WORKING IN INDIA

Shiying Cheng working with an NGO called the Alliance for Liberty, Fraternity, and Advancement (ALFA)in Udaipur of Rajasthan, India

Colorado College offers amazing summer classes abroad: whether it is going to Japan and studying at a local university, exploring Shanghai and checking out night markets, or working at NGOs (non-government organizations) in India doing advocacy work. The latter program was part of a course offered by the sociology department called “Social Innovation in Global Sustainable Development.” This was an internship-based course in which students lived with the local communities and worked for NGOs.

One account of this experience comes from Shiying Cheng. Shiying worked with a local NGO in the city of Udaipur of Rajasthan, India called the Alliance for Liberty, Fraternity, and Advancement (ALFA). Her work focused on widow pensions. Through this work with ALFA, she learned about the “inefficiencies in the system” with the process of policy making and policy implementation.

She became very frustrated and emotionally invested for the cause that she was working for as she travelled down the rabbit hole to find out what was happening to the pensions the widows were supposed to receive. Through the work, she acknowledges that her personal narrative was expanded and adjusted according to the experiences she gained this summer.

When asked whether or not she felt accomplished after this experience, her answer reflected a deeper understanding of the complexities of social work and social systems: 

“I actually felt that I had made an impact for a few people. I only spent 2 months in the country so it’s really hard for an outsider to really change the community and impact it permanently. However, I hoped that I had at least brought a new perspective and set the foundations for a new project to be continued by the people within the community. They are the only ones who can really bring about sustainable and lasting changes.”