http://therstblog.com/2009/10/19/the-morning-after/ Wed, 28 Apr 2010 16:15:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://therstblog.com/2009/10/19/the-morning-after/comment-page-1/#comment-869 tcarmon Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:01:33 +0000 http://therstblog.com/?p=355#comment-869 Your blog reminds me of when I did a study abroad in The Gambia. The student group I was with teamed up with S.H.A.P.E. to due a massive clean-up effort for the town (Bakau) enlisting the support of the youths there. However, we noticed that our efforts during the clean-up were met with some antagonizing remarks from the locals and even some discarding trash on the streets while we were in the process of cleaning up. Our attempt was to create a long-term impact on how the people took care of their local community; however, days later the town was littered with refuse and trash once again. I noticed similar returns to status quo after doing service projects here at home, which can in-turn leave the volunteers and coordinators to wonder if their efforts are worth it. I think my point is simply, in order for a community to endure change, the inhabitants must first manifest the desire and passion to sustain improvement. The volunteers and coordinators could make longer lasting impacts by planting a seed in the community to expose them to how their community can improve. Then, simply act as a resource for strategy, planning, tools, extra hands, supplies, and connections to sponsors and donors once the community steps forward to actually seek change. Thus, how the community feels the morning-after is in part due to what it did to plan the night before. Sorry for the blog-length response. Your blog reminds me of when I did a study abroad in The Gambia. The student group I was with teamed up with S.H.A.P.E. to due a massive clean-up effort for the town (Bakau) enlisting the support of the youths there. However, we noticed that our efforts during the clean-up were met with some antagonizing remarks from the locals and even some discarding trash on the streets while we were in the process of cleaning up. Our attempt was to create a long-term impact on how the people took care of their local community; however, days later the town was littered with refuse and trash once again. I noticed similar returns to status quo after doing service projects here at home, which can in-turn leave the volunteers and coordinators to wonder if their efforts are worth it. I think my point is simply, in order for a community to endure change, the inhabitants must first manifest the desire and passion to sustain improvement. The volunteers and coordinators could make longer lasting impacts by planting a seed in the community to expose them to how their community can improve. Then, simply act as a resource for strategy, planning, tools, extra hands, supplies, and connections to sponsors and donors once the community steps forward to actually seek change. Thus, how the community feels the morning-after is in part due to what it did to plan the night before. Sorry for the blog-length response.

]]> http://therstblog.com/2009/10/19/the-morning-after/comment-page-1/#comment-868 Tweets that mention the morning after | therstblog -- Topsy.com Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:00:19 +0000 http://therstblog.com/?p=355#comment-868 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by lloyd.owens, Michelle N. Michelle N said: RT @lloydowens New Blog Post: "The Morning After" http://bit.ly/jYaS5, awesome thoughts very insightful 2 often that happens [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by lloyd.owens, Michelle N. Michelle N said: RT @lloydowens New Blog Post: "The Morning After" http://bit.ly/jYaS5, awesome thoughts very insightful 2 often that happens [...]

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