It is 5:30 am on Sun and I just woke up and can't go back to sleep, so I figured I would write on my blog. Yesterday was a great day. I didn't do a whole lot, it was just a time for all the other volunteers to arrive. It was great to meet people from all over the US and the UK. We all kind of hung out at the main home base where we have lunch and dinner and we got to meet Bella...
Bella is the director of the CCS program here in Dehli and one of the founding members of the program. She seems like a fantastic and wise women who really wants to make sure that we have the best experience possible. She also gave us some great advice while we are here in India. She said that we are going to see extreme povery, and at our placements they may not be the most structured or the most organized. You will have to be innovative at times and make the best situation out of nothing. She also adviced us to "accept what is". She told us to try not to let ourselves get too frustrated with the way things are or are not, or what should be, or can't be. Essentially, it is important to be in the moment, understand the situation and do the best you can in that moment or volunteer expereince.
I think that these are very wise words and something to apply not only at our volunteer experience but also in our lives. We do get frustrated over things that are not working, or going the way we want them to go and instead of getting all heated, frustrated, angry etc. "accept what is". And with that, I found out that the placement that I was suppose to be at Habitat Learning Center, I am no longer going to be working there because there were 3 reported cases of the Swine Flu. I will now be going to another location that is actually even more poverty stricken (I think). Accept what is...that is why I am here....
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Chantelle,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad the swine flu cases were reported before you ended up at that placement. I can only hope and pray that you will be "safe" health wise at your new placement!! Keep the sanitizer with you and use it often!
I'm just afraid of you getting sick and you can't afford to be sick upon your return since you have no time before school begins.
The swine flu is suppose to be a major concern this fall.
Take care Shoney Maroney!
Love,
Mom
Chante, you are one of the most positive, energetic people I know. While I know it's probably difficult for you to "accept what is" in such poverty stricken situations, I can never imagine you getting mad about it. What I can say though about being placed now at a even more poverty-stricken school is that...it can only be that much more rewarding. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad that your organization was staying alert about Swine Flu.