Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Baker Lake (Aug 29/01) - The Nunavut Youth Abroad Program (NYAP) passed its own test this year when a student participant in the African segment of the program took ill.

The medical emergency tested the NYAP organization's ability to respond under crisis.

The student, Jonathan Siusangnark of Repulse Bay, had to undergo surgery in Africa before being returned to Canada for a follow-up examination.

The incident happened about three weeks into his six-week stay.

Program co-ordinator Chris DaSilva of Kivalliq School Services in Baker Lake says it was the first time the NYAP's crisis response plan had to be used in an emergency situation.

"We were able to throw the whole system into gear and had a board member fly to Amsterdam to meet Jonathan, so that he was never alone in transit," says DaSilva.

"He was put on the plane by our staff in South Africa, met by our board member and accompanied all the way back to Winnipeg where he was checked over by Canadian doctors and then sent home to Repulse Bay.

"We were quite proud of our ability to respond under crisis."

This marked the fourth year for the NYAP and the third for its African segment.

Students must complete the Canadian phase of the program before they can take part in the African phase.

Four of the six students to take part in the African segment of this year's program were from the Kivalliq.

There were 13 students in the Canadian segment, gaining work experience and life skills in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

"We're starting to build a bit of a track record with the program and that in itself is pretty exciting.

"We didn't have to remove anybody this year for disciplinary reasons, so we're also happy to report a 100 per cent success rate for this year's NYAP."