GirlGI | Girl Gone International Issue 6 | Page 30

Tell us about your book...
I wanted to write a book about humanitarian
work for some time, but I realized that there
were so many stories, all different to mine, each
rich and provocative. A friend suggested the anthology idea: Why not collect a number of powerful stories from people in different places to
create a bigger picture and to give a platform to
people doing humanitarian aid work?

earthquake in your hometown, your house is destroyed, your children are missing, and someone
turned up ‘wanting to help,’ but with no skills to
do so? I would tell them to turn around and get
me an emergency responder or someone from
search and rescue.

A willingness to go and live in rough conditions
is admirable, but think about whether you have
anything to offer. Do you know anything about
You are living in Pakistan now.
sanitation, nutrition, health care, education, or
What is life like there for a GGI? project management? What do you know about
the culture and country? How much of the lanThere is so much to love about Pakistan. It has a guage do you speak? Most people would not
rich history, vibrant culture, incredible hospital- apply for an accountancy job without a backity, delicious food, gorgeous topography, friendly ground in accountancy. Aid is no different.
people, great shopping . . . I could go on and on.
Of course, some things need to change and imHow can someone interested in
prove in Pakistan, but that is the same in every
helping others, but who is not
country.

quite willing to take the plunge to

My least favourite part is the insecurity – not toward me specifically, as I have never felt insecure go abroad to volunteer, assist when
here – but for the people of Pakistan. Everyday, there is a humanitarian crisis?
ordinary people – policemen, traders, mums and
kids trying to go to school – are dying in the
I would encourage people who want to help
bomb attacks and the militant attacks.
when a disaster strikes to investigate the organizations that are first responders and find out
who they can support and give to. When disasDo you have any advice for
women who might be interested in ters strike, everyone has adverts on websites, in
magazines, in newspapers and on TV asking for
going into international humani- money. What do you really know about that
organization? Before the next disaster hits is the
tarian work?
time to do a little bit of investigation. Pick ones
I would suggest thinking about what affected
that work in areas that interest you. Find out
countries and people need. A lot of people think how much of the money donated goes to the
of aid work as a ‘year off jolly’ that they will do
project and how much to overhead. Then, you
because it seems interesting and ‘they have alcan feel better knowing that your donation is
ways wanted to travel.’ But, put the shoe on the going to an organization that is going to make a
other foot. Could you imagine if there was an
difference.