Reading week is among university students all across Canada and many of them, oddly enough, don't read. If you talk to my friends, they plan on going home, relaxing, are travelling or, in my case, road tripping down to Mississippi to volunteer with Mennonite Disaster Service.
At our first meeting as travelling group, students of Conrad Grebel University College went around and shared reasons for why they wanted to go on this trip. Answers ranged from having heard about a successful and fun trip two years ago, to glorify God or to really just having nothing else to do. I am fortunate enough to have taken part in the previous trip to Diamond, Louisiana and decided to go on the trip to Mississippi as well. But why did I choose to come? Ultimately, my reasoning was to have a good time and to connect with other Grebelites. Having taken part in the trip two years ago, I was mentally prepared for the trip down and I had thought it would be very much the same -- I was not expecting to learn much.
Since the start of our two and a half day trip this past Friday, February 18th, I had been struck by the capacity for human compassion and the power of gratitude.
Being in a car with the same people for 12 hours a day is not easy. It forces you to get along with one another. You start to notice the little quirks of one another and sometimes, you need your own space. Schedules are mixed up and you must eat on the schedule of the group: you lose autonomy of your life. Yet despite all these minor setbacks, there is a bit of magic in all of this. You really get to know your peers beyond the superficial. You learn a bit about yourself and how you react under stress and to an extent you learn about how others change in situations of stress. However, what is most touching for me is that 43 different individuals chose to spend their reading week to serve others. They chose not to go to a resort but instead they chose to spend their time to help rebuild a stranger’s home.
Two events stand out in my mind thus far. First is our attendance of a local church in New Orleans, Louisiana. As a group of close to 40 individuals, the church could have easily denied us entry into the church. However, they welcomed with open arms, introduced us and wanted to hear our stories. In fact, one woman gave all of us candy! The energy from the congregation was uplifting and its members went out of their way to shake our hands and greet us. Although we did not know these individuals, their capacity to welcome us into their community showed me first-hand how I want to life my life. The simple act of greeting others openly and lovingly is so powerful. To recognize and appreciate others is a gift, and although it is sometimes difficult to do, ought to be lived out more frequently.
Secondly, as I wrap up my first day here at Pass Christian, Mississippi, I appreciate more the power of compassion and its effects. I will only be here for 5 days but there are long-term volunteers that have served for months at a time over the last 4-5 years. Their desire to serve without compensation is remarkable. Throughout my day of scraping and painting, the future homeowner of the house passed by to greet us not once but three times. Each time, he greeted us with gratitude for the work that we are doing. He came to chat with us and told us the story of how he lost his past two houses since Katrina. But despite all the tragedy in his life, I could see the hope in his eyes. His thankful attitude towards all the volunteers truly reminded me of the impact little actions can have.
Often, when we think about “doing good”, we think about saving the world and changing it. This experience has really brought me back down to earth and reminded me that it is not necessarily the “big” actions that matter. Simple everyday interactions can have a lasting effect on the attitudes of others. The painting of a house is simple labour yet it serves as the backdrop for someone’s home. It is important, then, to not forget about the small things in life and to live out a life of positivity every day.
To be honest, I was hesitant about the work I would be doing in the Dominican Republic this summer. The Esperanza Project is a noble cause yet I kept thinking of it as summer camp. To me, its work could be done almost everywhere and to have two others with me at the placement seemed to make the placement even less special. However, the last three days has reminded me that it is not the big things in life that make the most impact. This lesson, for me, is important to me and encourages me to own my experience in the Dominican and change lives through inspiration. I, now, absolutely cannot wait to meet the children, the volunteers and my host family in the Dominican!
Check back soon for pictures from my trip to Pass Christian, Mississippi!
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Monday, February 21, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Living Acceptingly
As a part of the current Beyond Borders group fundraising initiative, we have been asking for donations from the St. Jerome's church community at their weekend mass services. Our fundraiser involves giving donors appreciation cards that we have made as a small token of our gratitude. The cards, with themes ranging from the philosophical to a birthday wish, can be given to loved ones while it spreads the word about the Beyond Borders mission. Natalia and I ended up going to mass last night, intending to make an announcement at the end of mass and 'selling' our cards.
Again, life shows us that it is funny and that we can not expect what we expect. In fact, we should expect the unexpected. What Natalia and I ended up doing was reading all 8 announcements and bringing up the gifts for communion. I was nervous and uncomfortable but I was fine with it, I am trying to make this term about experiencing new things. I have heard previously, though, that other students forgot to bow before bringing the gifts to the alter, simply because they did not know they had to do that. I had a similar experience. I ended up bringing the basket of offering behind Natalia and the regular mass-goer as I was told. However, as it came time to hand off the offering basket, I was somewhat confused: I was told to put the basket on the floor in front of the alter. Firstly, I was surprised it was to be put on the floor and secondly, I was shocked because I didn't know what to do when I got up there: the priest was standing where I was supposed to put the basket! I finally ended up handing the basket to the priest and upon my return to the back of the room, I noticed the regular mass-goer bowing before walking back. So, I quickly turned back around, did a quick bow, and proceeded to turn around again to leave. My delayed and sporadic actions were awkward but I did not want to seem disrespectful. Since then, I have replayed the event in my head and the impact of different customs and cultures.
As I move forward towards looking at travelling to the Dominican Republic this May, I recognize the sense of pride and joy a cultural custom may bring. From the Olympic Anniversary Special on CTV that I am watching to Nicole and Brilé's posts about volun-tourism, I see how a collective experience can hold a community together yet my presence in a different culture may be threatening and detrimental to its existence. How can I integrate myself into the Dominican Republic culture without harming what is already existing? Can I be respectful and follow customs and not impose my own values? I really hope so.
I will be living with a host family in the DR. My lifestyle will change drastically and I will have to live by the rules of the family. According to a Kwintessential, an online website outlining different country's culture and customs, these are a few things I should keep in mind:
1. Loyalty to the family unit is the most important social relationship; even above business endeavours. Additionally, family (including the extended family) often live close together. Often, family members of different generations live in the same house.
2. The people of the Dominican Republic pride themselves on hospitality and will go out of their way to make sure their guests are comfortable.
3. It is customary to maintain eye contact upon giving a hand shake. Eye contact is important as it indicates interest.
4. Upon visiting guests for dinner, it is appropriate to bring gifts of chocolate or pastries. Gifts that are black or purple are avoided as they are avoided as the colour of mourning. Additionally, gifts are opened when they are received.
5. Punctuality is a good thing but in the DR, arriving 15 to 30 minutes late for a social gathering is considered on time.
6. There is generally a saying, "Bueno provecho" ("enjoy" or "have a good meal") to invite everyone to start eating. (Kwintessential, n.d.)
These are only a few of the customs and rules of etiquette regarding to the Dominican Republic yet they will be challenging to adapt to. I think for me, the greatest challenge will be to be "punctual" and have everyone else be late. I hate showing up late and sometimes even get stressed if I am going to be 1-2 minutes late. Also, another key point for me to note is that the those receiving me will pride themselves on their hospitality yet this is not what I want. In contrast to eco-tourism and only seeing the good/easy side of life in the DR, I want to see the dirt and grit and what makes life happen. I truly hope I can be worked into the culture and become "one of them" while being mindful of being unique and individual. Mass this past week has showed me that I need to ask the vital questions to solidify my understand of the processes that are to ensue. Yet although I was not fully aware of my mistakes at mass, the priest was comforting and encouraging with my actions. I only hope that this will be the same in the Dominican Republic as I try to become an advocate for their lifestyle, hopefully by living acceptingly and openly to their culture and customs.
My goal is to live more like the family in the picture above and not take the easy road and enjoy the simplicity of volun-tourism.
Sources:
Kwintessential. (n.d.) Dominican Republic - Language, Culture , Customs and Etiquette. Retrieved on February 13 from http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/dominican-republic-country-profile.html
Photos:
http://media.photobucket.com/image/dominicano+republico+familia+/La_Familia_Wilson/100_1421.jpg
http://www.esperanzaproject.ca/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/banner_volunteer.jpg
Again, life shows us that it is funny and that we can not expect what we expect. In fact, we should expect the unexpected. What Natalia and I ended up doing was reading all 8 announcements and bringing up the gifts for communion. I was nervous and uncomfortable but I was fine with it, I am trying to make this term about experiencing new things. I have heard previously, though, that other students forgot to bow before bringing the gifts to the alter, simply because they did not know they had to do that. I had a similar experience. I ended up bringing the basket of offering behind Natalia and the regular mass-goer as I was told. However, as it came time to hand off the offering basket, I was somewhat confused: I was told to put the basket on the floor in front of the alter. Firstly, I was surprised it was to be put on the floor and secondly, I was shocked because I didn't know what to do when I got up there: the priest was standing where I was supposed to put the basket! I finally ended up handing the basket to the priest and upon my return to the back of the room, I noticed the regular mass-goer bowing before walking back. So, I quickly turned back around, did a quick bow, and proceeded to turn around again to leave. My delayed and sporadic actions were awkward but I did not want to seem disrespectful. Since then, I have replayed the event in my head and the impact of different customs and cultures.
As I move forward towards looking at travelling to the Dominican Republic this May, I recognize the sense of pride and joy a cultural custom may bring. From the Olympic Anniversary Special on CTV that I am watching to Nicole and Brilé's posts about volun-tourism, I see how a collective experience can hold a community together yet my presence in a different culture may be threatening and detrimental to its existence. How can I integrate myself into the Dominican Republic culture without harming what is already existing? Can I be respectful and follow customs and not impose my own values? I really hope so.
I will be living with a host family in the DR. My lifestyle will change drastically and I will have to live by the rules of the family. According to a Kwintessential, an online website outlining different country's culture and customs, these are a few things I should keep in mind:
1. Loyalty to the family unit is the most important social relationship; even above business endeavours. Additionally, family (including the extended family) often live close together. Often, family members of different generations live in the same house.
2. The people of the Dominican Republic pride themselves on hospitality and will go out of their way to make sure their guests are comfortable.
3. It is customary to maintain eye contact upon giving a hand shake. Eye contact is important as it indicates interest.
4. Upon visiting guests for dinner, it is appropriate to bring gifts of chocolate or pastries. Gifts that are black or purple are avoided as they are avoided as the colour of mourning. Additionally, gifts are opened when they are received.
5. Punctuality is a good thing but in the DR, arriving 15 to 30 minutes late for a social gathering is considered on time.
6. There is generally a saying, "Bueno provecho" ("enjoy" or "have a good meal") to invite everyone to start eating. (Kwintessential, n.d.)
These are only a few of the customs and rules of etiquette regarding to the Dominican Republic yet they will be challenging to adapt to. I think for me, the greatest challenge will be to be "punctual" and have everyone else be late. I hate showing up late and sometimes even get stressed if I am going to be 1-2 minutes late. Also, another key point for me to note is that the those receiving me will pride themselves on their hospitality yet this is not what I want. In contrast to eco-tourism and only seeing the good/easy side of life in the DR, I want to see the dirt and grit and what makes life happen. I truly hope I can be worked into the culture and become "one of them" while being mindful of being unique and individual. Mass this past week has showed me that I need to ask the vital questions to solidify my understand of the processes that are to ensue. Yet although I was not fully aware of my mistakes at mass, the priest was comforting and encouraging with my actions. I only hope that this will be the same in the Dominican Republic as I try to become an advocate for their lifestyle, hopefully by living acceptingly and openly to their culture and customs.
My goal is to live more like the family in the picture above and not take the easy road and enjoy the simplicity of volun-tourism.
Sources:
Kwintessential. (n.d.) Dominican Republic - Language, Culture , Customs and Etiquette. Retrieved on February 13 from http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/dominican-republic-country-profile.html
Photos:
http://media.photobucket.com/image/dominicano+republico+familia+/La_Familia_Wilson/100_1421.jpg
http://www.esperanzaproject.ca/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/banner_volunteer.jpg
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Living Together
Last week while I was volunteering at WASL, I was asked by another volunteer if I was there because I wanted to be there or if I was there because I had to be. I gave his question a quick thought and answered him. However, I think his question deserves more attention than a quick answer. I have been thinking about it a lot and have posed the same question to myself while I was found myself in different situations throughout the week.
For the most part, my answer is that I'm there because I want to be there. I came into Beyond Borders knowing that there was a local volunteer component and I also had the opportunity to choose which part of The Working Centre I was working with. On the other hand, I was there because I had to be there if I wanted to complete my hours for my class. Additionally, it was my first week there so I had not yet formed a sentimental connection to WASL that drew me back. However, the concept that I struggle with is what it means to want to be there and how do we determine that?
Almost everything we do in life has a purpose. We go to school because we want to eventually have a high-paying job. We go to work because we have to pay bills. We go on dates because we want to find a life-partner. In almost all circumstances, I think there is something we gain. What, then, does it mean to be somewhere because we want to be there? To be somewhere because we want to be there does not necessarily mean we don't gain anything out of it. The most important factor, in my opinion, is the qualitative factor of sentimental connection. It makes you happy and despite the hardships, you find joy in working through life's obstacles. In that regard, I would say that last week, I was there merely because I had to be there. In fact, going to WASL this week still felt like an obligation but leaving was a different story. I didn't necessarily long to return to WASL this week but I am currently looking forward to my next week there!
This week at WASL, I started to feel comfortable -- I felt like I was finally at home. I was welcomed and my volunteer coordinator was happy to see that I had returned. After I had taken off my jacket, she asked me to go get my nametag and to sign in. It was not until I let her know that I do not have a nametag that she realized I didn't get one last week. But to be officially welcomed with a machine made nametag, I felt like I had a purpose at WASL. I was then asked to help out in the front of the store! However, due to different demands for help, I spent some of my time in the back and got shown a lot of the key routines that happen at WASL. I interacted well with my co-volunteers and continued to make those crucial connections.
At home: I started to feel at home at WASL. What does this mean? Carissa wrote on her blog about this topic based on her readings by an author, Michael Jackson, in At Home in the World. She noted that to feel at home is to be familiar with her surroundings, to live in a world without boundaries as described by the Warlpiri people. In their lives, everyone is connected. Wives, husbands, and brothers are abundant and related by their skin names. To be at home is to be comfortable, living and working together and to have a connection with the people whom you work with.
Now, this concept of being at home and working together relates to one of this week's readings by Jim Lotz. On his chapter on What is Community Development?, he describes that community development "focuses on the process of enabling people collectively to achieve goals and to influence actions together, rather than as individuals." He also notes that the group in question must feel a collective need for this change rather than have it imposed by a foreign group, which he considers an intrusion. I think this week, I have started to feel a part of the community that exists in the initiatives at The Working Centre and that I am connected. Yet I have a sense of pride in the work I do but at the same time a respect for the environment I was in.
To feel at home at WASL was to be respected and to have a conflict-free day. It was to make connections with fellow volunteers and to laugh and smile together. Yet this does not reflect real life. Personally, I have a fundamental problem with this conception of home described both by Jackson and by Lotz. To me, these authors describe a low-conflict world that aims at solving problems collectively. To fight against the same thing and to develop the community with everyone's needs in mind. However, this is not what being at home is to me at all. Being at home is being with family; with family, we are obscene and uncensored. Perhaps it is my ongoing relationship with my family but sometimes I think being with my parents and my brother brings the worst out of me. I become opinionated and seek to get what I want. We bicker all the time and do not necessarily get along. We have selfish desires that we need our family members to fulfill. I remember my dad saying that he felt proud that our whole family attended my grandfather's 80th birthday gathering. Why did he feel proud when the dinner was not to celebrate him? I was distraught when I heard this. Feeling at home to me is not necessarily about being the most comfortable. It is not living conflict-free nor is it knowing the landscape of life. Feeling at home, for me, is living together despite our differences and working together towards a common goal. You cannot escape family and, to an extent, it is an obligation. So does this mean I only spend time with my family because I have to be with them, or do I want to be with them?
I don't think we necessarily have to make that distinction in life. Whatever the reason, we are there for the good of the community and have a vested interest in bettering it. Living together means making the occasional sacrifice to help those you are with. Although I felt at home, in the conventional sense of the phrase, at WASL I do not feel that I am necessarily being challenged. I hope to find my place at home at both WASL and the Dominican as I challenge myself to live together with others and be true to myself.
Jim Lotz' reading: http://www.theworkingcentre.org/wscd/pubs/understanding-canada.pdf
Carissa's Blog: http://cabaron33-beyondborders.blogspot.com/2011/02/being-at-home-in-world.html
For the most part, my answer is that I'm there because I want to be there. I came into Beyond Borders knowing that there was a local volunteer component and I also had the opportunity to choose which part of The Working Centre I was working with. On the other hand, I was there because I had to be there if I wanted to complete my hours for my class. Additionally, it was my first week there so I had not yet formed a sentimental connection to WASL that drew me back. However, the concept that I struggle with is what it means to want to be there and how do we determine that?
Almost everything we do in life has a purpose. We go to school because we want to eventually have a high-paying job. We go to work because we have to pay bills. We go on dates because we want to find a life-partner. In almost all circumstances, I think there is something we gain. What, then, does it mean to be somewhere because we want to be there? To be somewhere because we want to be there does not necessarily mean we don't gain anything out of it. The most important factor, in my opinion, is the qualitative factor of sentimental connection. It makes you happy and despite the hardships, you find joy in working through life's obstacles. In that regard, I would say that last week, I was there merely because I had to be there. In fact, going to WASL this week still felt like an obligation but leaving was a different story. I didn't necessarily long to return to WASL this week but I am currently looking forward to my next week there!
This week at WASL, I started to feel comfortable -- I felt like I was finally at home. I was welcomed and my volunteer coordinator was happy to see that I had returned. After I had taken off my jacket, she asked me to go get my nametag and to sign in. It was not until I let her know that I do not have a nametag that she realized I didn't get one last week. But to be officially welcomed with a machine made nametag, I felt like I had a purpose at WASL. I was then asked to help out in the front of the store! However, due to different demands for help, I spent some of my time in the back and got shown a lot of the key routines that happen at WASL. I interacted well with my co-volunteers and continued to make those crucial connections.
At home: I started to feel at home at WASL. What does this mean? Carissa wrote on her blog about this topic based on her readings by an author, Michael Jackson, in At Home in the World. She noted that to feel at home is to be familiar with her surroundings, to live in a world without boundaries as described by the Warlpiri people. In their lives, everyone is connected. Wives, husbands, and brothers are abundant and related by their skin names. To be at home is to be comfortable, living and working together and to have a connection with the people whom you work with.
Now, this concept of being at home and working together relates to one of this week's readings by Jim Lotz. On his chapter on What is Community Development?, he describes that community development "focuses on the process of enabling people collectively to achieve goals and to influence actions together, rather than as individuals." He also notes that the group in question must feel a collective need for this change rather than have it imposed by a foreign group, which he considers an intrusion. I think this week, I have started to feel a part of the community that exists in the initiatives at The Working Centre and that I am connected. Yet I have a sense of pride in the work I do but at the same time a respect for the environment I was in.
To feel at home at WASL was to be respected and to have a conflict-free day. It was to make connections with fellow volunteers and to laugh and smile together. Yet this does not reflect real life. Personally, I have a fundamental problem with this conception of home described both by Jackson and by Lotz. To me, these authors describe a low-conflict world that aims at solving problems collectively. To fight against the same thing and to develop the community with everyone's needs in mind. However, this is not what being at home is to me at all. Being at home is being with family; with family, we are obscene and uncensored. Perhaps it is my ongoing relationship with my family but sometimes I think being with my parents and my brother brings the worst out of me. I become opinionated and seek to get what I want. We bicker all the time and do not necessarily get along. We have selfish desires that we need our family members to fulfill. I remember my dad saying that he felt proud that our whole family attended my grandfather's 80th birthday gathering. Why did he feel proud when the dinner was not to celebrate him? I was distraught when I heard this. Feeling at home to me is not necessarily about being the most comfortable. It is not living conflict-free nor is it knowing the landscape of life. Feeling at home, for me, is living together despite our differences and working together towards a common goal. You cannot escape family and, to an extent, it is an obligation. So does this mean I only spend time with my family because I have to be with them, or do I want to be with them?
I don't think we necessarily have to make that distinction in life. Whatever the reason, we are there for the good of the community and have a vested interest in bettering it. Living together means making the occasional sacrifice to help those you are with. Although I felt at home, in the conventional sense of the phrase, at WASL I do not feel that I am necessarily being challenged. I hope to find my place at home at both WASL and the Dominican as I challenge myself to live together with others and be true to myself.
Jim Lotz' reading: http://www.theworkingcentre.org/wscd/pubs/understanding-canada.pdf
Carissa's Blog: http://cabaron33-beyondborders.blogspot.com/2011/02/being-at-home-in-world.html
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