By Abdibasid Mohamud
Spes Nova which translates into “New Hope” in Latin, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit which was launched by two Fordham professors. We partnered with Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Cali, St. Thomas Aquinas College, and ITESO – Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara and works with artisans from Bolivia, Mexico, Colombia, and Kenya.
As the Graduate Assistant, I make sure both day to day communication with artisans and partner universities as well as long-term project planning are done effectively. We also have a student run club where members get 1 credit internship if they work with us for two semesters. The primary activities of Spes Nova include sales events where we sell artisanal products are sold to Fordham community during events such as football and basketball games. We also have an online website which permits placing orders that will be either picked up or shipped to any location in the US. I make sure the website is up to date, keeping track of inventory and promotion. And finally, I manage the finances of the organization from getting new products to documenting sales.
The responsibilities are not limited to those mentioned above. There is a teaching and learning component where the GA for Spes Nova with assist professor Eric Rengifo, one of the founders, with an undergraduate class on Entrepreneurship & Fair trade during the fall. Overall, it is a great opportunity which offers an exposure to the developmental prospects of micro finance/insurance, equally from a theoretical and practical lens.
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