Michele Parkin's Vocational Trip to Malawi

Michele Parkin, Past President of the Rotary Club of London, Vice President of Faculty Relations at Western University talked to our club about her recent vocational Trip to Malawi.  Michele was able to participate in the University’s “Leave for Change@Western” program.  She travelled to Malawi to advise the state run tea industry in best practices in Human Resources with a focus on gender sensitivity. 

Malawi, is a land locked country in south east Africa has a rapidly growing population, high inflation, an agricultural industry under pressure from competitors and buyers, as well as, poor infrastructure that hinders distribution.  Michele reviewed the policies and practices at the tea plantations and developed a final report focusing on six strategic areas and proposing 80 recommendations for action.

While she was in Malawi, Michele also visited a game reserve and saw elephants, lions and other wildlife.  Her trip was an adventure and an opportunity to use her expertise to help a developing nation.

PDG Al Hardy thanked Michele on behalf our club for a most interesting talk.