Bubbajubs

In adopting a brick: The story of GVN

The first image of the picture that emerged was the ghost of the figures pale glossy, developed in a dark laboratory hundreds of photos of birthdays and other partners, beaming in front of scenic landmarks and babies take the first steps. Submerged in its chemical bath and saved from drowning, the picture was pulled dripping like a wet sock washed and hung to dry.

And, as color, magic, ghosts became alive: the eyes to look at the lips that curl a hungry happiness, hands that are almost but not quite moving. A photograph to prove its existence.

Perhaps it was the ginger hair of the boys who took the picture memorable. Or that belied the rounded stomachs agencies nourished. Or clothing, use day after day, which stretched and framed torsos surprisingly swept complement thin legs.

Whatever it was, Colin Salisbury then represented as the 18 year old blonde in thongs surrounded by five young men from Papua New Guinea, was never able to shake off the way his thumbs up to the camera promised a future in which everything would be okay.

Fifteen years later, the photograph hangs in the office of Colin, and when asked how got into the business of people helping people, it says. Like photography, sustained silent birth, so, too, was the idea Colin of the Global Volunteer Network (GVN).

Of the six weeks he spent in Papua New Guinea, Colin says: "For a young New Zealand, which had a big impact. "

This impact, in fact, that GVN, a nongovernmental organization born of compassion for the people who took Colin as an island of vineyards, is connecting volunteers with communities in need around the world to fulfill his promise without words to all those years ago.

While Colin had been fascinated with finding a solution to poverty he had seen during his travels in the next decade after his first experience abroad, it was not until he took a trip to Ghana in 1998, he had his epiphany.

Colin, who has a Masters in International Development, was working WorldVision to a study of literacy in Ghana when he made a startling discovery. The schools lack books and teaching materials, also lacks the appeal most precious teachers. In most classes, teachers, underpaid and overworked, were outnumbered by a ratio of 150 to 200 students to two teachers. Colin was forced to abandon a trip with more than empty promises.

"Long term, it is obvious that we need to train more teachers "Said Colin." But in the short term, these guys really benefit from an education now. International people who come to help fill the gaps teaching seemed the next step. So when I went, 'Wow, there really is a real need for volunteers. "

Returning home, Colin continued to work full-time work, while with the help of his wife, Jo Salisbury, began laying the groundwork for GVN during all hours others happy.

"It took me a year working at night to find out how could this idea work," said Colin. "I do not share with anyone until I go. "

In their research, Colin found that other organizations, the high cost of voluntary and pledged to do your organization as accessible as possible.

"I feel frustrated with the fact that many of the organizations of people just wanted the money and nothing else "He said." I wanted to give people the opportunity to get your body there, compared to only pay their dollar a day. "

Colin also was adamant that his organization are aligned with the idea of "local solutions to local problems", working at the grassroots level to achieve their goals.

"Local people are living in these communities to understand their needs and how best to address them," said Colin. "What they need is support in so doing, not someone else coming in and creating an infrastructure where many of the existing infrastructure.

Colin and Jo officially launched GVN in 2002 with a website which now brings chuckles in the computer of the office increasingly common sense. And with the help of employees first hired to work outside the Colin's spare room, GVN began sending volunteers to programs in Ghana, Nepal and Ecuador. As growth surprise even a staunch supporter of the GVN, the organization jumped to send only 240 volunteers in its first year to 1,520 volunteers two years later.

"I had no idea how well go, "Colin." It was like, let's set it up and put our marketing in place and we hope to take off. And I really did. As demand grew, added more programs, and have basically been doing that ever since. It was good timing with the Internet as available, which meant it could offer opportunities lower cost than other voluntary organizations that were around before the Internet that have different cost structures. "

And with the growth of GVN got a proper office and an expanded team of 20 staff people to help manage requests for volunteers and coordinate the programs of the country. The map on the wall of the meeting room now has 19 pins denoting GVN programs in Alaska, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ghana, Honduras, India, Kenya, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda and Vietnam. The volunteers, who work anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months, are participating in the programs in orphanages, schools, wildlife refuges, nature reserves and camps.

And GVN network continues to expand. The Community Fund is GVN established in 2004 to support the work of GVN partners with the resources to enable them to continue and enhance their work in their local communities. The Community Fund plans hikes fundraising to mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt Everest Base Camp, Machu Picchu and southern New Zealand. The walks, a mixture of adventure sports and humanitarian aid, add a new twist to sponsor the "my foot" fundraiser, with all dollar earned goes to support a project in the foothills of the peaks, as a new school in Uganda.

The Office
It's a strange day if Colin four year old daughter is not riding her tricycle in the office, weaving in and out desks as if they were traffic cones. Staff members enjoy Ping-Pong respirators, take orders for hot drinks and get angry at competitions Sudoku.

"Our partner in Vietnam, just sent us photos of your baby," Program Coordinator Graham Fyfe announces to the office, who crowd around his desk and singing softly. Through the window, just a few feet away, lackadaisically young boys working on a line of cars waiting for be washed and waxed. The office, as a best-kept secret noodle shop, is located between the number of nondescript warehouses and a car wash.

"The People often think that we are a large conglomerate of America and have offices all over the world, "said Anna Wells, program coordinator for Nepal, China and Romania. "I think if people realized we were in the back blocks of Lower Hutt, which would be very surprised."

Not everyone the sack race and throw bean bags at the office; GVN receives over 400 emails a day and screening program coordinators are held through Question trips I take malaria pills? "to take phone calls from worried mothers.

Most of the volunteer program coordinators have been themselves at once, so their cries of volunteering are authentic.

"Volunteering really shows what a huge difference from a person can do in a relatively short period of time, "said Anna." You can learn a lot about the culture, working with a community. It's something you can not experience otherwise. "

Erin Cassidy, director of the GVN office, volunteered in Uganda for three weeks last year with her five years of old son.

"I saw firsthand what makes volunteering and how it helps communities," Erin said. "It really opens your eyes to how much have and how much you do not need. It even affected the way we operate at home. Do not let the water run when I brush my teeth at home. I know it's only a small thing, but now I realize how precious that resource.

For Charisse Gebhart, program coordinator for Ghana, South Africa and Uganda, the six months spent volunteering in Nepal GVN changed his worldview.

"I was barely aware of poverty and suffering that was out there" Charisse said. "I would like to see Sally Struthers commercials, but that was about the extent of it. Witnesses itself is very different from the knowledge that is out there ".

And GVN offers a variety of ways to witness for himself, standing first in front of a classroom full of laughing students Ghana, to give the dinner to a gibbon rescued in a wildlife sanctuary in Thailand, to bake a cake with an orphan in Romania.

"No matter what your skill set is, there are places where you're needed and who can contribute, "said Graham." Volunteerism is not a thing. It is not only changing people who are working. It will also change them. You'll be more aware of himself, of what they can do and what you're passionate about. It is worth to get in that position .

A Catalyst for Change
Volunteerism is not journal writing and introspection. The communities where volunteers work are often deeply affected by its presence. After all, it's not everyday that someone gives up the comforts of their daily lives to pay to work long hours in a new and often demanding half environment.

"One of the main factors of development is self-esteem and national pride," said Hanna Butler, an official of the administration and collection travel organizer funds. "When I volunteered in India, sometimes I felt like I really was not doing much. But in some places, where were the first foreigners to come there, people realized that they were not forgotten. They thought: "We are worthy of help."

It is often this feeling esteem, recognition for a moment of despair, which can implement a community action. When the volunteers came to India to work in a community destroyed by a fast wave to reach children separated from their parents and homes exploded by a bullet from salt water in the time it takes to make a cup of coffee is found many people still dazed and unresponsive.

"A lot of people were still in shock," said Colin. "There was not much action happening. But [the volunteers] just got and started the reconstruction of wells and ensure the existence of water of good quality and everything. And as soon as it began, premises just arrived and joined, and in some places, took over because they were better than the volunteers. The point being is that volunteers often act as a catalyst. Local people often think: "If these people are going to fly halfway around the world and pay all the money just to help us, which I think can help too."

If GVN that the organization be a success, it is only because of the difference that I could do in other communities.

"In Nepal, we have been able to take them basically zero in terms of volunteers for their projects to 20 or 30 a month, "said Colin." What that meant for them is that we been able to have a great effect in providing teachers for schools and orphanages. So part of our success is the success it meant for others. "

Colin continued, "In Ecuador, GVN provides half the number of volunteers that the organization has. Since I have started working with volunteers, all is not always better instantly, "has had an impact on environmental policy in the country and local attitudes toward conservation. "

And while volunteering creates many tangible changes for the communities of new school buildings clean streams, but also helps to reduce the gap left by decades of Western imperialism, colonization and exploitation.

"Too often we hear about the developed countries should take advantage of developing countries", Michelle said. "But volunteering allows developing countries to see another side to people, and how people want to be in the world."

The difference GVN
GVN Asking an employee to tell the difference between GVN and another organization doing similar work is like asking a child what I want for Christmas just can not stop listing things.

"I think one of the best things about GVN programs is that volunteers have plenty of space for use their own initiative, "said Michelle, the program coordinator for Kenya and Tanzania and the administrator of GVN travel insurance option." I think our programs Working for someone with enthusiasm, energy and wants to see things done. "

While not limited to GVN volunteers send out a map and compass, that allow volunteers to make many decisions about how they want to spend their time volunteering.

"Other organizations send a guide with volunteers and is all well established and concrete, "said Graham." And while that allows for some coherence in the program, it is also true that limits on terms of what we can do. With GVN, supporting it, but there is no prescribed guidelines. "

Although GVN is a relatively small organization, Graham believes his office is actually very close one of its strengths.

"We are very sensitive and can turn around and do things whether changes should be done," said. "We do not with ten levels of administration has to happen to make things."

And unlike other organizations, GVN programs not require a second mortgage to take part. Volunteer in Thailand for four weeks costs only $ 650.

"Volunteerism is expensive," said Michelle. "You have to take time off from his own life, but still keep it running. Things just do not stop when you go abroad. So you want the best value for your time and money. "

The choice of a partner
Being popular is not always easy. GVN receives at least two consultations a day of the organizations that want to partner with them. The task of deciding which partners to invest in is long.

"We look at the impact that these projects are doing," says Michelle. " We ensure that projects are worthwhile, which are GVN and standards that make a good impact on the local community. "

Understanding that the practices business cultures and even across the spectrum of ethics when working with international partners, GVN instituted The Ten Steps to ensure quality consistency. The steps, actually a checklist, GVN help establish standards in its work towards excellence in all its programs.

"Sometimes we work with partners are really willing to help, but not used to running a business the same way we are, "said Graham." So the Ten Steps of Quality only gives them the tools to do so effectively. "

There are times, however, when opinions differ and partnerships become more demanding and nonsymbiotic. GVN, always be careful with whom you are working, sometimes you have to make the difficult decision to cancel an association.

"We had a previous partner in Nepal in the beginning, "said Colin." Things changed about the way they were working and had no doubts about the use finance. We must decide that he could not participate if that sort of thing was happening. We had to pull the plug. "

Volunteer Expectations: Where is the air conditioning?
"I have to change the information package for the Philippines," said Annika Lindorsson, program coordinator For India, the Philippines and Vietnam. "I think it's confusing for people to find the taxi from the airport to use."

Annika just returned from a trip five days to the Philippines to meet with the partner organization last GVN and evaluate the program. Following the path that a volunteer would have discovered a bug in the instructions.

"Going to the Philippines has made all the difference in my ability to do my job," he said.

GVN is not ashamed to send their used to investigate their programs. For Annika, she brought more than just a tan: the firsthand knowledge of how your program, you are looking for accommodation, like, what volunteers are fed and the general logistics of moving from one country most of the volunteers have never been before.

"It is very useful to see things in logistics, such as airports where the volunteers come, "said Graham, who traveled to Vietnam, Ecuador and El Salvador last year to review their programs. "It's much easier to give advice when you know where to go."

Share a meal with a partner GVN also helps build a relationship which had been exclusively Internet-based telephony.

"It really makes it much more personal," said Anna. "You have a relationship closely with the people working there. Thus, to meet them in reality makes it much more real. "

To see the country as that a volunteer program coordinators are able to ensure the volunteers' expectations are realistic, there really is no air conditioning in Uganda. Coordinators program will also try to convey to the volunteers that his trip will be nothing like a backpacking trip to a ranch.

"Some of the volunteers who The trip will be a real adventure, "Colin." Others think that in the month to leave, they will dramatically change the place. Some views are naive, some are more realistic and some see it as a holiday. So we try to get people's expectations in line with reality, not deflate too. "

Unlike some travel days where tourists can see poverty as a circus tent, spinning around, pointing to, but not joining in volunteering with GVN ago acclimatization to the environment a necessity.

"For the program in India, for example, the accommodation has been selected is not a luxury accommodation, says Michelle. "Actually you are learning to live differently, without the amenities you are accustomed to. At the end of the day, we want the volunteers to have a real experience of the country, instead of a tourist sight.

And while volunteers have the opportunity to explore the country, there no doubt that hard work.

"I think many people think will be very attractive, and clean the sweat off the brows of the people," said Hanna. "But his long and arduous task. Sometimes it feels is not getting much done. And some days you think, "And I'm doing this for free? What am I doing? "

I was going to do it again?

"Yes," he said.

From big leap: go for it
"I was terrified," Charisse said in his first days of volunteer teaching in Nepal. "I had no teaching experience. I was afraid of having a classroom full of children me. I did not know if I could fill the entire class time and if I could keep them under control. "

And how did it go?

"The way you'd expect it," she said. "There were some difficult days, but it was great."

The fear that gripped of Charisse-do you control a classroom full of children who do not speak the same language? "is universal among the volunteers go into situations that would make even the most experienced pale travelers.

"Other volunteers have been feeling the same way," Charisse said. "In fact, each volunteer will have felt the same way. And you may not always get that from the magazines on the website. But that should not be a reason for you ".

It is this lack of fear, this nerve and heart and patience that embodies a volunteer to help push against a global current of despair, desperation, inequality, greed, racism and xenophobia.

"It has always been people in need, and unfortunately, I think there will always be," Anna said. "Just people helping a person at a time. I would say that the end result is that while helping GVN become obsolete. But all throughout history the world has not always been people who have nothing and People who have something to give. "

The act of giving, to assume a responsibility to humanity, to declare that a person who never met the right basic and fundamental to a life free of suffering is incomparable to any other gesture.

"Yes, it is difficult," said Erin. "And often there culture shock. Nobody can prepare you for it. I do not think you can be fully prepared for it. I had seen pictures, videos viewed, but in the end, the reality was different. But after the first days, when you get most of the time difference and change, I can not see how ever regret. I just can not. "

And in the passage of a brick, chalk-dusted in the writing of a word, the gentle sway of a lonely child, a new world wrought into universal truths are love, compassion and generosity, a world where photographs, a vision, a blink-Inspirations be converted into ideas are turned into legacies efforts.

About the Author

Megan Taddy is a freelance writer with a B.A. in Journalism and International Studies who completed a media internship with Global Volunteer Network (GVN), an organisation that helps connect volunteers with communities in need.
http://www.volunteer.org.nz

Please ensure that all GVN content has an accreditation to the GVN website. You may not directly or indirectly change, edit, add to or produce summaries of the GVN content. A courtesy copy of your publication would be greatly appreciated.

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