Past Biographies
ATTILA TOTH
Attila Tóth is currently studying International Studies including courses in History, Political Studies, International Organizations and Civil Society at Budapest Collage of Management in Hungary. He did his year abroad as an Erasmus student at the College of Social Sciences in Lithuania, where he studied Strategic Planning, Management and Management Control of International Companies. Attila has also studied Information Technologies at Dennis Gabor Applied University in Hungary, Budapest.
Attila has worked one year in UniCredit Bank Hungary Ltd. as a Financial Advisor and half a year in CIB Bank Ltd. as a Credit and Financial Advisor. During his time working for the banks he learned a lot about the various processes in the banking sector. Attila has also worked as a deliveryman in London for some months, which was his first experience of living abroad on his own.ks
As Attila won a scholarship from „Leonardo Da Vinci” Lifelong Learning Program, he has the opportunity to work as an Intern for three months. Attila joined Thirdway in April 2009 and has completed his internship with the organization. He is currently working as a volunteer in the Website, Human Resources and Administration Departments. He is interested in the history of Africa, and the work of international organizations such as the United Nations, the European Union and the African Union, and international non-governmental organizations such as Thirdway.
LISA MOMBRUNO
My name is Lisa Mombruno. I am about 23. I was born in Guadeloupe, a small French island in the West Indies. I have studied different things: agriculture, forest management, and economics. Currently I am in an international BusinessSchool of development in Lyon, in France. I like travelling. I have already been to Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Dominica, Great Britain, Switzerland. I also like reading; swimming and I do not like to stay at home. I have already been in Africa last year in Benin. It was for a humanitarian action. I have excellent memories of this trip: I felt useful and I met exceptional people. I have always sought to tie bonds with West African countries because of a common past. I am not afraid because I like to discover new landscapes and especially Ghanaian people. I am so impatient to come to Ghana and to work with the Thirdway NGO
JULIE DOLOROSA
My name is Julie Dolorosa, and I am twenty years old. I live in Lyon, where I study at the International Business School EICD 3A, the same as Lisa and Elsa. I come from ReunionIsland, a French territory outside France and I now study in France. First, I did a BTS, two-year specializations in international trade technical degree in Toulouse. After this course, I did my internship in Germany for two months and later made a tour with my school to Czech Republic. I have a desire to visit Africa to discover it, but I have never had the opportunity.
I am very enthusiastic about going to Africa. Thanks to the Thirdway NGO, I now have the opportunity to visit Ghana. I think that it will be very interesting to discover their culture and to be there to help in the activities of the NGO. It is also exciting because I have never been to this country before and will have to adapt. I like this aspect very much. Moreover, there is the difficulty with the language that I will have to face because I am not bilingual, but I will do my best to speak good English. I know that we will learn many things, both at the professional level and at the human level.
NICOLAS BONTOUX
Nicolas Bontoux joined Thirdway in the autumn of 2008. He completed an internship with the organization and he is currently working as a volunteer in the Tourism Department. He completed a postgraduate degree in sustainable development from Pierre Mendès France University and then went on to study towards another postgraduate degree in sustainable tourism in Béziers, a small town in the southwest of France.
Before joining Thirdway, Nicolas worked with transforming Andaman Discoveries, an organisation that offers eco-tours in Thailand, from a NGO dependent on grants and donations to a self-sustainable business.
Nicolas is passionate about working for NGOs as he believes their work can enable the inhabitants of less developed countries to improve their own living standards. As a student he has sufficient spare time to make it possible for him to contribute to this improvement.
LIGA TARBUNA
In the winter of 2008 Liga Tarbuna joined ThirdWay as a member of communication and PR committee. She holds a bachelor degree in communication and PR in Vidzeme University College, Latvia.
Before working for ThirdWay, Liga Tarbuna had been involved in several projects – working for her hometown’s local NGO and assisting publicity things for various EU projects. She has gained experience doing PR in a City Council and Culture centre.
Liga Tarbuna joined ThirdWay to share her experience working with NGO sector and to help people in need. She is also interested in meeting people with similar interests. She is interested in politics, journalism, music and travelling.
SOLENE BAUDY FLOCH
Solene currently attends l’ECOLE INTERNATIONALE DE COMMERCE ET DE DEVELOPPEMENT 3A in Lyon FRANCE
Her previous education before 3A was a degree in Administration, Economic and Social Sciences in the Faculty of the Economic Sciences, University of Rennes 1, and France. She never had any internship experience before but she worked with children of all ages, which can be an advantage for the education programme of Thirdway. During the last summer, she worked as a Youth Leader in vacation centre.
She joined Thirdway in May 2009 as an intern to work in micro credit and education. Her responsibilities include setting up and supervising microcredit groups in Ghana, teaching French to a basic school amongst other duties. She completed her intership in Ghana in September 2009.
JEFFREY RAKER
Jeff joined Thirdway as the Acting Manager of the Microfinance Department in the spring of 2009. He holds a joint international MSc in Urban & Regional Planning from the University of Greenwich (UK) and Saxion Universities of Applied Sciences (NL). His academic thesis was dedicated to the identification of specific strategies to support sustainable development that can be tailored to respond to varying political and cultural contexts. He has worked for over 3.5 years as a regional planner and economic development professional in the Central Puget Sound Region of the United States.
As Acting Manager of the Microfinance Department at Thirdway his role is to initiate a microcredit and finance project with the objective of improving the economic and social situation of people in the developing world by increasing access to income-generating activities and by providing required training. He is also working to form additional connections and improve capacities to solicit funding from sources in the United States with the establishment of Thirdway America.
FLORINE BRION
Floriane currently attends l’ECOLE INTERNATIONALE DE COMMERCE ET DE DEVELOPPEMENT 3A in Lyon FRANCEHer previous education before 3A was a degree in International Trade in June 2008. Before working for Thirdway, she had the opportunity of doing an internship in Ireland for Buy4Now (e-tail solutions). Her mission consisted in realizing a market study about e-commerce in France. During the last summer, she worked as a shop assistant in two different retail shops. She joined Thirdway in May 2009 as an intern to work in micro credit and education. Her responsibilities include setting up and supervising microcredit groups in Ghana, teaching French to a basic school amongst other duties. She completed her intership with the organization in September, 2009.
SIHAM BOUKHALI
I am Siham Boukhali. I am 21 years old. After high school I went to university to study English Language; after one year I realised this was not what I wanted. Then I went to a school which proposes to prepare students to acquire a diploma in International Trade in 2 years. I learnt a lot from this study and thanks to it, discovered other cultures as I had to do a work placement abroad. I went to Ireland for 2 months, I love that country; the people are very welcoming, nice and warm. I also went to Turkey for 3 weeks where I discovered totally a different culture! People were also very nice and very warm, and they also have delicious food.
After my two year course in international trade I decided to integrate the international school of trade&development (EICD 3A). This school is specialized in the developing countries, once you enter the school one has to specialize in one of the 3 developing continents: Africa, South America and Asia. I chose Africa because this continent have always attracted me and I know it has a lot of potential to develop so I wanted and I still want to contribute to its development.
In school we just study the movement and way of life (culture, economy, crisis, potential in primary sector...) in Africa and I think that the best way of knowing Africa is to go to an African country, that’s why I decided to do my work placement there.
I am very happy to work with Thirdway NGO because it has a very good aim, it doesnt only concentrate on one objective but have the total approach to problem solving in an integrated manner like solving the problem of poverty through education, micro finance, human rights education, tourism and communication technology. I believe all well meaning people and organizations can help this organization to fulfil its aims and objectives.
As my school is also a school of trade micro finance is part of our formation. My friend and I are going to work on the implementation of the micro finance programme for the organization so that we can provide micro credit to the parents of the school and eventually to the local population in Kasoa.
Besides working on this project we will also work with the children of Klaas Haven School. We shall teach them french, I am very happy to do this because I have always wanted to experiment teaching, and doing that with African children makes me happier.
So to conclude we are coming pretty soon in Ghana and I hope that we‘ll do a good job!
I am looking forward to coming because I know that it will be totally different from where I live, it will certainly change me , I will certainly have a completly different view of the world when I will be back home. I know I will learn a lot at the personnal level that’s why I am impatient to go to Ghana!
ELISE MATRAS
I am Elise Matras, I am 21 years old student in the International School of Trade and Development in Lyon, France, specialization Africa. I am in my third year.
I found this internship thanks to friends, to continue the project began last year by Elsa, Lisa and Julie.
My objective is to help the Thirdway NGO implement its micro- credit project. I always wanted to be involved in a project which can contribute to improving the living conditions in Africa.
This is the first time I will go to Africa and I hope to acquire human and professional experiences doing a useful work like this.
CHARLOTTE
My name is Charlotte and I am a 21 years old student. Currently I am studying at the International Business School of Trade and Development 3A in Lyon (France) with Siham and Elise. Last year, I have passed an Undergraduate degree in Administration and Business management in Nantes (France).
In my School, My area of study is a continental specialisation based on Africa. Indeed I am fond of this continent. It will be the first time I go to Africa and I am very impatient.
I have a strong interest in operations management and in humanitarian action. That is why I wish to work in the field of humanitarian action, and more exactly as manager of mission in NGO.
The Thirdway NGO focuses its activities on very interesting goals and offers an important help to Ghanaians. In addition, I would like to discover this beautiful country which is Ghana and to know the people and their culture. That is why I am very enthusiastic to work with the Thirdway NGO. I hope to help Thirdway to contribute to improve the situation in Ghana. I think it will be an amazing opportunity and very fine experience.
ELIZABETH BARANDA
Elizabeth Baranda joined ThirdWay in November 2008 as Organisation and Administration Intern as she follows her Master studies in Conflict and Development at the University of York, England. Previously, she gained her BA degree in International Relations in Mexico, with a major in Eastern European Studies.
Before working for ThirdWay, Elizabeth worked for several governmental agencies in her country concerning development -such as the Regional Council of Women or the Ministry of Health - and later on in a local non-profit organisation in the Middle East, where she gained administrative experience as a coordinator for local volunteers, project manager, fundraiser, etc.
Her responsibilities include Management at all levels of the administrative spectrum of ThirdWay’s work in development and human rights; be involved in the fundraising efforts of the organisation; Sustaining the virtual office and developing new strategies to enhance the setting up of the virtual office; Oversight of field offices; Maintaining constant communication with all our coordinators; Recruitment and training of volunteers to help with organizational and administrative duties all these would be done in a team.
SARA GANNEBY
In the autumn of 2008, shortly after graduating from King’s College London, Sara Ganneby joined Thirdway as a Human Resources Manager and International Volunteer Coordinator. She holds a BA in European Studies with Spanish, but has also studied Psychology, Linguistics, Middle East Studies and a variety of languages. As a part of her BA she did an exchange year at University Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, where she currently resides.
Before working for Thirdway, Sara had been involved in various projects for her local Amnesty International group in Sweden. She had also gained administrative experience from working as a Coordinator and Supervisor of temporary employees for a company providing security staff for major events in London.
Sara’s responsibilities include developing and implementing volunteer and intern programs, communicating with potential volunteers and interns, as well as recruiting and placing volunteers and interns within the organisation.
TYLER LONG
Recently graduating from college, Tyler Long joined Thirdway as an intern in the Microfinance Department in the summer of 2009. He is also working with the Fundraising and Financial Administration & Budgeting Departments. He received his BBA in finance and international business from the University of Hawaii and has also studied abroad in China and Taiwan to learn Mandarin Chinese.
Before working for Thirdway, Tyler also interned at several companies including UBS Financial Services, Indiana Economic Development Corporation in Taiwan, and K&K Insurance Group.
Tyler’s responsibilities include assisting with the financial budgeting along with fundraising for the microfinance operations.
HOTLINE SIDABUTAR
Hotline Mariana Sidabutar received her B.A. from the University of Indonesia, majoring in International Relations. Currently, she is studying in the Humanitarian Action (NOHA) Programme at the University of Groningen, The Netherlands. She has a great interest in human rights issues and democracy, particularly in post-conflict countries. Driven by her passion and interest in human rights and democracy, she enrolled in a semester student exchange at Uppsala University, Sweden, where she had the opportunity to deepen her knowledge in peace and conflict studies.
Ms. Sidabutar has worked in the field of Indonesian human rights advocacy and security sector reform in some institutions in Indonesia. During her work, she was responsible for handling research on human rights issue in Indonesia for national and international advocacy. She has worked in Human Rights Working Groups, Imparsial and Pacivis University of Indonesia.
She joined Thirdway in the autumn of 2009 as an International Flexible Intern in the Human Rights Centre, as she continues her studies in the NOHA Programme. Her great passion to work in a NGO motivated her to apply for an internship at Thirdway. As she believes that NGO’s have a close connection with the people and often can mediate the voice of the people in need to the international community, she hope by working in Thirdway she can experience and broaden her knowledge on human rights issue, particularly women rights, in Ghana.
ANDREW TEAGUE
Andrew Teague joined Thirdway as the manager in charge of the Information and Communication Technology Department in August, 2009. He is also working as a member of the Website Department. Andrew has worked for the past 13 years for an international NGO titled The Council of State Governments (www.csg.org), currently serving as the Chief Information Officer. During his tenure at CSG, Andrew also served as the Director of Sales, National Conferences and Research. Leading each of these diverse teams through organizational change has given Andrew a unique perspective on working across teams, organizations and borders.
Previously Andrew worked for the Public Library system in Kentucky, utilizing technology and the Internet to bring access to library materials to everyone, rather than just those who were physically able to visit a library branch. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation made a substantial donation of hardware and software to the library during Andrew’s tenure, and he was instrumental in receiving and deploying the results of this grant, which brought much needed access to computers and the Internet to the financially distressed portions of the district, and also allowed two locations to begin operating bilingually to assist citizens for whom English was not their language of proficiency.
Andrew attended The University of Kentucky with a dual major in Computer Science and Mathematics, and a minor focus on Philosophy. He still resides primarily in Lexington, KY and spends his free time with his two sons.
GAEL BRASSAC
In the summer 2009, shortly after graduating from the Political Sciences and Law University of Aix-en-Provence, France, Gaël Brassac joined Thirdway as an Intern. He holds a BA in Modern Languages and studied English, Japanese, Management, Economics, etc. As a part of his BA, he did an exchange year at Komazawa University in Tokyo, Japan. After a year in Japan, where he deepened his knowledge in Japanese language and culture, he went back to France to learn all the aspects of the humanitarian area.
Before working for Thirdway, Gaël had been involved in various projects. In 2007, he worked as reporta intern for the NGO Helen Keller International in Cambodia. In Japan, he gained some skills in communication when he worked for the Japanese NPO NICE as volunteer in Japan, notably for the Fuji Rock Festival.
At Thirdway, he works as a research assistant with the Human Rights Centre, as a translator with the Editing & Translation Department and as a volunteer in the Fundraising Department. Main responsibilities include fundraising and helping to find a sustainable donor for the continuity of the microcredit projects of the organization after the completion of duty, setting up and monitoring progress of the microcredit with the funds raised, teaching some minimum lessons in French at the Klaas Haven School at Kasoa, Ghana and performing other functions as may be required which will help the NGO implement its aims and objectives. Gael is also currently serving as the Secretary of Thirdway France.
JASMINE LI SHENG
Jasmine Li Sheng joined Thirdway in the summer of 2009, while she was completing her exchange program at the Rotterdam School of Management. She is the Manager of the Financial Administration & Budgeting Department. Currently, Jasmine is finishing up her last year of bachelor study in International Business and Finance at the Schulich School of Business in Toronto.
Throughout her business education, Jasmine has developed an interest in working in the not-for-profit sector. She wanted to apply her business knowledge to a worthy cause, particularly in international development. Thirdway provided her opportunities that matched both her interests and skills.
Prior to joining Thirdway, Jasmine has held several research positions in the Japanese, Hong Kong, and Ontario Government, promoting international trade. She was also the campaign coordinator of the Amnesty International group at her high school. Additionally, she has been actively involved in female youth empowerment organizations in Toronto.
She is fluent in Japanese and Mandarin, and recently started taking up French.
JONATHAN GUNTER
In the fall of 2009, during his senior year at the University of Georgia, Jonathan joined Thirdway as an International Financial Adminstration & Budgeting and Microfinance Intern. Upon the completion of his course in December 2009, Jonathan will hold a B.B.A. in Finance, but has also studied Resource Economics, Religion, Philosophy, International Finance, and Economics of Environmental Quality. Before working for Thirdway, Jonathan was a wealth management intern with UBS in Manhattan. Working with a Barron’s top 25 New York Financial Advisor at UBS, Jonathan has had the opportunity to gain experience with major processes of the financial sector and apply financial analysis techniques. He is also a long time volunteer in community outreach programs, as well as being involved in his local church’s outreach initiatives.
Jonathan’s interest in Thirdway is a result of his passion for using microfinance to improve the lives of those in developing nations. Upon hearing of the opening, Jonathan decided that the position with Thirdway would be the best way to apply his experience with the financial sector and interest in human rights. Through the internship, Jonathan intends to have the opportunity to assist those in impoverished countries help themselves out of poverty.
MICHELLE CHOWDHURY
Michelle joined Thirdway as a volunteer in September 2009. She holds a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University and is also a non-practicing solicitor, qualified in England and Wales. Michelle trained for two years with a top international law firm, Allen & Overy LLP, gaining experience in litigation, restructuring, competition and environmental law. She worked at both the London and Brussels offices. Michelle will be starting an LL.M. at Georgetown Law in Washington, D.C. in 2010.
Before volunteering with Thirdway, Michelle had been involved with various pro bono initiatives, including advising on human rights issues and microfinance projects. As the Manager of the Legal Department, Michelle will be responsible for the launch of Thirdway’s Legal department. It is vital that Thirdway is able to fulfil its mission to promote human rights in Ghana and across the world, and in order to achieve this Legal department will work to ensure that Thirdway is acting within the relevant legal and regulatory frameworks. Michelle will also be working closely with the Manager of the Microfinance department.
In order to gain a better understanding of the challenges facing sustainable economic development in the region, Michelle will be travelling across Africa before beginning her Masters programme. She first became interested in Thirdway when looking for a flexible volunteer opportunity that would allow her to develop her legal skills, particularly in the context of microfinance, both remotely and in-country. Thirdway’s virtual office allows volunteers to work from their home countries anywhere in the world. During her travels, Michelle hopes to visit Ghana to implement projects that have been planned collaboratively using the virtual office, gaining experience of the international work of NGOs in West Africa.
NATHALI LEGAULT
In the spring of 2009, shortly after graduating from Laval University in Quebec City, Nathalie Legault-Forest joined Thirdway as the Manager of the Tourism department. She is also a member of the Administration Department. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a Tourism minor and an International profile. She has also studied Sciences, Literature, Arts and languages, including German and Spanish. As part of her Bachelor’s degree, she did an exchange year at FH Kufstein University in Tirol, Austria. She currently resides in Quebec City, Canada.
Before working for Thirdway, Nathalie Legault-Forest was involved in various projects at her university. For instance, she worked for the creation of the International Activities Center for the Business Faculty at Laval University in Québec City. She also participated in the United Nations Model organised in New York City, USA, for which she prepared over her last year at University. Moreover, she gave two conferences on light pollution in Mexico as part of a research project with five other students involved at her school. While studying in Austria as an exchange student, Nathalie was a ski instructor in the Alps. She also gained concrete working experience while being an intern in the sales department of an internationally renowned consumer products company.
Having studied both human rights and tourism, Nathalie Legault-Forest joined Thirdway wishing to contribute to the organisation’s philosophy of promoting human rights through tourism.
PERISA RAZNATOVIC
In the summer of 2009, during his junior year at the University of Belgrade in Serbia, Periša Ražnatović joined Thirdway as a volunteer working with the ICT and Website Departments. He is currently pursuing a BA in International Studies, but he has also studied Economics, Anthropology, Computer Science and a variety of languages. As part of his BA, he has completed an exchange year at Bard College in New York. Periša currently resides in Belgrade, Serbia.
Before working for Thirdway, Periša had been involved in various projects such as the Belgrade Model of the United Nations (BIMUN), UNICEF campaigns in Serbia, Astor Home for Children in New York, New York Pantry, and AIESEC Serbia. Periša has interned several times with the Serbian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, where he has gained valuable experience of working with diplomats, handling administrative work, and administrating computer systems. In the spring and summer of 2008, he had the opportunity to work as an intern at the World Federalist Movement - Institute for Global Policy (WFM-IGP) in New York City. As a Communication intern at the WFM Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC), Periša was granted access to the United Nations Headquarters, where his work as an NGO representative provided him with knowledge in the field of international justice and experience of working in a high-paced international environment.
IKA PRAESTY
At the end of September, 2009, after completing her service at Catholic Relief Service in Indonesia, Ika joined Thirdway as the Senior Manager of the Fundraising Department. She holds a BA degree in Social and Political Science, major in Mass Communication, from the University of North Sumatra and also has extensive practical experience in working with partners in Indonesia, particularly in Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Response.
Before working for Thirdway, Ika had been working with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) for more than 4 years in the Special Operations Appeal (SOA) unit. SOA is a mechanism to facilitate cooperation among Caritas member organizations throughout the world, to ensure effective response to relief operations and to help raise funds for major emergencies. Her work in development include capacity development, participatory approaches and community empowerment.
Ika felt that the position at Thirdway would be a great way to apply her knowledge and interest of capacity development and sustainability. Through the volunteer period, Ika hopes to have the chance to reach out to communities in need that have been neglected and marginalized.
SIGITA RUKSENAITE
In the autumn of 2009, after graduating from Mykolas Romeris University in Lithuania, Sigita joined Thirdway as the Assistant Manager(Coordinator) of the Legal Department, as well as working as the Assistant Manager and Secretary of the Human Rights Centre. She holds a BA in Law and is a present student of MA in International Human Rights Defence Law at Mykolas Romeris University. Sigita also studied Psychology, Philosophy, Anthropology and History.
Before working for Thirdway, Sigita had been involved in different projects for local NGO’s in Lithuania. She worked as an intern in Human Rights Monitoring Institute and Lithuanian Centre for Human Rights. She had also gained legal experience while working as intern at lawyer’s office in Lithuania. Sigita worked as a volunteer in Psychological Centre for Youth and Children and International NGO Red Cross office in Telsiai, it helped her to develop team work skills and gave practice in working with children.
Sigita’s interest in Thirdway arose from her commitment to human rights, humanity and justice. She thinks that giving material help to people can’t teach them much and they will always remain in the need from others, but educating people is the only way to make a change. That’s why Sigita decided that Thirdway offers the best opportunity to assist and educate people who are in the need for change. Sigita believes in human rights for everyone and thinks that the protection of human dignity, rights and liberties should be the main goal of all societies and humanity itself.
MARGARET HERME
Margaret Hermel joined Thirdway in September, 2009 and is currently working as the Senior Manager in the Editing & Translation Department. She is also working as the secretary to the CES and as a volunteer member of the Website Department and the Education Department.
After completing her MA in Medical Anthropology from the Universiteit van Amsterdam in 2008, and travelling to Africa for the first time in 2007, she was looking for an opportunity to directly affect change in people’s lives and to put her academic training into action. Thirdway’s multifaceted approach to improving the human rights situation in Ghana appealed to her newly discovered interest in the field of human rights and development and offered her the much desired opportunity to do something more than just a job.
She also holds a BA in Cultural Anthropology and Sociology, a BS in Computer Information System and is a certified TEFL instructor. Prior to moving to Germany nine years ago, she worked in the mortgage finance industry and as a trainer in the information technology field. Since living in Germany, she has been employed as a freelance English teacher and copy editor. In the past, she was actively involved with a domestic violence non-profit and has more recently been volunteering at a local Montessori school.
JEAN BAPTISTE DE MEYER
In June, 2009, after a completing a two-year advanced vocational diploma in Informatics and Management at the Jacques Brel vocational school in Lyon, France, Jean-Baptiste de Meyer joined Thirdway as volunteer in the Website and ICT departments. He will be in charge of the maintenance and the updating of the website, in addition to creating a documentation system for the organisation. He will serve as Assistant Manager (Coordinator) in both departments.
This is his first time being involved in NGO activities and he hopes to be a great contributor to the further development of Thirdway.
JESSICA ELBERG
In 2009, shortly after graduating from the University of Melbourne, Jessica Elberg joined Thirdway as an Intern. She holds a BA in Linguistics and Philosophy and has also studied Literature, Political Science, Social Work and Russian. As part of her BA, she partook in an exchange semester at the University of Amsterdam.
Prior to working for Thirdway, Jessica had volunteered in various non- for- profit projects. She was a performing arts practitioner for disadvantaged children with the ‘Haringey Shed Theatre Company’ in London and was also a carer for cancer- stricken children with the ‘Camp Quality’ charity. Jessica is eager to extend her contribution within the sphere of development and human rights. She has gained editing experience from Web content writing.
Jessica is currently part of the Editing & Translations Department and the Microfinance Department at Thirdway. She hopes to use her skills towards making a worthwhile contribution.
LARA SESAY
Lara Sesay is a student at The Hague University of Professional Studies, studying International Business and Management Studies. She is currently in the final year of her study program, and during the course of the past three years she has done several school projects in the fields of finance, accounting and management. She also took Dutch language lessons, as a second language.
Before joining Thirdway, Lara did some volunteer work with Reach African Charity organization and teaching assistance in the Kleine Wereld primary school in the Netherlands. She joined Thirdway in October 2009 as an intern.
Her field of work is in the departments of Financial Administration & Budgeting , Marketing & PR and Education. Lara's work includes making sure that the organization's available resources are used to the maximum efficiency and managing the organization's relationship with the media and interested stakeholders.
ANASTASIA SOLTANOVSKAYA
Anastasia has joined our organization as an Intern for Human Rights in December 2009. As a graduate of Economics and Economic Geography in Utrecht University, she has found time to participate in several courses in the Department of Conflict studies and Human rights of the University of Utrecht. Besides this, she has followed summer programs in the St.Petersburg State University, Universidad de Havana, as well as in London School of Economics.
Her professional experiences range from working as a conference short-termer in CTBTO and UNOV in Vienna, to working as an assistant to the Public Information Office in the Russian Mission to NATO in Brussels during the Crisis in South Ossetia in 2009, to interning for a South Asian Think Tank ‘Focus on the Global South’ in Mumbai where she was leading a publication on the Geopolitics of Afghanistan.
Anastasia’s prime interests lie with Post-War transitions, Peace-building, and Development in Conflict Areas. Anastasia is an enthusiastic traveler and likes to combine her work with exploring the unknown. Thirdway offered her the perfect continuation with her interest in Conflict related Issues, and gave her an insight to such issues from the angle of Human Rights, letting her continue her work experiences related to an area new to her – West Africa. Anastasia believes that to become a well-rounded professional in such a wide-ranged field as Development one must try and experience it from all possible sides – such as working for bilateral, multilateral, as well as grass-root organizations.
She is working in the human rights and marketing departments.
LI YUNJIA
In the winter of 2009, have been studying nearly two years at Inholland University in Diemen, the Netherlands, Li Yunjia joined Thirdway as a Marketing & Communication Intern. She holds a BA in China studied with economics, as well as a current study on International Communication Management in the Netherlands.
Before working for Thirdway, Li Yunjia had been involved in various projects for the Inholland University in Diemen, the Netherlands. She had also gained administrative and communication experience from working as president secretary for a Chinese media company in the city of Chongqing.
Li Yunjia's responsibilities include providing and researching on efficient website display and functions from the communication aspects for the Thirdway.
FELIX AMAKHANGA
In the spring of 2010, Felix Amakhanga joined Thirdway as an Intern. He was about to complete his bachelors degree in international business management at The Hague University. Felix comes from Kenya (East Africa) and Speaks Fluent Kiswahili and Dutch. He is also an associate member of chartered institute of purchasing and supply (CIPS) UK.
Before working for Thirdway, Felix had been involved in various projects in Kenya where he worked as a project leader in designing and managing of community based development project for Emuhaya Consituency Development fund.
Felix says he was inspired to work at Thirdway because “Thirdway has realistic solutions to real problems impacting people’s lives” He says.
Felix’s responsibilities include developing the Audit Department, working and preparing project documents and assist in the Financial Administration Department.
CHUNWEN CHEN
In the winter of 2009, Chunwen Chen joined Thirdway as intern with her group Yzchoice from Hogeschool INHolland. She is a Chinese student and studying in the Netherlands. At the moment, she is still a second year student, studying International Communication Management at this school. In this major, she has been training to be professional in communication aspect and has been learning practical skills with regard to Marketing, Strategy, Public Relation, Trendwatching, Concept development and so on.
Before joining this organization, she has been working as a volunteer in CRTV (Chinese Radio and TV) in Amsterdam. She has been involved in preparing and broadcasting radio program in Cantonese, meanwhile she has been assisting the Chairman to write or polish articles in Chinese. She enjoys the experience in this organization, as she finds it very interesting in producing a radio program as well as quite challenging in increasing her interpersonal communication skills.
The reason why she wants to join Thirdway is simply because she wants to gain entrepreneurial experience from the project in this period. She wants to know more insight or potential of her in terms of this aspect. The other reason is she believe Thirdway will provide her with the opportunity, because her group had a very successful meeting with the Chairman of Thirdway, they think it will be a great experience to work with Thirdway. Thirdway is a NGO which has honorable ideals in this society, as people work here fully voluntarily. She and her group believe that this Unique NGO is having a lot of potentials to grow and make a real difference in the development world because it requires voluntary work and divested ideas and advice from the colleagues to develop it.
DANIEL DE ROCK
Daniel joined Thirdway in the spring of 2010 as a volunteer. He is simultaneously participating in an exchange year at Radboud University in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. In June of 2010 he will receive his bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and English from the University of Iowa in the United States.
Before working with Thirdway, Daniel was involved in organizing with various peace and human rights groups in Iowa City, Iowa, including the Campus Antiwar Network. He had also worked for several years with children ages 5-11 as a supervisor at an after school program in Iowa City. He is working in the human resources, administration and the fundraising departments
JONATHAN ENZER
In the summer of 2010, Jonathan Enzer will work as an intern for Thirdway, during his studies at 3A business school in Lyon, where he learns marketing, financial, accounting, fair trade, microfinance, etc.
In the past he was involved in various projects. For example, when he was studying at Paris, he was volunteer at « La Mie De Pain », which is an association providing help for homeless, and when he was in Romania, at Deva, he spend a lot of time with a local association giving various help for the gypsies.
Jonathan Enzer responsibilities include developing a microcredit project in Ghana as part of his practical learning on microfinance, assisting in administration and organization and other such duties as may be assigned to him.
NELIA FAHLOUN
In January 2010, Nelia Fahloun joined Thirdway as a Volunteer.
She has been working in the health sector in France since 2001, holding several administrative positions in hospitals and has been working since 2006 as an international project assistant in a public health education institution.
She holds a MA in English and American Language Studies and did an exchange year at the University of Southampton, UK. She is a native French speaker and she is fluent in English and Spanish.
As part of a special leave, she is currently attending a specialized master course in Translation & Technical Writing and should graduate in September 2010.
Nelia’s responsibilities include pursuing the translation and editing of Thirdway’s website and documentation.
REBECKA SANCHO ALBA
Rebecka is majoring in Global Studies at the University of Gothenburg. As a part of her BA she joined Thirdway for an internship in February 2010. Her BA includes courses related to development studies and she also studied a variety of languages.
Before joining Thirdway, Rebecka had been involved in several projects, including helping NGOs in China and Guatemala and also helped organize different sports events for the local basketball team.
She has a significant amount of experience travelling abroad all over the world. The travel made her interested in human rights and development. She also founds questions about gender inequality and sustainable development being important and has knowledge and interest in CSR.
Rebecka’s interest in Thirdway arose from her commitment to justice and human rights. She wanted to experience working in the NGO sector and hope that working for Thirdway will broader her experience of working with human rights and development in an international environment.
ALEX MIZBAN
This is Alex Mizban, member of YzChoice School Project Company located in INHOLLAND University of applied Science. I obtained my BA degree in 2002 in German, 4 years college degree in English as a minor. In addition Video Journalism training courses in Berlin at the DWTV-Deutsche Welle TV Academy/Germany 2005. I worked in the media field at the IMN-Iraqi Media Network national TV as TV editor, simultaneous translator and VJ. Used o be member of US Army and served in the 82nd Division Airborne, and my job was training the Iraqi security forces and provide the security to the Iraqi civilian families at Al-Rasheed district-Baghdad. In the communication field, I have experience in media communication management.
I’d like to work as a volunteer with the Thirdway NGO and the reason is we already were looking for having clients match our company’s requirements for the school project. Since our target groups are the educational agencies and NGO’s , so we found out that The Thirdway is the perfect NGO that doing such a great job of helping the people in need in Africa, so we are honored to have a good cooperation with such an NGO caring on humanitarian issues.
My position is right now is volunteer researcher doing some marketing research for the NGO.
NELMA ALBUQUERUE
In the October of 2009, Nelma joined Thirdway Human Rights and Development as Volunteer Consultant/Advisor of the ICT department. She holds a PhD in Computer Science from PUC-Rio University, in Brazil and a Postdoc at NTNU, in Norway.
Before working for Thirdway, Nelma had been involved in various researches and IT projects, carrying multidisciplinary research. She had also gained experience from working as a Coordinator of multimedia laboratory and Supervisor of students’ projects. Besides, she has a broad teaching experience in algorithms, informatics, and various years of experience as civil engineer, her formal background.
Nelma responsibilities include consultancy and advices for courses programmes, preparation and teaching of course, recruiting staff and volunteers for the ICT/Website departments, on the website development, and other support for decisions related to ICT, in management level.
SIMAY PETEK
In the spring of 2010, shortly after achieving a master’s degree from the department of Public Administration at Leiden University, Simay Petek joined Thirdway to study internship program. She holds a BA in Political Science and Public Administration besides to European Studies as her minor at the department of International Relations from the Middle East Technical University (Ankara, Turkey). As a part of her BA she did an exchange year at University of Cologne in Germany. Currently, she has a particular interest in the field of development.
Before working for Thirdway, Miss Petek had been involved in various projects ranging from those of AEGEE-Ankara, United Nations Association of Turkey Youth Section and Dutch-United Nations Student Association. She had also gained considerable experience from her previous internships at the EU Harmonization Commission of the Turkish Grand National Assembly; several ministries of the Turkish government, the Dutch Embassy in Turkey, a number of NGOs, research institutes and the like.
Miss Petek’s shall take part in the pilot online lectures given in the Study Internship Program. This would enable the organization as well as the student to come out with the necessary recommendations associated with the program. Her immediate plans are joining Thirdway as a support volunteer in this role; she shall be working mainly with the administration, human resources and fundraising departments amongst others.
ADRIENN DEAK
Adrienn Deák has started her social studies in 2008 at ELTE, one of the oldest universities of Hungary. There she takes courses of Law, Social Policy, History and Culture. The main field of her interest is the study of developing countries of the third world, such as Ghana, and the problems of children of these areas.
Her former work experiences are also related to children, she undertook baby-sitting. Adrienn also has a job at Lauritzen Kft. as a promoting hostess, which helps improves her communication skills.
One of her further aims is to spend longer time in some African countries with an NGO, and to work there in field of education. She joined Thirdway in March of 2010 as an online volunteer, because she would like to learn more about the topic before moving abroad, and she also wishes to start taking part in the relief campaigns.She would be working mainly with the websites, education, marketing and the microfinance departments amongst others.
WILLIAM BILL HUGHES
In the spring of 2010, while operating a small volunteer computer organization, William Bill Hughes joined Thirdway as a volunteer. He holds a certification as an Information Technology professional but is also studying Computer Sciences and Business and continually working on additional certifications in the IT field.
He had also gained practical experience from working as the IT Liaison for a high end jeweler participating in the Kimberley Process out of Natick, MA.
Bill brings his passion and skill in the field to assist Thirdway with their website design and IT department. Bill would be the manager of the ICT department in addition to serving as the assistant manager for the website department.
He feels it’s an honor to be able to do something he loves that will improve the lives of others.
Bill wants to be a part of something bigger than his own self and feels Thirdway is an amazing organization that he is very proud to be part of.
CASSANDRA SEIDLER
Cassandra Seidler has obtained her BA in Sociology from the University of California in Santa Cruz. During my senior year I accepted an internship with the then Mayor of Santa Cruz, Mr. Mike Rotkin, performing the duties of proposal drafts, official minute reporter, and public statement deliverance.
I have over four years of experience as a behavioral therapist specializing in autism. As a therapist, it has been my unofficial duty to find lasting financial aide for families in need. With this experience, I volunteered with Casa de las Mujeres in Granada, Nicaragua, for approximately 8 months. My duties there included counseling underprivileged and abused women, providing them with work opportunities and alternate housing and nutrition programs. About a year after returning from Nicaragua, I moved to Moshi, Tanzania, to volunteer with the Amani Center for Street Children. There I was the Visual Arts Coordinator and Communications Teacher, as well as co-writing Amani’s first Child Protection Policy.
Having just discovered Thirdway, I am applying for the position of Intern as I see this as a very valuable opportunity to learn from a very valuable organization. My past experiences have shown me that the only way to help is to first learn. My passion is human rights, whether on a broad scale or a person-to-person basis. I hope to soon be attending graduate school to obtain a Masters in Social Work as well as a Masters in Child Development. She would be working in the administration, human resources and human rights departments of Thirdway.
MINJA SHIN
This is Minja Shin. I am going to earn Master of Arts (M.A.) of International Relations at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, NY, USA in December 2010, my concentration is Negotiation & Conflict Resolution and Global Security. Moreover, I am also pursuing to get a certificate in Advanced Conflict Studies from my school.I have just completed an exchange program of Human Right and Conflict Resolution in Strasbourg, France. I hope to combine my interests in conflict resolution and global security with the internship opportunity at Thirdway.
Due to my enthusiasm learning about European conflict resolution and human rights, I studied about them in Strasbourg, France for six weeks. I think it would be a great opportunity to expand my knowledge about this field while working at Thirdway.To elaborate more about what I learned, I wrote about the rights of minority groups living in Europe and human rights of young childeren who are subject to the Female Genital Mutilation( FMG) which ignores the basic human rights according to the European Convention of Human Rights.
I have strong will to face with new challenges and am ready to learn more from all of you working at this organization. Again, thank you for your time and consideration.
Minja would be working with the human rights and the administration departments of Thirdway.
AMY SFARA
In the fall of 2010 while participating in an exchange program between Utrecht University and her home university, Amy Sfara joined Thirdway as a volunteer researcher and webpage editor. She holds a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering and is one year away from completing her JD at Temple University Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This past spring, she completed an exchange program with Tel Aviv University in Israel where she studied international and comparative law. Her particular areas of interest are refugee rights and the interplay between international intellectual property law and public health, particularly in developing nations.
Before volunteering for Thirdway, Amy Sfara had been involved in various projects for a range of organizations. In Israel, she volunteered for the African Refugee Development Center where she assisted asylum seekers through the Israeli asylum application process. She also worked with the Hotline for Migrant Workers to monitor and improve the conditions at an Israeli detention centre.
In Philadelphia, Amy worked as a legal assistant to an immigration attorney. Her duties included legal research, client intake, and Spanish translation. She also gained legal research and writing experience by working for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Before attending law school, Amy was an intern for UNICEF-Andalucía in Sevilla, Spain, where she advocated and fundraised on behalf of children's' rights at public events, translated documents from English to Spanish, and edited/improved the UNICEF-Andalucía webpage.
JONATHAN
In the winter of 2010, a little over a year after completing his LLM in International Human Rights Law and Criminal Justice at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, Jonathan joined Thirdway as volunteer with the Administration, Policy and Development department. He also holds a BA in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside, but has also studied international relations, anthropology and humanitarian law. As a part of his BA he did a yearlong exchange program at the University College Utrecht, focusing on democratic studies. He currently works as the Quality Assurance Officer in higher education at a business school in the Netherlands.
Before working for Thirdway, Jonathan helped lead trips to orphanages in Mexico from the United States to bring supplies and raise money to continue and expand support. He has also served as the Director of Fundraising for the Student Homeless Aid Relief Project, an organization that seeks to alleviate poverty in local communities. Jonathan’s master’s thesis revolved around the practical application of the legal principle of the right to reparations for victims of human rights violations committed by UN peacekeeping forces.
Jonathan’s responsibilities include completing Thirdway’s 5-year development plan and using his experience as administrator and quality assurance officer to help the organization with proper administrative and records setup. His interest in volunteering for Thirdway stems from his belief in education and microfinance as essential tools of empowerment and progress. He is also eager to gain experience in the non-profit environment with the hopes of a career in the field of human rights advocacy.
SWAROOP RAJU
Swaroop Raju joined Thirdway as a volunteer in the summer of 2010 shortly after graduating from Pomona College with a B.A. in Environmental Analysis. He has a passion for resource management and believes that effective natural resource distribution can only occur when human rights are guaranteed at the most basic level. As a student he took courses in economics, statistics, biology, and environmental science. As part of his B.A. he studied earth science at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. He currently resides in Riverside, California.
In addition to working for Thirdway, he acts as a regional director for the Borgen Project where he organizes individuals within Riverside County to support legislation that challenges existing global food and water insecurity. Before joining Thirdway, he helped maintain an organic farm at Pomona College. His primary responsibilities included organizing the composting from college dining halls and instructing interested individuals in proper organic farming methodology. He was also a research assistant in biology and chemistry at Pomona College. He co-authored a paper on a chemistry research project and the paper was published in the Journal of Chemical Physics Letters. His duties include work at the Fundraising department’s and assisting in researching funds
