In the summer of 2008, AXIS Career Services began developing the Internship Placement Program as part of the federal Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) Program. Since then, AXIS has been working closely with local newcomers and employers to make mutually beneficial matches, helping newcomers gain experience in their field of expertise and employers fill their human resource requirements. As a result of the program’s success, the provincial Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment continues to offer support for the program.
AXIS clients have been placed in a variety of fields: engineering, accounting, information technology, and even in the non-profit sector. In January of 2010, Martin Osuru, a Community Studies graduate originally from Sudan, was matched with the Canadian Red Cross in Corner Brook in the role of Community Development Promotions Officer. One of his main responsibilities was promoting the Red Cross’ Malaria Bed Net Campaign. Mr. Osuru visited various schools in the district to discuss the causes and impacts of malaria in developing nations and his presentations were met with great response from the students who asked interesting and insightful questions. Mr. Osuru was personally touched by the response of both the students and general public to the Malaria Bed Net Campaign—in fact, he exceeded the bed net sales goal set at the beginning of the placement just several weeks into the internship.
Young children are especially at risk of contracting the illness. The World Health Organization reports some interesting statistics on malaria:
· There are approximately 250 million cases of malaria each year, leading to 1 million deaths
· One in five childhood deaths in Africa is malaria related
· Every thirty seconds, a child dies from malaria (WHO 2010)
Mr. Osuru’s presentation resonated in the community, and particularly with students from Grandy’s River Academy. Following Mr. Osuru’s presentation at their school, a group of students committed to going door-to-door around Burnt Islands and Rose Blanche raising money for the Red Cross. From their efforts, they raised enough money specifically for the purchase of 108 bed nets, which will be distributed to children in various parts of Africa.
The students of Grandy’s River Academy were featured in an article in The Gulf News on June 14, 2010, which can be found here. These students have made an important contribution to the lives of children internationally.
In his internship, Mr. Osuru succeeded not only in gaining valuable new job skills, he also was able to raise awareness about issues facing the developing world, and with the help of several passionate young people, make a valuable connection between Newfoundland and the global community. The success of Mr. Osuru’s internship demonstrates not only the individual value of these placements, but also the benefit for the companies who host newcomers, and the communities in which they live.
To learn more about the Red Cross’ Malaria Bed Net Campaign, please visit malariabites.net.
