Podcasts about umeeda switlo

Health and wellbeing has become central to many of our lives with health-conscious consumers demanding natural products made with pure and simple ingredients. Immune health has garnered particular attention owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and the desire for people to choose functional foods that help support their immune system. The Caribbean has historically been a tropical haven for a range of plant-based or natural ingredients. It's therefore no surprise that the region is seeing a surge in demand for these natural products. With increased demand, the question of sustainability becomes of paramount importance, not only in terms of preserving the quality and potency of the product during production, but also ensuring farmers and local communities are not compromised or marginalised but in fact benefit from the surge in demand. In this podcast we hear from academics, food and drink industry experts and Caribbean exporters on the functional benefits of seamoss, more commonly known as Irish moss, turmeric, moringa, ginger and other natural products including gluten free flours and tropical fruit pulps and spices on what the Caribbean is doing to ensure sustainable practices and how indigenous communities are supported in meeting this growing trend for immune health. About our panel Natasha Edwin- Walcott, Senior Advisor, Competitiveness and Export Promotion Caribbean Export Development Agency Natasha is a Trade Advisor with over 12 years' experience in multilateral and regional trade policy. She is the Senior Advisor, Competitiveness and Export Promotion at Caribbean Export Development Agency where her role involves assisting SMEs to become more competitive, become export ready and take their products to market. She has worked at the OECS Trade Mission in Geneva Switzerland, advocating and defending OECS Member State interests before the World Trade Organisation, UNCTAD and other International Organisations. She is also a former employee of Invest Saint Lucia working in investment promotion. Natasha holds a BA in Politics and International Relations, an MA in Globalisation, Development and Transition both from the University of Westminster, UK, and a Post Graduate Certificate in International Management from the University of Liverpool. She is passionate about international affairs and economic development. Ms Kareema Muncey, Owner and Managing Director, Home Choice Enterprise Ltd Ms. Muncey is the owner and Managing Director of Home Choice Enterprise Ltd. She started the company 22 years ago from a bag on her back, selling her first and signature product of Home Choice, peppered shrimp. She never gave up on herself or faith in God and now Home Choice is an award-winning brand and Ms. Muncey is arguably an emerging voice for small businesses in the food manufacturing industry. Dr Damian Cohall, Deputy Dean and a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology, University of the West Indies Dr. Damian Cohall is a Jamaican born pharmacologist who joined the Faculty of the Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill in 2008. He is currently the Deputy Dean (Preclinical Sciences) and a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology at the university and has profound research interests in Ethnopharmacology and Pharmacognosy. In 2014, he published a book through the UWI Press entitled “Medicinal Plants of Barbados for the Treatment of Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases”. Most recently, he co-authored the chapter “Pharmacodynamics -A Pharmacognosy Perspective” in a book entitled Pharmacognosy: Fundamentals and Strategy, Elsevier: In Press. He also maintains an active research interest in cardiovascular risk profiling and medical education, and has published successfully in those areas. He is also a member of the Editorial Board of the West Indian Medical Journal. Umeeda Switlo, President, Naledo Belize Ltd. Umeeda first went to Belize to volunteer with the Belizean government through CUSO International to share her business skills with youth. While in Belize, Umeeda traveled the country and met other people of Indian ancestry. She learned the story of how their ancestors had come to the country as indentured servants over 200 years ago. As they were sharing stories, of course cooking came up; one farmer showed her the turmeric that grew wild on his land. Their ancestors had brought the golden root with them! It was the most vivid orange and the best quality Umeeda had ever seen! After months of experimenting, she came up with the recipe for the world's first wildcrafted, whole root turmeric paste – Truly Turmeric. We decided to build a social enterprise that would support growers to earn extra income, employ youth, improve health around the world, and produce products sustainably. Our company's name comes from the district in Belize where our turmeric is sourced, Toledo and Nareena's name… Na + ledo = Naledo. Embarrassing for her daughter, Nareena, proud mom bragging rights for Umeeda.

I met Peter and Debra in Tanzania at a volunteer conference. They had been in Tanzania living in the Kabaya area for 2 months. Kabaya is near Dodoma and Arusha. Listen to how a couple make their way to their assignment and how they feel about it 2 months along.Interviewed by Umeeda Switlo during VSO Tanzania and Tanzanian 50th anniversary. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO International, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

Barbara Curwen couldn't wait to get back into the field after serving ten years ago in the Ngong hills in Kenya with Cuso. This time her spouse Peter Stancyzyk had retired and could join her to also volunteer in the health sector.They are in Arusha near Mount Kilimanjaro.Hear about her assignment in Health.Barbara on is photographed at a special 50th event. On left.Interviewed by Umeeda Switlo in Tanzania. Tanzania celebrated 50 years of independence and VSO also celebrated 50 years of development work in Tanzania. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO International, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

Margaret had done a CIDA internship in Senegal before she came to CUSO International wanting to share her skills.She is working in Kigera district as an Agriculture Business and Livestock advisor with World Vision.An amazing lady with some great stories.Interviewed by Umeeda Switlo during her visit in Tanzania in December 2011. Tanzania was celebrating its 50th year of independence and VSO Tanzania also celebrated 50 years of development work.Photo Margaret-right with fellow volunteer Samantha-left. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO International, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

I was so pleased to hear about Bairu's work in Tanzania in the last four months. He believes in and works in a collaborative way. Bairu is an educator of educator. Listen to his story.Interviewed by Umeeda Switlo during her visist in Tanzania in December 2011. Tanzania was celebrating its 50th anjniversay. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO International , share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

I was so pleased to hear about Bairu's work in Tanzania in the last four months. He believes in and works in a collaborative way. Bairu is from Toronto and has recently retired. He served in Malawai with CIDA. He is now a teacher of teachers that serve about 31 schools near Lake Victoria. Listen to his story.Interviewed by Umeeda Switlo during her visit in Tanzania in December 2011. Tanzania was celebrating its 50th anniversary. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO International , share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

Umeeda Switlo interviews her new replacement as she prepares to leave on assignment in Rwanda for 3 months. Dara Parker talks about her volunteer experience in Lesotho, her experiences on the Ship for World Youth, and her work with the United Nations Association in Canada. Dara reviews the upcoming public engagement events happening over the fall. Dara will continue to record podcasts and share the amazing CUSO-VSO stories from around the world. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Umeeda Switlo is the current Public Engagement Officer at CUSO-VSO West in Vancouver. She left Uganda at age 15. Together with her family, she is so grateful to a CUSO-VSO volunteer who helped them start a new life in Canada. She has travelled to Kenya , Uganda and Tanzania and met many volunteers doing amazing work in the field as well as many RV's in Western Canada.CUSO-VSOVolunteer for a better world! Share Skills volunteers in 43 Countries-Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guatemala, Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, Maldives, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra, Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.Support our workwww.cuso-vso.org

Umeeda Switlo- welcomes everyone and thanks Nancy Garrett- CUSO RV India 1968-1970 (wife of the Late Lewis Perinbam), Juanita Tupper (ex CUSO Board member) and Tanis Clarke (CUSO-VSO Circle member, donor, RV and ex staffer) for attending. * Umeeda tells the story about meeting a volunteer in Ukunda on the South Coast of Kenya. * Judy Storr- RV Maldives 1997-1999. Taught English and tells the story of a graduation weekend on an Island. Thank you Judy for your service. * Patrick Lewis- RV Laos 2005-2007 In a town of 7,000in the far north of Laos Patrick serves the partner in Science, Technology and Environment agency. The story is about a business cooperative selling sand filters. Thank you Patrick for your service.

Umeeda Switlo- welcomes everyone and thanks Nancy Garrett- CUSO RV India 1968-1970 (wife of the Late Lewis Perinbam), Juanita Tupper (ex CUSO Board member) and Tanis Clarke (CUSO-VSO Circle member, donor, RV and ex staffer) for attending. * Umeeda tells the story about meeting a volunteer in Ukunda on the South Coast of Kenya. * Judy Storr- RV Maldives 1997-1999. Taught English and tells the story of a graduation weekend on an Island. Thank you Judy for your service. * Patrick Lewis- RV Laos 2005-2007 In a town of 7,000in the far north of Laos Patrick serves the partner in Science, Technology and Environment agency. The story is about a business cooperative selling sand filters. Thank you Patrick for your service. CUSO-VSOVolunteer for a better world! Share Skills volunteers in 43 Countries-Bangladesh,Bolivia,Burkina Faso,Cambodia,Cameroon,China,El Salvador,Eritrea,Ethiopia,Gambia,Guatemala ,Ghana,Guyana,Honduras,India,Jamaica,Indonesia,Kenya,Laos,Malawi,Maldives,Mongolia,Mozambique,Namibia,Nepal ,Nigeria,Pakistan,Papua New Guinea,Peru,Philippines,Rwanda,Sierra, Leone,South Africa,Sri Lanka,Tajikistan,Tanzania,Thailand,Togo, ,Uganda,Vanuatu,Vietnam,Zambia and Zimbabwe.Support our workwww.cuso-vso.org

Umeeda Switlo answers questions about volunteering overseas with Cuso-VSO. I am always impressed to know how many people want to make a difference in the world. I meet people interested in serving who have questions about working with us. At UBC the other day I went with Paul Watts who served with VSO and he described this NGO very well. We are a professional capacity building NGO. Our volunteers are catalysts for change. We link skills with needs. Our volunteers receieve a professional appointment at an in country rate. Thanks Paul!

Umeeda Switlo answers questions about volunteering overseas with Cuso-VSO. I am always impressed to know how many people want to make a difference in the world. I meet people interested in serving who have questions about working with us. At UBC the other day I went with Paul Watts who served with VSO and he described this NGO very well. We are a professional capacity building NGO. Our volunteers are catalysts for change. We link skills with needs. Our volunteers receieve a professional appointment at an in country rate. Thanks Paul! For more information about CUSO-VSO please go to www.cuso-vso.orgPlease leave a comment . We are getting ready to celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2011. If you know anyone that served with CUSO or VSO please ask them to contact us.Over 12,000 volunteers and almost 25 million hours of service. Thank you Alumni and current serving volunteers! CUSO-VSOVolunteer for a better world! Share Skills volunteers in 43 Countries-Bangladesh,Bolivia,Burkina Faso,Cambodia,Cameroon,China,El Salvador,Eritrea,Ethiopia,Gambia,Guatemala ,Ghana,Guyana,Honduras,India,Jamaica,Indonesia,Kenya,Laos,Malawi,Maldives,Mongolia,Mozambique,Namibia,Nepal ,Nigeria,Pakistan,Papua New Guinea,Peru,Philippines,Rwanda,Sierra, Leone,South Africa,Sri Lanka,Tajikistan,Tanzania,Thailand,Togo, ,Uganda,Vanuatu,Vietnam,Zambia and Zimbabwe.Support our workwww.cuso-vso.org