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Published: February 26th 2017
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I am so frustrated! I typed 80% of this post and it just disappeared off my tablet. I will try again, but it is never quite right the second time around.
I’ve traveled on multiple Habitat for Humanity (HFH) Global Village (GV) trips. I’ve been both a participant and a Team Leader (TL). The experience of being a team leader is significantly different than that of a participant. GV participants can focus on the building tasks, the personal connections and the cultural immersion.
As a TL, my primary concerns are the health & safety of my team and ensuring each participant has a rich GV experience. Fortunately, our team shared the responsibility of job site safety. As TL I needed to make sure everyone who was not feeling their best got what they needed to recuperate. During the course of our 8 day build, a third of our participants suffered from either food borne or heat related down time. Fortunately, the team members were usually back up in about a day.
Planning and executing this trip was particularly challenging. Unlike other GV trips, I’ve never traveled to this region and had no personal connections with the HFH staff
in Cambodia. Given cultural differences and communication gaps, I was not able to get and share enough detailed information for all my team to form clear expectations about their GV trip. Plans and timing were fluid and some team members struggled with the ambiguity. Team members come to these trips with varying degrees of global travel experience. Arranging meals, guidelines and activities for a diverse group can be tough. Finances on this trip were significantly different than in other countries. Most expenses were not prepaid and I was constantly getting cash, paying bills and keeping track.
We all had long days. Mine were even longer. Planning sessions with our host, tending to team member problems and errands (mostly daily trips to the ATM) usually added an hour or more to my day. Those who know me, know I need my sleep!
With a team of 22 people, timing was always an issue. I often felt like I was herding cats. At any one time, there were those who weren’t quite ready to start the next activity and those who were raring to go. Sometimes our 22 likeminded people, weren’t so likeminded. Everyone had good intentions, but personal agendas
and differing cultural sensitivities sometimes got in the way. The bottom line however, is that with 22 people sleeping, eating and working in close and uncommon circumstances, we did really well.
Despite all my whining, I LOVE being a team leader. I find the pre-trip planning fun (although a little time consuming). I enjoy getting to know all the team members and working to make their experience a rich one. As TL, I may miss some group activities or interactions. However, there are opportunities afforded to me that others may miss. I forged a close relationship with our host coordinator in Cambodia. In my duties I got to see people and parts of town, others missed. Many requests were funneled through me, creating unique chances for me to connect with the partner families, Habitat staff, contractors and our own team members.
This is the writing of a blissfully EXHASUTED team leader. Don’t let my words deter you from considering a GV trip in your future. If you are looking for a global adventure with a purpose, a Habitat GV trip allows you to serve others and immerse yourself in a culture and people in a deep and meaningful
way. I plan to take one GV trip each year either as a leader or participant. I hope you will consider joining me.
Many of you have donated in my honor to the Habitat Wake Global Fund benefiting our work in Cambodia. THANK YOU! Once again, Leo and I have fully funded my participation, but your donations will help build a home for a deserving family in Cambodia. Here is the
link to my donation page. If you are so moved, every dollar counts. $4500 will build a decent home for a family in Cambodia. On additional blog posts I will share the stories of our partner families. Stay tuned.
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