My Work
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Lessons in courage
http://www.bnltimes.com/features/86-all/570-lessons-in-courage.html
Beyond sex abuse
Raped after moving to Canada at 14, Leticia expected Western-world justice, but her Ghanaian mother dealt with the problem the traditional way
http://www.thestar.com/living/article/253466
Mixing and matching, to mom’s chagrin
Intermarriage is rising and it just may be the acid test for modern multiculturalism
http://www.thestar.com/article/231387
Journey into journalism
Malawian journalism students discuss human rights, constitution in their first JHR human rights workshop
http://www.jhr.ca/fieldnotes/view.php?aid=1298
Voices from the classroom
Profiles on three young human rights journalists in Malawi
http://www.jhr.ca/fieldnotes/view.php?aid=1299
Daycare staff get low pay, no respect
A major international study last year ranked Canada at the bottom of a list of 14 industrialized nations when it comes to spending on early childhood education.
http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/education/childcare/article/220120—daycare-staff-get-low-pay-no-respect\
More girls fighting with fists
Criminal charges against violent teen girls have more than doubled in 20 years as assaults earn respect and admiration within cliques
http://www.thestar.com/living/article/351039
Stories from our ‘hoods
12 young people reject `youth at risk’ labels to create and act in a dub/rap play about their lives, thanks to a challenging summer program
http://www.thestar.com/article/258297
Celebrating her own way
Young black woman couldn’t identify with drag queens and buff guys singing `YMCA’
http://www.thestar.com/living/article/225571
Girl power: three inspiring immigrant women
Three inspiring stories. Three inspiring women. For International Women’s Day Canadian Immigrant profiles three remarkable women to watch
http://www.canadianimmigrant.ca/immigrantstories/moneybusiness/article/581
Young women in love with gangsters
`Ride or die chicks’ are prepared to do anything to show dedication to their gangster boyfriends
http://www.thestar.com/article/242150
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Interactive Media
Sojourner Truth- Aint I a woman?—Malawian students
A Youtube video capturing my gender workshops in Malawi with my female journalism students!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbLq6d7PBJI
Photo Essay: A day with a media trainer
A photo essay capturing my jhr human rights/media workshops in Malawi !
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35571877@N07/sets/72157621885290290/
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Words from students
“Hi Simona, hope you are okay. You probably you don’t remember me. I am Vanessa, I used to be your student in Malawi. I was the one whom you helped write that article in the Daily Times concerning the woman who lost her property. I just wanted to say hello and let you know that I have just finished my diploma and am about to do my research project. Thanks for being a great teacher. Hope you visit Malawi again.
- Vanessa Mdala,
“Hie! hie! Simona!
Seriously I miss you already. You’ve been a good friend to me and your name will still be on my heart and I do not see any reason why I should stop mentioning your name to my family members. I really like you as my teacher, friend and sister. I will never ever forget you. I will miss your beautiful smile and warm welcome that made me want to come to class. I will miss you a million times over and hope to see you one day again.
-Cindy Mchema
Discovering success at MIJ
http://www.jhr.ca/blog/2010/07/discovering-success-at-mij/
Excerpt:
“Archibald Kasakura, a 30-year-old diploma student at MIJ, shares the impact Siad had on his journalism skills. “Before she came onto the scene, I didn’t know how to write features,”Kasakura recalls, “Simona made me what I am today.”
When Kasakura first started writing, he relied on Siad for about 70 percent of his work. “Initially, I thought she was being so hard on me, but now I know it was part of the growing process,” he says. But these days, Kasakura works independently at producing high-quality stories on a regular basis.
“I used to see human rights as something that doesn’t apply to Malawians, but now I see the importance of them,” he states. “[Simona] has opened my eyes.”’
