After completing a one-year mission with Pesinet in Mali, Pauline Dupont leaves us to pursue new adventures. In this interview, she tell us more about her career path prior to Pesinet and gives us some feedback on what she has lived and accomplished in the field in Bamako.
Before Pesinet, I worked for 2 years in a Health Promotion Center in a neighborhood of the city of Aubervilliers, nearby Paris. It is an initiative launched by the Hygiene and Health City Department. My missions were multiple: I was in charge of the administrative and financial coordination of the structure which was carrying out the actions of prevention for the inhabitants of the neighborhood, students of the college, etc. My mission also included welcoming population at the center, listening and orientation activities. Many of the inhabitants of this district are of Malian origin, so I started to get to know Malians in France!
After Aubervilliers, I needed something else, out of the “classical” job profile, and was longing to learn from other experiences. I took the time to travel in France and abroad, and I turned to organizations dedicated to cooperation to find a professional mission – most likely in an African country, I thought so! I did not know Africa before, but I believe that it has always been my wish!
So I spontaneously applied for the CEFODE (Cooperation and Training in the Development – international solidarity organization), which had just received an offer from Pesinet for a volunteer position on the coordination of the program. Everything went so fast after that, I was interviewed and recruited in July 2010 by Anne and I put my bags in September in Bamako.
As for my studies, after my High School diploma and a bachelor in modern literature, I followed a postgraduate professional training in social work and obtained a master degree in «Insertion and Social Development “in University of Paris XIII. They were multidisciplinary studies, combining sociology, law, geography and even project management, taught by both academics and professionals. I enjoyed this course combining practice and reflection.
My missions have evolved in accordance with the changes that the organization experienced on the ground and in the teams. When I arrived in September, I had to replace the supervisor who had just left. I was able to formalize a number of tools for managing the program, to redefine the missions and procedures of the supervisor and review the objectives of the actions. It is in December that I proceeded to the recruitment and training of the new supervisor, and then concentrated on preparing for the opening of the program in two other health centers in Bamako.
I had to learn to respect the local rules and learn what were the necessary steps for starting a partnership on good foundations. I had to adapt to evolve in a very hierarchical environment and adopt a “temporality” that is radically different from the one that I knew in France: this is not at the first meeting with a partner that you can pretend to implement your project; you need to discuss with all stakeholders, be appreciated, to follow specific steps to avoid any question or frustration; to gain trust in order to be accepted and followed. Our work, our actions and our technical expertise are obviously recognized for their concrete results but we must also engage in the local life and know how to give the necessary time to gain buy-in in the long term! Today, the development projects are on track to achievement, I think -and I hope- that the actions will start in September!
With Pesinet, I specifically reinforced my abilities in project management and team management. As the structure is fairly small, each member is really accountable for one’s actions and results. On the other hand, not being Malian and not speaking the language, my involvement and my investment in the field were less intimate, less personal, which I missed a little. Finally, I will of course keep fond memories of the professional and friendly atmosphere of the Pesinet team which is incredibly cohesive and committed!
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