About Us
MAA is a grass-roots volunteer organization founded to promote
education and literacy among children in the developing nations. The
organization grew out of the idea of using personal resources for aid
and developing an organization with minimum overhead costs, so most of
the aid would be directed to those most in need.
Founder and Executive Director
Born
in Bangladesh, raised in Saudi Arabia, Kashfi moved to Canada in
her high school years and graduated from the University of Toronto with
a degree in Computer Engineering. She is currently pursuing her Masters
in Peace, Conflict and Development Studies at the UNESCO Chair for the
Philosophy of Peace. Kashfi has worked with corporations
such as Infosys in Bangalore, India and MDA Space Missions in Brampton,
Canada. She was featured on Echo, a programme on SunTV featuring second
and third generation Canadians that have achieved success in their
chosen careers.
Her travels allowed her to experience first-hand the disparity
and poverty present in different parts of the world. As a result, she
volunteered with Amnesty International, Asian Women in Canada, Women in
Science and Engineering, and Engineers without Borders. Drawing from
these experiences, Kashfi realized that she could do more using her
personal resources with a smaller grassroots organization.
Director of Logistics
Vanessa got a
taste of the world from her early years, both through her
Bengali father and her Spanish mother, as well as through her travels.
She received her degree in Materials Engineering from the University of
Toronto, continuing her career in prestigious firms such as MDA Space
Missions and Bombardier.
Vanessa's involvement with MAA started when she saw the
opportunity to help in a manner that would be directly beneficial to
those concerned, by allowing them to develop themselves and become more
sustainable and independent.
Technical Director
Being
brought up in India, Japan and Canada, Vidya acquired a passion
for traveling. Graduating with a Computer Engineering degree from the
University of Toronto, Vidya is currently working at BMO as a Software
Developer.
With strong roots in India, Vidya has worked with a school for
the blind and an orphanage in a village just outside of Chennai, Tamil
Nadu. Currently, she is sponsoring a 10 year old boy from India.
Education Advisor
Jaddon Park is
an education specialist with practical experience in
Canada and an extensive professional history in South Asia.
His major interests are in non-formal primary education, teacher
development, curriculum and instructional designs, and school
improvement. He has a solid understanding of comparative education,
international development education, nonformal education, and school
administration.
He is presently a PhD candidate at the Ontario Institute for
Studies in
Education of the University of Toronto. With MAA, Jaddon has structured
the children selection criterion and constantly advises with the
ongoing programs.
Project Uganda Director
Katrina is
now based in Montreal coordinating the Education Tools for
Buwagga project through MAA. She has international experience,
specializing in aerospace and environmental engineering, and has worked
in countries including Canada, French Guiana, Switzerland, and Japan.
She volunteered with the Calgary and Montreal chapters of Engineers
Without Borders, and was an international development intern in Uganda,
where she worked with the Buwagga community and school, primarily
assisting with the school's science program. In addition, as a
dancer and percussionist, Katrina is actively involved in cultural
events around Quebec, in particular with the Canadian-South American
and African communities.
Communications Advisor
With a
Bachelor of Applied Arts in Radio and Television
Arts from Ryerson University, Rebecca Webster knew that the media was
going to be her career. Her love for everything entertainment led her
to positions at Teletoon (Canada's Cartoon Network), Virgin Music
Canada, CBC Newsworld, Harbourfront Centre (Canada's largest cultural
arts centre, located in Toronto) and to her current position directing
Media Relations and Promotions for English Canada for Distribution
Fusion 3, Justin Time Records and Secret City Records.
Taking a moment from her daily life to act as media consultant
for MAA
was an easy thing to do, having been a traveler from the time she
immigrated to Canada as a child and being acutely aware of the need for
help in third world countries. A recent trip to India when the 2004
tsunami hit, further crystallized the need to use her skills and work
with a team of people dedicated to focusing their talents on daily
creative and active change.
University Chapters MAA Representative
A current
student at the University of Toronto, Alfiya has invariably
given time to volunteer with various organisations focussing on
children's education. Previously she has worked with "From 3 to 3",
tutoring kindergarten children as well as working with the teachers.
With MAA, Alfiya has successfully recruited volunteers for
various
events, as well as raising awareness not only of MAA, but of the plight
of children through documentary nights and talks.
Acting Chairperson
With a
degree in Computer Engineering from the University of
Toronto and currently pursuing his MBA, Yasser has worked with firms
such as Infosys and sits as and advisor to local community youth
charities.
Yasser has dedicated his time and expertise to assist with the
running of MAA in the Toronto Chapter.
Communications and Website Manager
Born and raised
in Germany, Franziska discovered her passion for
traveling in her early twenties and acquired work experience in Israel,
Ireland and Quebec. With a bachelors degree in Social Work she
specialized in disability and worked for three years with L'Arche, an
international federation of communities for people with disabilities.
Drawing from these experiences, she decided that the international NGO
and non-profit sector would be her future. She is currently pursuing a
Masters in Peace, Conflict and Development Studies at the UNESCO Chair
for the Philosophy of Peace in Castellon, Spain.
With a strong personal interest in communications and art,
she is happy
to use her skills and free time to support MAA as the website manager.
