For this second issue of our newsletter, we have interviewed one of our volunteer heroines: Anne-Marie Colliander Lind, who helps to raise the money that makes Translators without Borders go round<\/p>\n
Q: If you were to write a brief wiki article about yourself, what facts and personal characteristics would you include?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: I was born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden, and I\u2019ve spent most of my summers in Spain. Horseback riding was my first true passion and I\u2019ve competed successfully in show jumping until only a few years ago. Since I was little, my dream was to be bilingual, so maybe that is why I accidentally ended up in the translation industry. I have no qualification or experience as a translator, but I have been involved in the translation industry as a businesswoman since 1989. I am an optimistic, outgoing person; I see opportunities rather than challenges.<\/p>\n Q: What is your role at Translators without Borders?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: My role is to raise funds by bringing more corporate sponsors to the organization. Translators without Borders has grown as an organization and has all elements well in place, however it does need more financial contributions to get to the next level \u2013 to reach out to more NGOs.<\/p>\n Q: What has motivated you to help Translators without Borders?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: Well, I heard about Translators without Borders some ten years ago and\u00a0charity has always been present in my family, if even on a small scale. As I\u2019m not qualified to be a volunteer translator, I\u2019m happy I could take another role in supporting the cause.<\/p>\n Q: What is a day in your life like?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: I am an independent business consultant so I travel a lot to meet clients onsite, which gives me the chance to visit new places and countries. It might be that one week I have to travel to Poland, and then I have to go to Spain. In contrast to my travelling I work a lot from home, which is good, since I am then really close to my family.When I work from home, most of my interactions are over the phone, Skype and via e-mail.<\/p>\n Q: How do you squeeze in time for your volunteer tasks?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: It comes very naturally, for example, in conversations and interactions during industry conferences. I\u2019m very proud of being a representative of Translators without Borders, so it\u2019s easy for me to share my enthusiasm. Then I normally take a few hours a week to do some more active reach-outs.<\/p>\n Q: What do you consider are the challenges ahead for your role and for Translators without Borders?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: The challenge is sustaining the contribution levels. It is one thing to convince a company to help our worthy cause, but it is harder to convince them to continue. For that reason, we need to share the good work that we do, so that donors are confident that we are making good use of the money. Another challenge is to make sure that we reach as many NGOs as possible with our free translations.\u00a0 Finally, Translators without Borders will eventually require some professional management and this requires funds. An all-volunteer global organization is not sustainable in the long run, in my opinion.<\/p>\n Q: What would you say to someone who is thinking about joining a cause like Translators without Borders?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: Much has been said about the translation industry being immature. But, for me, the fact that the industry has a charity organization is a sign of maturity. It is the right thing to give something back to the same industry that feeds you. Language is a necessity and it is also a human right \u2013 the right to communicate and the right to understand. It\u2019s easier to support a cause that you are passionate about, in our case: languages and translation.<\/p>\n