What does it take to make a difference?
on Clarifel Rodrigo (Tanzania), 23/Jan/2012 14:22, 34 days ago
I am almost a year in Tanzania. The days moved so quickly for the past few days. I was surprised when I noticed the calendar.  I remember during my 1stquarter here, the days were so slow. I thought I can’t manage to stay that long. To make a difference is tough job with many challenges, frustrations and disappointments. Some of us (volunteers) end up successfully with flying colors and some failed or quit. But regardless of the duration we stayed in our placements, it’s a humbling experience to all of us. We have realizations that we are so blessed and became appreciative of what we have materially. We managed to survive with the economic level of what our monthly allowance could afford us to live. The simple things like a good bed and clean water are luxuries which we took them for granted when we are in our own home land.with fellow volunteers during the 50th Anniversary of VSO in TanzaniaWe are not spared of many situations that test our limits and well being. We know for a fact that change is a process but it takes longer than our expectations until our patience runs out. We work hard to deal with people who are different from us totally–the culture, beliefs, ways of thinking, manners and characters. Yet, we don’t like to give up our hope that somehow we can make a difference or at least we can share something that makes the world to be a better place to live for everyone. Now, as I count the days that I am here in Tanzania, and having all of these kinds of experiences, I am thinking if it’s really worth it that I chose to stay that long. I don’t like to have regrets or bitterness feeling. This self-confrontation made me ask myself if I still can take the plunge beyond my comfort zone. I am in the process of debating with myself on weighing the situation of having enough or too much of Tanzania. But sooner or later, it’s all up to me to choose – I know that decision is always have consequences that might be good or complicated.with the women in my community.  They are aspiring to be self-reliant economically/The anonymously written passage below is inspiring that distracts my tired spirit. But in reality, they are hard enough to do them by heart (without pretentions). At least, I will try.People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered. Love them anyway.If you do good, people may accuse you of selfish motives. Do good anyway.If you are successful, you may win false friends, and true enemies. Succeed anyway.The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.Honesty and transparency make you vulnerable. Be honest and transparent anyway.What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.People who really want help may attack you if you help them. Help them anyway.Give the world the best you have and you may get hurt. Give the world your best anyway.The world is full of conflict. Choose peace of mind anyway.