Name, location and what do you do?

Melinda Foran, based in Calgary, Canada as an International Technical Advisor for CAWST, a non-profit working in water, sanitation & hygiene. I travel to countries in Asia and Africa to build the capacity of local organizations so that they can discover and implement solutions to improve access to water, hygiene and sanitation.

Why are you a global nomad?

Because I think of my home as wherever in the world I happen to lay my head down to sleep.

What made you start this venture? Why are you doing this?

I started working in water seeking solutions to a basic human need. As trite as it may be, I still cling to the cliche, “Water is life.” We drink it every day, can’t survive without it and definitely take for granted that it is safe to drink from the tap. I want to see that everyone is able to say that the water they put in their mouth is safe to drink.

What do you hope to achieve?

I hope to achieve a sense of respect and mutual understanding with whom I work and interact.

How long have you been working on this?

Almost 10 years…in a variety of roles - engineer, student, researcher, mentor, and coach.

What is the most interesting discovery you have made since starting this project?

Relationships are the most important part. Enjoy every conversation or friendship no matter how long or short.

Where do you see this project in 10 years?

I think we’re going to see that water is still a hot global issue - who has too much, who has too little, who’s fighting over it, who’s is contaminated with shit. I also think we’ll see success in terms of access and safety of water for families globally. And I plan to still be in the middle of it all.

When did you start traveling?

I started traveling when I was 22, late nowadays!

How and why did you travel for the first time?

I did the stereotypical backpacking trip in Europe after finishing undergrad before moving away from the USA. I really wanted to visit cities and places with history and figure the plan out as we went along.

In what places have you lived and what languages do you speak?

Live - how do you define live? Dominican Republic, Ghana, USA & Canada - I speak English and Spanish

What’s your favorite city so far? Mumbai - what a rich place in texture, aromas and color.

If you could only take one item with you to travel the world (other than your passport), what would it be?

My Ipod - as a singer with a brain full of Top 40 lyrics since the early 1980’s, I have to be able to belt out songs on a regular basis. My Ipod provides me with that outlet, so that I don’t end up signing Dolly Parton or Akon in a vehicle somewhere in Africa. Who am I kidding, that usually happens anyway.

Give us your global nomad profile:

window or aisle? Window - I love to see where I’m going

boat or plane? Boat - I was born for water

train or bus? Bus - how can you give up travel with chickens under your seat and a competition for who gets to sit with both shoulders/arms flush against the seat

walk or bike? Walk

metro or trolley? Metro

tropical, temperate, polar? Tropical - I have no idea what I’m doing in Canada

hotel, hostel or local’s apartment? Local’s apartment - what better way to find a new home?

must have fashion piece when traveling? Scarf - preferably one you’ve found on that trip

explore/map or tour guide? explore - but hide the map and only take it out in bathrooms or hidden alleyways