I am working a part-time consulting job for a non-profit called Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading (VPUU), where I monitor and evaluate the success of their program to provide funding to community-led projects to surrounding townships. The project hopes to find a reduction in violence and promote community cohesion. I will be managing teams and helping collect data as well as writing the final report. It will be a fantastic opportunity to develop more professionally.
Academically, I recently presented my dissertation topic to the politics department at UCT. It went extremely well, although some slight changes will be made to the overall structure. The dissertation is on U.K. Aid to Rwanda, and evaluates the U.K’s internalization of democratic norms through its aid responses to undemocratic behaviours of the Rwandan government. The writing process is daunting and time-consuming, but the research has been fascinating.
I will be going to Robertson (three hours drive from Cape Town) two weekends from now to partake in the Wacky Wine Festival, which should be fun. I will also be interviewed for a local South African Newspaper to highlight Claremont Rotary’s Youth Month, so I will try to get a hold of the interview for you. I also just enjoyed a lovely Sunday exploring Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and ended the evening in Seapoint with my housemates.
Still loving Cape Town as much as I did when I first arrived. I’ve attached some photos for you.
Hope things are going well,
Jennifer
