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From Terje Thodesen
A friend and former colleague of mine, Krishna KC, has written his autobiography. He honored me with a request to write the foreword for his book. So I wrote about the difficulty of breaking out of rural poverty and actual realities of work in international development as per the below. Did I get it right? In either case, Krishna's book is an excellent read for all with an interest in international development. Good luck with it!
FOREWORD.
KC has written up his fascinating autobiography and invites us to join him on a lifelong journey from humble beginnings in a Nepalese village, through his career in international development work, and till retirement in Toronto. It is a book in his spirit and marked by limitless energy, a fabulous sense of humor, honesty and readiness to talk about life as he has lived it. It’s not about what could have been or should have been, but about the actual life experiences that have shaped him.
KC and I have worked together over the years, twice and in different organizations. I have seen him in action as a colleague and as a friend. He is easy to work with, full of the ideas and keen to see them through. He is also blessed with an ability to see the bright side of life and the good in all people and situations. Colleagues have written well about KC in other parts of this book, though, so I leave it to them to describe this piece of fireworks of a man. Still, two of the issues he raises deserve special attention:
The first relates to KC’s roots. The world is full of stories about people who come from the simplest of backgrounds to achieve greatness in the modern world. Well, it is possible, but also so hard and demanding. Those born into families of small-scale farmers in the developing world are overwhelmingly likely to live out their lives in similar circumstances. Why? Many reasons, though poverty is the main one and a nasty one. When poor, then just to get through school may be out of reach. Not to mention university. Then the language skills. At some point, you need to speak English. In order to get somewhere, you need a network. Family network, professional network, or other. Someone with standing needs to believe in you and speak well of you. And there is stiff competition for limited opportunities from middle class children in your own country. And of course you need a range of inner qualities. A bright head, an open mind, readiness for sacrifice, a vision for your future, favorable circumstances and, above all, steely determination and readiness to work well beyond working hours. A good portion of luck is helpful, too. But then again, have you noticed how lucky hard-working people tend to be?
Should this book have readers in a similar situation to KC’ in his early years, and who are looking to participate in international humanitarian work, then read the above paragraph once again. It’s possible for all to succeed, but tough. This book does, however, give some clues as to how one man managed to do just that. And incidentally, such experiences are not restricted to the developing world. My own father worked his way out of subsistence farming and poverty in Norway in the 1930s and 40s. He, too, slept rough and went hungry. Small wonder I greatly respect KC’s achievements.
The second point relates to realities of life in international humanitarian work. As per KC’s book it is a fascinating and most satisfying way of life. You have ever-changing challenges, meet good people and see new places in ways that others may only hope for. You get an opportunity to assist those truly needy and get reasonably paid for the effort. It sounds good, and it is good, but that’s not the whole story. It is also a way of life without stability, with little certainty, on fixed term contracts and with many applicants for every job opening. You may need to go anywhere for any assignment almost overnight, KC has worked all over this planet. That’s doable when you are young and unattached, but difficult as you grow older and have personal responsibilities. Not all the people you meet in this line of work are necessarily noble – but many are.
We all have much to learn from KC’s book. Enjoy the read!
Terje Thodesen
Former Director for Emergency Operations
UNICEF- Pakistan
FOREWORD.
KC has written up his fascinating autobiography and invites us to join him on a lifelong journey from humble beginnings in a Nepalese village, through his career in international development work, and till retirement in Toronto. It is a book in his spirit and marked by limitless energy, a fabulous sense of humor, honesty and readiness to talk about life as he has lived it. It’s not about what could have been or should have been, but about the actual life experiences that have shaped him.
KC and I have worked together over the years, twice and in different organizations. I have seen him in action as a colleague and as a friend. He is easy to work with, full of the ideas and keen to see them through. He is also blessed with an ability to see the bright side of life and the good in all people and situations. Colleagues have written well about KC in other parts of this book, though, so I leave it to them to describe this piece of fireworks of a man. Still, two of the issues he raises deserve special attention:
The first relates to KC’s roots. The world is full of stories about people who come from the simplest of backgrounds to achieve greatness in the modern world. Well, it is possible, but also so hard and demanding. Those born into families of small-scale farmers in the developing world are overwhelmingly likely to live out their lives in similar circumstances. Why? Many reasons, though poverty is the main one and a nasty one. When poor, then just to get through school may be out of reach. Not to mention university. Then the language skills. At some point, you need to speak English. In order to get somewhere, you need a network. Family network, professional network, or other. Someone with standing needs to believe in you and speak well of you. And there is stiff competition for limited opportunities from middle class children in your own country. And of course you need a range of inner qualities. A bright head, an open mind, readiness for sacrifice, a vision for your future, favorable circumstances and, above all, steely determination and readiness to work well beyond working hours. A good portion of luck is helpful, too. But then again, have you noticed how lucky hard-working people tend to be?
Should this book have readers in a similar situation to KC’ in his early years, and who are looking to participate in international humanitarian work, then read the above paragraph once again. It’s possible for all to succeed, but tough. This book does, however, give some clues as to how one man managed to do just that. And incidentally, such experiences are not restricted to the developing world. My own father worked his way out of subsistence farming and poverty in Norway in the 1930s and 40s. He, too, slept rough and went hungry. Small wonder I greatly respect KC’s achievements.
The second point relates to realities of life in international humanitarian work. As per KC’s book it is a fascinating and most satisfying way of life. You have ever-changing challenges, meet good people and see new places in ways that others may only hope for. You get an opportunity to assist those truly needy and get reasonably paid for the effort. It sounds good, and it is good, but that’s not the whole story. It is also a way of life without stability, with little certainty, on fixed term contracts and with many applicants for every job opening. You may need to go anywhere for any assignment almost overnight, KC has worked all over this planet. That’s doable when you are young and unattached, but difficult as you grow older and have personal responsibilities. Not all the people you meet in this line of work are necessarily noble – but many are.
We all have much to learn from KC’s book. Enjoy the read!
Terje Thodesen
Former Director for Emergency Operations
UNICEF- Pakistan
The book is a practical insight into what life is like in INGOs and UNICEF. The good thing about working with the UN, I can see that Krishna and UNICEF were able to influence whole governments.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your kind comments. UNICEF and I tried our best; I feel happy and satisfaction from the results of our efforts. Thank you
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