Invitation to past volunteers

All of the views currently on this site are from one volunteer (me) who had a limited experience in Africa (only four months). I would really like to add to this site by getting more perspectives on these and more topics.

Just add a comment by clicking the link below, include your email address and I will get in touch with you.

Some of the topics I'll try and work on but would love contributions from you on;

• Volunteer discounts.
• Work ethic of locals - just different.
• Luxuries - ice cream, pools, beer, taxis, safaris, internet.
• Buying Christmas presents and gifts.
• Do people here actually want help or would many prefer just to be left alone to live their own lives?
• The UN tribunal and its impact on Arusha. What happens when it packs up and goes?
• NGO's and whether Tanzanians can afford to be philanthropic. Is this why there is so much corruption in government and NGO's?
• Having pride in your own town and country.

Just some ideas.

Comments

[Eunice]

"Do people here actually want help or would many prefer just to be left alone to live their own lives? "
Hi there, i just happened to chance upon ur blog from the Thorn Tree forum & it certainly got me engaged! Just wanna comment on the line above as I volunteered in Cambodia before, a short one though, as it only lasted 20days. One of the issues my facilitator got us thinking was this: "Do you think the people in Cambodia are really poor?" They may be poor as compared to the developed nations, but back at home, they are comfortable and happy. And could live Life as normal and happily. I often thought whether we going in to build and set up a computer lab would set them yearning for more from us. I mean, only when u know what u're lacking, then do you yearn for things.

[Mick]

I agree with that statement about wanting more, so the question is whether wanting more is a good thing or not. Lots of people say that happiness is loving what you have. On the wall of my Mama's house in Arusha there is a poster that says "Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness."

Also, in Paul Reader's book "Africa: A biography of the continent." it quotes to say that education is the thing that makes people want what they don't have. I think this is true, but it still doesn't answer the question. It just asks another question about whether it is the lack of or type of education developing countries are getting which is driving their ambitions.

I tend to think that if education is going to drive ambition then it is a good thing. If they come together and are balanced with good principles then things will develop in a positive direction.