Global Volunteers Blog

Global Volunteers Romania Program

2008-07-14T08:30:00.004-05:00

Our wonderful volunteers are more than just hard workers. They are very talented as well. Please enjoy this video from former volunteers on our Romania program

To learn more about our Global Volunteers Romania Service Program, Click Here!

Just Do It! A Dentist in Tanzania

2008-06-12T09:32:00.015-05:00

I've served on 13 Global Volunteer teams in 10 countries since 1997. I recommend if you're considering joining a team....just do it. Global Volunteers will take it from there. Their country managers do an excellent job of setting up the food and housing, and consulting with the village leaders to find out what the needs are for that particular work site. I've always felt "needed" wherever I serve. Global Volunteers fits my needs because of the way they operate. There principles are, they only go where they are invited, and only do what the local people ask them to do. It is always with a team, the accommodations are comfortable for each project site, and the people are wonderful.

Once on site, a workshop, led by the country manager, is done to discover the unique characteristics of each team, and the unique skills of each team member to match the village needs. There always are options for work projects. In Pommern, where Global Volunteers has worked for over 20 years, and I have been 3 times, the team members have a choice of teaching English, doing light building and maintenance work, or working in health care.

Since there's no dentist for over 20 miles from the village, I've been using my skills to set up a dental facility. Some patients I see have had toothaches for as long as 6 years, and they walk or bike over 4 hours to be seen. The dental facility is currently able to extract, clean, and teach preventive oral hygiene. I am returning two more times this year so that basic fillings can also be done. There are over 1,300 students in the primary and secondary schools who are being taught proper preventive oral hygiene. Each one is given a toothbrush and toothpaste. They're also taught to use salt water once the toothpaste is gone. I'll return in August with restorative materials and will be then be able to do basic fillings along with the oral surgery, oral hygiene, and preventive care. And, a very nice dentist in Iringa has agreed to do root canals and restorations so people don't have to walk around with teeth missing.

According to the UN Human Development Index http://enwikipedia.org/Human_Development_Index, there are four worlds, and all of Africa is in the fourth world. So what a better place to began, where the greatest need is. Or one can begin in any one of the "Four worlds". The key is, to begin. And that can be with any skills you have. My late wife Virginia and I took our two oldest grandchildren to Poland and Italy to teach English with Global Volunteers. With her passing away in February, I am carrying on the vision we both had and loved. In June, I am taking my third oldest grandson to Poland to teach English. When I return in August, a freshman dental student will be on the team. He'll make a great assistant and experience life and living in the "fourth world."

So the bottom line is, to name the three most important issues in the world. These can be either local or global. And use that as a starting point, and do something about it. This I know: Any skill a team member brings is always appreciated and used around the world. Volunteering with Global Volunteers is a wonderful experience one never forgets (and doesn't stop doing!).

Lewis Pierce, happy Global Volunteer

Update from the Cook Islands

2008-06-09T12:06:00.006-05:00

This year's program started with a full team of 16 eager volunteers ready to head off into their service program on the first day of school. In the Cook Islands, sometimes schools take a little longer than schools in other countries to get started, so we had to redirect our energetic volunteers to other projects until the classes were ready for them!

Some of that energy was transferred into repainting the Cook Islands Library and Museum’s office. What a job! The office had not been painted since 1968 so – you can imagine! What with the heat, humidity and the ‘wild life’ of the tropics there were a few interesting cultural experiences had by the fabulous five who took on the challenge. Jean Mason the curator of the library says she is so thrilled with the end result; it is now a pleasant place to work.

We have also undertaken an exciting venture– the Virtues Project; a school-based program in partnership with Takitumu School. Its goal is the promotion of peace throughout the world...How appropriate a partner for Global Volunteers! Takitumu School is also one of the schools where we have supported a literacy program for many years, and is assisted by Global Volunteers’ Classroom Sponsorship Program.

In the Virtues Project, the school decided on three ‘virtues’ (excellence, unity and humility) that they would like to focus on. A large mural was designed by a volunteer from Vaka 96 to depict these ideas. Painting was all go with four volunteer helpers, and within a week or two the mural was ready for an unveiling. A special ceremony was held at the school with the media turning up for the occasion. If you look closely you will see a “96” on the vaka (canoe) just to ensure that everyone knows which team of Global Volunteers supported this project!

Of course, literacy remains the focus of the Cook Islands program. Volunteers have continued to support a number of primary and secondary schools with their reading programmes. One school is hoping that we will be able to expand into some numeracy (mathematics) support in the future, once they have designed exactly what support they need.

An upcoming project is assistance with the upgrading of our hospital. There is so much work to be done up there. The first stage is to make the children’s ward a place to get better! Plans include a new roof, walls to be ripped out, painting, wiring and plumbing repairs, an office for the charge nurses and installation of ceiling fans. Is anyone willing to come and help? The ANZ bank staff has fundraised to get this started – we just need some ready, willing and able volunteers and we are full steam ahead.
Of course, teams have had loads of fun together in their free time. Mama Here taught some volunteers to make beautiful ei’s. And of course we’ve learned all sorts of things about coconuts! It is amazing just what you can do with a coconut. We have learned to dance (well sort of anyway!), speak a few words of Maori and of course snorkeled, smelled beautiful flowers, and met beautiful people.

Thank you (Meitaki maata), to each and every person who has come, or intends to come, to the Cook Islands for their adventure in service. You are needed, and we have plenty of work for you to do if you decide to come again. I look forward to it. For those of you who are unable to return this year, please help out through the child sponsorship program. We appreciate all you do!

Kia manuia, Debi Futter-Puati
Cook Islands Country Manager

So Small, But Such Big Hearts!

2008-06-05T17:30:00.003-05:00

Chennai, India Today was a great day at Assisi Illam. I discovered that one of the children, Isaac, is incredibly ticklish. He loves when I pick him up and throw him over my shoulder or hang him upside down with one arm and tickle him with the other.

Of course, once I did this one time, he was permanently attached to my hip for the rest of the day. He would say “Auntie! Auntie!” and act out a tickling motion until I grabbed him up again. I didn’t mind one bit, even though today was one of the hottest days we’ve had yet!

The other children saw what was going on and wanted their turns as well. I’m sure I’ve grown some new muscles in my arms just from today! They laughed so much that we were hushed by one of the nuns. I’m so glad that I can bring them so much joy.

Tonight, we were lucky enough to meet some of Stephen’s family. his parents, his brother’s wife, her mother and his brother’s new baby boy. They were such nice people. It is amazing to see just how similar people basically are, despite whatever differences in their countries. Next week, Stephen and his wife Sheeba will be moving into the guest house with us. She is going to teach Chantal and I how to make Poori bread, which should be great!

Sarah - India volunteer

http://indiateamjournal.blogspot.com/

Please read today's post from India above, and view an amazing new slide show!

Our Three-week Adventure in Xi'an

2008-05-14T17:10:00.006-05:00

In April, we spent three weeks in Xi’an, China, teaching conversational English. David and the rest of the group were at Goa Xin No. 2 School, a new (2006) facility with 1,200 students in grades 1-9. English instruction begins in grade 1, so after a few years the students are fairly proficient in reading and writing, but have much less experience speaking and listening. For the students and most of the teachers, this was their first interaction with native English speakers. Classes are large, 45 or more. Group chanting and singing are standard activities. Having a regular teachers in the classroom helped greatly with translation and, occasionally, discipline.

David’s routine was to introduce himself with his English and Chinese (Da Wei) names, using a map and photos to locate Brockport and illustrate words like “canal,” “bridge,” and “boat.” This was followed by whatever useful could be found in their text books and questions from the students: “Do you like Chinese food?” and the like. Halls and classrooms are adorned with portraits of Confucius, Marx, Mao, Edison, and Einstein—an improbable assortment. Midmorning the students are lined up outside for half and hour’s exercises done in unison. Midafternoon, there is a five-minute break for the students massaging their eyes--traditional medicine.

For the first two weeks Peggy (Ke Jing) was at La La Shou Special Education Center, a small (60 students) private school. The Chinese government does nothing for autistic or otherwise several handicapped students, so two mothers created this school. Peggy worked with six students, a teacher, and an aid or two.

One Sunday, we attended the Dong Da Jie (East St.) Christian Church, located within the medieval City Wall. The 10:00 a.m. service was the third of three. The sanctuary seats about 400 on wooden benches, with two overflow areas for another 150 or so. The service was in Chinese, but the structure was familiar. There were hymns with familiar melodies such as “This is My Father’s World,” a unison Scripture reading, litanies with frequent “Amens,” a long sermon, and a benediction. The congregation brought their own Bibles and hymnals (words only). A collection box in the courtyard replaced a collection during the service. A couple of people helped us with translation as we introduced ourselves to the pastor after the service. The experience was more than worth our while.

Our Team Leader, Hu Di, belongs to the Nan Jiao (South Suburb) Christian Church. It has a membership of about 800, adds an average of ten new members a week. Services are held in a rented hotel dinning room. The congregation is divided into groups of about 25, which meet weekly for Bible study and prayer.

Of course there was time for sightseeing. In addition to the famous Terra Cotta Warriors (before 220 BC), we visited the Provincial History Museum, the beautiful Famen Si Buddhist Temple (147 AD), the Taoist Temple of the Eight Immortals, and the Great Wild Goose Pagoda (648 AD). We did not get into the Great Mosque (9th cent.), home of Xi’an’ substantial Muslim community. Finally, thanks to the Trustees for a grant from the Tooley Fund which defrayed some of our expenses!
- David and Peggy Hale, China Volunteers

The End of a Village Adventure

2008-04-21T15:15:00.002-05:00

Where does the time go? It seems like only yesterday I was writing the first journal entry, now we only have six classes remaining.

The morning mist burned off by noon so we enjoyed a beautiful day. We were all thrilled because an afternoon walk was scheduled, but more on that later. The morning activity in all of our classes was the same - speech presentations, then the students then selected the three speakers they thought presented the best speeches. These speeches will be presented to the entire group on Thursday and Friday afternoons.

We had a team meeting at our noon meal. Several issues were discussed, the most important being how we are doing on our “Team Goals”. We all made comments concerning each goal and how we felt we were doing. When we got to the list of items that make an effective team, it was noted that we are lacking in the area of “timeliness”. Baoli refreshed our memories as to the times of meals in the hopes that we will be better able to accomplish this.

The afternoon walk was enjoyed by all. We walked to the old Taoist/Buddhist Temples that are in caves close to a nearby village. We experienced a beautiful Spring day with blooming fields, flowers and trees. There are several caves in the area of the temple, so many students and Global Volunteers explored the area and there were numerous photo ops! Almost everyone walked a little farther down the hill and were one is able to overlook the Wei River Valley. Since time was short we were not able to go all the way to the terrace below. Before and after the afternoon walk, Ginnie, Nan, Steve and Marta met with their students who wanted extra help with their speech presentation.

At dinner Baoli posted a schedule for the teachers concerning the rotation of students to different classes for the next four days. This change will give us a chance to meet and talk with all of the students and the other way around. In addition we talked about our options for our weekend activities, but were unable to reach any conclusions before we had to leave for the auditorium were we met with the students at 7:30 P.M... Mr. An-Wei gave an excellent and moving presentation with photographs on the life and accomplishments of Helen Foster Snow, and how she influenced his life. For the first time since we have been here, the sky and moon were bright enough so we did not need a flashlight to walk home. Maybe we will have sun again tomorrow!

Respectfully submitted by: Marta Wallace, An Shang Team 160 (Read more about this team's experiences here)

Chinese Teachers Say "Thanks"

2008-04-15T12:01:00.008-05:00

Dear friends, Global Volunteers and my fellow teachers:

Another team has ended and we must say good bye. First of all, I’d like to say that I’m very lucky to get the chance to represent my fellow teachers to express our heartfelt gratitude to Global Volunteers, our honored guests. We’ve got a thousand thanks to you. But for the time’s sake, I can name only some of them. Thanks for your hard work! Thanks for your dedications! Thanks for your perseverance in work though not feeling well. Thanks for your help to us! Thanks for your well-prepared classes and speeches both to us and to the senior school students! And thanks for the wonderful time you brought us! Actually, we all feel very sorry that the time passes so quickly and we have to say goodbye to each other. How we wish time could go back so that we might learn more from you.

During our time with you, we have benefited a lot from exchanging ideas on the bilateral cultures, customs, educations and some other interesting topics. You even brought in idioms, jokes, games and songs to the class that really made us feel interested and relaxed, and what’s more, made us more like a family than a class. Most important of all, we also shared our opinions on how to motivate our students to work hard at English and on many different kinds of classroom activities and games. These in all drives us to think "outside the box" of how to learn a language and how to teach a language.

Meanwhile, I hope that, in the past three weeks, we have all done our part and have helped you know more about China. China is a fast developing country and Haikou is a nice city. I hope Global Volunteers have enjoyed their trip here and we welcome future volunteers to Haikou again. We are looking forward to meeting you again and you are always welcomed here. Let us be forever friends.

Finally, I’d like to, on behalf of my fellow teachers, send our best wishes to Global Volunteers:
May you have enough happiness to keep you sweet;
enough hope to keep you happy;
enough success to keep you eager;
enough friends to give you comfort;
enough wealth to meet your needs;
enough enthusiasm to look forward;
enough faith to banish depression;
enough determination to make each day better than yesterday!

Respectfully, "Connie"
Farewell Party of Global Volunteers Team 157 Hainan Island, China

Waging Peace in Ghana

2008-04-09T15:29:00.002-05:00

I’m retired from advertising and am now more involved in philanthropy. Having experienced a true “grass roots” program through Global Volunteers, I believe my giving will now always be with my own personal engagement in a locale.

The ethics of the program largely dictate how sustainable it will be, so I plan to further experience Global Volunteers and help to expand its efforts.

Global Volunteers makes very accessible, in terms of time, money and logistics, a way for individuals to come into very close contact…and almost instantly break down the barriers created by lack of understanding and fear.

There can really be no peace without understanding. What we don’t understand, we tend to fear. The reaction to fear is to create distance from that which we fear. But, by coming to understand the things we share in common, with others, we can learn to emphasize our common values and our common goals. Thereby, we minimize those differences which have defined our relationship.

This seems especially true of Americans in relation to Africa. It’s the same as the way many Americans view New York City. Reports of evil, crime, corruption and violence are greatly exaggerated and thus keep people away. Only by word-of-mouth reports from those we trust can we mobilize even greater numbers of ambassadors for peace.

-Nancy Vick, Ghana volunteer

Discovering Toddler Love in Peru

2008-04-03T22:39:00.003-05:00

I love it here, I really do. I want to stay longer, to learn more, to continue to be pulled from my comfort zone. I miss home for sure and I will be glad to be back...but I feel like our work is far from finished here.

It is amazing how an 8 day experience has the power to change me forever. I know after a few weeks it will begin to wear off but I can only hope my heart will forever remember the time I have spent here.There is one little girl named Taliyah and a little boy named Rinaldo who have stolen my heart. Everytime they see me they run over and grab onto my legs, smiling and reaching their arms up for me to hold them. We arent allowed to rock the kids to sleep or rub their backs because the helpers dont want them to get used to it. They again, do not have enough hands when they are alone to rock 4 kids to sleep. So when we arrive after bedtime, sometimes the kids will just sit in our arms for long periods of time, nestling their faces into our shoulders and finding comfort in the feeling of someone being there for them. They will avoid all offers of toys or games because they simply long for a human touch, just for a little while. When this happens I get a little emotional, knowing that when we leave, they wont get that again until the next volunteer group comes.

There are a couple babies up for adoption in my group. One of them, Fatima, should have no problem being adopted out. Her curly hair and joyful smile are infectious as she imitates sounds and runs around in circles waiting for attention. I only hope a family will take her in soon...People have to live in Peru for about 6 months in order to adopt. So bringing back a baby is not an option for me. Its probably a good thing because if there were no restrictions I would easily leave with them. One of my teammates asked me if I am getting sick of kids yet. I easily said no and rather, I am just growing to love them more and more.Sometimes I say the Serenity Prayer when things are driving me crazy but here it takes on another meaning...God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can;and wisdom to know the difference.I cannot change anything here in this country or at PPA. But I can change who I am and I think this trip is only the beginning.

- Ashley Dawson, Peru volunteer

20 YEARS OF SERVICE IN MEXICO

2008-03-26T09:56:00.005-05:00

When I agreed to lead a team of volunteers to Queretaro, Mexico, I had already traveled extensively to more “exotic” sites south of the USA border, mostly in Central and South America, and I relied on memories of an earlier trip to Mexico - many years before…. This recent service program experience in Mexico gave me the opportunity to re-connect and fall in love with a country that is so close to us, yet so full of surprises and riches!

Queretaro: A fascinating city of contrasts whose quaint “heart” pulses with the memories of an illustrious past still lingering in the many gorgeous colonial buildings of its historic center. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (neighboring San Miguel de Allende is a Mexican national monument) and many defining moments of Mexico’s history come to life in Queretaro’s restored mansions, monuments, and public landmarks. One can discover them along the pedestrian walkways or around the several squares adorned with fountains, statues, and carpets of flowers.. .From our hotel, located right across the street from the City Museum, we were able to safely explore this compact historic center, visit many of the churches, several museums, markets, while mingling with friendly families as they enjoyed the beauty and liveliness of their public places. But Queretaro – which I found very few Americans have ever heard of! - is also a fast growing, dynamic, and sophisticated metropolis of 1.5 million habitants that boasts a new international airport and hundreds of U.S., Canadian, and European companies with modern facilities that stretch into the mountainous Heartland.

Since 1988, Global Volunteers has been teaching conversational English at UTEQ (Universidad Technologica de Queretaro), and our host there is well organized, appreciative of the volunteers’ contribution, and intent on facilitating better communications and understanding between our two cultures. English as a second language is an important subject at the University, and students who become bilingual speakers will find better jobs. Our students appreciated the opportunity, the only one they have during their time of study there, to practice the language with native speakers. Depending on their level we were able to engage in interesting conversations which turned out to be quite an eye-opener to us. Most of the recent polemic we have been exposed to at home about Mexican/US relations, has focused on poor Mexicans desperate to make it across our borders or hiding from the authorities, and how to deal with this problem. Yet, the students we interacted with (and we were told that the majority came from very poor families) were quite confident in the future of their own country and their own contribution to it. When asked where they would like to travel to, they spoke of exotic places such as Egypt… not Texas or Southern California… Most of them felt confident that they would find employment in this rapidly growing area.

In Queretaro, the contrast between the pride of the past and the pull of the future is everywhere present, yet the Mexicans we interacted with seemed to have found a comfortable balance. We definitively felt a strong sense of responsibility to the family and a commitment for the young to help their elders. Catholicism is a grounding religion for most, and the town’s beautiful churches are often filled with worshippers, yet there are many very progressive social initiatives that “push the envelope.” We saw plays and dance performances sponsored by the city or state that were quite “unorthodox” and experimental, and exhibits that would have been censored in a City Museum here.

We were impressed by the sophistication of Queretaro’s cultural scene, the variety of venues that offered high quality events – many free of charge! Our team took great advantage of this. On a typical day, after the afternoon rest following our teaching schedule, when not eating at our hotel, we enjoyed delicious Mexican cuisine at a new restaurant, then attended a show or a concert at a nearby venue. We also could choose to watch a group of young people working on a spontaneous mural or make music, as part of a preventive state-sponsored program for “youth at risk.” Or we could join local people in the main square (we especially loved the children in their pretty clothes) to enjoy Latin music, and watch elegant couples perform the traditional “Danzon.” Most of the time we were the only non-Mexicans in the crowd, but everyone was gracious and welcoming.

Now in our 20th year of service in Mexico, Global Volunteers will be sending its 100th team soon.. I encourage you join us! Hasta Luego!

Francoise Yohalem
Volunteer Team Leader

Adventure in Hainan

2008-03-24T10:37:00.002-05:00

My husband, Roy and I began traveling through China for 6 weeks from Feb 24 - April 7, 2007. We flew from Ft Lauderdale/Newark/Hong Kong...... then depart for Xi\'an, and Hainan, where we will spend one month. We will be working with Global Volunteers (Globalvolunteers.org) for three weeks teaching conversational English. Last year we taught with this organization in Kunming, China.It is a terrific organization to work with and teaching the Chinese is a totally rewarding experience. I enjoy writing about our daily experiences and try to capture the beauty of the people, cities and culture with photos...come along and enjoy! Follow my blog here

- Marilyn Williams, China volunteer

Advice to volunteers: Stay open-minded

2008-03-21T09:47:00.002-05:00

Volunteers are often asked what their goals are. That is a better question in our Western world than when we go overseas, because having high expectations may get in the way of the actuality. On a short-term project we may be tempted to think "Oh yes, if we work hard, we'll be able to finish that project in our two weeks." But that's a Western attitude that rarely applies when we're in an African or Asian or South American setting. Rather, I think a personal goal should be to become sensitive enough and adaptable enough to settle into the pace of the people with whom we're working. If you're disappointed in the lack of progress, you'll be disappointed in your entire experience. But if you can tune in to the people you're working with, you may have a different and richer experience than as if you finished your project in the allotted time.

WorldTeach says: "Expectations are not right or wrong. They just are. But unless we are aware of them, they more often hinder than help us. They can keep us from seeing possibilities that are challenging and different. They can even prevent us from enjoying the surprises of life."

Let's stay open and flexible and ready to enjoy surprises wherever we happen to be volunteering.

- China and Tanzania volunteer Dorothy Conlon
http://www.dorothyconlon.com/, Author of "At Home in the World: Memoirs of a Traveling Woman"

The Value of Volunteerism

2008-03-20T15:48:00.002-05:00

A simple accident of birth has given me a life which has included all the opportunities available to male Caucasions in the U.S. to improve our station in life, to enjoy good health, obtain good education and acquire a satisfactory standard of living during our working years.

In my lifetime, I've witnessed the world progressing from a collection of cultures, each going along at its own pace, to a troubled world communtiy which will eventually have to accept the fact that we're one people sharing the abundance of this planet called Earth. Not in my lifetime, but surely a reality which can be achieved. It's because of these beliefs that I feel I should attempt to give back or share with others which was given to me by this simple accident of birth.

I've served in over 10 countries with Global Volunteers. Some of these were somewhat affluent, but most were considered disadvantaged when compared to the U.S. I've realized great personal satisfaction by serving others and seeing measurable progress toward the host country's goals. I sincerely hope that my small efforts will lend themselves to the realization of world peace and progress for the betterment of all.

- Bill Gibbs, frequent volunteer from Oregon

Wrap up at Glencree, Ireland

2008-03-14T09:24:00.003-05:00

FINAL REFLECTIONS

As we wrap up our work at Glencree Centre for Reconciliation, we share the “thought for the day” left by our teammate Joan Moore on Monday morning:

“Although deeply conscious of their past, the Irish have come to terms with the modern world. In the future, their buoyancy and creative energy seem to assure them a prominent place in Europe, and the world.”

Joan didn’t indicate if this was her personal reflection, or one quoted from resource material, but we agree that those we’ve met in these two weeks surely embody resilience, vision and brilliance to meet Ireland’s future challenges.

Tuesday brought a new synergy as the three remaining members of the team set out about our remaining tasks. Ann painted the men’s bathroom in the Wicklow Wing, while Michele and Susan went down on hands and knees, scrubbing the kitchen floor with paint remover and soap and scraping with razor blades. After many, many hours of work, the floor once again looked like a kitchen floor rather than that of a construction site. We left the floor to dry during dinner and then returned at about 7:00 PM to apply the first coat of tile sealer. We barricaded the door against latte night visitors and went to bed, planning to arise early to recoat the floor before breakfast and the later arrival of the new furniture. The new furniture arrived just shortly after the second coat of tile sealant that Ann and Susan applied had dried. All were amazed by how well we were able to “rehabilitate” the dingy kitchen floor. With the new window blinds installed, the gathering space looked “cozy” again, and surely will be well-used by the international long-term volunteers. The satisfaction and gratitude of the Wicklow Wing occupants was warm payment, indeed, for our significant effort the day before!

This morning’s task was to clear out refuse in the “arches” area at the Glencree campus entry; left-over craft and project materials from previous beautification efforts. The sun broke through the gray clouds momentarily from time to time – long enough to show our shadow and warm our hands and noses a bit. If we weren’t certain why Ireland is so green before this program, experiencing the persistent spring and fall rains (and snows) leaves no questions!

On our departure day, we felt the misty weather appropriately matched our mood...as we took one last look at this center of hope and promise. Glancing over our shoulders as the car pulled out of the driveway one last time, we said "good bye" to Glencree and filed our memories away under "peace is possible."

Our Nature of Peace and Conflict

2008-03-12T05:15:00.003-05:00

“What makes us moral?” Jeffrey Kluger asks in TIME magazine. His article examines the dark savagery as well as the morality and empathy written in humans’ genes. Our service here at Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in the mountains of County Wicklow, Ireland provokes our personal and individual reflection on human nature. Kluger writes:

“If the entire human species were a single individual, that person a long time ago would have been declared mad. The insanity would not lie in the anger and darkness of the human mind – though it can be a black and ranging place indeed. And it certainly wouldn’t lie in the transcendent goodness of that mind – one so sublime, we fold it into a larger ‘soul’. The madness would lie instead in the fact that both of those qualities, the savage and the splendid, can exist in one creature, one person, often in one instant.”

This profound conclusion is suggested here at Glencree as we listen to staff presentations and contemplate the current political and social developments within the country. In light of our own country’s recent past, and especially as we monitor the current presidential campaign from afar, we wonder where, indeed, is the “hallowed middle ground” that reason so often seeks?

Last evening, a Glencree Haitian long-term volunteer requested my help with her university class project. “What is the difference between attitude and ideology?” Marjorie asked. In my halting reply, I mused on the brilliant irony of me - a white American woman tutoring a black Haitian woman - on such a weighty subject in the Republic of Ireland’s highest regarded peace and reconciliation institution.

Examples of compromise overcoming ideology surround us here. Most notably, the power-sharing unity of Nationalist leader Martin McGuinness and Unionist leader Ian Paisley.

Kluger continues: “We’re a species that is capable of almost dumbfounding kindness. We nurse one another, romance one another, weep for one another. Ever since science taught us how, we willingly tear the very organs from our bodies and give them to one another. And at the same time, we slaughter one another. The past 15 years of human history are the temporal equivalent of those subatomic particles that are created in accelerators and vanish in a trillionth of a second, but in that fleeting instant, we’ve visted untold horrors on ourselves – in Mogadishu, Rwanda, Chechnya, Darfur, Beslan, Baghdad, Pakistan, London, Madrid, Lebanon, Israel, New York City, Abu Ghraib, Oklahoma City, and Amish schoolhouse in Pennylvania – all of these crimes committed by the highest, wisest, most principled species this planet has produced.”

And that, we conclude, is our paradox…. ideologies can often divide us to a greater degree than idealism draws us together. As Glencree CEO David Bloomfield advised in our first day on campus: “Managing conflict is about managing differences.”

Michele Gran, team leader and Global Volunteers co-founder

New Ireland Post

2008-03-11T15:29:00.008-05:00

Friday, March 7, 2008 - Glencree, Ireland

We had originally planned to go to Belfast today, but the van had a mechanical problem and had to go into the shop; a trip to Belfast was arranged for Saturday.

Since we had worked a full day on Thursday and Friday was a scheduled day off, we decided to leave our paint brushes and tools idle and enjoy some rest and relaxation. We joined a high-energy school group of 15-16 year-olds from a Community School for breakfast. These teen-agers were from a public school in the suburbs of Dublin. The School is open to all who live in the district, but a teacher told us that all the students were Catholic.

After breakfast and making final arrangements for the Belfast trip, four members of our group (Jim and Mary, Bob and Joan Marie) went to the Wicklow Way hiking trail. We walked to the top of Knockree Hill, which provided a magnificent view of Glencree valley, Big Sugarloaf Mountain, the town of Bray, and the ocean. After enjoying a packed lunch, we hiked through a sheep pasture, where the sheep were not cooperative when requested to remain in the area for photographs. The trail continued along the fast-flowing, clear and cold Glencree River and ended with a climb through Frone Wood. We saw a wonderful rainbow overhead. It was a great opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Irish countryside and experience the Irish March weather, which was periods of sunshine, interspersed with a couple of rain showers.

Susan and Ann hiked to a nearby lake and got caught in the pouring rain, but were rewarded by seeing a huge rainbow beginning at the Glencree Centre and ending in the valley.

A quiet supper at the cafeteria was enjoyed by all. It was a day of peace and tranquility.

- Bob Thompson

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Our team-leader, Michele, finished her meetings with people from Corrymilla. Bob and Joan and Jim and Mary left at about 6:30 AM to meet a tour bus in Dublin that would take them to Belfast. Once in Belfast, they took a “Black Taxi” tour of the peace murals and the wall.

When Michele returned to Glencree after lunch, she drove Susan and Ann to Bray, wherein they took the DART north of Dublin to Howth, and then south to Greystones before returning to Bray. The coast ride between Bray and Greystones was particularly scenic. Michelle, Susan and Ann stopped at a pub along the water’s edge in Bray and had a very tasty dinner and some Guinness.

Mary and Jim and Bob and Joan returned from their Belfast trip around 6:30 and then stopped for dinner at a fast-food Chinese restaurant before returning to Glencree.

Sunday, March 9, 2008 Dateline: Glencree, Co. Wicklow, Republic of Ireland

Sunday was a workday for us as Friday and Saturday had been left free for the planned trip to Belfast. After breakfast we reconnoitered to recall where we had left our tasks and to see where we would pick up. Since we had made good progress, Geraldine had added a few tasks to the list. To finish the first list, we needed to clean up the kitchen and paint the ceiling in the corridor. It was decided that we needed some additional trim and radiator paint and a good scrub brush for the kitchen floor. Michele and Susan headed to Woody’s DIY for the supplies while Bob and Joan, Jim and Mary and Ann commenced on the kitchen and hallway.

Susan was pleased to see Woody’s, which turned out to be much like a Lowe’s or Home Depot in the US, if not quite so large. We got our paint and scrub brush, but failed to find the deodorizer for neutralizing the reminders left be the resident cats. On the way back we stopped at SuperQuinn, the grocery, to pick up scones and more soda bread. The bakery section was brim full of all sorts of great looking baked goods, all made on the premises. One last stop in Enniskerry for a mocha latte, then back to Glencree to pitch in on the work.

The Volunteers Kitchen was shaping up nicely. Several of us were working on scrubbing paint spatters off the floor left by our crew and many others before us. Mary took advantage of the afternoon sun to clean the windows, and Jim and Joan took turns painting the corridor ceiling.

Given the good progress and the nice weather, Jim and Mary knocked off a bit early to get a walk in since today would be their last day in Glencree. True to its form during our stay, the weather changed while they were out, and a shower brought them scurrying for shelter.

After a dinner of fish pie and chocolate cake with whipped cream, we gathered for a last evening meeting before the departure of four of our team tomorrow. We reviewed the team goals we’d set our first day to evaluate our progress toward meeting them. We all agreed that we had all experienced Ireland, by hiking and touring and visiting pubs and various other cultural sites. Our second goal was to learn about the mission of the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation and to participate in peace building. The group all agreed that we had learned a tremendous amount about the work of the Centre and were all grateful for the time spent with us by the entire Centre’s staff. The third goal was to serve in our roles as volunteers. While we all feel as though we have worked hard and gotten work done that will improve the situation for the longer term international volunteers here at Glencree, the group is unanimous in its feeling that we have also been served very much as well and have benefited even more than we have given.

After discussing the possibility of watching a movie, we agreed to call it a night. The one-week team members went upstairs to pack.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Departure day for four members of the team started with breakfast. We were all pleased that the monster storm we had been expecting last night seemed to have past during the night with powerful winds and driving rain. We thanked Michele for her leadership with a photo of a Glencree horse, she had admired in the coffee shop. She was very touched and told us the story of why the picture had appealed to her so much. While we waited to meet with Glencree staff, the Irish weather presented us with a snow squall of the biggest snowflakes any of us had ever seen. After breakfast, the Glencree staff gathered to thank the team and to present the departing members with Peace Bonds to remind them of their time here. Pat gave each of the departing team a Glencree heart he had made- necklaces for the women and keychains for the men. Jim and Bob both spoke for the team, thanking the Glencree staff for their time and for the opportunity to come here to work and to learn that we have all enjoyed so much.

As Michele and Amer left to take those leaving to Dublin, Ann and Susan toured with Geraldine to confirm our remaining tasks. We commenced to painting the volunteers’ bathrooms and spent the rest of the day so occupied.

The dwindling group of “Globals” as we are known by the Glencree folk, gathered for dinner to feast on a wonderful Irish stew that Wendy, the chef, made for us. We all retired early tonight, happy to be indoors as Pat said we are promised more very high wind and rain over night and tomorrow.

- Susan Kiefer

2008-03-09T09:14:00.001-05:00

Thursday, March 6, 2008

We appreciated an early start and today was entirely devoted to our team's tasks in the Wicklow Wing – painting three kitchen walls bamboo green and the fireplace wall a light brown color called ‘baking day’. The stairwell to the International Volunteers rooms is now completely white.

Amer and several other year-long residents of the Wicklow Wing expressed their appreciation of the results. Majorie, an international volunteer from Haiti, brought in the textbooks for her correspondence course. She questioned us about the meaning of such words as ‘inherent’ and 'discriminate' and we talked while we worked.

Our muscles are sore and we are all looking forward to a restful evening and a good night’s rest.

We are learning the alternate options for our Glencree trip to Belfast on planned for Friday and Saturday. Did I mention our muscles and joints are sore and we are all looking forward to a restful evening and a good nights rest?

- Joan Moore

Thoughts about Peace with Justice

2008-03-09T09:07:00.004-05:00

WITHOUT JUSTICE THERE CAN BE NO PEACE

This blog is dedicated to the proposition that true peace is impossible in the absence of justice, and that any semblance of peace unless accompanied by justice is merely a transitory, cruel delusion.

A philosopher from the past once said: “Injustice will not end until those who are not injured become as incensed as those who are.” So those persons concerned with justice and human dignity must, if they would be successful, become one in spirit with those who suffer.

That’s easy to say, but difficult to accomplish, since literal mountains of ignorance, inertia, and prejudice stand in our way. Why do we not become incensed over the many gross injustices we hear of every day? Why do we not act against poverty, oppression, wage injustice, and the excesses of global corporate capitalism?

Perhaps we do not act because we do not care beyond the confines of our own personal welfare. Maybe we care but do not know how to act. Possibly we accept massive transfers of wealth from poor to rich as the unfortunate but inevitable cost of economic progress. Perhaps we are so isolated from the reality of the human experience that we become paralyzed against action.

Allied with our own apathies and pathologies as causes of our inability to effectively either care or act is our membership and participation in human structures such as businesses, churches, social groups, and families of origin. These powerful structures often prescribe the way we perceive the world and the actions we are willing to take. They do our thinking for us.

Most of us respond favorably to appeals for charity, especially if we can emotionally involve ourselves with the need. We give our money, but what of our bodies and souls? Charity is good for both giver and receiver, but by itself will never solve problems such as global poverty. We need more than charity--we need advocacy that will take the causes of the sufferers to the highest levels of corporate power and human government.. And along with advocacy we need solidarity with those who suffer sufficient that we become willing to be with them in their trouble—not only in spirit but also in body.

At Glencree we are participating in a worthy effort to bring peace and reconciliation to troubles areas of the world. As we work and ponder, let us not forget another well-known quote: “For injustice to triumph it is only necessary that good people do nothing.”

So let us perceive our efforts here as the building of a beautiful cathedral of justice, forgiveness, mercy, and hope; not as the simple wielding of paint brushes or a brick-laying trowels. So “be not weary, for you labor not in vain.”

Jim Jordal - Glencree team March 2008

Updates from Ireland

2008-03-09T09:01:00.005-05:00

Wednesday, March 5, 2008-03-05

As I looked out the window this morning, I thought of Louis Armstrong singing: "What a Wonderful World."

First we heard Eamon speak on educational development in Glencree’s plans reach into the business community and the youth to facilitate in finding their own solutions to “The Troubles.”Glencree is a place of safety, neutrality, a space away from their troubles, a place of isolation and history and transformation. Negative peace is a lack of something and positive peace is about equality, justice, human rights and dialogue. He said reconciliation is whatever it takes to get on with your life.

Michele, Paddy, Jim and I took a run into town for more work supplies and wonderful brown bread while the rest of the team tackled the painting and cleaning in the Wicklow Wing. What a Wonderful World.….

After lunch, Phil Killeen, the Women’s Program Coordinator, spoke to us on how women have been marginalized throughout all of “The Troubles.” She's formed groups through Glencree to begin to empower women across the island. What a Wonderful World.

We then spent an hour brushing and rolling in the kitchen and hallway.

At 5:00, Collin Murphy talked to us about the church role in “The Troubles.” He talked of all the damaged relationships and how can Christian churches that profess to believe in the "Prince of Peace" hate each other so much.

As I was sitting there, I looked on the wall at the list of 15 characteristics of an effective team and decided that our team has all of them. What a Wonderful World!

Report From Ireland

2008-03-05T10:26:00.004-06:00

Global Volunteers Ireland, March 1-15, 2008

It’s Tuesday, March 4 at Glencree, and we’re painting like crazy. We’re all slopped up with paint, but we’re happy and productive, I hope. Everyone seems to be forming a real team spirit, and the hours fly by. This morning we heard a very informative discussion of our upcoming Belfast trip, coupled with handouts on the Irish political parties and their views. Our leader, Tricia Anderson, works with international peace and reconciliation programs patterned after the Glencree model. I was especially interested in the multiple Irish political parties and paramilitary groups and their often fruitless efforts to capture the public imagination. Most Americans, I think, conceive of the “Troubles” as mainly religious in origin, but we learned of what she called “the systematic impoverishment” of the Irish Catholic population by the British dominators. So the “Troubles” also have their root in economic and social oppression, as do most other such critical public issues. All together, a wonderful day.

Monday, March 03, 2008 dawned a brisk morning. Several team members went for morning walks and discovered an ice coating on the puddles by the roadside; by breakfast, snow flakes were falling fast and furiously.

After breakfast, we met with Dr. David Bloomfield, the new CEO of Glencree. Dr. Bloomfield is a native of Belfast but has lived in several countries before returning home to Ireland. Quoting from the Glencree’s January Newsletter, Dr. Bloomfield “has worked in the field of conflict and peace building as a trainer, practitioner, policy advisor, analyst, author, academic, consultant and NGO director in a variety of contexts.”

Although “peace has broken out”, Glencree’s work is far from completed. Dr. Bloomfield told us something about the widening circle of Glencree’s work and methods. For example, continuing on their success in teaching conflict resolution concerning sectarian issues to children, Glencree recognizes the challenge of teaching those children to take those skills and apply them to conflicts regarding racism towards Ireland’s growing immigrant populations including Polish, Latvians, Africans, Latin Americans, and Muslims. Glencree continues to work with victims of domestic violence, and with groups of survivors and former combatants, but must continue to reach out to, for example, the isolated people of NW Ireland, where attitudes are still very polarized.

Based upon its repuation within the international community, some other nations have asked Glencree to help them think about conflict resolution. Glencree is working with local peacemakers in Afghanistan, Haiti, Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone, Columbia, Liberia and Israel and Pakistan. For example, some members of the Knesset and Fatwa met at Glencree for several days last fall and then had a follow-up meeting in Jerusalem last December.

Dr. Bloomfield notes that the challenge for Glencree is to expand its resources to meet these needs at the same time that international funding for this work is coming to an end.

Our hour with Dr. Bloomfield passed far too quickly; nevertheless, we were eager to begin our work assignments. Edel Kinsclla, program director, showed us the entryway, hallway and kitchen that we would be painting; we gathered supplies and got to work! Sheri took charge as paint foreperson, Pat became mechanics foreman, and Susan headed up the cleaning crew. Dishes were washed; cupboards cleaned, floors swept, cobwebs cleared, and walls washed, all to ready for painting.

After a break for lunch, we joined in a community meeting of on-site staff, interns and volunteers from Haiti, Afghanistan, Poland, the US, and Palestine. During introductions, we were warmly welcomed by all, and then sent back to our work. By the end of the workday, the priming was halfway completed in the kitchen and Michelle made a run for supplies to ensure a productive work day Tuesday.

We were served a delicious dinner of colcannon and then met again as a team for a short time. Jim shared the message for the day by leading us through a discussion of justice and peace by reflecting on these quotes:

1. “Without justice there can be no peace.”
2. “Injustice will not end until those who are not injured become as incensed as those who are. “
3. “For injustice to triumph, it is necessary only that good people to do nothing.”

We talked about possible recreational activities during “off” hours and ended our evening with Sheri on the computer, Michele, Bob, Joan Marie, Susan and Ann watching video while Jim and Mary retired for the evening.

It was a very productive day, but more importantly, we were enriched by our discussions with Dr. Bloomfield and other staff and volunteers.

And the snow continued through the day and night.

The Power of A Dream

2008-01-29T14:10:00.000-06:00

My African adventure began in the spring of 2007. I was in the midst of a huge life transition. I homeschooled my children from kindergarten through 8th grade. My youngest had just started public high school and I was left with a huge void in my life. My passion for teaching was still alive in my heart, but I needed somewhere to channel it. About this same time I saw a special on T.V about the huge reading famine that exists in Africa. Something in my heart stirred, and even though I could not explain why, I knew I needed to go to Africa.I had heard about Global Volunteers from a friend. I did some research and made my decision. Ghana was my destination.

My mission: To teach English to the children, or so I thought. I traveled to the small village of Senchi Ferry in Western Ghana. It was there that I not only had the privilege of teaching the beautiful children of the village, but had the opportunity to meet the most welcoming, kind hearted, spirited community of people I have ever met in my life. My life has forever been changed from my experinces in this village. One day I talked with the children about their dreams for the future. I was surprised to find that in the midst of their underprivileged lives, and the absence of books, they too have dreams of becoming doctors, pilots, scientists and teachers. They have dreams of changing Africa through their education. Education is the key to a different life for them, yet resources are not available. I met Emmanuel, a bright 12 year old who wants to be a doctor, yet has never seen a picture of the human anatomy. Rosina dreams of becoming a pilot, yet she has never seen a map of her own country. It was through listening to the children's dreams that a dream of my own formed in my heart - to build a library for the children of this village. I have just returned from my second trip to the beautiful village of Senchi Ferry, Ghana. This time I brought with me a suitcase filled with children's picture books. I had the amazing experience of introducing picture books to children of all ages for the very first time in their lives. I cannot begin to describe the magic of witnessing the absolute joy and delight that emanated from their faces as colorful pictures helped to tell the stories that were read to them.

The chiefs, elders, teachers and children have all embraced the idea of buiding a library in Senchi Ferry. The location has been chosen, the blueprint drawn. Prayers have been offered for the success of our vision. I have committed to help build this village a library through Global Volunteers and fill it with books. For more information on how to help end the reading famine in Senchi Ferry, please go to my website: http://www.senchiferrylibrary.com/

-Deb McNally, Ghana Volunteer

Choose China for a Challenge

2008-01-23T17:44:00.000-06:00

Ready for the “Adventure of a Lifetime?” I recommend Kunming, China with Global Volunteers! Working with the English teachers in the Kunming Global Volunteers program last year reminded me of the time very many years ago when I was a student teacher and a first and second year teacher. My teaching partner, Dr. Martin Choy, had participated in this program the previous summer, so I relied on his guidance and expertise in organizing and planning our lessons. Martin insisted that we develop activities that would help both the very advanced young teachers in our class at the same time we designed activities that would help those whose English proficiency was at a somewhat lesser level.

Having been to China several times over the last twenty-five years and seen the progress that the country has made, one of the biggest surprises for me was noticing that as we took our break in the lessons each day, the cell phones came out in full force.

English language instruction is required for all students in China from kindergarten to high school. Naturally given China’s present population, there are not enough trained teachers of English to accomplish this goal, and add to that class sizes of between 40 and 60 students per class in some schools. This Global Volunteers program is designed so that Chinese teachers of English hear English spoken by native speakers as well as to
have Chinese teachers of English interact with us.

Most young Chinese college graduates who major in English have excellent written and grammar skills. What they need is the English language spoken by native speakers. Our program included three hour seminars in the morning and several afternoon general sessions. One of our afternoon sessions included a field trip to a memorial that recognized the contributions of the American pilots from World War II. Since the government has mandated that English language instruction be given from pre-Kindergarten on there is a shortage of teachers in the primary grades. Our Global Volunteers colleagues who had experience in elementary schools provided memorable lessons for the teachers of younger children. While I had 36 years of experience as a high school social studies teacher teaching experience is a plus but not required. Our program coordinator, Hu Di provided us with superior training and “team building”. The program provided us with a series of outstanding strategies and teaching suggestions. I plan to do the Kunming program again this summer!
- Maureen Tracy, “Encore” volunteer

For Love of An African Village

2008-01-16T22:17:00.000-06:00

In March, 2007 I traveled with Global Volunteers to do three weeks of volunteer work in a small village in Ghana. The village – Senchi Ferry – is about an hour north of Accra, the capital city. My three weeks there were magical. I was the only volunteer at a primary school, working with children from kindergarten through 6th grade. I taught English lessons in the 5th grade classroom every day, and floated through all of the classrooms singing songs, teaching games such as Simon Says, the Hokey Pokey, and Duck, Duck, Goose, and introducing crayons and colored pencils for drawing (with the supplies that I had brought with me.) The children were bright, healthy, and eager to learn, but there no teaching supplies at the school other than blackboards at the front of every room. I fell in love with the children, the teachers I worked with, and the many villagers I befriended during my three weeks. Leaving was sad.

I returned home in early April and not a day went by that I didn’t think about Senchi Ferry. By mid-May I knew I had to return, and I joined another Global Volunteers team to return in October. I decided that when I returned I would bring pencils, pens, crayons and money to purchase a case of paper. I emailed every person on my email list asking for a $1 donation. My plan was to raise $300 to buy the needed supplies. Well, money began to pour in, along with packages of school supplies that friends, clients and professional colleagues donated to my cause. My dining room became a warehouse over the summer as I used the donated $3,700 to purchase every school supply you can think of (except computers.) I wrote grant applications during July seeking in-kind shipping, and DHL came through for me shipping six 50-pound cartons. I carried three additional cartons and a second suitcase stuffed with books and art supplies with my luggage. One last carton was carried as luggage with one of my co-volunteers. In all, approximately $5,000 worth of school supplies was donated to the schools of Senchi Ferry, Ghana.

In mid-October I returned to Senchi Ferry with all of the school supplies. Boxes of crayons and watercolor sets were distributed to all the classrooms, along with bags of pencils and pens, rulers, pencil sharpeners, colored markers and highlighters, and six cases of white paper and lined writing paper, posters and maps. My three weeks were filled to overflowing with modeling for the teachers how to teach with all the new supplies, how to manage a library, how to put up posters on the walls, how to use bulletin board border, plus teaching art lessons and reading story books to all of the classes. The supplies were presented during a formal ceremony attended by Education Ministers from the Regional Administrative Offices as well as the Ministry in Accra.

Two days later another ceremony awaited me. I was to be installed as a Queen Mother of the village. I didn’t realize the seriousness of this honor until the ceremony began. Drums were sounded, cowbells were banged on and the village was called to the Chiefs’ Palace. I was dressed in traditional ceremonial robes and was lifted upon the shoulders of several men and carried through the Palace Courtyard to the cheers of the villagers. There was lots of African “Pomp and Circumstance” and by the end of the afternoon I was blessed with the new name, Nana Ofeibea II, Queen Mother of Development.

Again, my three weeks ended much too soon and before I knew it I was on my way home. I’ve already decided that I will be returning to Senchi Ferry again next October. I feel like my life is now re-energized and with a new focus and passion. I continue to love my work, but know that I have a second life in a small village six thousand miles away.

- Judy Citron ("Nana O") Ghana Volunteer

Report from Xi'an, China

2007-10-16T09:58:00.000-05:00

There is an epidemic of national pride for the 2008 Olympic Games everywhere in China.

While the Games in Beijing are less than nine months away, everyone you meet is proud that China will showcase its country, people, culture and history to what will be the largest television audience in Olympics history. Shanghai also is aggressively promoting and preparing for its World Expo in 2010 and along with Beijing, is hosting international sports events. The FIFA world cup in football (soccer) is underway now in Shanghai, which also will be one of the venues for this sport in 2008. Both cities are concerned, however, that the behavior of some Chinese in public may be offensive to many foreign visitors. Spitting, littering, queue jumping, jay walking, smoking in non-smoking areas and talking loudly in crowded public places have been cited as bad habits that need to be corrected. And, the ill-mannered are from all social and economic groups

Emily Post and Amy Vanderbilt would be proud of the officials in both cities who have launched massive public education campaigns to teach proper etiquette and manners and avoid for China public indignation from foreign travelers. The women's federation in Shanghai published and distributed booklets about etiquette and discussed this subject at public forums and on television and trained more than 750,000 residents on manners. According to studies, more than 75 percent of the people in major cities consider this etiquette drive very important for the overall success of both the Olympic Games and World Expo.

In the three weeks I have been in China, I have found the Chinese people extremely warm, hospitable, friendly and accommodating and many speak English. However, when it comes to getting a taxicab during a busy time, it helps having had experience in New York City trying to get a taxi during rush hour or when it is raining. The Chinese do not queue nor is it first come, first-serve, but strictly survival of the fittest and who can get in the taxi first. On the positive side, taxicabs are cheaper here than anyplace I have visited and there is no tipping. You pay only the meter and many of my trips have been less than US$2. In Beijing, I was in a taxi for nearly an hour and a distance that would take one in New York from the Bronx to the Battery and the cost was US$7.50.

At markets and other public areas where people would normally stand in line for service, visitors to China should be prepared for people to push in ahead of them as a matter of local custom. While there are pedestrian cross walks and stop lights, there is absolutely no pedestrian right of way. Crossing a street anywhere in China is like running an obstacle course of fast-moving buses, trucks, taxis, autos, bicycles and all types of moving vehicles coming at you at high speed. I found it helpful to look for a woman with a baby or small children and cross the street in a group. No preference is given to women or seniors. All pedestrians are considered fair game once you step off the sidewalk. For the past week I have been in Xian, a city of more than eight million people in the center of the country. It is hard to believe Xian is considered only a mid-sized city in China yet it is larger than Los Angeles, Chicago or New York. Xian was the nation's first capital and home of the first emperor. During his Qin Dynasty the Great Wall of China was built as well as the world famous Terra Cotta Army that was buried with him.

While Beijing is the government center of China and Shanghai the financial center, Xian is the educational and technical center with more than 100 universities and 800,000 students. I am a member of a team of 12 volunteers through Global Volunteers, a non-profit organization headquartered in Minneapolis that is teaching conversational English to students at Eurasia University. Eurasia is a 10-year-old private university with 20,000 students. Every student lives on campus in a dormitory and all freshman are required to take military training. In the foreign language department the students are required to take English and either French or Japanese. Almost every student on campus has some command of English. The students are extremely proud of the Olympic Games and are an excellent example of the pride everyone is taking in China being showcased to the world next year.

In addition to classes, we helped prepare nine students for a national speech contest and several used the Beijing theme, "One World, One Peace," in their essays. Last week, we judged a speech contest at the Fourth Army Military University and Hospital and again, several of the presenters adopted the Olympic slogan in their remarks. National pride is a positive epidemic in this country of 1.3 billion people who are proud of its 5,000-year-old history. Before Xian, I visited Shanghai, Yichang, Chongqing and Beijing and you could not walk a block without seeing the Olympic logo. You don't need to understand Chinese when you see the Olympic promotions on television or billboards, or in newspapers and magazines.

However, as Chen Weihua wrote in a commentary in China Daily, bad manners could jeopardize the success of the Olympics. "While the Beijing Olympics and Shanghai World Expo will be a big test and a display of public behavior, cultivating good social manners is not just for these events, it is vital to the country's goal of building a harmonious society, sustaining development and winning respect from people all over the world," Chen wrote. "Cultivating good social manners for our citizens means a lot more than winning 100 Olympic gold medals." Notes: Visitors should be prepared for a surprise in Chinese toilets. There are very few Western toilets except in five-star hotels and I didn¡¯t see any in the new Xian International Airport. Visitors also should always carry toilet paper with them because there is none in most toilet facilities.

Several of us took a break from local Chinese food, unlike anything you can order in the U.S., and decided to have lunch at the Pizza Hut in Xi'an's largest mall. We needed reservations but it was worth the wait. You cannot drink or brush your teeth with any tap water, even in five-star hotels. It is not safe. Always use bottled water and carry it with you wherever you go. Athletes who have sought out hotels in the past may find it in their best interests in Beijing to stay in the Olympic Village. The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games has not issued a statement regarding the safety of the tap water in the Olympic Village. Years ago the late Col. Red Blaik, coach of the greatest teams in Army history, always had local water trucked from West Point to the site of every away game the team played. National Olympic Committees may want to insure a plentiful supply of their country's bottled water for their athletes.

(Rene A. Henry is an author and writer who lives in Seattle. He spent more than 35 years of his professional career in international and Olympic sports. He also has given of his time to teach in Italy and Mexico for Global Volunteers. )

My Heart Remains in Romania

2007-09-12T09:16:00.000-05:00

I volunteered with eight other Global Volunteers at a clinic in the small rural hamlet of Codaesti, about a 45-minute drive outside the cultural center of Iasti in northern Romania six years ago. For three weeks we cared for about 30 infants and toddlers, ranging in age from five months to two years. I have many poignant memories from 20 years of international travel, but those three weeks profoundly changed my life.

I’ve been a volunteer in Brazil, the Cook Islands, Ghana, Peru and Vietnam and other countries. Nineteen programs in all. On another Global Volunteers program I mixed cement in Guatemala and built roof trusses in Mississippi. But those three weeks working with this infants and toddlers in Codaesti introduced me to a new career.

In my adult years, I worked several part-time jobs (bartender, waitress, tour guide) but I knew I need a steady job to support my international volunteer habit. At the age of 52, I went back to school to become a licensed practical nurse, and now I'm studying to become a registered nurse. I know this would not have happened without my Global Volunteers experience. In fact, every major decision I've made about the next 50 years of my life can be traced back to this short, but profound experience with the babies of Romania.

Thankfully, memories aren't always built on first impressions. When we stepped into the small four-room house–a temporary orphanage–on the grounds of the Codaesti hospital, we were hit with the overpowering stench of urine. Babies of all sizes and ages were crying in their cribs, most of them suffering from a full body rash. The overworked staff could only change diapers three times a day and propped them for their feedings.

We were nonplussed by the challenge we faced but enthusiastic to soothe their tiny bodies and spirits. We cleaned the infants and covered the soaking wet mattresses with large plastic bags. We had brought with us lots of sleepers, dozens of cloth diapers, rubber pants and a case of Desitin.

There was no formula, so the staff had been feeding them a thin gruel of crushed crackers and water. We worked to fortify the meals to improve nutrition and to hold each of them as we fed them. Just holding and comforting dry babies became a joy.

As I write, I am staring at my psychology textbooks and thinking about the cognitive, physical and psychosocial abilities of each of those small children. I think in three short weeks what we performed was nothing short of miraculous. The babies began to turn over, the older ones began to crawl, and they all experienced a sense of love, probably for the first time in their short lives.

But, please don't conclude this was easy. Truth be told, we put in long days and passed up brief opportunities to be tourists in order to get the rest we needed for the next day’s challenges. Washing over 100 diapers by hand is not pretty or easy. But to know they those clean dry diapers would caress the dear bottoms of our babies made it worth every minute.

Perhaps that's why Romania stays in my mind. We witnessed unmistakable improvement of our babies, and we knew that another team would be arriving in a week to take our places. It eased separation anxiety some of us felt when we left.

While the service program in Codaesti ended when the hospital closed several years ago (a casualty of changes brought about by membership in the European Union), my experience exemplifies what happens on a well-run volunteer team. Global Volunteers has sustained a long-term development partnership with Dr. Dehlia at Tutova Hospital in Romania to care for similar needy babies at the Tutova Failure to Thrive ward outside Barlad. The philosophy of Global Volunteers is to help a community with a project that the community decides is necessary. Working side by side with a person from a different culture is not only a good way to learn about that culture but also to make a close relationship. I have never been on a team that expected me to do anything for which I was physically unable. I was, however, offered the chance to learn new stuff. But in the end, it is about making friendships and letting others get to know an American. Many people I have met tell me I am no the American they expected. And I have learned that people all around the globe have the same needs and wants as we do, laughter comes in all languages.

Susan Surma, nurse and indefatigable international volunteer