FREDERICTON – Ally McConchie has beein interested in farming and food security since she first joined the local 4-H in Gagetown, NB at the age of six. In March 2020, she’ll have the chance to learn about food security in a global context as one of 12 New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) student participants in NBCC’s second international service trip. The students will travel to Kenya’s Maasai Mara to learn about the community development model being used in WE villages in the region.
“I am very interested in learning ways to help communities and this will be an incredible experience to learn new ways to help out,” said McConchie. “Also, I come from a farming background and I’m really curious see how they farm, and what concepts they use in Kenya versus what we use here in New Brunswick.”
While in Kenya, McConchie and her peers will learn about WE’s five pillars of community development – water, education, health care, food and opportunity. They’ll participate in community-led projects and head home to New Brunswick with a personal leadership action plan to help them take action on their learning.
Student representatives are expected to fundraise to cover their expenses, and on December 3, NBCC is inviting members of the community to give the students a boost as part of a Giving Tuesday campaign. Giving Tuesday is an international movement which encourages the public to give back to their communities following the Black Friday shopping weekend.
To make a $5 donation to the fundraising campaign for the International Service Trip, simply text NBCC to 20222, or visit the GoFundMe page.
“We continue to see the impact NBCC’s 2018 International Service Trip had on participants, who have stepped up and now lead their peers in efforts to make the world a better place,” said Amanda Bent, coordinator of the Robertson Institute for Community Leadership. “Your $5 donation on Giving Tuesday amplifies that impact by supporting our next cohort of student leaders.”
For Ally McConchie, this trip is about taking her learning to a new level.
“I think it is so easy to turn a blind eye and not look into different issues around the world, but through this trip I hope to get firsthand experience to improve my knowledge about the issues other communities face and how to help them.”
With six Campuses across New Brunswick, NBCC’s programs, services and initiatives contribute to New Brunswick’s social and economic prosperity by supporting the aspirations of individual learners, seizing the opportunities of the labour market, and collaboratively solving the challenges of communities and industry. In addition to more than 90 certificate and diploma programs, NBCC also provides specialized and customized training to meet the needs of specific sectors and communities.
As part of the NBCC Advantage, NBCC’s Robertson Institute for Community Leadership provides every NBCC learner with an opportunity to develop their skills and connect to communities through service learning.
Find out more information on NBCC programs by visiting: www.nbcc.ca.
