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Breaking social and economic isolation in Montréal

Salta Sadykova – InterNations Group Consul, Montréal

Using food as a vehicle, the Montréal Volunteer Group and their NPO partner Santropol Roulant aims to break social and economic isolation between generations and cultures.

I am enormously grateful to our Volunteer Group members for the time and interest they dedicate in volunteering!

Originally from Kyrgyzstan, Salta first became an InterNations member in her home country as a valued global mind. In 2012 she relocated and began work in Montréal where she continued her membership.

The inspiration for her role within the Volunteer Group came from a trip to a fundraising event of Santropol Roulant, a community food hub based in Montréal. The organization was keen for InterNations members to get involved, and — recognizing the importance of their social mission — Salta was similarly keen to make this happen. So, with Santropol as their first non-profit partner organization, the InterNations Montréal Volunteer Group was created!

As an ardent supporter of community service, and having spent much of her time at university and beyond as a volunteer, Salta was quick to get involved.

“I am passionate about the role that non-profit organizations play in every community.  I wanted to support Santropol’s mission through my personal involvement and engagement of other InterNations members.”

Santropol Roulant uses food as a vehicle to break social and economic isolation between generations and cultures. Creatively and collaboratively, they strengthen and nourish the local community in Montréal with their novel approaches to the engagement of volunteers and youth, urban food systems, food security and community care.

Salta is aware that being a Group Consul is not always easy; however, it is certainly worth the hard work and made easier with the support of other Consuls. And as a Consul from the inception of the Montréal Volunteer Group in June 2013, Salta has much to be proud of. The group has now over 300 members who have been involved in over 40 activities in the 18 months that the group has been active so far.

“I am enormously grateful to our Volunteer Group members for the time and interest they dedicate in volunteering! I am very grateful to past and current Ambassadors and current Volunteer Group Co-Consuls Susana and Ahmed who have helped enormously in organizing and holding the recent fundraising event in December 2015.”

Salta’s Tip for New Consuls:

“Have patience as it takes time to develop a stable group and to seek motivated and responsible Co-Consuls to ensure sustainability of the group and synergy of efforts and ideas. Working in a team is usually better, more fun and efficient than working alone.”


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