Bound for Bosnia

By Rose Willigar
The Record
SPRINGHILL: NSCC student Kelly Spence is off to Bosnia for two weeks as of May 8, as part of her educational support program.
Two students from NSCC campuses were chosen to participate on this trip, one from the Halifax campus and Spence from the Cumberland campus.
During the duration of the trip the two will concentrate on providing seminars to handicap Bosnian residents helping them understand that accessibility to a normal productive life is possible.
"We take for granted living in a country where handicap accessibility is the norm. Places like Bosnia, if your born with no legs, you don't have access to education or being a part of a workforce," Spence said.
Spence who spent three weeks in Africa last year said although during she only saw one wheelchair in Africa she did see the innovative devices most had geared up for mobility.
"Something as simple as a bicycle, they had geared so they could pedal with their hands rather than foot pedals," Spence said.
"Part of the training received through the Residential Vocational Program is learning the skills required to help handicap maneuver in their everyday obstacles," Spence added.
By participating in such trips it gives students a better understanding of different cultures and diverse situations they may encounter during the course of their careers.
Spence also explained that during last year's trip to Africa they were accompanied by a photographer who made a documentary of the trip.
"With the making of the documentary NSCC saw the importance of such trips to put into p1ractice what they've learned and by working in an environment that doesn't have the accessibility such as we do in Canada gain better understanding of different cultures."
"Last year's trip was made possible from fundraising and paying out of our own pockets. This year there was a $2,000 bursary available through the school that will help towards flight costs, etc.," Spence said.
Spence is doing this Service Learning as part of her Education Support Program. The course prepares and provides learners with an opportunity to provide direct service to international human service/nonprofit agencies.
During the course learners will participate in workshops, carry out research, develop a community profile, develop a service learning plan, engage in reflection and portfolio assessment.