Thoughts from Plane ride home- end of placement!
Posted by Trista on July 3rd, 2008
As I sit on the plane back to Toronto I am finding myself in disbelief that our month in Botswana has actually come to an end. This past month cannot be summed up or put into a few short words but if I were to choose some- educational, eye-opener, learning experience, challenging, cultural experience, incredible, all come to mind!
Our last week on Botswana soil was a whirlwind of events and passed much too quickly. At BOFWA we completed the mural painting- only took 2 days, I was quite proud of our group. It was neat to see how busy and lively the centre became when word got out that we were painting. Many local youth and volunteers came by to help paint or to check out what was going on. We all found it difficult to leave on Thursday- our last day in Mochudi. Tears were shed and kind words exchanged- we were told that we were one of the first groups of international volunteers to spend time really getting to know the Batswana volunteers. I hope BOFWA- in particular the Mochudi branch continues to thrive and that they are able to find new and innovative ways to reach out to the local youth.
I realize I have many hopes for myself after this month in Botswana. I hope that I can take the knowledge this Guelph Global Learner experience has provided me with and put it into action at home- in one way or another. I also find myself hoping that I allow this experience and all that I have a learned take its full effect on who I am as a person and that I allow myself to change and grow because of this newly acquired knowledge.
I also found myself contemplating many things while sitting on the plane- let’s be honest what else is there to do on a 30 hour journey home but watch a movie or two, read a bit and THINK. Mainly I began wondering why I am fortunate enough to be born in this wonderful country we call Canada. Why have I been provided with such amazing opportunities to do things like travel to new places and meet new people? I cannot come up with answers to these questions but I can know that I mustn’t take these opportunities for granted nor can I forget how truly fortunate I am. I also know that I need to take the opportunities I am constantly being presented with and use them wisely and use them to impact/inspire/help others in whatever capacity and way possible. I must continue to be an active global citizen and I must share my experiences and knowledge with others who aren’t as fortunate as myself, or who are not provided with similar opportunities. I know that I have been provided with a great thing- the potential and ability to make a (positive) difference.
So what’s next? At this point I have some ideas but obviously nothing concrete quite yet. I think that I would really like to end up volunteering in an orphanage somewhere in the world at some point in the near future. Where did this idea stem from? Well my love for children, my academic and practical background and skills in child development and programming combined with my passion for volunteer travel all probably have something to do with it! We spent time in SOS children’s village in Gaborone last Sunday- two girls had their month long placement here. Our entire group went on Sunday to play football (aka soccer) with the kids and to spend some time with them. The few hours we spent there inspired me to want to spend time working with an NGO that provides services for orphans and vulnerable children. The village is literally that- a little community within the community with houses of children- each house has a “mom” (a local woman who acts as the children’s mother) and children who are either orphaned or from disadvantaged homes. SOS is doing a wonderful thing providing these children with a sense of community, a sense of family, and a chance at life. While we were in the village I had the impression that many of the children were developmentally delayed- for obvious reasons-being able to provide some of the kids with direct one-on-one attention was an experience like no other. One child- Peter- clung to me the whole time we were there, having to say goodbye after a few hours nearly broke my heart into a gazillion pieces. I’m not sure how the two girls who were there for the 3 weeks coped with leaving the children on their last day and I admire them for being able to do it.
The next challenges that await me will be trying to do this experience justice when sharing it with friends and family at home. I am going to try my absolute hardest but accept that some things will not nor can they be fully understood by those who have not experienced them. In saying that if any of you EVER EVER have the chance or the opportunity to travel and/or volunteer in an African country TAKE IT without any hesitation- you will thank yourself in the end!
