As I arrive to my community I am reminded of what U.S. Ambassador to Namibia, Wanda Nesbitt said to the newly initiated Peace Corps volunteers of Group 38. She stated that we should 1) be open minded, 2) be ready to listen, and 3) be ready to observe. These three things are essential to any volunteer as he/she begins to serve in the Peace Corps. I would like to add to these criterion by stating that one must be flexible, be willing to adapt, be determined, and acquire a certain level of resiliency. Most importantly, one must know that they are in their community to HELP. But one must be aware to avoid helping that hurts. This is a phrase that has so much packed in it. I recall seeing a book that was given to me called When Helping Hurts... (Note: I have not read it yet)
Now I have an innate intrinsic desire to help and serve others. But what I understand is that my desire to help should not hurt those who I seek to help. There could be various reasons and ways someone can unintentionally hurt someone by helping them. Without going through a list of those possibilities, I will sum it by stating that one should be cognizant of the culture, morals, values, and lifestyle of the people served.
When entering a community you are the outsider and you have an outsiders perspective. That perspective is that it is obvious that the community you serve needs your help. However, one should not enter the community being judgmental of the culture. When you speak of perspective, you are speaking of perception. Your perception of the community is based on what you think should be the right way of doing things and then implementing the perceived needed change. I would pause here and ask - what makes your perception the right one? What makes the way you did things better than the way it was done before? What makes it the correct way of doing things? What if your perception of right looks wrong to the community you serve? Would you force your perception of right and wrong on the people you are serving? I would beg to differ! One should not force their ideals, values, and morals on someone because you don't think that way is right.
On the contrary, you should listen first, observe second, be open minded and then work together in partnership with community leaders to develop a plan to better the community. This process should be inclusive and participatory. (PACA!) At the same time, the participants should set their own agenda and needs assessment so that they have a sense of ownership towards the development project. There should be a "buy-in" of the product that the community sees as the need, rather than what you see as the need. There is always talk by academics and people of the higher class as to what "we" should do for our community. But those same individuals are not present in developing the community. One should not be in the ivory tower of academia and suggest where "we" need to do.
Let us get out of the ivory tower of academia and work with the people we wish to serve. Dr. Cornel West poignantly stated that, "You can't lead the people if you don't love the people. You can't save the people if you don't serve the people." I concur with this sentiment. I would add that if you would like to save the people, you must work with the people - helping people develop the capacity to improve their own lives. If you are working alone, you are not doing development work. If you are evaluating alone, you are not building capacity and sustainable work.
"Being confident of this that He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Phil. 1:6
- E.H. Smith, M. A.
