Glynnis & Ashli Volunteer in Gambia
Donation protected
Please help two first-year Osgoode Hall law students embark on an unfunded summer fellowship with the Female Lawyers Association of The Gambia through Osgoode's International Legal Partnership.
About Us
Our names are Glynnis Hawe and Ashli Pinnock. We are first-year law students at Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, Canada and are passionate about issues that affect international communities "“ particularly in the Global South. As a result, we applied and have been selected for an amazing opportunity as 2014 Osgoode International Legal Partnership (ILP) Fellows to work in The Gambia with the Female Lawyers Association of the Gambia (FLAG).
Glynnis Hawe... I have been passionate about the Global South and international human rights and development since my first introduction to African history and political science during my undergrad. I find myself at Osgoode Hall because of the strength of Osgoode's social justice programs and opportunities to participate in outstanding experiences such as ILP. My interest in becoming a lawyer has stemmed from a desire to advocate for others and contribute to a legal system that recognizes the right to access for all and protects everyone equally. I hope that this fellowship will be the first step in a career contributing to international human rights representation and advocacy.
Ashli Pinnock... I studied at the University of Ottawa and did my undergraduate degree in Political Science & Criminology (French Immersion). In hopes of putting my language skills to the test I hope to study International Public Law/International Human Rights Law and travel as much as possible. The study and practice of this type of law greatly appeals to me due to its constantly evolving nature. The new challenges to overcome throughout the course of a legal education "“ the intersection of language and varying conceptions of social justice for one "“ are extremely attractive. In many ways, this fellowship is the natural extension of an educational process I have carefully cultivated throughout my life and I will relish the opportunity awarded to me.
The Project
This is the first time FLAG will host ILP fellows and we intend to make the most of this opportunity as part of this inaugural fellowship in The Gambia. As fellows, we will be volunteering our legal knowledge and research skills for a period of 12 weeks. We will be assisting FLAG in conducting workshops and training sessions aimed at increasing access to justice in rural communities. We will also assist in the free legal work that FLAG provides to vulnerable women through their Legal Aid Clinic. In addition, we will provide support in all other areas that FLAG needs to ensure the continuing success of the organization.
The purpose of this fellowship is for us to assist FLAG in strengthening its capacity to provide quality legal aid, legal and human rights education/outreach, and advocate for women and children in The Gambia in order to ensure access to justice, and advance legal and judicial reform.
The Female Lawyers Association of The Gambia
The Female Lawyers Association of The Gambia (FLAG) operates in The Gambia, which is one of the smallest countries in West Africa and is often referred to as "the smiling coast". The Gambia is a relatively young, peaceful country and gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Looking to protect, promote and enhance the legal status of women and children in The Gambia as the country developed, female members of the legal profession came together to form FLAG in 2006. The organization is a non-political, non-sectarian, non-partisan, non-governmental and non-profit association. More information about FLAG can be found at www.flag.gm
International Legal Partnership at Osgoode Hall Law School
The International Legal Partnership (ILP) is a student-directed, non-profit, non-partisan organization at Osgoode Hall Law School. ILP's mission is to provide public interest legal research and assistance for the Global South. With the guidance of faculty, alumni and the legal community, ILP strives to create opportunities for students to obtain a practical global legal education in a manner that is mutually beneficial for students and partner organizations dealing with legal issues relevant to the Global South.
How You Can Help
The fellowships are largely self-funded. We have started this fundraising initiative because we need your help in financing this project. Below is a breakdown of our intended budget "“ based on our research of the cost of living in The Gambia, and the out of pocket costs already incurred.
Flight and other travel costs: $2000/ea.
Insurance: $300/ea.
Visa: $100/ea.
Medications (yellow fever, malaria pills, other required shots): $300/ea.
Rent: $1200/ea.
Food: $400/ea.
Miscellaneous: $1000/ea.
Total: $5300/ea.
While our budget is $10,600 ($5300/ea.), we hope to raise $5000.00 through fundraising. We will have some financial support from ILP, Osgoode and York University in addition to student loans and savings, but it is not enough. We are greatly appreciative of any financial support, or otherwise, that you may be able to lend in helping us reach our goal.
About Us
Our names are Glynnis Hawe and Ashli Pinnock. We are first-year law students at Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, Canada and are passionate about issues that affect international communities "“ particularly in the Global South. As a result, we applied and have been selected for an amazing opportunity as 2014 Osgoode International Legal Partnership (ILP) Fellows to work in The Gambia with the Female Lawyers Association of the Gambia (FLAG).
Glynnis Hawe... I have been passionate about the Global South and international human rights and development since my first introduction to African history and political science during my undergrad. I find myself at Osgoode Hall because of the strength of Osgoode's social justice programs and opportunities to participate in outstanding experiences such as ILP. My interest in becoming a lawyer has stemmed from a desire to advocate for others and contribute to a legal system that recognizes the right to access for all and protects everyone equally. I hope that this fellowship will be the first step in a career contributing to international human rights representation and advocacy.
Ashli Pinnock... I studied at the University of Ottawa and did my undergraduate degree in Political Science & Criminology (French Immersion). In hopes of putting my language skills to the test I hope to study International Public Law/International Human Rights Law and travel as much as possible. The study and practice of this type of law greatly appeals to me due to its constantly evolving nature. The new challenges to overcome throughout the course of a legal education "“ the intersection of language and varying conceptions of social justice for one "“ are extremely attractive. In many ways, this fellowship is the natural extension of an educational process I have carefully cultivated throughout my life and I will relish the opportunity awarded to me.
The Project
This is the first time FLAG will host ILP fellows and we intend to make the most of this opportunity as part of this inaugural fellowship in The Gambia. As fellows, we will be volunteering our legal knowledge and research skills for a period of 12 weeks. We will be assisting FLAG in conducting workshops and training sessions aimed at increasing access to justice in rural communities. We will also assist in the free legal work that FLAG provides to vulnerable women through their Legal Aid Clinic. In addition, we will provide support in all other areas that FLAG needs to ensure the continuing success of the organization.
The purpose of this fellowship is for us to assist FLAG in strengthening its capacity to provide quality legal aid, legal and human rights education/outreach, and advocate for women and children in The Gambia in order to ensure access to justice, and advance legal and judicial reform.
The Female Lawyers Association of The Gambia
The Female Lawyers Association of The Gambia (FLAG) operates in The Gambia, which is one of the smallest countries in West Africa and is often referred to as "the smiling coast". The Gambia is a relatively young, peaceful country and gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Looking to protect, promote and enhance the legal status of women and children in The Gambia as the country developed, female members of the legal profession came together to form FLAG in 2006. The organization is a non-political, non-sectarian, non-partisan, non-governmental and non-profit association. More information about FLAG can be found at www.flag.gm
International Legal Partnership at Osgoode Hall Law School
The International Legal Partnership (ILP) is a student-directed, non-profit, non-partisan organization at Osgoode Hall Law School. ILP's mission is to provide public interest legal research and assistance for the Global South. With the guidance of faculty, alumni and the legal community, ILP strives to create opportunities for students to obtain a practical global legal education in a manner that is mutually beneficial for students and partner organizations dealing with legal issues relevant to the Global South.
How You Can Help
The fellowships are largely self-funded. We have started this fundraising initiative because we need your help in financing this project. Below is a breakdown of our intended budget "“ based on our research of the cost of living in The Gambia, and the out of pocket costs already incurred.
Flight and other travel costs: $2000/ea.
Insurance: $300/ea.
Visa: $100/ea.
Medications (yellow fever, malaria pills, other required shots): $300/ea.
Rent: $1200/ea.
Food: $400/ea.
Miscellaneous: $1000/ea.
Total: $5300/ea.
While our budget is $10,600 ($5300/ea.), we hope to raise $5000.00 through fundraising. We will have some financial support from ILP, Osgoode and York University in addition to student loans and savings, but it is not enough. We are greatly appreciative of any financial support, or otherwise, that you may be able to lend in helping us reach our goal.
We look forward to making a difference in the international community through our work with FLAG and intend to maintain a level of accountability to our donors by operating a blog documenting our experiences and challenges: gotogambia.tumblr.com
Thank you so much for taking the time out to read about this initiative, we appreciate it. Please share this webpage with your friends. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via e-mail: [email redacted]ku.ca and [email redacted]ku.ca
Thank you so much for taking the time out to read about this initiative, we appreciate it. Please share this webpage with your friends. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via e-mail: [email redacted]ku.ca and [email redacted]ku.ca
Organizer
Ashli Pinnock
Organizer
North York , ON
