During my time as an undergraduate at Ithaca College, I have to admit I wasn’t always certain what lay in store for my future. I certainly hadn’t imagined that I would soon spend my summer working for social justice in South Asia.

As a psychology and politics double major, I enjoyed a healthy love/hate relationship with the statistical and political analysis that characterized much of my undergraduate days. Moreover, I had the wonderful experience of becoming entirely immersed in politics with a group of people that similarly alternated between complete disgust for current affairs and an avid attraction.

Following from this time in Ithaca, my venture into the real world of the nonprofit sector of Washington, D.C., has led me to continue asking a similar set of questions as those from my undergraduate days. How can I make the biggest impact? Do I need to sacrifice my sense of morality and justice to succeed?

While I have accepted that no one can single-handedly change the world, I have been inspired by how much a truly dedicated team of people can accomplish when resources, ideas and energy are pooled together. Most recently, I experienced this phenomenon along the Thai/Burma border, where Burmese refugees gathered to advocate for democracy and dignity. They were pushed out of their homes by a brutal military junta in Burma, but seen as “illegal immigrants” by Thailand. It was heart wrenching to see the struggles these people faced, but inspiring to know that with broad-based support they might just stand a chance of achieving their dreams.

Now, from the hills of Ithaca to the streets of Washington, D.C., my journey will take me to the rickshaw-packed roadways of Dhaka, Bangladesh. As a 2007 Peace Fellow with the Advocacy Project, a nonprofit organization based out of Washington, D.C., I will work at the Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development Organization (BERDO). Since 1991, BERDO has been working for the development and protection of the disabled community in Bangladesh. Founded and run by individuals living with blindness themselves, their programs include rehabilitation, building a Talking Library, scholarships, job placement, health services and disability prevention.

The position is a great honor and a very exciting opportunity. My time at the college prepared me well, not only by arming me with vital skills, but by providing me with a sense that justice and human rights must be honored. Through groups like the Advocacy Project, young professionals are given a great chance to strengthen and act on that commitment. With projects educating girls in Afghanistan, documenting human rights abuses in Sri Lanka and advocating for democracy in Nepal, among others, I am thankful to have this exciting road forward.

I ask you to please join in supporting the Advocacy Project.  The position I am filling is unpaid and both my host organization and the Advocacy Project are unable to defray any of the costs. Please visit www.firstgiving.com/supportcaitlinburnett for further information about the project.

Caitlin Burnett is a 2005 graduate of Ithaca College. E-mail her at caitlin.burnett@gmail.com.