Helping build Independence or Dependence?

Sometimes it's really hard to know how much to help, or if what you think is help is really creating dependence. A refugee's goal is to function independently in their new country, but of course they start off (and likely continue) with state housing and an income benefit along with other special grants. While the dollar amounts don't look like much to you or I, it's reliable housing and income that they have not experienced before.

But what happens when you don't understand how to use your phone card and a bill for $400 shows up? I know how much I would cry if that happened to me, and although I wouldn't enjoy paying it, I could do so easily. Imagine that it's more than 50% of your take home income. Stressful right? So my question is, if I can afford to help pay the bill should I? Even if its done anonomously? Will that help them learn to be more careful with the phone, will it help them learn to budget, or will it set a precedent that when they are in trouble someone will bail them out? We have been cautioned in training not to give above and beyond what is truly necessary as the community talks to eachother and it can set high expectations that future volunteers cannot be expected to meet. On the other hand maybe its just as simple as I have money and they need it. What do you think?

Happy New Year!

The New Year, always time for change, and it will be bringing some big ones. For the refugees time to get kids enrolled in school and parents enrolled in English classes. Hopefully life is starting to settle into something like a normal routine for them, and our visits can be a bit more relaxed as we start building relationships. Then of course a new intake of families will arrive and the whirlwind will start all over.

For myself, while my much appreciated donations will not quite support me quitting my job right now I am negotiating to reduce my hours at work as a first step. This will allow me some time free during the day to assist with medical appointments etc which can be especially daunting to non-English speakers.

In a few months time when my refugee placement is complete, I've got some plans to visit Central America and some projects there. Then I'll relocate back to my permanent home so I can focus on developing Volunteerevolution's full potential. Meanwhile I better get reading about non-profits, business plans and all that fun stuff.