Volunteering: what a good way to escape the monotony of daily life while at the same time doing something worthwhile! I was thinking a few months ago when preparing to launch into the adventure of working as an international volunteer. But the more I delved into the somewhat obscure and contradictory world of volunteering, foreign aid and development work, the more I realized that the issue is much more complicated than that.
The day at our school always starts with the morning assembly: The kids come together before class and sing the national anthem.
These were my thoughts before I started volunteering with a local NGO in Accra providing free education for kids whose parents can’t pay the school fee.
The school was nothing more than a few tables and chairs under a large, shady mango tree. This image has become a metaphor for me even before going there and actually seeing the school myself – a metaphor for what is possible with nothing more than courage and inspiration, and a metaphor for the hardships the people are facing as teaching outdoors means being exposed to harsh weather conditions, sudden torrential rain falls and mangoes falling down and hitting the kids.
After four indescribable months I am back now and thankful for the opportunity this great project provided me with: to learn from the generous people willing to share their lives with me. As the US-American author and travel writer Paul Theroux reminds us, our power as outsiders to actually have an impact is very limited:
The only mistake is in thinking that you will make an important difference in the lives of the people you’re among. The profound difference will be in you.
What I realized in the end was that what makes international volunteering powerful is not the practical support I hopefully was able to provide on the spot, it is the potential to inspire and connect people across the globe who want to make a change. All your ideas, thoughts, suggestions and criticisms are very welcome, feel free to contact me or leave your comments!
Under the Mango Tree 
hey, how are you?
I have participated in a school-building project in rural Ghana (Piase, close to Kumasi) in 2009, and I can verify Theroux’ words. At the same time I want to say they are maybe true for short stays. If you are planning on being there for couple of months, do not underestimate the impact you make by humbly serving the country. It might not change the world, but it may change some kids’, and even adults’ world 🙂 (ok, corny mode “off” again) keep us posted!
hey i’m good thanks, how are you? 🙂 yes I think you’re right, you can make a difference in the life of the people you’re meeting abroad, especially when you’re staying for a longer period of time and develop close relationships: your actions will surely have an impact. But I guess the person going abroad is undergoing a more radical change, the “profound difference” Theroux is talking about. But well, I am actually not qualified yet to talk about it so much, let’s talk about it again when I’m back! 🙂
Congratulaions, Carolin,
to your courageous decision ! All my best wishes for a success of the project – with benefits to the children involved and the community as well as yourself. (There is no doubt that this engagement will have a remarkable impact on your own further life.)
Maybe you should contact our cousin Reinhild Kim who is sponsoring a school project in Mali (to which I’m contributing, too).
Good luck – an strength !
Wolf
Dear Wolf, thanks for your encouraging message! I’ll get in touch with Reinhild, that was on my to-do list anyway.. 🙂