Going to the right direction

March is already knocking at the door. I have to say that time really goes too fast. It is almost mid-spring. Of course, I do not mind, the warmth and the sun are the most welcome. Now I need all the energy. I officially started my work practical training 18^th of February which I mentioned in my previous blog posts. The trainee organization is  called Fida International ry (https://www.fida.info/) and at the moment I am working at their head office. Fida International ry has its roots in various Pentecostal churches. Fida works with development cooperation, missionary work, humanitarian aid and recycling activities. By its actions, Fida tries to guarantee a decent life for everyone and to ensure an adequate standard of living. Fida currently owns second hand shops in 14 locations.

The first week went quite fast and I read the background information about Fida and its main areas of activity. This week there has been a lot of training on issues such as: Fida's field work, the annual program, reporting, management of projects, partnerships, human rights-based approach, humanitarian aid etc. In other words, the topics are very interesting and I am more than excited about this work. It seems that I am on the right filed or at least strongly moving in that direction. I also got other good news today. I have been selected to Finnish UN Alliance/UN Friendship Mentoring Program which starts on next Tuesday. With this program, I get to know more about the UN's practices and various recruitment events.

But unfortunately, I had some bad luck yesterday when I was heading to the gym. My phone was stolen in tram. I was really pissed, but now the thing is mostly amusing. I immediately closed the sim-card and functions of the phone via remote management. The memory card with photos disappeared at the same time, but what I can do. Life goes on. The most interesting thing is that this was the second time when someone stole something from me in Finland, although I have travelled in many dangerous places in the world. However, I hope “the thief” enjoys the pictures.

I was thinking to tell a little bit about the NGO sector in Finland and how it works. In Finland, the organizational field is quite narrow, but at the same time it is very functional. In my opinion, the international cooperation could be stepped up and the scope of the organizational sector expanded. Thanks to functionality in Finnish NGO field, the organizations are free to be part of a democratic society, freedom of speech and support for the third sector.

Getting work to the NGO field is a matter of many things, not just studies. In Finland, it is not possible to study the field of NGOs itself. I myself have university studies in Ethnology combined with Sociology and Sustainability Studies. Most importantly, however, I would emphasize the experience of organizational work, f.ex. through volunteering. It is only way to get an idea of ​​what the NGOs have, what kind of work they do, what kind of vacancies they can offer etc. During my studies, I was involved in many organizations whenever there was enough time. The longest and most useful experience was when I was a part of the Finnish Student Union’s (SYL) development cooperation committee. Then I was able to work with my group and see the organization's project evaluation, project reporting, newsletter design and so on. My enthusiasm and determination have driven heavily forward at least to myself. I have not given up on my dreams but of course I have worked hard and developed my skills. The NGO field is always changing, and the know-how of the organization needs to be continuously developed to keep up with their knowledge. Nowadays organizations are constantly using new methods and systems to develop continuity of functionality.

However, I am excited about my work at Fida. It is also awesome when the sun starts to heat and snow melts. Of course, those small rocks that “fly” in my shoes start to annoy(I have no idea how they get there).

 Anyway, have a nice weekend and remember to celebrate the beginning of spring!