What will it take for people to wake up?

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Permalink Reply by Tracy Willett on March 19, 2009 at 7:06pm

Hi Richard
I entirely agree with you and I have had similar reactions here in Australia. Not quite so much with "why don't you help here" but more like "what! you're not getting paid?" or "why do you have to pay?" and just puzzled look on their faces. I don't get it either. I feel people living in Australia are so fortunate and often don't realise just how lucky they are with all the help that is available to them. I guess like you, we volunteers just keep doing what we know in our hearts is right.
Regards Tracy

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Permalink Reply by Emily Harrison on April 1, 2009 at 11:47am

What a beautifully written note, I certainly agree with you, coming from a small town in North Carolina people are confused as to why I'm not getting paid for this work and why I have to pay. It baffles me as to why some individuals can't understand that no matter how 'tough' they might have it here, they really are in a wonderful place. More people need to sit up and realize this and then take action in bettering the lives of others.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel on April 2, 2009 at 6:24pm

Hi Richard,
Thanks for your email. It is true that you will encounter frustrations in talking with people about volunteering abroad. Especially in communities that initially don’t seem to have any relevance to what they know or who they are. Then again, the task is to explain that everyone is looking for the same things. The simple things! Love, a house over ones head, food everyday, education, dignity… The question you will more than likely get while you will discuss this is: Why not do it at home?
Then again, I always explain to those that ask me this when I give talks is that different cultural environments permits me to surpass myself and dig within my own creativity to come up with new approaches and ideas that I can then transfer in my environment back home and in my life. If it means that I have to go abroad to make things tick for me, why shouldn’t I? There are plenty of people dedicated to all sorts of causes back home and I honour them for doing so.
For volunteering in any case, It takes a lot of dedication, convincing and empathy. Not sympathy!
The distinction between sympathy and empathy is important when you 'listen' to a story - if the audience is sympathetic, they feel sad and move on. If they are empathetic, they are moved and move-in. The latter is more important to create a movement of social change. It is true and I agree with you that “The world is a community” Segregation is unfortunately very much alive but then again, it is with your own stories , with the faces of those you will encounter on your journey and with your own passion that will be able to reach out to“them”. Don’t lose faith, things that deal with mentalities here and there take a long time to change.
Remembering the simple stuff is most important.

On all my journeys around the world and during my 8 years in International volunteering I have carried one small text which I feel very pertinent with volunteerism and I would like to share with you.

«What I do you cannot do but what you do, I cannot do. The needs are great and none of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love and together we can do something wonderful. Just be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.»

Mother Theresa.

All the best Richard and continue believing in your passions
Sincerely
Daniel

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Permalink Reply by Michael on April 9, 2009 at 5:39pm

I understand exactly where you're coming from and had similar reactions. People with that mindset would have to live with the people and share some of their experiences in order to warm up to the idea of helping those abroad.

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Permalink Reply by Courtney on April 15, 2009 at 11:50am

wow so I'm suppose to be walking to class right now but I stumbled across this right before I was signing out... I can TOTALLY relate to what you're saying... I can't explain much now, but basically my family members tell me things along the lines of "When are you leaving for that place you think you have to go to?" "Why do we spend so much of our effort on places outside of the US"...etc.. anyways, I just wanted to let you know that you are not the only one getting frustrated with this issue!

oh and the other one I get "Oh for church or something?" Why do we need church to do something good that is benefiting others??

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Permalink Reply by Paria Rajai on April 23, 2009 at 7:57pm

Haha Courtney. I get the church comment too. "Is that like building homes with your church?" all the time. I don't understand why the concept is so hard to understand. I am baffled by it too.

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Permalink Reply by Adelicia Yeo on May 6, 2009 at 1:40pm

I completely agree too and have experienced of bit of this myself. I feel there are so many ways (time, money, items, etc) and areas (homelessness, education, health, etc) in which to contribute and I have challenged myself to help out both locally as well as globally in the ways and areas that 'call' to me. One argument I have about volunteering globally is that often these areas are in so much need that they do not have enough local resources to effectively help themselves - yet - and how can we turn a blind eye to them. Although a country like the US may have it's own issues to contend with, the US is also blessed with many that can help internally and so I do not feel as though I am taking any internal resources away because I choose to help outside of the US as well.

Ironically, I have found that the people who say 'There is enough here at home to help with. I don't see why you need to go to another country.', or those that think I am just getting a nice paid-for vacation because of fundraising through a non-profit, are people that haven't done any volunteer or charitable service themselves. It's as though they have to provide some justification to themselves as to why they don't need to support or contribute. I'm curious if this is true for everyone else.

However, instead of getting upset, discouraged or too judgemental myself, I believe the best way to effect change is to "be the change you want to see". I believe I am setting an example in what I do, and although it may take a long time for these people to 'wake up', I know that more people have been inspired by my volunteering globally than have been cynical.

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Permalink Reply by Roy Cutting 8 hours ago

You are not alone: http://www.thevenusproject.com/

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