By Siobhan Hughes (SERVE Development Programme Officer) We have been in South Africa for the past week documenting our partners who are receiving funding as part of Irish Aid’s 2012 – 2015 programme (SERVE’s Development Programme (SDP)). SERVE works in partnership with two local organisations in Rustenburg in the North West province of South Africa. […]
“No matter how much you prepare and plan for stepping into the unknown the unexpected will always occur at some point.”
After spending four weeks in the Philippines, carrying out a wide variety of work on behalf of SERVE, it appears that my final task of summing up my experience into a few paragraphs is a challenging one. The whole experience was a journey with many ups and downs and twists and turns. Also, like any journey that you have not made before, the expectation often differs from what you experience. No matter how much you prepare and plan for stepping into the unknown, the unexpected occurs at some point. Things often do not go to plan and in these situations, being adaptable and capable of using your initiative is necessary. In a way, though, this is one of the beauties of the journey.
Putting into words my emotions felt during my time with the Badjao currently seems impossible. I will try to sum it up as best I can.
On my first day of meeting the Badjao community, I was slightly nervous. I did not know what to expect in the slightest. It is only now I see how irrational these feelings were. The welcome we experienced was like none I ever had. The people were so warm, open, and friendly; I learned so much from them. The Badjao live an ordinary and simple life. Although they were undoubtedly trapped and restricted in ways, there was also a strong sense of freedom present through the simplicity of their lifestyle. Never have I seen people with so little so happy. The hours of entertainment the children got out of playing with a large puddle of water were endless. The Badjao are remarkable people, content with what they have and bursting with love, life and joy. The only pain I ever felt with the Badjao was the day I had to leave them. The week spent in Tacloban for me was harrowing but worthwhile. We did not meet the same laughs, songs and welcome as we did with the Badjao. However, that is not to say that everyone did not keep a smile on their faces. From listening to the stories of the survivors, witnessing the destruction of Typhoon Yolanda, which was still present and uncomfortably visiting a mass grave, I felt very out of place and almost useless on my first day in Tacloban. As the week went by, I learned what I could do to help and become more confident. From playing soccer with a group of children every night to mixing cement for builders and teaching an entire community how to make bracelets, we offered help and spread some joy. Although it did not seem like much, hopefully, it was a lift to the people of Tacloban burdened with the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda.
I talked a lot about the people we met during our overseas volunteering experience and the impact they all had on my life.
Another group of people who changed my life are the SERVE volunteers. Our SERVE group of 11 volunteers started as a bunch of people who barely said a word to each other at the SERVE training days, but over just a month here in the Philippines, I would regard all of them as some of my closest friends. The laughs I shared with every person in the SERVE group I would not trade for the world. We went through so much together and shared many ups and downs. We looked out for one another. In a way, my SERVE group feels like a family to me.
I feel so privileged to have worked with such a caring, funny, easy-going and genuinely good bunch of people. It saddens me to think that by tomorrow our journey together will come to an end. I know that I will count down the days until the SERVE Next Step Weekend in Glendalough in October when I get to be reunited with them all once again.
My time in the Philippines was life-changing. I gained so much and learned so much from many different people. Although going home to Ireland will be good to meet family and friends, it will hurt me to leave the Philippines. I once heard home described as a place where you are: surrounded by people who will always accept you and show you, love.
From this, I will always consider the Philippines and especially the Badjao Tribe a home for me.
By Darren Hennelly Days go by swiftly at Morning Star, racing along with predictable similarities. Yet they are filled with dynamic moments which set them apart and leave lasting memories. Evidence to validate this contradiction is ubiquitous from the smiles on the faces of those who know little expression, to the endless handshakes and greetings […]
By Hannah Kielty Another great week was had out at Sumanahalli. It’s hard to believe how quickly the time is flying by! It was straight back into work on Monday after our leisurely weekend at NSK. Each morning from 9am – 11am Emily, Sam and I help out at the leprosy clinic in Ave Maria. […]
By Claire Murphy 6th July 2014 I woke to a stunning sunrise through the window of the airplane with not long to land, feeling very excited about the weeks ahead. The group have gelled really well in the last twenty-odd hours of travelling. We landed in Johannesburg and were met by Michael, Simon and Charles. Michael […]
‘Intensity!’ A word to describe coming to South Africa and volunteering – Intensity. South Africa exists in an almost paradoxical position for a modern nation. Things are so much better than they used to be, yet could be so much better still. It’s a complex country with complex problems and we here as SERVE volunteers […]
By Anne McGuiggan My overriding feeling when arriving in India was one of relief. Relief to have gotten here safely, relief to find that the heat wasn’t too overwhelming, and relief that I was finally here, that all the planning, fundraising and anticipation was going to become a reality. Since being here, I have found […]
By Sarah McConville After a long day and a half of travelling we finally arrived in Bangalore. The first thing I noticed was despite it being 32 degrees outside people where dressed in long skirts and trousers. I thought this would certainly not be the case a sunny day in Belfast and could already see […]
By Heather Agnew We’re two weeks in and the heat is still hard to adjust to. It is pretty constant, and unless you fuel up on liquids it will take its toll on you – even at 6am in the morning! We are up at 6am every morning for breakfast with our family. They make […]
By Eimear O’ Kane Today was an early start, travelling from our host families to Holy Family Retreat House for 9 am. Although getting up at 7.30 am as opposed to the usual 6.30 am rise is considered a lie-in! Getting to live with a host family is a very unique experience that we are […]
