Being a Voluntourist in Community

So there is a blog that has gone viral over the last couple of weeks.  The blog, titled 'The problem with little white girls (and boys)" touches on the ever present issue of short-lived 'mission trips' that commonly takes place in less developed nations.  As we at BLOOM Africa gear up for a return visit to Lesotho on Friday, taking with us 6 volunteers for the first time, I felt like it was necessary to reflect and respond.

Many of us on the BLOOM team are on this team because of a short time spent in Lesotho at one time or another.  For me, it was a month in the summer of 2009.  Looking back, I have to admit that as a 22 year old college senior, I didn't yet "get it."  Our trip was focused on building things, which typically fell apart 6 months to a year later.  And unfortunately, it was easy to see some people were there for the wrong reasons.  But that doesn't mean that trip, and all of those before and after, were at a great fault.  Service trips can be done well if the local community is involved.  If there are things being built together, with a local expert leading the way, the extra hands from western volunteers may actually be warmly welcomed.  There is the ability for cultural understanding through working together that could be helpful.  But, sadly, often times this is not how these trips are typically organized.  But, the impact the trip had on my life can't be overlooked.  The experience did something to me that I couldn't explain. It ignited a passion in me that I never knew I had.  Many students, myself included, suddenly were on a path for a life of service.  For that, I am forever thankful.  But I longed for something that was more sustainable.

The trip caused me to pursue service opportunities, which led me to volunteering in Bloemfontein, South Africa for a year after graduation.  The program I served through, called Young Adults in Global Mission, has an unlikely mission.  The mission is 'accompaniment.'  What does that mean!?  Accompaniment basically means to be in community with those you serve.  To walk hand-in-hand with the marginalized and go foar beyond sympathy and empathy.  It is living in true community where understanding and love can occur.  So I have to be thankful for that time spent in Lesotho, although I learned so much more about community development after living in South Africa.

Recently, I was lucky enough to attend a lecture by Dr. Paul Farmer (founder of Partners In Health) and Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez (founder of Liberation Theology) in Chicago.  These two giants in the field of development and fighting poverty have written a book (In the Company of the Poor) where accompaniment is seen as the best way to fight poverty.  Why?  Because until a person breaks the barriers of their privilege and truly feels what their brothers and sisters feel, they will not be able to understand poverty.  Without understanding poverty, how can we ever overcome it?

As we embark on BLOOM Africa's first ever 'Voluntour', accompaniment remains our focus.  As the volunteers going on the Voluntour saw our itinerary, they may have been a bit surprised to not find any cement mixing, building houses or painting projects.  Instead, they found a lot of community conversations, long walks, meetings with village chiefs and time spent with out volunteers.  I believe there is great value in cross-cultural experiences that sometimes come from "mission trips", but the mission has to be right.  If the mission is to travel somewhere less developed than home, throw together a structure and then leave, it is neither sustainable nor beneficial to the community.  But if the mission is to travel somewhere to share in experiences with others, learn a new culture, and create friendships and relationships, it is a sustainable good.

Reuniting with my dear friend, Rose

We believe that BLOOM Africa has positioned itself in a true accompaniment model.  Our team of volunteers and staff in Lesotho are growing every year, and we are empowered by their passion for BLOOM's work.  Our Community Learning Centers are organized and operated by our partners in Lesotho, and we want the programming to stem from community needs and local challenges.

As we count down the hours until we depart for Lesotho, there was an excerpt from the blog that caught my attention, "Before you sign up for a volunteer trip anywhere in the world this summer, consider whether you possess the skill set necessary for that trip to be successful.  If yes, awesome.  If not, it might be a good idea to reconsider your trip.  Sadly, taking part in international aid where you aren't particularly helpful is no benign.  It's detrimental."

Well I think every human has the skill of accompaniment.  We all have the ability to spend time with others, get to know others, and understand others.  We all know how to share a meal, share a laugh and share hope.  I highly encourage you to travel internationally, but keeping in mind how much you have to learn by spending time with others in community...a community that has much to teach us, and not the other way around.

Andrew Steele is the Founder of BLOOM Africa and served as a Young Adult in Global Mission volunteer in 2010-2011

What Hunger Games Are We Playing?

This weekend, I’ve heard the word “hunger” a lot.  Just about every time, it’s been about the movie “The Hunger Games.” This movie is based on the novel, which really gained popularity while I was serving as a volunteer in South Africa.  So naturally, I feel pretty left out from the public discourse on this book and movie.  So for me, each time I heard or saw someone speaking about the debut of this movie, I got caught up on a memory of the last time I confronted true hunger.

Three weeks ago, I left for a 10-day trip back to Lesotho.  I was so excited to travel back, especially since friend and fellow BLOOM Africa team member, William Thomas, joined me.  I always enjoy exploring Lesotho with close friends.  It allows me to share my passions and the place that has changed my life forever.  And despite my overall excitement to return, there was a calm subtleness to my voyage.  I was going home, and I was comfortable with that.

After working off the jet lag and initial arrival activities, we headed to the Mountain Kingdom in the Sky.  Oh, it was good to be back.  Besides the obvious ambiance and majestic mountainous backdrops, I was simply happy to see the friends I’ve made over the years. 

In Roma, I have befriended a particular family since 2009.  The family consists of a grandmother and her four grandchildren, who she has to raise because of the ravishing affects of HIV/AIDS.  The children’s ages range from 13 to 4 years.  I have created a special bond with the grandmother, who is able to speak enough English so we can share in conversation each time we see each other.  And over the years, I have become friends with 13 year old Tiisetso. 

Reuniting with grandmother Rose

When I first traveled to Lesotho in 2009, Tiisetso was an outgoing and rambunctious 10 year old.  Despite not speaking much English, he and I were able to create a bond and friendship that transcended barriers.  And although we didn’t share a lot of words, laughter was our common bond.  This friendship continued as I visited Lesotho multiple times in 2010 and 2011.  Even as I walk throughout the village now, children come up and say, “Aren’t you Tiisetso’s friend?”

So when I returned this month and noticed a difference in Tiisetso’s smile and charisma, I was worried.  I could tell right away that something wasn’t right with my friend.  His glowing smile was hard to find.  And despite growing a bit in height, he seemed more slender than I had remembered.  He was becoming a teenager, but the amount of food his family was able to provide was still the same as when he was a child, if not less.  I felt the difference in Tiisetso’s persona, so one day I asked him, “What’s wrong?”  And his simple, but profound, response was, “I’m hungry.”

I had no reply.  What could I say or do that would change the way he felt.  I have never felt that kind of hunger in my life.  I’ve been blessed my whole life, not only to always be satisfied, but to often have the choice in what I ate.  It was, perhaps, one of the only times in my life where I was left completely speechless.  Holding back the tears and anger wasn’t easy as I tried to change the subject.  Tiisetso somberly got up from under the tree and started kicking a dilapidated soccer ball.  Since that time, I can’t get the thought of hunger out of my mind.

So as the nation (and world) head to the theaters to watch a new movie, I can’t help but think of my friend half a world away.  For me, the real hunger game is not a game or fictional scenario.  In fact, it’s a matter of life, happiness, and even death.  Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with a great novel and movie to let our imaginations run wild.  Imagination is what creates hope and hope is what creates futures.  And honestly, I wish every time I heard the word ‘hunger’ or ‘hungry’ I didn’t have a story of my friend in Lesotho, barely able to speak or crack a smile because of his lack of food.  But I can’t help this feeling or thought.

And so, I will be a more thoughtful consumer.  I will not overeat.  I will use my purchase power as a consumer to buy foods that come from an organic and local source.  I will think of my hungry friends around the world every time I enjoy a fulfilling meal.  And I will fight for an end to unnecessary hunger, especially in children, in Lesotho.  And hopefully one day, the concept of hunger for Tiisetso and others will be exactly what it should be…a fictional game.

Khotso,

Andrew

This blog entry was written by BLOOM Africa director, Andrew Steele

Meetings - Lesotho Style: Lesotho Update #2

Andrew and Billy have been staying busy with meetings, meetings and more meetings! Check out the details of their fun, educational and motivational engagements below....

On Thursday:
We met with the Principal of Fatima Primary School in Ramabanta,
Lesotho. We heard about the struggles, the challenges, the successes,
and the opportunities at her school.

We also met with Lerato, who is a leader in the village. She spoke to
us about how great her village is, as well as the crushing realities
of HIV/AIDS and orphans in her village. She will be a great partner
for BLOOM.

We had some nice meetings with ladies that are making and selling
scarves and knit hats from scratch, all the way from the stage of
receiving wool, to spinning it, to knitting it. We also met with a
guy in the community that makes art from rocks that he grounds.

On Friday morning:

We met with the the Principal of the primary school in Roma and the
the lady volunteering her time to run Leratong Community Center. It
was very insightful hearing from both of them.

We also met with Little Angels to check up on our project there. The
water is running perfectly and the kids were all smiling. We spoke
with Rose and Kennedy there and dropped off shoes for kids there
without them.

We have built some very nice relationships during our time here, as
well as learned how to best work with the Basotho people. We are
looking forward to updating you in more detail!

Another post full of big things for BLOOM and the orphans of Lesotho!! The BLOOM team is looking forward to creating lasting relationships and designing projects with all of these wonderful people!

Kings, Kids & Colleges: Lesotho Update #1

Lumela, friends! Andrew and Billy have been extremely busy the past few days in Lesotho. All of their hard work is paying off, though, as they continue to make new connections and generate new support for BLOOM. Here is a look at what they've accomplished, what they've been doing and what they'll be bringing back to the BLOOM Africa team!

We are currently in Maseru after meeting with a professor who teaches at the National University of Lesotho.

We arrived in Lesotho on Saturday night after a busy day of driving and seeing some folks. Sunday we spent the day in the community in Roma, and did some hiking. After spending the morning with some children in the village, we traveled to visit the Lesotho Child's Counseling Unit. This was a place of safety for children who have been badly abused or abandoned. The Wittengerg trips have been going to this site for the last number of years and volunteering there. Sadly, in November, the structure caught fire and was completely burned down. It was very sad to be back and see the charred ashes of a building that used to have so much happiness and joy inside its walls.

On Monday we spent the day with the Springfield Rotary Club in Motsekua, where they were dedicating the orphanage they have funded. His Majesty King Letsie III attended the large celebration, and gave the closing remarks at the program. After the program, we had lunch with His Majesty, and both William and I were able to meet him and discuss BLOOM Africa and our vision. We also connected with contacts from the US Embassy. After the event, we visited a school and orphanage, and spent time with the school's principal. We learned a lot about the challeneges that primary and high schools are now facing in Lesotho.

Tuesday was a busy day for us, spent in Maseru. We spent the moring at Kick4Life, an NGO using soccer to combat HIV and empower youth. We met the new director and are excited about the potential to work together in the future. That afternoon we had a meeting with the Director of the Peace Corps in Lesotho, and gained many new contacts that will be beneficial to moving forward. Later in the afternoon we met with our contacts who run soccer tournaments in Thaba Bosiu that promote healthy living and empowerment.

Today we met with the professor and will be visiting Little Angels. This afternoon we will head to Ramabanta where we will spend two nights. We hope to speak to some teachers there to hear of the difficulties of teaching in rural Lesotho. We will not have access to internet until Friday evening.

Yesterday was Billys birthday and we certainly celebrated in a good fashion! We raced up a mountain with just enough time to spare to catch the sunset, another beautiful evening in the Mountain Kingdom.

Love you all and wish you were here!!!

Big things are coming our way, folks!! Stay tuned for more updates, more good news and more ways you can help us help the orphans of Lesotho!

**Should anyone want/need to get ahold of either Andrew or Billy, you may call their Lesotho cell phone at (266) 57 40 27 93.

Leavin On A Jet Plane

It’s happening!  It really is happening!

On March 1, William Thomas and I will be traveling back to Lesotho on BLOOM business.  This is the first time BLOOM Africa has sent personnel on official business to Lesotho.  Previously, team members were able to spend time in Lesotho through service trips and volunteer experiences.  Now, we are sending team members to solely focus on the development of our organization.

This is a huge step for us.  We are now at a point where we can invest in the development of relationships and project sites in Lesotho.  Our hope is to target potential future project sites, BLOOM contacts and possible future staff members.

We will be spending 10 days in Lesotho, traveling all around the country from the capital city of Maseru to the rural mountaintops of Ramabanta.  We’ll also be taking some of the goods donated to us and delivering them to the community centers and orphanages we have worked with in the past.

We look forward to returning with newly built relationships, reports on past projects and locations for our future work.  This visit will lay the groundwork for much of our work in the months ahead.

While we’re there, we’ll be blogging right here, so stay tuned for updates from our visit!

Thanks again for your continued support, this wouldn’t be possible without you.

In great anticipation,

Andrew