma,
1994 and Co-op Certificate 1992) of
Dominica is working in the Ministry of
Finance and Social Security with special
responsibilities as assistant Coordinator in
the implementation of the Country Poverty
Assessment (CPA), which is currently
in progress. Amonia is finding the work
“exciting, interesting and challenging!”
She is also serving as Chairperson of the
Participatory Poverty Assessment (PPA)
Committee and sits as a member of the
National Assessment Team (NAT). “My
training at Coady is proving to be quite
useful in this regard,” she says. Amonia
is hoping to pursue an MA in Sustainable
International Development at Brandeis
University.
Regina Ramalingam (Diploma, 2006) of
Sri Lanka has joined the National Peace
Council as Chief Operational Executive, in
charge of programs and administration and
finance. The National Peace Council is an
... continued next page
Page 18
Alumni Insight
. . . . continued from Page 7
Shortly after my return to Guyana I was promoted to the post
of Senior Cooperative Officer and lectured part time to school
teachers and at Kuru Kuru Cooperative College, Guyana.
I continued these duties until 1969 when I was promoted to
be the first Deputy Finance Officer at the National Insurance
Scheme. I set up an accounting system and related procedures
and trained staff using the techniques I had learned at Coady.
In 1973, I was transferred to the External Trade Bureau
(ETB), in the post of Secretary / Accountant. The ETB was
in a mess and needed efficient and effective management and
accounting programs and systems. The ETB was responsible for
the importation of essential items for the whole of Guyana. As
every process was being done by manual methods, I introduced
accounting machines and a modern communications system. In
the preparation of lectures and other forms of tuition I involved
both senior and junior staff. I had learned at Coady to respect
everyone.
In May of 1980, I retired at the age of 60 years. At the time
of my retirement ETB had become one of the most efficient
government corporations.
During my tenure as Manager, the Organisation of State
Trading Organisations was established by the United Nations,
with head quarters at Llubyana, Slovinya, Yugoslavia. I was
elected as a member of the Committee of Management and held
that post for three years.
In 1964, I became a member of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows Manchester Unity. I was elevated to the post of
Noble Grand in 1968 and at the end of my second term I was
presented with the Lodge Merit Medal for outstanding service.
In 1975 I was elevated to the highest degree in Odd Fellowship
by the Grand Lodge at Eastbourne, England. During that
year the Caribbean/Atlantic Area Conference, comprising all
District lodges in the Atlantic/Caribbean area, elected me as its
first President, a post which I held for fourteen years. I was
awarded a gold medal for outstanding service to conference.
Finally, in 2006 I was awarded the Unity Meritorious
Service Jewel, the highest honour conferred by IOOF – MU,
becoming the first recipient who lived and served outside of the
United Kingdom.
The knowledge and tools I acquired at Coady definitely
benefited me, not only in my association with cooperatives, but
also as a senior executive in business and as a member of a
fraternal organization which, in Guyana, is registered under the
Friendly Societies Act.
May God bless the Coady International Institute in its efforts
to improve the lives of the less fortunate in the international
community.
Victor F. Haynes. B. Soc. Sc., ACIS.
Victor completed a summer certificate in 1964. He celebrated
his 87th birthday on May 6, 2007.
…
NGO which is working “to create more favourable attitudes and
behaviours among selected target groups towards a non-violent
conflict resolution as a sound basis for a just and sustainable
peace in Sri Lanka.”
Greetings from Bangalore, India!
Here I am, in charge of C.D.E.W. (Centre for Development
and Empowerment of Women) Society Bangalore, from the
time I returned from the Coady.
With Coady training, I gained self-confidence to plan,
execute, monitor and evaluate various projects. I have
successfully carried out a few Women’s Empowerment Projects,
one of which was a project for 1000 very poor women, covering
1000 families in three villages and five slums.
We have now 585 women’s groups working for
approximately 7,100 women, 136 children’s (N.C.N.) groups
(10-16 years) having 1,932 members scattered over three states
and in 15 centres. It is amazing the amount of good this project
has done, especially for these women and their families.
My future dreams are:
I. I am planning to focus on women, to raise awareness
about addiction and prevention of alcoholism and HIV/AIDS,
which are a great threat to present society.
II. To strengthen the children’s (N.C.N.) group in order to
prepare good leaders with social concern by conducting twice
a year animation camps for them, and to make the villages
surrounding our 28 institutions free from Child Labour, and to
support all school-aged children to go to school, by providing
animation and financial support.
III. We are running a successful water project in the hilly
area of Idukki District, Kerala, building a rain water harvesting
tank for 147 poor families. There is an acute water shortage
during the four months of summer and women have great
difficulty in collecting water, walking a distance of 2-4 km.
There are many more people and areas waiting to get this help.
I have a competent sister and two other experienced staff to
help me in the office. We have a Regional centre in each Region
and a sister and part time staff in each unit of the Region.
I am quite happy and self-fulfilled in my work.
Recently, I met Fr. Santhosh Dias from our Coady batch.
He is the Director of Social Service Society in this diocese,
very busy and active.
Coady graduate Ghada Remon of Egypt (Diploma 2005)
married Maxim Halim on February 28, 2008. Ghada is working
with BLESS (Bishopric or Public, Ecumenical and Social
Services).
Sincerely,
Sr. Anna Techckandathil
Diploma, 2001
India
We Hear From...
... continued from previous page
Page 19
2009 Coady
The time to apply for
campus-based education programs
is now.
This is a reminder that it is time to start applying for a spot in one of our high quality and practical
educational programs which will be offered in 2009:
Diploma in Development Leadership
• A six-month intensive professional development program designed to build leadership and strengthen
organizational capacity.
Certificates in:
• Advocacy and Citizen Engagement
• Community-Based Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding
• Community-Based Microfinance
• Livelihoods and Markets
• Mobilizing Assets for Citizen-Driven Development
• Organizational Learning and Change
Online Distance Education:
• Advanced Certificate in Member-Owned Microfinance
Master of Adult Education, Community Development Stream (through partnership with the Department of
Adult Education, St. Francis Xavier University)
For more information and application forms, visit us online at www.coady.stfx.ca. We can also fax or
e-mail this information to you. Please call us at (902) 867-3960 or toll-free: 1-866-820-7835, or email:
coadyreg@stfx.ca.
About The Coady Connection
We invite submissions from, or about, Coady graduates and partners. Next year marks the Institute’s 50th anniversary
and we want the world to know about how your work is making a difference. We want to share your stories. How has
your Coady experience contributed to your success? What are the innovations in which you have been involved? What is
happening in your life?
• Send us personal and professional updates for We Hear From (50-100 words).
• Tell us how your experience at the Coady Institute has benefited your professional development, your organization
and your community (200-300 words) for Alumni Insight.
• Send us your story ideas.
• Send us updated contact information.
Correspondence may be sent to the editor of The Coady Connection via:
• E-mail: coadycom@stfx.ca.
• Mail: The Coady Connection
The Coady International Institute
Attn: Editor
P.O. Box 5000
Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada, B2G 2W5
• Fax: (902) 867-3907
All submissions are subject to editing.
Notice
The last issue of the Coady Connection was Volume 22 (2003 - 2004). The newsletter will now resume as an annual publication
series. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Correspondence may be sent to the editor of The Coady
Connection: coadycom@stfx.ca, or by mail to the Coady: PO Box 5000, Antigonish, NS, Canada, B2G 2W5.
ISSN 1480 1019