Volunteer Status
Prepare for a somewhat disorganized ramble. It is intentional in part, to try to convey the chaos that has been the last few weeks. We are now full volunteers. We have sworn to uphold the constitution and all that. What this means is that all of the “hand-holding” that had been going on (though diminishing), is now gone. We are just expected to go out and do something…
The last part of training was mostly sad. It meant leaving our families, and leaving the training staff, both of whom have been anchors to our reality for the last ten weeks. Then about the time that sinks in, you also realize that you also won’t be seeing any of your fellow trainees anytime soon. For the first part of our time in our site, it is expected that we will not leave a whole lot… so no going off and visiting other volunteers every weekend. It is important that the community get used to thinking of you as being part of it, and around to talk and visit with. We have heard stories of volunteers who leave a lot, and the community thinks that the volunteer doesn’t like them… That kind of feeling could make it harder to work or accomplish things at the site.
Speaking of working or accomplishing something… I know that lots of people wonder what the heck we will do, what is our “work” exactly? Well, it is not an easy thing to answer, and it probably still won’t be after our two years are up. My current thinking on this question is that we are similar to but fall somewhat short of being a guardian angel, or fairy godmother to the community. We are a part of it, but still outside it... with different ideas and an outsider’s perspective on things. We don’t have to work for a living, and therefore have the time to just think about the community, it’s resources, wants and needs. We have connections to resources and information beyond the scope of the usual Salvadoreño. Then there is also this intangible “influence”… we have easier access to things like all of the NGO’s, our own government in the form of the embassy, and even their own government like the secretaries of the various ministries. If we go to a meeting with the Mayor, he or she will want to please us, or at least appear fair and just.
What we do with this “power” is up to us. It is mostly very subtle, and the whole idea behind the development part of this is that we support and teach, but not just “do” things for them. It is the whole teach fishing versus giving fish thing. The interesting aside to all of this, is that I think that this same idea would be applicable even in the US. Think about your smaller communities with changing economies… if someone were around who had the time to help them organize, plan and train, as well as lobby and help find grants. If this person was outside their own internal politics and not part of some outside political agenda… don’t you think this could be a real help to those types of communities? Enough digression, but the idea has merit.
So, for the last few days Katie and I have been starting to meet and know our community. Mostly the way this has played out as is taking a walk down some road, saying “hi” to people along the way, and if they seem more receptive, visit them for a while. This has led to lots of awkward moments. Often we are quickly invited to take a seat (this is pretty universal within the first moments) only to have most everyone disappear shortly after you are sitting. Then you just sit, waiting. When they return there are a few exchanges, and then lots of awkward silences. Some of this is our poor Spanish, but also it just seems to go that way. Then just as you start to think about leaving there is usually a good exchange, and finally when you do leave, it seems like you have really had a good time for a first meeting, and they really mean it when they wish you well, and to come back soon.
It has been amusing how many of the very uncomfortable encounters have become very satisfying and beneficial by the time we leave the house or yard. We still have a long way to go in remembering everyone’s names and in becoming comfortable with the small talk, but we are making progress. We count it a good days work if we meet three new families and spend more than a half hour talking to each of them. It’s a strange way to mark progress, but it really is important to lay that groundwork before we start anything more grandiose.
The last part of training was mostly sad. It meant leaving our families, and leaving the training staff, both of whom have been anchors to our reality for the last ten weeks. Then about the time that sinks in, you also realize that you also won’t be seeing any of your fellow trainees anytime soon. For the first part of our time in our site, it is expected that we will not leave a whole lot… so no going off and visiting other volunteers every weekend. It is important that the community get used to thinking of you as being part of it, and around to talk and visit with. We have heard stories of volunteers who leave a lot, and the community thinks that the volunteer doesn’t like them… That kind of feeling could make it harder to work or accomplish things at the site.
Speaking of working or accomplishing something… I know that lots of people wonder what the heck we will do, what is our “work” exactly? Well, it is not an easy thing to answer, and it probably still won’t be after our two years are up. My current thinking on this question is that we are similar to but fall somewhat short of being a guardian angel, or fairy godmother to the community. We are a part of it, but still outside it... with different ideas and an outsider’s perspective on things. We don’t have to work for a living, and therefore have the time to just think about the community, it’s resources, wants and needs. We have connections to resources and information beyond the scope of the usual Salvadoreño. Then there is also this intangible “influence”… we have easier access to things like all of the NGO’s, our own government in the form of the embassy, and even their own government like the secretaries of the various ministries. If we go to a meeting with the Mayor, he or she will want to please us, or at least appear fair and just.
What we do with this “power” is up to us. It is mostly very subtle, and the whole idea behind the development part of this is that we support and teach, but not just “do” things for them. It is the whole teach fishing versus giving fish thing. The interesting aside to all of this, is that I think that this same idea would be applicable even in the US. Think about your smaller communities with changing economies… if someone were around who had the time to help them organize, plan and train, as well as lobby and help find grants. If this person was outside their own internal politics and not part of some outside political agenda… don’t you think this could be a real help to those types of communities? Enough digression, but the idea has merit.
So, for the last few days Katie and I have been starting to meet and know our community. Mostly the way this has played out as is taking a walk down some road, saying “hi” to people along the way, and if they seem more receptive, visit them for a while. This has led to lots of awkward moments. Often we are quickly invited to take a seat (this is pretty universal within the first moments) only to have most everyone disappear shortly after you are sitting. Then you just sit, waiting. When they return there are a few exchanges, and then lots of awkward silences. Some of this is our poor Spanish, but also it just seems to go that way. Then just as you start to think about leaving there is usually a good exchange, and finally when you do leave, it seems like you have really had a good time for a first meeting, and they really mean it when they wish you well, and to come back soon.
It has been amusing how many of the very uncomfortable encounters have become very satisfying and beneficial by the time we leave the house or yard. We still have a long way to go in remembering everyone’s names and in becoming comfortable with the small talk, but we are making progress. We count it a good days work if we meet three new families and spend more than a half hour talking to each of them. It’s a strange way to mark progress, but it really is important to lay that groundwork before we start anything more grandiose.
posted by Jon & Katie | 9:17 AM
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