On the morning of Friday, February 17th, more than 20 youth from across Toronto attended a workshop facilitated by Doctors Without Borders. It explored how MSF works in various danger zones around the world and what leadership qualities are required to required to provide medical aid successfully. Here is a reflection on the experience by one attendee:
"I went to the Doctors Without Borders workshop in order to gain more knowledge and a bigger leadership role in helping others not only in my community, but on a global scale. I learned about the disaster aid protocol, and all the important roles the workers execute in order for everyone to have the basic needs they deserve. We did a simulation exercise in teams where each member was assigned a job specialty with details—Administrator, Logistician, Physician, Water Sanitation Specialist, Health Promoter—and used it towards helping the team. I was a water specialist and used my skills to provide safe and clean water after a cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe. The teams presented their solutions to the crisis to the rest of the group afterwards. The workshop made me more interested in the overall humanitarian aspect of Doctors Without Borders, and provided me with the knowledge to delve deeper into their work. The feedback from the facilitators was very helpful and other exercises helped leadership skills as well. The workshop was particularly interesting since it involved many age groups (grades 7-12) from many different schools. Overall, I learned a ton about Doctors Without Borders and I would recommend this workshop to anyone who wishes to get a more prominent role in helping others and is interested in the whole concept of a worldwide aid system without any biases." — Jason Alizadeh