07 August 2009

Khartoum, Sudan: Astrede Karimi Mbaka is assigned to the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) as a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialist. Her work involves providing digital and 'hard copy' mapping services, enabling her UN colleagues to plan the complex logistics of a peacekeeping mission.

After getting onto the UNV volunteer roster – a 'longlist' of qualified and eligible applicants - in June 2005 she was assigned to the Geospatial Information Unit at UNMIS.

"The GIS Unit is the focal point of all geographic information matters within the Mission," explains the chief of Ms. Karimi's team, Major Haytham Saied. "The unit collects, prepares and distributes geospatial information covering the Area of Interest including Spatial Decision Support and Crisis Analysis for UNMIS, other UN agencies and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)."

"UNV volunteers such as Ms. Karimi play a major role in the collection, verification, management, storage, analysis and dissemination of all geospatial data," he comments.

The UNV volunteer herself has no doubt that in a country where reliable maps are few and far between, her efforts have had an immediate impact. "Since the mission began, I have been able to create a number of valuable maps," she says. "Many of these helped a lot in organizing the headquarters and different sectors and are still in use to this day."

Ms. Karimi graduated with a BSc in Engineering Surveying from the University of Nairobi, specializing in mapping and cartography, GIS and remote sensing. Her first job was at a United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded natural resources monitoring and management project in her native Kenya.

Ms. Karimi then took up a position with Kenyan company Geomaps Africa Ltd. in Kigali, Rwanda, as a GIS Specialist for the city council. It was there that she decided to become a UNV volunteer.

"Having seen Rwanda, and the effects the genocide had on the country, I felt I needed to contribute my knowledge and skills for peace and development," she explains. "I learnt about UNV from a colleague, so I logged onto the website and found out what I had to do."

Astrede Karimi concedes that the tough weather and conditions in Sudan are not for everyone, there is an element of culture shock ("You have to know you can't shake hands with someone unless they extend to you first!") and that as a woman she is in the minority in the mission.

However, in professional terms her assignment is very rewarding. "If I compare my work with previous jobs," she says, "I feel I'm fully using my knowledge like never before."

She has not only dedicated herself to volunteering with the mission but she also helps the people of Sudan in her spare time. "With colleagues, I have done voluntary work at a children's home, helping to clean up and refurbish the place, as well as assisting staff members to train Comboni College students in GIS. I also took part in International Volunteer Day in Khartoum, helping to paint a girl's school,“ she says.

Ms. Karimi stresses that her work as a UNV volunteer in Sudan has been an excellent experience. "I'm using my skills and knowledge to help people – it's very fulfilling," she concludes I work with many different people from around the world in many different professions. I'd encourage anyone to apply to be a UNV volunteer – I have reaped the benefits."