"There is no way to peace...peace is the way" I did not truly understand Ghandi's words, but I always liked them. After this three month long journey with 17 amazing people I now understand that peace is a process...it will never be perfect, but as long as we walk the road together it will always remain in our hearts. My journey does not end here...
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Here's to you...
The amazing words our wonderful director Karena left us with before we leave...
Toni from Lebanon: The Gentle Giant in the group who literally has the strength of many men but also has the heart of many men.
Ting (Ting Ting) from China: Ting is the sunshine of the group. She has the ability to change the group’s mood with her positive outlook and happy go lucky attitude.
Lindo from South Africa: Most people notice his great smile and contagious laugh but Lindo also embodies maturity and wisdom and has the capacity to reflect.
Andre from Senegal: Andre is the most kind-hearted person I have ever met. With his kindness, love and strong commitment to his community, Andre will create change in his country.
Elizabeth from Ecuador: Elizabeth has great openness to new experiences and has the amazing ability to break tension in a room with her big smile.
Maru from Argentina: Maru is a peaceful leader who can create calmness just by entering a room.
Erin from USA: Erin is a natural leader whose dynamic energy and strong commitment enables her to lead without effort.
Viki from Nigeria: With her appreciation for knowledge, Viki has a great ability to create new ideas.
Evita from Hong Kong: Evita uses her good humour and positive energy to create unity in a group.
Juleine from Haiti: Juleine is a grounded and self aware person who brings practicality to the group.
Kim from England: Kim is a leader whose creativity creates a natural connection with people.
Nick from Zambia: Nick is a silent leader who leads by example.
Montse from Mexico: Montse, with her contagious smile is someone who would rather take on the burden than to create a conflict.
Marco from Czech Republic: Marco is the philosopher of the group. He is always sensibly calm, especially under trying circumstances.
Chari from Sri Lanka: Chari is one who sees the needs of people who are not normally seen by others.
Iuliia from Ukraine: Iuliia uses her lawyer skills, her heart and youthful energy to educate and advocate for children’s rights. She will make a global impact in this field.
Juliana from Colombia: Underneath her sweet and kind persona is a strong leader who seizes every moment and opportunity to create a positive impact.
If it Weren't for You...
There are some people that are not here who have had a profound impact on my experience that need to be mentioned....
Amanda Moore-My amazing boss and mentor. You put a lot on the line letting me come here. As usual you put others before yourself, and gave me the amazing chance to grow. I know that my absence has not been easy for you this summer, but I plan on making it up to you when I return!
Antonio Merino-We have not met in person yet, but that will change very soon I hope. I do not know how many people applied to be a part of this experience, but the fact that you chose me to represent the YMCA of the USA this summer still humbles me. I promise that I am determined to make sure that this opportunity wasn't wasted and I plan on repaying you and the YMCA of the USA for your faith in me.
Jorge Perez-I met you 6 years ago when I was a student at Butler University. You believed in me then, and you believe in me now, even though we haven't seen each other in over a year. You recommended me for this, and I will never forge that.
All of the staff and members of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis: It is an honor to represent you, and I hope that I can give you back half of what you have invested in me!
Audrey, Leslie, Melanie, Matt, Kristen, Brittany and many other friends....you talked me through the tough times, and you believed in me even when I couldn't believe in myself.
This summer wasn't about my experience...It's was about all of you. The amazing people who couldn't share it with me. I will never forget what you all have done for me, and as I prepare to come home there are so many things I am excited to share with you all. Thank you for believing in me and I look forward to everything we are going to accomplish together!
Amanda Moore-My amazing boss and mentor. You put a lot on the line letting me come here. As usual you put others before yourself, and gave me the amazing chance to grow. I know that my absence has not been easy for you this summer, but I plan on making it up to you when I return!
Antonio Merino-We have not met in person yet, but that will change very soon I hope. I do not know how many people applied to be a part of this experience, but the fact that you chose me to represent the YMCA of the USA this summer still humbles me. I promise that I am determined to make sure that this opportunity wasn't wasted and I plan on repaying you and the YMCA of the USA for your faith in me.
Jorge Perez-I met you 6 years ago when I was a student at Butler University. You believed in me then, and you believe in me now, even though we haven't seen each other in over a year. You recommended me for this, and I will never forge that.
All of the staff and members of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis: It is an honor to represent you, and I hope that I can give you back half of what you have invested in me!
Audrey, Leslie, Melanie, Matt, Kristen, Brittany and many other friends....you talked me through the tough times, and you believed in me even when I couldn't believe in myself.
This summer wasn't about my experience...It's was about all of you. The amazing people who couldn't share it with me. I will never forget what you all have done for me, and as I prepare to come home there are so many things I am excited to share with you all. Thank you for believing in me and I look forward to everything we are going to accomplish together!
Taking a Leap of Faith
It's almost over. It's been 3 months. I can not believe it...3 months ago I seriously contemplated not coming because things were so complicated back home. Now I can't imagine my life without this experience...
On our final canoe voyage across to Gambier, Viki came with us. Viki was one of the YPNers who was deathly afraid of the water at the start of the summer. Everyone else was so excited to jump off of the pier, Viki was content just to watch. However when we arrived we forgot about the time of the tides...The water was a good 10 meters below the pier...Many people were hesitant to jump when they caught sight of it. Somehow I was able to make the jump and made quite a SPLASH! But everyone else was still nervous to follow me in. Then from the water I saw Viki climb to edge of the pier....
Of all the YPNers, Viki was the one to take a leap of faith!!!! After that everyone was inspired to join us in the freezing water!
It has been such a long summer, and we spent so much time apart during camp, that I forgot how much these 17 individuals inspire and motivate me. Juliene doing a canoe flip, Maru introducing new games, Marco and Chari motivating their campers, Juliana and Iuliia winning the Trifecta award, Elizabeth improving her English... I remember now why I signed up for this, and I why took a leap of faith in coming here this summer. I left my job (and my poor boss all alone!), my apratment, my family friends and even a boy to be with these amazing people from all over the world. And I would do it all again...Because it's not about what I gave up anymore, but what I can give back when I go back!
On our final canoe voyage across to Gambier, Viki came with us. Viki was one of the YPNers who was deathly afraid of the water at the start of the summer. Everyone else was so excited to jump off of the pier, Viki was content just to watch. However when we arrived we forgot about the time of the tides...The water was a good 10 meters below the pier...Many people were hesitant to jump when they caught sight of it. Somehow I was able to make the jump and made quite a SPLASH! But everyone else was still nervous to follow me in. Then from the water I saw Viki climb to edge of the pier....
Of all the YPNers, Viki was the one to take a leap of faith!!!! After that everyone was inspired to join us in the freezing water!It has been such a long summer, and we spent so much time apart during camp, that I forgot how much these 17 individuals inspire and motivate me. Juliene doing a canoe flip, Maru introducing new games, Marco and Chari motivating their campers, Juliana and Iuliia winning the Trifecta award, Elizabeth improving her English... I remember now why I signed up for this, and I why took a leap of faith in coming here this summer. I left my job (and my poor boss all alone!), my apratment, my family friends and even a boy to be with these amazing people from all over the world. And I would do it all again...Because it's not about what I gave up anymore, but what I can give back when I go back!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Say What You Need to Say
Imagine NEVER being able to communicate with the people around you. Imagine having all these amazing ideas and no way of saying them. Imagine being in a room full of people laughing and talking and having no idea what is going on.
As usual I am in awe by the amazing people in this fabulous program. Elizabeth is from Ecuador. Her first language is Quichua, a native Inca dialect. Her second language is Spanish which she learned growing up. English is her third language. It was very obvious in the beginning of the program that her English is the weakest of anyone's in the group. I have gotten to spend a lot of time with Elizabeth these past two weeks, acting as her personal translator in a way, and I must say she rivals me in terms of energy. She is ALWAYS smiling, laughing and dancing even if no said anything funny or if there is no music. She never complains, never feels sorry for herself (though she is constantly saying sorry for her English...) and never gets frustrated.
Every time I feel like I'm about to lose it I think of Elizabeth. Whatever is bothering me CAN NOT be as frustrating as what she goes through every day here.
Make a point of finding the people around you everyday who may be new or not fully understand or comprehend what's going on and go out of your way to make them feel at home.
As usual I am in awe by the amazing people in this fabulous program. Elizabeth is from Ecuador. Her first language is Quichua, a native Inca dialect. Her second language is Spanish which she learned growing up. English is her third language. It was very obvious in the beginning of the program that her English is the weakest of anyone's in the group. I have gotten to spend a lot of time with Elizabeth these past two weeks, acting as her personal translator in a way, and I must say she rivals me in terms of energy. She is ALWAYS smiling, laughing and dancing even if no said anything funny or if there is no music. She never complains, never feels sorry for herself (though she is constantly saying sorry for her English...) and never gets frustrated.
Every time I feel like I'm about to lose it I think of Elizabeth. Whatever is bothering me CAN NOT be as frustrating as what she goes through every day here.
Make a point of finding the people around you everyday who may be new or not fully understand or comprehend what's going on and go out of your way to make them feel at home.
Back to Reality
The final week of camp...And Elizabeth and I are in charge of Global Adventures, the heart of the YPN experience. A chance to really showcase your country and culture to Canadian youth. At the beginning of camp Viki asked told me "Culture? The United States doesn't have any culture!" Throughout the summer other counselors have been interested in how I was going to teach campers about issues in the United States.
Elizabeth and I had a different plan. Teach about other global issues and bring the conversation back to life in Canada. That's how we came up with our two biggest activities. "Perceptions" and "Waste Not, Want Not"
"Perceptions" is an activity that I learned from the Peace Learning Center back in Indianapolis. It required me writing 3 very different sets facts about myself on 3 different pieces of paper. Afterward, these facts were taped to the wall and the children were told each set was somebody. The children (and their counselors) had to guess exactly what kind of characteristics each different person had. At the end I would reveal that they were all the same person, and they were actually me. Children and counselors alike were surprised to find out that that someone who has a tattoo can also sleep with a stuffed duck...
"Waste Not, Want Not" is a activity that Elizabeth and I found while browsing through Peace Week binders. It is a stimulation about water conservation that entails team building. Each cabin group was given a bucket of water to do a list of 8 activities that varied from drinking to gardening. There is not enough water in the bucket to do all 8, so some of them have to be done with dirty water or not at all. The group has to decide. It is pretty similar to what children in Africa have to deal with every day. The children are even more amazed to learn that you use 40 liters of water every time you brush your teeth and leave the tap on, and only 2 if you turn it off...
It's probably the teacher in me but my favorite moment this week was when I sat at Marco and Toni' table for lunch. Their cabin invited me to site with them after our global session. Jacob was the one who got the pitcher of water. He very carefully brought it over to the table and placed it in front of and said "This is how much water they get in Africa. We aren't going to waste it!". I was so touched and impressed by how the message sunk in! Learning CAN and SHOULD be fun!
Elizabeth and I had a different plan. Teach about other global issues and bring the conversation back to life in Canada. That's how we came up with our two biggest activities. "Perceptions" and "Waste Not, Want Not"
"Perceptions" is an activity that I learned from the Peace Learning Center back in Indianapolis. It required me writing 3 very different sets facts about myself on 3 different pieces of paper. Afterward, these facts were taped to the wall and the children were told each set was somebody. The children (and their counselors) had to guess exactly what kind of characteristics each different person had. At the end I would reveal that they were all the same person, and they were actually me. Children and counselors alike were surprised to find out that that someone who has a tattoo can also sleep with a stuffed duck...
"Waste Not, Want Not" is a activity that Elizabeth and I found while browsing through Peace Week binders. It is a stimulation about water conservation that entails team building. Each cabin group was given a bucket of water to do a list of 8 activities that varied from drinking to gardening. There is not enough water in the bucket to do all 8, so some of them have to be done with dirty water or not at all. The group has to decide. It is pretty similar to what children in Africa have to deal with every day. The children are even more amazed to learn that you use 40 liters of water every time you brush your teeth and leave the tap on, and only 2 if you turn it off...
It's probably the teacher in me but my favorite moment this week was when I sat at Marco and Toni' table for lunch. Their cabin invited me to site with them after our global session. Jacob was the one who got the pitcher of water. He very carefully brought it over to the table and placed it in front of and said "This is how much water they get in Africa. We aren't going to waste it!". I was so touched and impressed by how the message sunk in! Learning CAN and SHOULD be fun!
Top 5 Learning Week Lessons
If I had to sum Learning Week up in 5 sentences....this would be it.
1) There is a difference between volunTEERism and volunTOURism.
2) Don't send underdeveloped people to underdeveloped countries.
3) Just because an organization is unbiased, does not mean they do not get criticized.
4) The difference between theory and application.
5) Don't do alone what can be done together.
1) There is a difference between volunTEERism and volunTOURism.
2) Don't send underdeveloped people to underdeveloped countries.
3) Just because an organization is unbiased, does not mean they do not get criticized.
4) The difference between theory and application.
5) Don't do alone what can be done together.
Want to learn more?!?!
Check out the amazing organizations I was able to meet with here in Vancouver! Some of them even operate within the United States as well!
CUSO-VSO
We send Canadians and Americans abroad to work on collaborative development projects in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. We are one of North America’s largest international development non-profits that works through volunteers.
http://www.cuso-vso.org/?setlang=/
AIDS VANCOUVER
At the end of 2010, an estimated 13,000 people in B.C. were living with HIV. Approximately one quarter of them are thought to be unaware of their status....
http://aidsvancouver.org/
THE DR PETER CENTRE
Our community of care is built on acceptance and support, helping people find strength in the face of an illness which to date does not have a cure. We offer respect, dignity and a sense of belonging to people who are most in need.
http://www.drpeter.org/home/
UBC GO GLOBAL
UBC’s International Service Learning (ISL) program allows you to contribute towards important projects led by community partners around the world. By taking part in our program, you connect your academic studies with real-world experience.
UBC STUDENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
The Student Leadership Conference (SLC) will facilitate a collaborative and inclusive educational environment, which will inspire the campus community, provide valuable peer-to-peer learning experiences, and engage students as they share and develop their leadership skills effectively. The SLC will provide delegates the means to expand their individual leadership potential as well as avenues to apply those skills, on individual and group levels, within the global community while embodying social, economical, and environmentally sustainable practices.
http://slc.ubc.ca/
UBC CENTER FOR INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
The CIC offers programs and services to develop intercultural awareness, understanding and skills for today’s increasingly global academic and business environments. With over 20 years of experience, our highly experienced staff have designed and delivered leading-edge programs and services to help people and companies work more effectively in diverse cultural settings, internationally and domestically.
http://cic.cstudies.ubc.ca/
VANTAGE POINT
At Vantage Point, we inspire and build leadership in the voluntary sector. We make it easier for organizations to lead, plan, govern and work with the right people to deliver their missions.We have been a student of the voluntary sector for 67 years. Our passion is PEOPLE. We work with voluntary sector organizations to strengthen their ability to engage people and develop leaders—at all levels.
http://www.thevantagepoint.ca/content/who-we-are
MOSAIC
MOSAIC is a multilingual non-profit organization dedicated to addressing issues that affect immigrants and refugees in the course of their settlement and integration into Canadian society. MOSAIC's mandate is to support and to empower immigrant and refugee communities, helping them to address critical issues in their neighborhoods and workplace.
http://www.mosaicbc.com/
OXFAM CANADA
Oxfam Canada is a member of Oxfam, a confederation of 15 national Oxfams around the world. This global federation increases the effectiveness of individual Oxfams through collaboration in overseas programming and playing a truly international role in advocacy.
http://www.oxfam.ca/
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
http://www.amnesty.ca
CUSO-VSO
We send Canadians and Americans abroad to work on collaborative development projects in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. We are one of North America’s largest international development non-profits that works through volunteers.
http://www.cuso-vso.org/?setlang=/
AIDS VANCOUVER
At the end of 2010, an estimated 13,000 people in B.C. were living with HIV. Approximately one quarter of them are thought to be unaware of their status....
http://aidsvancouver.org/
THE DR PETER CENTRE
Our community of care is built on acceptance and support, helping people find strength in the face of an illness which to date does not have a cure. We offer respect, dignity and a sense of belonging to people who are most in need.
http://www.drpeter.org/home/
UBC GO GLOBAL
UBC’s International Service Learning (ISL) program allows you to contribute towards important projects led by community partners around the world. By taking part in our program, you connect your academic studies with real-world experience.
http://www.students.ubc.ca/global/index.cfm
UBC STUDENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
The Student Leadership Conference (SLC) will facilitate a collaborative and inclusive educational environment, which will inspire the campus community, provide valuable peer-to-peer learning experiences, and engage students as they share and develop their leadership skills effectively. The SLC will provide delegates the means to expand their individual leadership potential as well as avenues to apply those skills, on individual and group levels, within the global community while embodying social, economical, and environmentally sustainable practices.
http://slc.ubc.ca/
UBC CENTER FOR INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
The CIC offers programs and services to develop intercultural awareness, understanding and skills for today’s increasingly global academic and business environments. With over 20 years of experience, our highly experienced staff have designed and delivered leading-edge programs and services to help people and companies work more effectively in diverse cultural settings, internationally and domestically.
http://cic.cstudies.ubc.ca/
VANTAGE POINT
At Vantage Point, we inspire and build leadership in the voluntary sector. We make it easier for organizations to lead, plan, govern and work with the right people to deliver their missions.We have been a student of the voluntary sector for 67 years. Our passion is PEOPLE. We work with voluntary sector organizations to strengthen their ability to engage people and develop leaders—at all levels.
http://www.thevantagepoint.ca/content/who-we-are
MOSAIC
MOSAIC is a multilingual non-profit organization dedicated to addressing issues that affect immigrants and refugees in the course of their settlement and integration into Canadian society. MOSAIC's mandate is to support and to empower immigrant and refugee communities, helping them to address critical issues in their neighborhoods and workplace.
http://www.mosaicbc.com/
OXFAM CANADA
Oxfam Canada is a member of Oxfam, a confederation of 15 national Oxfams around the world. This global federation increases the effectiveness of individual Oxfams through collaboration in overseas programming and playing a truly international role in advocacy.
http://www.oxfam.ca/
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
http://www.amnesty.ca
Every Week Should Be a Learning Week
I had been informed about it in the beginning and heard about it from other YPNers all summer long and FINALLY it was my turn! LEARNING WEEK! All summer long other YPN participants had left camp for one week to go back to Vancouver and had a set of meetings scheduled with other non-profits and NGOs. It seemed like forever ago that I filled out my interest form. I was so focused on learning how to better manage and retain volunteers as well as expand global and leadership development programs, as these were the things most relevant to my job. But the thing about learning week is you realize that your interests are just as varied as the number of organizations that you meet with.
Amanda explained a theory by John Maxwell to us at our Leadership Expereince last spring called the "Law of the Lid". This theory operates on the principle that when you are satisfied with your accomplishments and don't strive to see how much further you can go, you put a lid on your leadership potential. A true leader keeps the lid very high. They keep striving and pushing their limits to see what else is possible. They can see the bigger picture and they imagine an even bigger one. Learning week has raised the lid for me. And I intend to blow that lid right off.
As I come to the end of this experience I realize more and more how different my perspective on the YPN program, camp, and Canada as a whole has changed. I joined the YPN thinking I had a lot of things figured out and knew exactly what I wanted to accomplish during my time here. I now look back at the last 2 months and realize that my most eye opening moments had nothing to do with any of the reasons why I came here. But they will stay with me as I go back.
If I could give just one piece of advice to a future YPNer or Butler student or anyone really it would be to keep an open mind. Talk to people you wouldn't normally talk to, go to places you wouldn't normally visit and you will learn things you never knew you wanted to learn. Make every week a learning week by pushing your lid and seeing what else is out there. Be open to new experiences, ideas and points of view and they will open you up to a whole new world.
Amanda explained a theory by John Maxwell to us at our Leadership Expereince last spring called the "Law of the Lid". This theory operates on the principle that when you are satisfied with your accomplishments and don't strive to see how much further you can go, you put a lid on your leadership potential. A true leader keeps the lid very high. They keep striving and pushing their limits to see what else is possible. They can see the bigger picture and they imagine an even bigger one. Learning week has raised the lid for me. And I intend to blow that lid right off.
As I come to the end of this experience I realize more and more how different my perspective on the YPN program, camp, and Canada as a whole has changed. I joined the YPN thinking I had a lot of things figured out and knew exactly what I wanted to accomplish during my time here. I now look back at the last 2 months and realize that my most eye opening moments had nothing to do with any of the reasons why I came here. But they will stay with me as I go back.
If I could give just one piece of advice to a future YPNer or Butler student or anyone really it would be to keep an open mind. Talk to people you wouldn't normally talk to, go to places you wouldn't normally visit and you will learn things you never knew you wanted to learn. Make every week a learning week by pushing your lid and seeing what else is out there. Be open to new experiences, ideas and points of view and they will open you up to a whole new world.
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