Though this is meant as a satire, I guess it is also a perspective that we may consider taking when we go overseas to volunteer. How does it feel to be on the other side of the service? I often get the team to think about how their actions (however small or insignificant we may think it is) may bring about an impact to the community. For example, we might think that buying a drink or gift for our host (who we consider as friends) a nice gesture, but would it cause unnecessary embarrassment to them? I often wonder, would I feel it is alright if I were in their shoes, and once a year, a bunch of volunteers who is about the same age as me, travels over to help my community, perhaps bring in a sum of money that possibly amounts to more than i can ever save. My conclusion, though, is that this help benefits the community, and should be continued and sustainable. So the only way to make it better, is then the awareness of the potential issues we may create, and the attempt to mitigate them. Our Poverty Escape Simulation is a thought-provoking session that guides us through these intricacies.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 02:00:02 +0000