I think we all have these notions of wanting to save the world and make a big difference. But over the last few weeks leading up to this trip I have had this intense fear that what we plan on doing will have an adverse affect on the community we are hoping to "help".
I never had this feeling going to New Orleans and I wonder if it is because of the history of Haiti being the "NGO Nation" or what. But what I do know is I am freaking out ever so slightly that this is going to be detrimental to the community.
I also wonder in the times that I have participated on an Alternative Break is the person's whose life is really impacted is the person who goes in with a goal to do something- for instance mine. I am always changed by the experience, but doesn't that in some ways play into being a robber of sorts. Like I took something from the community I assumed needed help and they never got anything from me, except another face that leaves again. IS THAT FAIR?
There are a lot of assumptions that are made in service, and I don't know if we have dispelled ANY of them.
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