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Published: November 19th 2008
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So I made a survey for the youth in El Porvenir -- something to collect information about the youth population. The survey is meant to collect a bit of everything: basic personal info to personal attitudes on education and future dreams. And, hopefully, also pick up on any similarities/differences in attitudes between those in the youth group and those not (as this would be the basis for further qualitative, evaluative research on the impact Kallpa has had in El Porvenir.)
Recently, we just finished up meetings about the plan of action for this research, and when/how the surveys should be distributed.
….Afraid yet I am going to write this blog all about the powerpoints, last minute scrambling to translate 16 page documents and three-hour meetings?
Fear not!
I do, however, welcome you to the sexy jungle life I lead…
I’m a 9-5’er, baby. Mon - Fri.
(No actually, I’m a 8-6’er, with some evenings and Saturday mornings in El Povenir working with the youth group - Juventud en Progreso)
A lot of work time, a lot of office time.
Do I feel like I am growing up?
Hells no.
But I do think it means I’m gaining a very different work experience.
I’m learning the game of office politics and project management for the first time…in Spanish…
mmm…NGO bureaucracy….delicious.
(Among a bajillion other things), this experience has inspired the beginnings of a an important and more balanced perception on international development:
I’m beginning to learn how human it is.
While growing up in Canada, I’ve been involved with campaigning work for a while.
And it’s been cool…ugh, no, actually, it’s been an amazingly important part of my life.
And because of organizations like Oxfam, I have, for years, heard stories about resilient groups of people all over the world; inspirational stories of humans helping humans and coming together in extraordinary circumstances; seen pictures of smiling faces and amazing marches and classrooms and education and new services and pride and strength.
And then, with friends heading overseas to work on projects, I started to hear “behind the scenes” stories about overseas volunteering and the world of development projects…
I started to hear about difficulties, crappy people, projects falling through because of red tape and unfulfilled promises, etc. (stuff that really doesn’t make it’s way on to websites and brochures, ya know?)
Thus, I prepared and fretted and made lists and lists and lists before my departure to Iquitos.
And then I came.
And now I’m here.
And it’s hard.
And I have encountered SO many challenges that no list could have ever prepared me for.
BUT then I talked to my mom.
And some other excellent humans in my life.
And also had (and continue to have) crazy personal writing-blitzes.
As a result, I have learned the “human-ness” that many projects are built on... For me, I am interning on a project that is basically trying to change people’s behavior - behavior towards their environment, towards each other, and towards themselves…Trrrrickkyyy! And it’s not as easy as rounding up the troupes of solidarity in El Porvenir and marching forth to a new and better future! - personal egos, traditions, families, responsibilities, communication difficulties, etc etc sometimes do not coincide with the agenda we have for El Porvenir.
But even more, for the people working and/or volunteering on the project, sometimes we bring our own stuff into the office, and community workshops and meetings too…
Sometimes it is impossible to leave personal expectations, work deadlines, egos, culture differences, office work, etc behind when working.
And I think that’s ok sometimes.
Cause (I think) we all have to learn and empathize with each other a lot more often.
Working in this office and working in El Porvenir, sometimes I feel I know exactly what to do in difficult circumstances and times of miscommunication.
And sometimes when I’m in a meeting with the Kallpa team or with the youth, and everyone around me is speaking fast Spanish and I don’t want to look stupid or people to feel frustrated, I try to look concerned and important.
(Seriously - it’s my strategy!)
It may not be exactly what I want for the situation, but sometimes a compromise has to happen!
So I may not be trudging through mud along the Amazon, and encountering sloths and tarantulas on a daily basis, and performing shamanic-rituals at night, BUT I think I’m working through some pretty important challenges…and making important mistakes…here, 8-6, in my little office.
Sexy jungle life?
Hells ya.
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Sexy lessons from my sexy jungle office job:
- Sometimes it’s good that I can only shut up and observe.
And maybe I should do that more often, in Spanish-speaking situations and otherwise.
- Mon-Fri office work makes me sad.
I need work that has me interacting, building and disagreeing with other humans.
It’s much better for my soul.
- I have a lot to learn.
A lot.
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