WHAT CAN HELP ME SUCCEED

It is not an easy task to do a particular mission away from home especially Volunteer Service. It demands a number of factors to be in place. These factors are determined by the kind of volunteer service you are doing, for who, with who, what, why, where? and yourself.

For who; defines whether you are doing this as an individual based on the reasons that have prompted you to undertake a task or you are representing an organisation but with an individual inspiration from your heart.

With who; defines the stake holders involved in the service you are doing this could be the organisation in charge of the volunteer Service in the Country where you are doing the service, the families where you are staying whilst doing the service and the people at the place where you do a particular service.

What; defines the specific task you are to perform, like I am working in the Kinder Garden with the children.

Why; defines the purpose or reasons for undertaking such a mission of which these varies from one  individual to another or from one organisation to another.

Where; defines the place or country where you do your service. Of course when someone is told that they will do their service in Isreal, the first thing that comes to your mind is War or death because that is what is talked about that Country. In United States of America or United Kingdom, one would think of an adventure. In third world Countries like Africa, the first thought is poverty and underdevelopment.

Why Yourself? because you are the one taking up the challenge and your attitude towards the service and people dertermines the destine of your volunteer journey.

ORGANISATION

The Diocese of Limburg had done everything possible to make it easier for me to undertake the mission in Germany. Starting from the travel arrengements which despite setbacks, they faught to the end until I alive in Germany. This made me feel so important and cared for. Before I could come they prepared families where I should stay. The Pinocy and Braum family. They prepared the place where I should do my service in the Caritas Kinder Garden and have given  me enough Orientation through the Volunteer Service Office in Hadamar which has helped me to start settling especially from cultural shock.

                                                     FAMILY

Family is one of the most important factors in the mission of volunteer service because that is where you spend much of your time and that is where your share your life, your culture and that is where you learn more about family life in the country of your service. It is not easy to mixe two distant cultures together, however, you dont have to live to their expectation nor do they have to live to your expectation but compromise each other to get going.

Well, have had a good orientation on the family life of German in my service. The Pinocy family in Hadamar, Niederzheuzeim opened their door for this stranger whom they just heard a little about, they provided everything to make me feel at home. It is not easy to welcome a stranger in your home, but Jesus said, " what soever you do to the least of my brothers that you do unto me. when I was homeless you opened your door now enter into the home of my Father".

My second host family, opened another door for me and have given me a wider orintation to the family life of German. they accepted to stay with me for long period adjusting a lot of things to accommodate me not only for a week but more than a moth possibly 6 months. I am staying not only as a guest but as one of them a family member. They have contributed so much to my settling especially aquiring of official documents for my stay in Germany. Further more, have introduced to the community life like the music group, church parish activities and my favourite sport Volleyball. 

It is not easy to mixe two distant cultures together, however, you dont have to live to their expectation nor do they have to live to your expectation but compromise each other to get going.

WORK

Work takes about 60% of the activities which are discribed as the reason to take the mission. It is even what people would like to know as what exactly you are doing in that foreign country that is what is indicated on every official document. This means that you are there for that.

From the time I was asked as what I would like to do whilst in Germany and having Kinder Garden as one of the options, I thought oh! this will be good!

Now I am in the actual not in the thought and indeed children are amazing. Sometimes I thought that this black young man would be rejected by kids. to the contraly he is liked like one of them. Have come to understand that children are far different from adults because for them they dont know who is more intellegent or who is rich or poor. They dont know who is disable and who is not. to them they are all friends and show love and care for each other. They can not reject you because you are black as long as you can give them the fun they enjoy you are super. This has made me to believe what one  wise writer said that Children are like clay whatever falls on them make an impression. they seem to accompany me as I strugle to speak their language. I also believe what Jesus said that unless you change like little children you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Well, there is something which does not need language to share "A SMILE" I enjoy working with the little ones because they make me smile everytime therefore, makes me look young everyday.

WHY A VOLUNTEER

"Why a Volunteer?" This is a question most people ask who engange themselves in such a service. And so many people have various reasons depending on their disposition and inspiration. For some it is a requirement for their career development. Therefore, they have no choice but to do it. Well, for me being a volunteer is a means to take a self chosen humble service for the benefit of others and for personal development. 

I have various reasons why I have taken up this challenge. Firstly, is to discover something in me which is not yet defined. I cant describe it because it is not yet defined. Secondly, to exchange our cultures that is the way we live and do things and to learn something from strange things I meet. Thirdly, to broaden my perceiption of things, to get to know what happens on the other side of the world. And last but not the least to learn how to handle difficult situations in life and to be fully independent in my decision making.