Hola again followers,
I just posted about my country and some link leading to my placement this summer, but I also promised a blog about my volunteer placement from Wednesday at St. John's kitchen.
I have mixed feelings about my placement and I will tell you why.
As soon as we (Erika and I went together for our first placement) got there I felt as though everyone was staring at me. Probably not true, and I got over it really quickly but it was nerve wracking at first. The volunteer who was in charge was flustered by our arrival, as was I with all the volunteers all over the place, so busy with all the lunch prep.
After somewhat settling in, I was moved about 6 times from activity to activity. Not a huge deal. I was trying to be easy going and fly of the moment (not my strong point as most of you know)... So a bit troubling. So, I'm starting to get the hang of it, feeling a lot better about being there, when all of a sudden another volunteer tells me to get out of her way very rudely, because she has a hot pan in her hands and she needed the move to me immediate. So I move over on the table and continue what I am doing, then she yells at me loud enough for most everyone to hear "I TOLD YOU TO GET OUT OF MY WAY, NOW!" So I grab the two pales I'm working with and throw them on the floor. At this point, I'm almost in tears because of the weird, uncomfortable feeling that I am getting from everyone.
Usually I am the type of person that like to introduce myself to everyone and I can normally persevere through a situation like I had yesterday, however I found myself doing something I've never done before: I started to go inside and I stopped talking to everyone and I put up a huge wall/guard against everyone who talked to me or asked me to do something. Now I know how this probably came off to the other volunteers, "this girl is a snob/brat/or another undesirable word I won't write" and I agree, but I feel like I was addressed rudely first in a zone where I am already uncomfortable therefore I close myself off to everyone.
Anyways, so I continue to internalized my suffering (I'm being a little melodramatic here), and I try to do whatever job I'm told to do as quickly and efficiently as possible. But I find myself looking at the clock every ten or fifteen minutes to see if it is time for me to leave yet.
I also found that it was hard to get to know everyone else because they were in their own world getting things done and trying to do their tasks quickly and efficiently too. I did meet two volunteers that I really connected with and they are the reasons that I want to go back next week, but overall I had the experience that I was unwelcome, unwanted, unappreciated and un-everything. This really upset me, because all I was looking for was a "thanks for coming", or "I'm so glad you showed up/are here". Instead when we arrived the volunteer said something along the lines of there already being too many volunteers and she didn't know what to do with us... Which was obviously sorted out very quickly!
In the end I connected with a few people and it made the experience fairly worthwhile, however it was a lot different than I thought it would be and I'm glad that I know for next time what to expect.
In terms of feeling unwelcome, unappreciated, etc. it made me think, that perhaps that is how the people at St. John's kitchen feel: unwanted, unwelcomed, in other aspects of their lives and that is why they come to somewhere like the St. John's kitchen; to feel welcome and wanted and appreciated. I am glad I had this experience because it put a different aspect of life into perspective for me, however it was very emotional and hard for me to except at first.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
What will it be like? Info. on the Dominican Republic!
Hola followers!
Here's a quick update:
The Dominican Republic has many names. The conventional long form is the Dominican Republic and the Dominican is the conventional short form. La Dominicana Republica is the local long form in Spanish and La Dominicana is the local short form in Spanish.
This is the Dominican Republic flag. The blue stands for liberty, white for salvation, and red for the blood of heroes. This flag is very important and has a significant meaning for the people as it marks their independence from Haiti in February 1844. However, since then they have had many troubles, mainly from the United States. But they have been working together to make changes to the government in order to keep Presidents in control for longer than one term.
The Dominican Republic has a population of 9, 823, 821 people as of 2010, on 48, 670 square kilometres of land. There are approximately 62, 000 people living with HIV/AIDS and approximately 4, 100 have died from it. The main concerns for diseases in the Dominican Republic are food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever; vector borne diseases: dengue fever and malaria; and water contact disease: leptospirosis. All of these diseases are high risk, meaning they are easily transmitted and caught and can be fatal (hence the requirement to obtain inoculations before I leave!)
The national language in the Dominican Republic is Spanish, due to the Spanish conquest in the 17th century. And 95% of the population is Roman Catholic, also due to the Spanish conquest.
I also thought it important to note the literacy rate since I will be working with children between the ages of 4-14 in a summer camp, teaching, learning and playing with them. The literacy rate is 15 years of age and older can read and write, 87% of the population compared to Canada with 99%. The average child spends 12 years in school between elementary and university compared to Canada with an average f 17 years in school. The reason this rate might be so low is because only 2.2% of the GDP is spent on education per year, compared to Canada spends 4.9% of the GDP on education. I give the comparisons to Canada so that you have some perspective of the poverty that the Dominican Republic suffers from.
The population below the poverty line is 42% which is extremely high, being almost half the population.The Dominican Republic has a lot of agricultural products including sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, beef, eggs. The economy is highly dependent on the US where almost 60% of its exports go. The US accounts for one tenth of the GDP. The US also accounts for three quarters of all tourism reciepts in the Dominican Republic.
In terms of the Dominican Republic's internation disputes and problems within the country, there are problems with Haitian migrant workers illegally come to the Dominican Republic to work, taking jobs away from Dominicans. There is also a huge issue with trafficking humans for sex trade in various countries including Western Europe, Australia, Central and South America. There is also a problem with illicit drugs traveling through the country, specifically from Columbia to places like Belguim and the Netherlands.
Now, all of this information may seem overwhelming and perhaps a bit boring to you, but I find it fascinating and I tried to leave out some of the more boring information. I find all of this information informative in terms of what sorts of issues to expect in the news and what sorts of things that the locals will be talking about. I want to make sure that I am informed and well read when I get to the Dominican Republic because I truly care about these aspects and issues and I want the people I am working with to know that I care about them and their country as well.
This is all for now, however I will post another blog about the Dominican Republic that has some more travel and touristy details and information about it.
Cheers!
Here's a quick update:
I booked an appointment today to get my inoculations for the Dominican Republic, and it looks like I won't have to get too many! YAY!
I am also applying for two financial awards for International Experiences through the University of Waterloo within the next few weeks, so I will keep you posted about those!
Today I want to share with you some information about the Dominican Republic, as well as some information about where and what my over seas volunteer placement will be.
First, I would like to share the link with you to the website for the Esperanza Project which is where I will be volunteering my time this summer:
This website really got me excited about my trip, especially after reading all the reviews about the project and how it is an amazing place to spend the summer! I am really pumped about going!
And now for the information about Dominican Republic. This information is for me and you, so that we can both know a little bit more about the country and what sort of history, present and future they have. I also want to learn about the government, economy, climate, environment, etc. so that I can best prepare myself for a three month stay.
All of the following information that I provide about the Dominican Republic has been obtained from the CIA World Fact book website:
This website provides accurate and reliable information obtain by the CIA about countries around the world.
The Dominican Republic has many names. The conventional long form is the Dominican Republic and the Dominican is the conventional short form. La Dominicana Republica is the local long form in Spanish and La Dominicana is the local short form in Spanish.
This is the Dominican Republic flag. The blue stands for liberty, white for salvation, and red for the blood of heroes. This flag is very important and has a significant meaning for the people as it marks their independence from Haiti in February 1844. However, since then they have had many troubles, mainly from the United States. But they have been working together to make changes to the government in order to keep Presidents in control for longer than one term.
The political system of the Dominican Republic is democratic republic, which is a state in which "the supreme
power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them" (CIA World Fact book, Definitions and Notes). The legal system is based on the French Legal System because of the influence that Haiti had over the Dominican Republic.The Dominican Republic has a population of 9, 823, 821 people as of 2010, on 48, 670 square kilometres of land. There are approximately 62, 000 people living with HIV/AIDS and approximately 4, 100 have died from it. The main concerns for diseases in the Dominican Republic are food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever; vector borne diseases: dengue fever and malaria; and water contact disease: leptospirosis. All of these diseases are high risk, meaning they are easily transmitted and caught and can be fatal (hence the requirement to obtain inoculations before I leave!)
The national language in the Dominican Republic is Spanish, due to the Spanish conquest in the 17th century. And 95% of the population is Roman Catholic, also due to the Spanish conquest.
I also thought it important to note the literacy rate since I will be working with children between the ages of 4-14 in a summer camp, teaching, learning and playing with them. The literacy rate is 15 years of age and older can read and write, 87% of the population compared to Canada with 99%. The average child spends 12 years in school between elementary and university compared to Canada with an average f 17 years in school. The reason this rate might be so low is because only 2.2% of the GDP is spent on education per year, compared to Canada spends 4.9% of the GDP on education. I give the comparisons to Canada so that you have some perspective of the poverty that the Dominican Republic suffers from.
The population below the poverty line is 42% which is extremely high, being almost half the population.The Dominican Republic has a lot of agricultural products including sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, beef, eggs. The economy is highly dependent on the US where almost 60% of its exports go. The US accounts for one tenth of the GDP. The US also accounts for three quarters of all tourism reciepts in the Dominican Republic.
In terms of the Dominican Republic's internation disputes and problems within the country, there are problems with Haitian migrant workers illegally come to the Dominican Republic to work, taking jobs away from Dominicans. There is also a huge issue with trafficking humans for sex trade in various countries including Western Europe, Australia, Central and South America. There is also a problem with illicit drugs traveling through the country, specifically from Columbia to places like Belguim and the Netherlands.
Now, all of this information may seem overwhelming and perhaps a bit boring to you, but I find it fascinating and I tried to leave out some of the more boring information. I find all of this information informative in terms of what sorts of issues to expect in the news and what sorts of things that the locals will be talking about. I want to make sure that I am informed and well read when I get to the Dominican Republic because I truly care about these aspects and issues and I want the people I am working with to know that I care about them and their country as well.
This is all for now, however I will post another blog about the Dominican Republic that has some more travel and touristy details and information about it.
Cheers!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Placement and Location
Hello,
I know you have all been waiting patiently to find out where abouts my location will be and what I will be doing this summer, and now the moment has finally arrived!
This summer I will be headed to the Dominican Republic. There I will be working at a placement called the Esperanza Project in Cabrera, Dominican Republic. I do not have the full details on this placement (for various reasons), however I do have a meeting this week to find out more about my placement, which I will relay to all of you immediately!
This is a very exciting time for me and my family and friends, as I begin to do research and find out more about the country I will be travelling to as well as more about the placement that I will be involved in! Soon I will be booking my travel shots to make sure I get them all in on time and I will be buying essentials to take along with me on my journey.
Another exciting thing that is happening this week is that I am starting my placement at St. John's Community Kitchen in Kitchener with a fellow Beyond Borders student. Through the Working Centre introductions and volunteer placement sessions that I have been to throughout the last two weeks, each of the students in Beyond Borders were informed to choose a volunteer placement that would challenge us, therefore my fellow Beyond Borders student and I are going to try to pretend like we don't know each other, so that we can immerse ourselves more fully into the experience. This is going to be a challenge but I can't wait to get started!
I will post again sometime this week with information about my overseas placement and about my local volunteer placement!
Cheers!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Placement Location
Hello!
I've had a great start to my weekend by finding out the location and placement that I will be doing in the summer! I know you're all just as excited as I am to tell you to find out, however I will let you know in the next blog, which will feature information about my host country...!
So, this blog may pale in comparison to the next one, but I just want to say that I had a great week! It started off with a positive day at the Working Centre, with all of the lovely people there! My classmates and I were treated to a history of the Working Centre and a confirmation of our volunteer placements at the Working Centre this semester.
I will be volunteering at St John Community Kitchen on Wednesday mornings! I am very much looking forward to this because I have never done anything like this before. When choosing a placement we were told to choose something that was outside our comfort zone, so I picked serving at St John's Kitchen. I am looking forward to meeting all of the amazing people that volunteer and work there and to all the amazing people that come by to visit.
For more information about the Working Centre and what they do, please visit their amazing website:
http://www.theworkingcentre.org/
This will be all for now, but I will blog again before the weekend is over to give you more information about my overseas placement!
Cheers :)
I've had a great start to my weekend by finding out the location and placement that I will be doing in the summer! I know you're all just as excited as I am to tell you to find out, however I will let you know in the next blog, which will feature information about my host country...!
So, this blog may pale in comparison to the next one, but I just want to say that I had a great week! It started off with a positive day at the Working Centre, with all of the lovely people there! My classmates and I were treated to a history of the Working Centre and a confirmation of our volunteer placements at the Working Centre this semester.
I will be volunteering at St John Community Kitchen on Wednesday mornings! I am very much looking forward to this because I have never done anything like this before. When choosing a placement we were told to choose something that was outside our comfort zone, so I picked serving at St John's Kitchen. I am looking forward to meeting all of the amazing people that volunteer and work there and to all the amazing people that come by to visit.
For more information about the Working Centre and what they do, please visit their amazing website:
http://www.theworkingcentre.org/
This will be all for now, but I will blog again before the weekend is over to give you more information about my overseas placement!
Cheers :)
Sunday, January 16, 2011
new beginnings
Hello all!
I welcome you all to join me on my journey through my pre-departure blog as I learn to use it and as I learn new things about myself and others. This semester I will volunteer on a weekly basis at the Working Center downtown Kitchener! I cannot wait to get started! It seems like an amazing place to learn and grow and become a better person before I take off to volunteer around the world. I am to find my placement location either this week or early next week! As soon as I do, I will let you all know what is going on and where I am headed in May! Thank you all for showing your support and following me on my blog!
Love <3
I welcome you all to join me on my journey through my pre-departure blog as I learn to use it and as I learn new things about myself and others. This semester I will volunteer on a weekly basis at the Working Center downtown Kitchener! I cannot wait to get started! It seems like an amazing place to learn and grow and become a better person before I take off to volunteer around the world. I am to find my placement location either this week or early next week! As soon as I do, I will let you all know what is going on and where I am headed in May! Thank you all for showing your support and following me on my blog!
Love <3
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