The Problems with Working in a Village like this...
We have come to realise that whenever we are working on our fence project, the village men try to come and do the work for us, acting as if we can't do it right and they can do it faster. Yes, that may be partially true, but we were only slow at first because it’s the first time most of us do anything like this. But by them doing this, we get the feeling that they just wanted the funding for the project and that they are more than happy to do the rest themselves. The problem being that that destroys the purpose of the project. Showing them that we can do it is part of the process.
Another issue (not just with this trip) is that when a particular group of people keep returning to the same area for their service work, that place becomes dependant on their aid. Regardless of whether or not the projects are sustainable, the place, more times than not, will end up not being able to develop individually. On top of that, it messes with the system a bit because we wont always be here to help, which means that when we stop coming, they will stop developing. So through our projects, it's critical that we are not only giving them what they need, but that we are also giving them the tools they need to come up with and fund their own program. I feel that we aren't addressing that enough during our time here in the village.
LM
Another issue (not just with this trip) is that when a particular group of people keep returning to the same area for their service work, that place becomes dependant on their aid. Regardless of whether or not the projects are sustainable, the place, more times than not, will end up not being able to develop individually. On top of that, it messes with the system a bit because we wont always be here to help, which means that when we stop coming, they will stop developing. So through our projects, it's critical that we are not only giving them what they need, but that we are also giving them the tools they need to come up with and fund their own program. I feel that we aren't addressing that enough during our time here in the village.
LM
