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Author Biography: Heather MacDonald

Heather MacDonald started her journalism career in 2006 when she began her three-year position as a writer/editor for the international news section of The Cord (Wilfrid Laurier University's student newspaper). Over the years, Heather has also done some freelance reporting, she recently finished editing a book, and in January 2010, she began working in jhr’s head office. During the past four years, Heather completed her Bachelor of Arts at Laurier where she studied Religion & Culture and English. In the summer of 2009, Heather traveled to Uganda with a group of fellow students. She developed a sports program, helped in a chicken farm, and assisted with the construction of an Internet Café. It was through Heather’s first trip outside North American borders that she developed a love for international relations beyond what she read (and wrote) in the news. With her current position as Educational Officer at the Malawi Institute of Journalism (MIJ), Heather hopes to learn more about Malawian culture, experience the growth of journalism and is excited to build new friendships during her six-month stay

Turning into a Hypochondriac in Malawi

In IYIP Educational Officer, Malawi,
by Heather MacDonald December 1, 2010

The H1N1 Virus hit Canada just before I traveled to Uganda last summer and my younger brother pointed out the supposed irony of “going to Africa to escape disease.” Because of the immense amount of news we hear about “disease-ridden Africa,” one can enter borderline-hypochondriac mode at the onset of a few minor sniffles while [...]

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Crossing the Threshold: A Middle Class Canadian in Upper Class Malawi

In IYIP Educational Officer, Malawi,
by Heather MacDonald October 13, 2010

Being a middle-class Canadian typically means associating with other middle-class Canadians. Back home, I rarely intermingle with those who are “above” or “below” me on the socio-economic ladder but in Malawi, daily interaction between different classes is more common. With such a high population density in Malawi—797 people per square kilometer—versus Canada’s population density of [...]

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A Written Rebellion

In IYIP Rights Media Internships, Malawi,
by Heather MacDonald September 21, 2010
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Without a print publication and a dormant online news source, students at the Malawi Institute of Journalism (MIJ) have created their own kind of press. It’s original, it’s creative and at times mildly offensive: a bulletin board littered with articles, poetry and advertisements handwritten on notebook paper. A group of students founded the satirical “publication,” [...]

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Student Body Politics

In IYIP Educational Officer, Malawi,
by Heather MacDonald September 3, 2010
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At 11:52 a.m. there was a knock at the office door. It was the students informing me that they were ready to begin. On Wednesday, September 1, 2010 a group of classmates gathered together for the first ever jhr chapter elections at the Malawi Institute of Journalism (MIJ). Eight minutes early—an unusual feat for Malawian [...]

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Two-Child Policy

In IYIP Educational Officer, Malawi,
by Heather MacDonald August 30, 2010
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Chinese influence in Malawi is no longer restricted to restaurants and family businesses, as it was only a couple of years ago. In 1979, Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping introduced the one-child policy for select urban areas in China. The policy, which was intended to be a temporary solution to limiting population growth, continues today and [...]

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Shoulder-to-Shoulder

In IYIP Educational Officer, Malawi,
by Heather MacDonald August 20, 2010

Imagine you live in a country the size of New Brunswick, but inhabited by half the population of Canada. The people are generally very friendly, but you are constantly bombarded, shoulder-to-shoulder, by people every day. Everyone knows where you live before you tell them – taxi drivers, colleagues and new friends. When you leave your [...]

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“Flash Me”

In IYIP Educational Officer, Malawi,
by Heather MacDonald August 13, 2010

Since arriving in Malawi, I have flashed—and been flashed by—many people. Oddly enough, flashing one another is a crucial aspect to forming friendships within this country. Each time I meet someone new that I want to continue a friendship with, we flash each other. It’s quick and easy and it automatically guarantees a response—typically a smile of [...]

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Who Can Fight for Me?

In IYIP Educational Officer, Malawi,
by Heather MacDonald August 10, 2010
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A few days ago, fellow jhr intern Amy and I were sitting comfortably in our office at the Malawi Institute of Journalism (MIJ) when a student named Charles Chaswa knocked politely on the door before letting himself in. He passed us a piece of paper and spoke softly to us, saying that he had to [...]

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A Photographer’s Paradise

In IYIP Educational Officer, Malawi,
by Heather MacDonald August 4, 2010
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Blantyre is a photographer’s dream. The rolling hills, multi-coloured birds and salamanders, Lion King-style trees and bustling markets provide great scenery for a 4×6. Adorable children that dance around and play with homemade toy cars on dusty roads complement the ambiance of Malawian life. But on occasion, stipulations do arise for photographers in this blissful [...]

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Discovering success at MIJ

In IYIP Educational Officer, Malawi,
by Heather MacDonald July 23, 2010
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Two years ago, Simona Siad began her jhr internship at The Daily Times in Blantyre, Malawi. After a few months, her efforts extended beyond the newsroom to a classroom down the road at the Malawi Institute of Journalism (MIJ). “The classroom was a really unique place to work with young journalists on human rights issues,” [...]

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