Marie Kanla now lives in Africa, in Burkina Faso. But sixteen years ago, she was a student of the DU (Bac +3) Humanitarian Project Management of the IFF Europe. From the profession of nurse to that of cabinetmaker, a look back at a trajectory.
What brought you to IFF Europe?
Marie Kanla: In the early 2000s, I was studying nursing because I liked the human relations and attention to others aspect of this profession. Unfortunately, after my training, I realized that the idea I had of the nursing profession was completely different and that it was not in these conditions that I wanted to practice it. By meeting young people from Fondacio, I also learned about IFF Europe. I then embarked on the DU Conduite de Projets Humanitaires offered at this school during the year 2004-2005, in order to be able to settle down and take a step back. This year allowed me to initiate changes in myself, to know myself better and above all to know at least where I no longer wanted to go.
Ultimately, was the DU in Humanitarian Project Management a springboard in your life?
Yes, it allowed me to reorient myself in the social sector but always with this nurse's hat. In France, it is often difficult to get out of the boxes while in Burkina Faso (the country where I live), I was able to develop several professional hats and discover that I had multiple potentials.
What is your best memory at IFF Europe?
It dates back… in any case I remember a real brotherhood between us, with a lot of kindness from everyone. I even kept in touch with a few of them. I also really liked life in the household where we were about ten students from different cultures and backgrounds: a real joy! During our mission in Burkina Faso, I met my husband with whom I have shared my life for fifteen years.
When I made the choice to come and settle in Burkina Faso and leave France, it was not done without fears, worries, anxieties...
What did you do after leaving IFF Europe?
After IFF Europe, I focused my career on social work. I worked with various audiences for seven years: reception of isolated foreign minors, children's center, aftercare center for people with drug addiction, SAMU social. Then I wanted and needed to take a break and we made the choice (with my husband) to return to Burkina Faso.
Did you find work there?
In fact, with my husband, we set up our cabinetmaking business. We enhance standing dry wood into furniture and designer decorative objects (visible on our website www.kaala.afrique ). In this adventure, I am in charge of administration, accounting, customer relations, marketing, etc. At the same time, this year, I trained online to become a certified ICI (International Coaching Institute) coach. In a few months, I plan to develop my business to support adolescents and adults (in e-coaching or in person) on various issues such as self-confidence, self-esteem, emotional regulation, life transitions, etc.
What advice would you give to IFF Europe students so that they can take flight and become actors in the world of tomorrow?
IFF Europe allows you to start working on self-knowledge, which can lead to revealing ourselves and expressing all our potential that the world needs. I would tell them to dare and allow themselves to meet others. When I made the choice to come and settle in Burkina Faso and leave France, it was not done without fears, worries, anxieties. But I have two sentences that still carry me today and that help me to put one step in front of others when I doubt: " The important thing is the path: it doesn't matter if you make a mistake, it's the steps you take, it's the experience you gain in each thing that is important." And the other sentence that helps me: " It's not because it's difficult that it's not possible." In short, keep believing in it, go for it and move forward!
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