I have been a
Physical Education And Fitness Leader
now for almost 2 months and am leaving this Saturday. This week is so
incredibly hectic that this is going to be my last blog. There are train
tickets (and plane tickets) to book, sooo many leaving drinks and
meals, plus i've actually managed to find myself a lot of work this
week. Apparently i've managed to do some work over the last month too
because Kieran and I were named volunteers of the month (was really
cool, we got a big cheer from the office). I guess that helps lead into a
major question that i've been having...
Have I made a difference. I think that the answer is yes. Everyone can
make an impact in two different ways. Either as an individual, or more
likely as an effective cog. I definatley feel like I have helped in the
latter, as a staff memeber was ill I have managed to cover for him,
making Bobbymon's life a bit easier (he still works non stop I swear).
But I think the real sense of achievemnet from a project comes from
whether you feel like you've made an impact as an individual. This one
is a lot harder to answer. Some people from Gap Guru definately have,
whether from befriending someone at their orphanage, painting a room or
teaching a small number of children one to one. I think because the
Physical Education And Fitness Leader
role works with so many children, and I myself work with over 100 it
has been harder to establish relationships. But gradually Kieran and I
have become really close to around 14 children and hope they will
remember us and the things we taught them once we have gone. The
relationships I have made in the office though have definatly been
strong and I will take them home with me. This is what I think makes me
know that
Physical Education And Fitness Leader was the right role for me...becuase it helped me form such strong bonds with such amazing people who know the culture so well.
Do I have any regrets? Probably. I'm not sure what they are
completely yet. I think I may have been more suited to travelling
more...but I'll do that another time. This time I wanted to help out and
I feel I have (I'm going to make sure later this week that coach
doesn't forget me...he better stop doing stepover drills!), so no major
regrets I guess.
Then the hardest question/most cheesy. Have I learnt anything. I've
definately learnt I love Indian food. A good way I have learnt is by
finding out what I don't like. I don't like being away from Sian (very
important :-)), so I've found out i'm more grounded than I thought,
which is nice. I've also found out how much I value my freedom at home,
some of the homestay rules being of particular frustration to me
(curfew!). I think i've also learnt as I said before I do want to do
some more free travel, and hopefully i'll be able to fit it in next
summer (or maybe this one). Despite all these negatives I think all
these experiences have really helped me. From now on I know what I want
to do with my time, which many people can't say. I think i've also
learnt the importance of being laid back, (although I haven't perfected
it yet) and to open to people, because they'll always be open back to
you.
I almost wrote The End then...but I just held back on account that it
was too cheesy and that it might not be. I might find time in an
internet cafe in Varanasi (i'm there on my birthday) or in the hills in
Kalimpong...but I doubt it. This will be a South Indian Blog only...
Will xxxx