A Winner Profile Nicole Chatham

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On their return to Ireland, the Explore Winners have been busy sharing their experience with the local community and preparing an Action Project.
GAP Winner Nikki Chatham has invested her time in promoting Gender Equality, among students of Trinity College and Maynooth Univeristiy. And she’s now off to a new adventure… 

Hi, I’m Nikki, I live in Tallaght, Dublin and I am studying Community and Youth Work in Maynooth University. I have been activity involved in my community through volunteering from a young age. I volunteer with Foroige in Fettercairn, Tallaght and various other youth and community groups. I am passionate about social inclusion, gender equality, cultural diversity and education for all. I have recently finished my Gold Global Citizen Award, this has inspired me to put my goals into practice and contribute to the new Sustainable Development Goals.

I have been chosen as a Global Awareness Programme awardee, volunteering in Thailand with the sustainable development goal Gender Equality, where I volunteered in a centre for marginalised women and children, which provides safe shelter, education, health and other services with the aim of achieving self sufficiency and empowerment.

How would you summarise your experience?:
“My volunteering with EIL Explore has been a huge learning experience, it has opened my eyes to inequalities, injustice and human right violations but has shown me how programmes like EIL Explore create the space for change through volunteer work.”
What was the highlight of the experience?:
“ Working, building relationships and learning from the women, children and workers at the project. I felt honoured that the women shared their stories with me “
What did you learn during experience?:
” That no matter what struggles you face like the women, if you work hard enough and have some support you can achieve your goals.”

What Explore Award did you win?: Global Awareness Programme (GAP) award to Thailand this summer. I volunteered in a centre for marginalised women and children, which provides safe shelter, education, health and other services with the aim of achieving self sufficiency and empowerment

The Global Awareness Programme focuses on four of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and involves the following:
– 2 days of training in Development issues and awareness raising
– Volunteering for 8 weeks on a SDG project of choice
– Implementing an awareness raising campaign around the chosen SDG once back in Ireland
– Completion of a GOLD Global Citizen Award to raise awareness about critical global issues