Tanya grew up in Côte D’Ivoire and moved to the US in 1999 to complete high school. After high school she received a scholarship to NYU where she studied political science and African studies. Upon graduating she worked in higher education as an admininstrative aide and program coordinator while moonlighting as a yoga and meditation teacher. She also has an extensive history of volunteerism with various organizations whose work supports human rights and dignity such as the School for Compassionate Action, Madre Inc. and Ancient Song Doula Services. She applied to The New School’s Graduate Program in International Affairs to gain more experience and knowledge in the international arena and has just started her second year in the program.
Want to be part of this series? Shoot us an email at [email protected].
interview conducted by Benjamin Ace.
Currently you volunteer at Ancient Song Doula Services in Brooklyn. Ancient Song Doula Services is an organization that provides support and birth education to parents in under-served communities in NYC. What is the most rewarding thing about volunteering here?
The most rewarding aspects of volunteering here is knowing that we’ve provided the tools and information for our clients to make informed decisions about their birth and them knowing that this information is accessible. And then of course, it is very rewarding to be present at a birth and to see first-hand that the information we’ve shared with the clients positively affects their birth experience.
In our initial discussion you mentioned you are interested in organizations working toward a more holistic approach to development and human rights. Can you speak about what you mean by this?
I’m interested in exploring how we could create long-term sustainable programs in post-conflict areas that would include trauma sensitive therapy (e.g. integrating local community practices with western practices) to support the rebuilding, development etc. of the affected communities. I’d be interested to see how these practices/therapies/modalities could benefit the community, as well as the professionals within the various organizations who are providing the services. Several organizations are already doing this work but need more support in terms of funding and visibility. I would like to be a part of making these programs more visible, working with communities and integrating this work into the more mainstream development and human rights work. Mandala House (mandalahouse.org) is an organization that does such work.
What led you to want to pursue a master’s degree in International Affairs at The New School?
I studied political science and African studies in undergrad and the state of the economy and circumstance led me to a career in higher education. I am so grateful for that! However, my goal has always been to pursue a career more closely aligned with my interests. I think that is why I waited a few years before applying to a masters program. I came across the Milano GPIA program and pretty much knew right away that this was where I wanted to study.
Have your education and volunteer decisions been influenced by the political situation in Côte D’Ivoire?
Absolutely. We grew up hearing about and seeing the horrible consequences of the conflicts in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Even as a young kid who didn’t quite understand politics, I had some awareness of the issues and of who was bearing the brunt of it all (women and children). My parents never asked us to leave the room when they were speaking of these issues or watching the news. My move to the US was supposed to be a one year trial period. Then there was the coup. My sister and I were in the market when the soldiers rode through in their trucks shooting in the air. It was terrifying. When the airports finally opened up again and I came back to the US for school, my parents decided that I should just stay until things calmed down. 14, almost 15 years later, I’m still living here. The subsequent coups and civil war in Côte d’Ivoire were ongoing as I transitioned from high school to undergrad, and even up until the elections in 2010. So naturally, for me, I’ve been looking to understand all the moving parts of these conflicts, the historical context, the communities affected, the actors involved and the process of healing and rebuilding-hence the political science and African studies in undergrad, holistic mind-body approach to trauma, and now development/governance and rights.
What did your volunteer work at the School for Compassionate Action entail?
I was participating in a year-long training and volunteering at the hospital and center was part of the training. The School for Compassionate Action “brings the awareness practices of yoga and mindfulness meditation into our local communities. We empower and educate at-risk youth and those with chronic pain, illness, trauma and addictions. We train health care providers, social workers, therapists, psychologists and yoga teachers to utilize these tools to work with people in need.”
My teacher from the School for Compassionate Action, Jill Satterfield, is actually co-teaching a Mindfulness in the Body training for clinicians with Jennifer Talley on September 27, 2014. (The training session is being offered in part by the New School for Social Research).
Do you feel that the program the School for Compassionate Action offers is beneficial to participants?
I think it [is]. [Participants] preferred the meditation to the yoga. Some said it was the only time they found peace and quiet. Like all things, it’s not for everyone, and some were required to attend. I did hear that one of the kids actually started working at the center mentoring other youth. That was powerful.
Would you ever consider moving back to Côte D’Ivoire to work upon graduation?
Absolutely!
Have you found any authentic West African restaurants in NYC? If yes, what are they and where are they?
Yes! There are quite a few. Papaye in the Bronx is an excellent Ghanaian restaurant. Africa Kine in Harlem, although I haven’t been there in a while. La Savanne in Harlem is also in Harlem and is delicious.
What is your favorite Côte D’Ivorian dish?
There are so many! I’d have to say my favorite is peanut sauce with mashed plantain (sauce arachide and foutou banane).
