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