Tell us about your earlier work in Burma and how it relates to your current position.
In Burma, where I lived from 1997 to 2002, I worked for World Vision on child protection programs. I led a team that ran programs for street children and for their families in slums outside of Rangoon and Mandalay. My last two years there, I worked on a cross-border project (Burma and Thailand) focusing on girl trafficking for sexual or economic exploitation. The project worked to reintegrate girls who had been rescued from brothels or factories in Thailand and bring them safely back to Burma, as well as to prevent such trafficking from occurring in the first place. It made me understand deeply the challenges children and families experience—but also the incredible possibilities, their resilience in the face of hardship, and the willingness and ability of parents and communities to support their children and themselves. Because I spent so much time as a field worker in Burma, I understand better the challenges a lot of our staff members here face in their work. And also, of course, the joys!
How did your Trinity education prepare you for your career?
If it weren’t for Trinity, I would never have come to Nepal. It truly set me up for my entire career, and even my personal life, since I met my husband, a Canadian working in international development, here in Nepal! The TAP Fellowship, which I heard about and got tremendous support on from Professor Ellison Findly, was an amazing opportunity. It gave me a chance to do something very challenging completely on my own. Then, when I returned to Trinity the following semester, I got huge support from Professor Findly to write a final project report. I went back and read it recently and was very impressed by my 20-year-old self and how much I learned on that project that I use every day, in terms of how development work really operates at the grassroots level. I also learned to write at Trinity; I had such good guidance and support from my professors.
And finally, I think that being in a place where I had so many opportunities to be involved and to lead has been really important. Trinity gave me space to do new things—I had a photo exhibit, was an editor for the Trinity Tripod, an avid singer in the Trinity Pipes, and a musical theater participant. These experiences, in addition to simply being lots of fun, taught me how to work effectively in a group, which I need to do every single day in this job.
Do you have a favorite “Trinity moment”—a particular class or activity or event that has remained with you?
Oh, lots:
- Participating in musical theater productions with Professor Gerry Moshell is among my fondest memories—Iolanthe, where I got to be the Fairy Queen, complete with breast plates, Anything Goes, Sweeney Todd, various musical reviews. They were so much fun!
- In “Buddhist Thought” with Professor Findly, I remember having to do a class project on Zen and developing and presenting a Zen play to the class with another student and friend—it was a great way to understand Zen. It encouraged our creativity and built our confidence.
- As a Trinity Pipe, I rehearsed with the group five nights a week from 10-11:30 (which I can hardly believe now, when I head to bed at 9:30!). It was tons of fun, great camaraderie.
- Participating in the Guided Studies Program, where we had courses on Western civilization—it allowed me to get to know other students in the program, since we had so many classes together. I ended up reading so many of the “great” books and really honing my writing skills.
- Being a TA for “Major Religious Thinkers” with Professor Kirkpatrick and being able to work closely with him.
