Carve Out an Ethical Career – Part II
In this ongoing series Dawn Mellowship interviews women who have dedicated their careers to ethical causes. Could this be your next career move?
Linda Tiongo has worked for Christian Aid since 1992. Linda spent three months seconded to ACT International (Action by Churches Together) in Sri Lanka, after Tsunami. Christian Aid began in 1945 and is an agency of the churches in the UK and Ireland, working on development projects in over 60 of the world’s poorest countries, regardless of religion or race.
Starting Out
“In 1976 I went to the Philippines with VSO and worked there until 1989. I started working for Christian Aid in 1992 and in 1997 I applied and was accepted onto the Christian Aid emergency register. Since then I have worked on emergencies in Sudan, Sierra Leone, the Philippines and then here in Sri Lanka for 3 months, immediately after the Tsunami. Now I have been seconded to work here for one year as the National ACT Coordinator for Sri Lanka.”
The Role
“I am the Co-ordinator for Action by Churches Together on the Tsunami appeal. In Sri Lanka ACT is made up of two national Church networks and seven international members including Christian Aid. I am based in the National Christian Council Tsunami Relief Unit. My job is to oversee the implementation of the projects and to help the national ACT members to respond as effectively as possible. This means I will travel around the country visiting projects and local field staff to monitor how things are going. I also make sure that everyone in the alliance is kept up to date with what’s happening including Government guidelines etc. and represent ACT at UN and national NGO coordination meetings.”
Highs
“The level of personal job satisfaction is amazing when you have the privilege to visit communities and see how the support of Christian Aid has enabled them to change their lives for the better. It’s also extremely rewarding when you go and meet and talk with supporters in the UK and tell the stories of these people we’ve supported.”
Lows
“Bureaucracy and frustration that there are things beyond my control that delay the projects. I also miss my family a lot. “
Advice
“Go for it! But if you want to work in an international development agency then it is helpful to have some overseas experience – I encourage all young people to do a GAP year – not just travelling but living and working in a community where they can learn from the people and share their lives. There is a tendency for people in the UK to think we should do things for people. If you live and work in these communities you very quickly learn that we have as much to learn from them as we can ever give.”
