As a fellow RPCV, I can say that this is applicable to a lot of places, not just Africa. Most developing countries that the Peace Corps and other humanitarian development agencies work in encounter the same culture shock in regards to development and what it really means. Changing according to what they want and need is hard to grasp for most people when you go in with a set task of changing what you think needs to be fixed.
"stopping and listening, and finding .. what people wanted.. you shouldn't..attempt to control it ..rather, participate in it" -- well said. lemme suggest another level of insight? when we interact with another people, equal participation is important but we are never really equal. if we travel to someone else's house/village, they open their doors/lives to us, and share their problems/stories with us, we should be thankful for them "volunteering" to teach us! they come out as the helpers.
"stopping and listening, and finding .. what people wanted.. you shouldn't..attempt to control it ..rather, participate in it" -- well said. lemme suggest another level of insight? when we interact with another people, equal participation is important but we are never really equal. if we travel to someone else's house/village, they open their doors/lives to us, and share their problems/stories with us, we should be thankful for them "volunteering" to teach us! they come out as the helpers.
she fucking gets it. one in a million. hearing this makes all those other of thousands of peace corps volunteers who go and try to "save" the savages worth it--one open mind is worth it.
Female Genital Mutilation is sort of a counter-point to her argument. We can objectively say that that is wrong and we can, through the use of international organizations or even the Peace Corps help to end it.
@impatboy i'd agree with you only if you 1) can articulate why exactly "we" are in a position to tell someone else what to do, 2) will let "them" tell us what "we" need to do (eg, eat less fast food as a nation), 3) share with them why you feel it is objectively wrong instead of "ending it" (as it seems, by force), and 4) leave them be if they all feel they still want to stick to the practice. [just to be sure, i detest the practice of FGM]
An acquaintance recommended this video to me. I work in Southeast Asia with people in the global shipping and security communities. Listening, respecting, and letting go are just as effective in my world for getting things done. This is one of the most beautiful accountsof ahimsa that I've heard.
Wow. This is extremely profound. I'm in the process of applying for the PC, and now that I've heard what you have to say, it kind of strikes a chord within my own idealism. Thank you very much for your wisdom.
Jean you really spoke from your heart. I find it challenging to adequately express to people how my PC experience in Lesotho changed my life and why I loved it so much. After listening to you speak I just said to myself, "That's it." You said it all. So thank you for that. It's really refreshing to know that compassionate people like you served in Lesotho. And I know that your hard work continues. Kea leboha 'M'e.
Excellent. I work in public health and this is one of the key messages that really makes a difference in terms of sustainability of programs. I'm so glad you realize this. So many people want to go in and change a society instead listening to what ppl. want. I am currently applying for PC, and will hopefully leave in summer 2008.
Wonderful! As a former PC volunteer in Mali (97-99), I can identify very strongly with her comments and on the journey she has undergone as a PC volunteer in Africa. Thanks for articulating so clearly what I've felt for years.
As a fellow RPCV, I can say that this is applicable to a lot of places, not just Africa. Most developing countries that the Peace Corps and other humanitarian development agencies work in encounter the same culture shock in regards to development and what it really means. Changing according to what they want and need is hard to grasp for most people when you go in with a set task of changing what you think needs to be fixed.
syrakhan 2 months ago
"stopping and listening, and finding .. what people wanted.. you shouldn't..attempt to control it ..rather, participate in it" -- well said. lemme suggest another level of insight? when we interact with another people, equal participation is important but we are never really equal. if we travel to someone else's house/village, they open their doors/lives to us, and share their problems/stories with us, we should be thankful for them "volunteering" to teach us! they come out as the helpers.
farazars 2 months ago
"stopping and listening, and finding .. what people wanted.. you shouldn't..attempt to control it ..rather, participate in it" -- well said. lemme suggest another level of insight? when we interact with another people, equal participation is important but we are never really equal. if we travel to someone else's house/village, they open their doors/lives to us, and share their problems/stories with us, we should be thankful for them "volunteering" to teach us! they come out as the helpers.
farazars 2 months ago
she fucking gets it. one in a million. hearing this makes all those other of thousands of peace corps volunteers who go and try to "save" the savages worth it--one open mind is worth it.
laman012 2 months ago
@laman012 is it worth it? worth some of the damage that that million might mean?
shippynippy 2 months ago
Female Genital Mutilation is sort of a counter-point to her argument. We can objectively say that that is wrong and we can, through the use of international organizations or even the Peace Corps help to end it.
impatboy 9 months ago
@impatboy i'd agree with you only if you 1) can articulate why exactly "we" are in a position to tell someone else what to do, 2) will let "them" tell us what "we" need to do (eg, eat less fast food as a nation), 3) share with them why you feel it is objectively wrong instead of "ending it" (as it seems, by force), and 4) leave them be if they all feel they still want to stick to the practice. [just to be sure, i detest the practice of FGM]
farazars 2 months ago
Eloquent and eye-opening. Thank you.
lelandrb 1 year ago
An acquaintance recommended this video to me. I work in Southeast Asia with people in the global shipping and security communities. Listening, respecting, and letting go are just as effective in my world for getting things done. This is one of the most beautiful accountsof ahimsa that I've heard.
ericdstahl 1 year ago
Thanks for this video.
dbritton101 1 year ago
Wow, that was beautiful.
shiite7 2 years ago
Wow. This is extremely profound. I'm in the process of applying for the PC, and now that I've heard what you have to say, it kind of strikes a chord within my own idealism. Thank you very much for your wisdom.
Logger2008 2 years ago
I'm patiently awaiting my placement to serve as a volunteer in June 2010. Thank you so much for your testimony. I will remember this on my journey.
Ikillthelights 2 years ago
Jean you really spoke from your heart. I find it challenging to adequately express to people how my PC experience in Lesotho changed my life and why I loved it so much. After listening to you speak I just said to myself, "That's it." You said it all. So thank you for that. It's really refreshing to know that compassionate people like you served in Lesotho. And I know that your hard work continues. Kea leboha 'M'e.
mekarabo 3 years ago
this is off topic but you are beautiful
Rickduden 3 years ago
Jean,
Really well spoken and interesting. You really seem to have found your niche.
--Emily
Emily05MLE 4 years ago
Excellent. I work in public health and this is one of the key messages that really makes a difference in terms of sustainability of programs. I'm so glad you realize this. So many people want to go in and change a society instead listening to what ppl. want. I am currently applying for PC, and will hopefully leave in summer 2008.
Tregnier52 4 years ago
Thank you, this is a lesson for us all. Keep up the good work.
Thunderhawk413 4 years ago
Rev. John G Lake, 1910, Johannesburg.
"I came to Africa from America to be a teacher of the Word of God, but after 6 months here, I was the student."
sgush 4 years ago
Jean said everything right. Greg Alder (PC volunteer in Lesotho at the same time she was)
goober31107 4 years ago
Wonderful! As a former PC volunteer in Mali (97-99), I can identify very strongly with her comments and on the journey she has undergone as a PC volunteer in Africa. Thanks for articulating so clearly what I've felt for years.
karamogo 5 years ago