Perpetual Change

The End (and adjustment)

As written by poet Heine in 1842:
Little mentioned at the moment, communism is the dark hero lurking in hidden garrets on miserable straw pallets - the hero destined to play a great, even in only temporary, role in the modern tragedy. He is only waiting for the cue to make his entrance. We must never lose this actor from our sight...we must seek out the rehearsals where he prepares in secret for his debut.

As written in a Peace Corps publication about re-adjusting in America:
...Volunteers miss the stimulation and exhilaration of meeting the challenges of living in a foreign culture, of the small triumphs that make up each day. No one gets excited in a shop or on a bus in America when you start speaking English...

The problem is this notion of home. The word suggests a place and a life all set up and waiting for us; all we have to do is move in. But home isn't merely a place we inhabit; it's a lifestyle we construct (wherever we go), a pattern of routines, habits, and behaviors associated with certain people, places, and objects all confined to a limited area or neighborhood. We can certainly construct home back in our own culture, just as we did abroad, but there won't be one waiting for us when we arrive...

In other words, no one goes home; rather, we return to our native country and, in due course, we create a new home.

As written in a Peace Corps "continuing service" informational booklet:
The Peace Corps Partnership Program
The program has two purposes (1) to help current volunteer communities realize a development project through their own efforts using technologies most appropriate to local resources, culture, economy, and traditions; and (2) to provide a bridge that enables Americans to participate in international development in a personal way. Partnership supporters find participation meaningful and it helps them gain greater insight into other cultures. Host country communities can request one-time assistance for locally initiated projects, such as recreation centers, workshops, schools, and clinics. One hundred percent of the donations go to the projects and all donations are tax deductible. Volunteers and local counterparts liaise with American donors and facilitate the projects through their completion.

My comments: Anyone can help. The average project is $3000, so a $100 can make a big difference. And you can even see how much the local community has pledged. It is really easy with a credit card, online at http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.donors
If that doesn't work, go to http://www.peacecorps.gov/ and click on the Donors button on the left scroll bar. Volunteer Projects are under the second heading. Donate Now lets you donate to worldwide initiatives based on issues of need.

posted by jjs @ 10:16 AM