Gap year exposure to poverty steered Madeleine to Palms ro

Madeleine Whitby knows exactly how lucky she is.

Feb 27, 2015

Madeleine Whitby knows exactly how lucky she is.

“Poverty is a game of roulette, and by any other spin of the wheel, I could have been born into a slum in the Philippines, or a refugee camp in Somalia,” the 23-year-old said. “It’s all a game of chance. No one deserves to be born into a life of poverty.”

After finishing Year 12 Madeleine took a gap year and travelled to Africa.

“Before that trip I knew the definition of poverty, but I had never really seen or felt it. I realised just how lucky I am, and also how unfair the global economic system is.”

Madeleine enrolled in ACU’s Bachelor of International Development Studies.

As part of the degree she completed an immersion experience in Timor-Leste with Palms Australia – an organisation which recruits, prepares, sends and supports skilled volunteers to reduce global poverty.

“Palms is a volunteer sending agency, working in numerous countries, across a number of professions. They also offer encounter trips, which is what I did. Participants travel around Timor-Leste, visiting Palms volunteers, cultural sites, museums and local development organisations.”

Madeleine spent a month in East Timor and said it was one of the best experiences of her life.

“I learnt so much about good and bad development during that month. I also learnt a lot about myself. The main highlight for me was the two homestays we did – the first in Dili and the second in Atabae. The families were so generous, kind and loving, it was extremely hard to say goodbye, and I shed more than a few tears.”

Back in Australia, Madeleine applied for an internship with Palms, and got the job.

“I have since been interning in the office for one to three days a week in a variety of areas. It’s an amazing place to work and I hope to be able to continue volunteering here for many years.

“Good development needs local voices. We as outsiders do not know the real needs, desires, issues or problems of a community. Engaging with that community is pivotal in creating just, sustainable development.”

Source: The Catholic Weekly

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