There is clearly no way to try to match a Sri Lankan's generosity. I can't express this enough.
I have been wondering what can I possibly get as a gift for Pathi and Nilu to thank them for the way they have welcomed me into their home. It seems like as time goes on they just go more and more out of their way to accomodate me. Pathi was trying so hard to get me a cheap tour of Bangkok (booked by the time I got to it) and to help me buy a suitcase- eating a very late dinner so that he can take me shopping at night, etc.
They had told me awhile ago that they new a good jeweller and I was interested because I know gems here are much cheaper so I had been thinking about buying something for Nilu. So when I got home last night I was helping Nilu on Facebook and out of no where they present my with a bag. I open it up and I am blown away ... while I had been trying to figure out how the heck I could get them back for their hospitality, kindness and friendship, they had gone out and bought ME a Ceylon Blue Sapphire ring! Craziness! Craziness!
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Why Am I writing this blog?
On Feb 8th I'll be heading to Sri Lanka for to do volunteer work so I created this blog to keep anyone who is interested up to date. But there is another reason for this blog... You've probably heard the Dr. Sues line, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."
I strongly believe that giving back to our society contributes directly to our own health so I am hoping that I can make a small impact on the community that reads this blog because it might motivate others. I feel like the only way to get the word out about the benefits of social interest is: 1. Do it & 2. Talk about it!
So my entries might jump around a bit with the intention to both share & motivate but hopefully the blog will resonate with you in one way or another.
If you're interested, check out www.uniterra.org to see if there are any positions that would make use of your experience!
why i am going to sri lanka
I've always wanted to volunteer in a developing country so when Andy, my communications soul sister, told me she was going to Sri Lanka with the Canadian org Uniterra I had to apply!
Soon after I was offered the opportunity to work on a Business Support Services Project with INDECOS, a Sri Lankan NGO working in the Southern District of Sri Lanka. They have many projects, including the Women's Entrereneurial Project and a Children's Center (MCC) for preschoolers & highschool students. My main focus has been to help INDECOS & MCC to improve their marketing material, including brochures, newsletters and reports but I am also helping the 13 girls- who I have become very close to- to improve their English skills, to write resumes and to use email, internet & software such as Powerpoint and Publisher.
Recently, I also worked with another volunteer - who stopped in for a week - to build the website. Prior to his visit this week I knew very little about html, but he has taught me how to work with and I have provided him with the content for the site. I will continue to improve it once he is gone.
Next, I plan to write a proposal for the Women's Entrepreneurial Project (WEP) which is a project supported by CIDA through Uniterra that involves issuing women loans and training them to start or improve their business.
So...WHY volunteer? Because I can and because I want to! I have nothing here that I can't put on hold for a few months and I see this not only as an opportunity of personal development but also because I think that International Development is the responsibility of those of us who can afford to help.
Soon after I was offered the opportunity to work on a Business Support Services Project with INDECOS, a Sri Lankan NGO working in the Southern District of Sri Lanka. They have many projects, including the Women's Entrereneurial Project and a Children's Center (MCC) for preschoolers & highschool students. My main focus has been to help INDECOS & MCC to improve their marketing material, including brochures, newsletters and reports but I am also helping the 13 girls- who I have become very close to- to improve their English skills, to write resumes and to use email, internet & software such as Powerpoint and Publisher.
Recently, I also worked with another volunteer - who stopped in for a week - to build the website. Prior to his visit this week I knew very little about html, but he has taught me how to work with and I have provided him with the content for the site. I will continue to improve it once he is gone.
Next, I plan to write a proposal for the Women's Entrepreneurial Project (WEP) which is a project supported by CIDA through Uniterra that involves issuing women loans and training them to start or improve their business.
So...WHY volunteer? Because I can and because I want to! I have nothing here that I can't put on hold for a few months and I see this not only as an opportunity of personal development but also because I think that International Development is the responsibility of those of us who can afford to help.
3 comments:
Woah, thats amazing. I think you have done far more for them you could ever imagine. They feel debt to you! I can't wait to see it. I also can't believe you will be home in like a week! Crazy!
ps. i know sri lankan isnt too close to china, but did you guys feel any shocks from the earthquake?
No, no, I haven't done anything for them- the people I live with don't work at INDECOS- they just want to give, give, give. It's a Buddhist thing.
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