As a young teenager in high school I wondered about the world and all of the injustices which ravaged many nations. The individuals, minority groups and the underprivileged in the developing world saturated the western world’s television screens, front page of newspapers and internet sites. Concerned by such stories, I wanted to find a way to help, so, in July 2003, when the opportunity arose to volunteer overseas, I seized it.
From Perth I travelled 12 hours to Johannesburg, then up to Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. From Lusaka, I and 12 others waited 10 hours to catch a bus which then took us 325 km north, just South of Ndola, to the outskirts of the village of Mpapa.
In the village of Mpapa we worked with children’s charity ‘International Children’s Care’ (ICC) painting a newly built home for orphaned children, building an ablution block and a classroom for the high school students. The days were long and arduous with tough weather conditions. Yet despite the unfavourable aspects, the relationships formed with local villagers, the wedding proposals and self- fulfilment knowing you attempted to raise the standard of living for others and provide new and better opportunities, opened and released a deep and encompassing happiness like I had never felt before. Volunteering in an under-privileged village in the heart of the Zambian copper belt – a region raped and pillaged by British colonialists – you appreciate life and family a whole lot more. For me, it was a time in which to reconnect with myself whilst expanding my horizons. Having found my calling I ventured back to Mpapa exactly one year later. It was good to see that as a result of our initial work there was a change of attitude in the village, with people embracing sustainable agriculture and education.
Partly as a response to the 2005 Boxing Day Tsunami, In April 2006 I travelled to Sri Lanka on a trip that was to inspire three subsequent stints. With a history ridden by conflict and civil war, Sri Lanka has been devastated by racial and cultural tensions between the Tamil and Sinhalese population. Furthering devastation was attributed to the ’05 Tsunami. The Tsunami destroyed lives, homes, and infrastructure as well as killing over 30,000 people. Once again with ICC, a small group – including myself – departed Perth for Colombo, capital of Sri Lanka, for two weeks.
From Colombo we travelled to Kandy, where, working in the ICC boys and girls homes, we repaired and constructed a number of ablution blocks, fences and ditches to accommodate the late afternoon tropical rain. Being submerged in the mountain top jungle you experience a whole new culture, people and environment, each providing a new and rewarding experience. After completing the long overdue jobs around the sanctuary of the children’s homes we departed the mountain top for the four hour return journey to Colombo.
It was In Colombo we met with the Sri Lanka United Nations Friendship Organisation (SUNFO), a non- political, non-religious, non-profit friendship organisation of the United Nations which has established programs and campaigns throughout the island nation. Organisations such as SUNFO work to alleviate the pressure of individuals in the underprivileged nation in the city, country and prison system. With connections to the interior ministry SUNFO has accomplished so much, opening schools, orphanages, remote libraries and a landmark event which saw hundreds of children bussed from the Tamil controlled region of the North to meet children from the predominantly Sinhalese South. The aim of the program was for the children to interact and understand that despite where they come from, what language they speak or what colour their skin is, they are all human.
In total I have made four journeys to Sri Lanka. I have worked in a girl’s home in the Southern district of Galle, repaired and painted a rehabilitation centre for Tsunami victims and their friends and families, maintained the employment and economic management system in the women’s high security prison and have helped in the organisation of child sponsorship. Besides this, I participated in more practical field work in dental camps, health camps in the North West Puttalam district for refugees. Every new location and job taught me humility and true joy.
Having travelled to over eight nations around Africa and Asia, it is amazing to experience the different cultures and traditions whilst working to eradicate, or at the least minimise, the injustice and poverty, all too familiar to many. By volunteering abroad or even in your own backyard, you find yourself on a lifelong path to ensure all people share the same standard of living and have the same opportunities or at the very least access to clean water, health care, education and employment.
LINKS
International Children’s Care– A Christian development organisation providing care and support to orphaned children. International Children’s Care works throughout Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe. Volunteers and aid groups are encouraged.
Sri Lanka United Nations Friendship Organisation (SUNFO) – SUNFO is a non –political, non-racial and non-sectarian organization that seeks to unite all peoples into a movement working for the well- being, harmony and peace of mankind according to the principles of the United Nations.
Things to remember when volunteering abroad:
- 1. Keep an open mind, you will never know what to expect or be fully prepared until you are submerged in a new culture.
- 2. Get involved with children’s activities and games. You will be so much more educated afterward.
- 3. Assess situations and see if there is a project you can start up back home in Oz to uplift the standard of living for those children.
- 4. Create and maintain friendships with people you meet along your journey- you will never understand how wonderful someone is until you truly are their friend.
- 5. Stay safe, say yes and give things a go!
James Donkin
