Team Four Begins the Journey

September 16-17, 2012

Our team met for a group breakfast at JJ’s on Sunday morning. We then attended  a quite lengthy Catholic Church service in Anse La Raye. The service was very colorful, spiritful, and ceremonial as a large group of young adults were being confirmed.  Global Volunteers and its current and former servants were recognized and praised many times by the Archbishop  and other worship/community leaders.

Upon returning back to JJ’s for a brief lunch we had team meetings in preparation for the week. We discussed individual goals and found a significant commonality amongst our large group of diverse servants. We discussed keys to a successful volunteer experience and ways to accomplish our individual goals as well as those of the group as a whole unit.  I like the fact that Global Volunteers seems to be allowing the individuality of the group help define the project based upon need, not just let their organizational objectives define the project. As a team we determined that to be successful we would need to be cooperative, goal oriented,  flexible, respectful and unselfish.

Yesterday (Monday) we saw each of those goals challenge and survive. Flexibility seems to be the key as we set out for our first day working in the health center, schools and on community projects.  The clock of time definitely tics at a different pace than in the States and adaptability/flexibility seem to be keys to that success.

We finished Monday with a brief team meeting to discuss our group observations and possible modifications to our plan then met at Julietta’s for another amazing dinner. 

Bryan VanMeter, Physician Assistant/Global Volunteer

Thought for the day from Claire Kirchen:

During the confirmation of the youth of the Anse La Raye community the Archbishop of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Catholic Church asked them whether they had assisted the poor and needy, helped others learn, and volunteered hours in service.  Then the Archbishop concluded:  “Do as the Global Volunteers who give not just hours but many days of service.  Learn from them!”