TIME WELL SPENT

The time spent during this program has really been enlightening. I have learned so much about early childhood because of this master’s program and the experiences I have gained in the field. I entered the early childhood field five and half years ago as an early childhood inspector and I felt I was not doing justice to the field because I had no previous experience or training. Although I had interests in early childhood my real journey began when I decided to work with the Early Childhood Commission.  I feel more confident and ready to take on any challenge that comes my way. So far as an advocate I am beginning to see the fruits of my labor and I am say I have great expectations. During my time as a student I have come to recognized how important it is for you to be trained in early childhood. There are so many people in country where we have the blind leading the blind. Policy makers have absolutely no clue what early childhood is about and the decisions they have lasting negative impacts. But all of this is changing, thanks to institutions like Walden that promote social change. You can’t leave the way you came in.

I have three long term objectives: (1) to work as a sector supervisor in the field of early childhood or (2) instruct at the tertiary level; (3) to start an advocacy organization in Jamaica for early childhood, especially, for the practitioners. Currently there are no organizations in Jamaica that really lobby for the improvement of early childhood professionals. We often get what is left over from the budget and sometimes nothing at all. It is sad but it is the reality.

I’m not sure if I should say good bye because anything is possible we might just end up in the same doctoral program. I just want to thank all my colleagues, my instructors, family and friends who supported me for the last 18 months. Even though we communicated mostly in virtual reality we bonded and connected well. I wish you all the best for the future. You can contact met at newgreenmotorsale@gmail.com.

  

  Learning   

      Knowledge    

                  Advocacy         

                             Professionalism

                                            Connections             

                                                       Communication    

                                                                           Bonding

                                                                                    Tolerance

                                                                               

 Families

                           Social Change

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

I have always wanted a job with UNICEF because of the enormous of amount work they do with children around the world. I have several friends and old school mates and family members who have worked with this organization. UNICEF appeals to me because of their mission. UNICEF promotes the rights and well-being of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. I particular like the fact that this organization focus on girls in countries that are not only riddled with poverty but on countries where the females are highly discriminated. The UNICEF also upholds the Convention on the Rights of a Child. The vision statement is “We're passionate about our cause and committed to our mission: to promote the equal rights of children, and to support their full participation in the political, social and economic development of their communities.”  Some of the job positions that is currently being advertised (1) Health specialist; (2) Fundraising specialist and (3) Education specialist. I would particular want to work in an area that directly relates to early childhood and advocacy.  These jobs require that you are trained in the areas of specialization. For example, the applicant should have training in a medical field so as to carry out the functions of a health specialist.

The second organization that has appealed to me is “Save the Children.” This organization invests in children. Various job opportunities include Program and policy work in the areas of U.S. programs, Child Protection and HIV/AIDs, Education and Child Development, Health and Nutrition, Hunger and Livelihoods and Humanitarian Response. (2) Marketing and Communications; (3) Resource Development and (4) Finance. The aim of Save the Children” is to give children all over the world a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm.  Like the UNICEF, Save the Children has a wide network. The organization is well organized and makes an appeal to the general public to help children who are in need.

The third organization I am interested is UNESCO. This organization works to create the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect for commonly shared values. UNESCO’s mission is to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information. UNESCO offices various internship programs and job positions. Some of these positions include interpreters and translators. It is therefore important for prospective employees to possess the necessary qualification to join the work force.

All three organizations have one major thing in common. These organizations aim to change  the lives of people for the better. They deal with real issues that affect people. The organizations provide support to families and children and make a positive impact on our world.

References

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.unicef.org/

Save the Children. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm

United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (2011). Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/about-us/who-we-are/introducing-unesco/