The Majesty Within
Sarah Mills
Class of 2007
BA
‘It is 8:45 pm and I’m still here. My only companions are
the sounds of the air conditioner and my heartbeat. It has been a hectic day and
I am totally drained. Somehow, I seem to want more of “this” life because I
still look forward to coming to work everyday…or maybe it’s because of the sense
of fulfillment that comes with the knowledge that the very little I do
contributes to the greatness of Africa. I’m thinking about Africa in a more
passionate way now.'
The West Africa Trade Hub (WATH) is a USAID funded trade
development project that seeks to boost exports and help countries take
advantage of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). It is based in Accra
and supports efforts to make trade systems more efficient in the twenty-one (21)
countries it operates. WATH specializes in technical assistance and training to
businesses, connecting people to information resources and co-coordinating
multilateral projects to increase trade. It specializes in five (5) growth
industries- fish and seafood, shea butter, handicrafts, processed cashews and
manufactured apparel.
It also sponsors select businesses to participate in US
trade shows and provides preparatory training and detailed technical assistance.
WATH’s clients by mid-2006 had secured more than $3.7 million in sales to the
United States of America alone.
Critics argue that Africa has the right to accept the
“gifts” of the West with caution but WATH is the trigger of a dream and Africans
now have the knowledge to feel confident to export to the United States.
As a communications and outreach assistant at WATH, I
researched and wrote stories on business trends and profiles for the monthly
e-newsletter which goes out in three (3) languages- French, English and
Portuguese. I publicized the activities of WATH to a global audience through
the print and web-based media and I interviewed entrepreneurs for WATH success
stories. Improving the look and content of the project’s website, editing and
organization of the photo database and updating mailing lists in an electronic
database were part of my job description.
My ability to communicate ideas in speech and writing was
greatly tested and as my boss had promised at my interview, I find myself a
better writer now. The WATH environment opened me up to different perspectives
as I worked with people from diverse backgrounds.
It was a fast-paced and multi-cultural world where I came
to learn to tolerate the views and values of others.
I would walk into my office at 7:00am each morning and my
first task would be to check for leads, export-ready quizzes and bounce backs
from our electronic mailing database. I would then check my on-the-go-schedule
which is a database I created to record upcoming events and travel schedules of
consultants and advisors. The database I created gave me an idea of how
many publicity packets and in what language to make ready.
Communications also involved attending workshops, trainings
and seminars WATH organized so we could keep our audience in tune with WATH’s
activities. I had to provide write-ups on the programs I attended for the
purposes of maintenance and evaluation, materials for our e-newsletter and the
website as well.
The work environment of WATH was a fun one- I interacted
with men and women who are passionate about what they do and want to see great
things happen. Everyday was a leaning experience. I had to learn to use other
applications such as Photoshop, publisher and Joomla which helped with work on
the website. I was also given an orientation in photography- identification of
great pictures and angles from which one could take them to get the needed
effect and tell a story as well.
The WATH experience was one I greatly resonated with
because it is about the passion for Africa. Every act I performed was done in
great spirit and with the knowledge that the men and women in my environment do
not settle for mediocrity. Each moment at WATH was inspiring and fulfilling.
An event that struck me the most was the preparation for
the 2006 AGOA workshop. I remember the three consecutive nights Leah Quin, my
boss, Julia White, our editor and my humble self worked till 3:00 am getting
materials (workbooks of over 21 presentations) in the three different languages
ready for the AGOA workshop. What was interesting about this experience was the
fact that we were all very exhausted but no one complained. Prior to this, Leah
and I together with the logistics manager had been planning the event. We had
had to get the venue ready, book hotels for experts and consultants coming in
from Europe and America and organize one of West Africa’s biggest fashion shows
ever and in the midst of the entire craze, no one complained.
One
reason I believe I fit perfectly in the WATH team was my work ethic. I went to
WATH with a focus. I wanted to work hard because my school, my reputation and my
future was at stake. I worked as if my life depended on each passing second. I
remember having to go to work on Sundays a number of times and for me, it was
all connected to the greater goal- to the majesty within and to the woman I was
gradually becoming. |