Getting back more than you give: Volunteering in Thailand
I feel totally elated by this experience. The genuine hospitality of the Thai people, the smiles on their faces all of the time, their eagerness to help when needed and the sound of their sawatdee kaa just makes you feel comfortable in their presence. The projects were very interesting and rewarding, but would not have the same outcome without the Thai hospitality. Each project gave as much satisfaction to the volunteer (if not more) as the organization would have received from the volunteer’s help.
-Bea E., Thailand Orphanage Care Program, 2012
It’s funny what you miss the most…
Transportation is one thing that really sticks out to me, like riding on the dala dalas by myself (I felt so independent when I was able to start doing this!), riding over really bumpy terrain in the Land Cruiser (so ridiculous but fun in a weird way). I liked riding in the back of the pick-up truck, because you’re not allowed to do that in America. All the Maasai women would crowd into the bed of the truck, with bags of jewelry to sell, and we would just ride together.
Also, eating lunch in Tengeru with Mary in her concrete hut [is a great memory]. She spoke almost no English, and I was left alone with her for an hour after taking Swahili for only three days. That was the first time I really, really had to try to use my Swahili to communicate with someone, and I was really bad at it, but we were still able to talk, and that was really important to me.
Margie M., Tanzania Sustainable Agriculture Program
Thailand Gives a Mother and Daughter a Life-Changing Experience
GSC loves to see families growing together through service learning…
Everyone at the wat is so nice and eager to integrate us into their community. Last night after chanting and meditation, two monks stayed behind to tell us about the temple, Buddha, and short stories of their religion. It was incredible getting a first-hand account of what Buddhism means to them!…The program was a unique, life-changing experience that I will carry with me always. I hope many others will be introduced to it and have a similar experience.”
-Reid M., Thailand Service Learning Program, 2011
Both my daughter and myself exceeded our personal goals.
-Jamie M., Thailand Service Learning Program, 2011
Elders are Elders, Regardless of Nationality: A GSC Volunteer Gives His Blessing to Maasai Children
I wanted to remain in the village to play with the children. During my first visit the younger children would not come too close. Believe it or not, I was one of only a handful of white people they had ever seen. A couple of the older braver children approached me presenting the top of their heads to me. Dismas quietly instructed me to place the palm of my hand on the head of each child as they approached. In this way the children were showing respect for me as an elder. Giving a blessing demonstrated to the children I meant no harm. I found it enlightening to realize such a simple practice could have such a lasting impact. I will remember this as long as I walk the earth.
-Russell P., Tanzania HIV/AIDS Program
Expect our in-country coordinator to become more than just a colleague-our volunteers consider him a friend.
“My in country coordinator, Sophak, was excellent! I couldn’t have asked for a friendlier, more knowledgeable, more enthusiastic coordinator! My only regret is that I can’t return the favor and show him around my country!”
-Haley S., Cambodia Orphanage Care Program, 2011
You have the opportunity to teach lessons that will impact a lifetime!
In the schools, I taught not only the HIV and nutrition curriculum, but also life skills like communication and decision-making skills…I loved working with kids in the village primary schools. I really felt as if the kids responded to me personally being there with them…I really felt a connection to the kids and that what I was teaching them would really affect their futures.
-Leah E., Tanzania HIV/AIDS Community Development Program, 2011
Our volunteer teachers’ hardest part is leaving. Can they pass the torch to you?
I know my students will continue to learn through the books and materials I have given them after I leave. I guess the only other way to ensure success in the future would be to get more volunteers (maybe professional teachers! or students studying to become one) to pick up where I left off.
-Bridget T., Cambodia Teach English Abroad Program, 2011
Gratitude and Integrity: The Maasai
The group of Maasai men and women we were working with were not only some of the kindest people I have trained, but also whom I have spent a week of my life with. Though many of them only spoke Maasai, and not Swahili, they made an effort to communicate and show their appreciation for what we were teaching them. This really struck me when a woman approached me during a practical to ask if she could take some extra nails home. In the past, we have had some problems with people stealing materials or taking more than their share. However, when I told this woman that we would be passing out supplies to each person on Friday, she not only promptly put them back but continued to find spare nails on the ground and return them to me. I was truly inspired by this woman, who had very little in terms of her own material possessions, and her willingness to respect what we were doing. I can’t say if I would have been as honest as her if I was in her shoes.
-Hannah W., Tanzania Semester Program, 2011
What Can $300 Do In the Quest Towards Sustainable Agriculture? Turns Out…A Lot!
Our Cambodia fellow, Brian, did a lot with a little in his work with sustainable agriculture in the community. A combination of knowledge, partnering with dynamic local organizations, and Cambodian citizens ready and eager to learn new ideas resulted in a day of robust community education. Although the amount of time, mental and physical labor, and specific talent of the people put to task on this project can’t be under-estimated, it is worth noting that these types of trainings can be funded for less than $300.This sum is particularly impressive as these trainings impact many more than those in attendance. Participants represent a number of Cambodian communities who stand to benefit from the lower cost and higher efficiency of the practices taught.
I planned and coordinated the first [sustainable agriculture] community training, which was conducted on 2/20/2012. Twenty-five target beneficiaries representing 15 villages, PLHIV and/or low income family households, were chosen through [the organization’s] already existing service community. These 25 individuals are leaders of their respective villages which surround the orphanage. These leaders will hopefully utilize and share what they learned with others in their village. Basic sustainable agriculture techniques were taught in a one day training and workshop performed by a Global Service Corps’ (GSC) partner. This partner has been promulgating sustainable agriculture and food security in Cambodia for the past 14 years and is a key partner to GSC’s and the orphanage’s work in the Takeo province.
The organization’s Khmer trainer was very impressive, effective and efficient in teaching two styles of composting, three styles of raised beds, and liquid compost. In addition, everyone observed the demonstration center (raised bed, compost, water storage) that we built to see the beneficial results of using these valuable techniques. These techniques can be especially critical to this province because it is one of the driest relative to other regions in Cambodia, if not most of Southeast Asia, and lags behind in agricultural production.
The itinerary consisted of ice breakers, setting goals and expectations for the entire day, discussion sessions, promulgating sustainability and organic [farming] over conventional farming and chemical use, how to utilize feasible and readily available resources, how to form farming groups to sell their produce to GSC’s partner organization through market incentives, lunch!, and hands-on training of all techniques, among other topics.
In summary, the training was successful, community attendees had a fun and fruitful time, and there was chatter amongst all attendees about the possibilities with their newfound knowledge. The total cost of the one day training was $269.88 and approximately $238.73 is remaining for a second training. Again, congratulations to everyone for donating and giving this community a chance to thrive.
-Brian R., Cambodia Sustainable Agriculture Fellow, 2012
March Newsletter: Support GSC’s 12th Annual HIV/AIDS Prevention day Camp in Tanzania
| You Can Help GSC Create a Generation Free of AIDS In Africa! |
| Did you know that pre-teens and teenagers are among the most vulnerable to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa? In Tanzania, young people ages 15 through 24 make up 60% of new infections each year.Here’s how your support will help students in Tanzania become equipped to live healthy lives free from HIV/AIDS.
In June, Global Service Corps (GSC) will run its 12th annual HIV/AIDS Peer Education and Life Skills Day Camp. The two-week long camp will work with over 200 local high school students from two schools in rural Tanzania with the goal of educating youth about HIV/AIDS prevention. During the Day Camp, GSC volunteers provide students skills to mitigate the spread of HIV/AIDS. These camps are designed to be an interactive way for Tanzanian students to learn about HIV/AIDS, prevention, relationships, and sexuality in a fun, creative, and ultimately sustainable manner. These students then disseminate information about HIV/AIDS, life skills, and other health issues through peer health clubs at their schools during the rest of the year. GSC volunteers work collaboratively with local teachers, peer educators, and Tanzanian counterparts to teach a pre-designed education curriculum that includes lessons in HIV/AIDS, the biology of HIV/AIDS and the immune system, STIs, healthy lifestyle choices, gender roles, and life skills such as setting goals and dealing with peer pressure.
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