Quitting Time!

It's a bittersweet end to March and the 5th month of volunteerevolution. I have finally quit my job (yay!) and am saying goodbye to friends in New Zealand (boo hoo!). I'm have also finished up my refugee work which was a mixed experience itself.

I really enjoyed working with the refugees, and was frustrated by how not having a car limited the type of friendship I was able to offer. I was able to do administrative stuff for them but not offer to take them to the beach or invite them to festivals. I also was disappointed in my team experience. Each team member was a friendly person and shared their strengths with the families but I never felt like we worked together or that we went beyond the required basics. Other teams were taking their families on outings, having meals together, making photo albums, etc. We didn't communicate much, didn't take on tasks together and everything quietly petered out at the end. Since no one was the "leader" it didn't feel possible to speak up and push the group to do more. Oh well, lessons learned, and our families seem to be getting along on their own now, chattering away in English and building community networks. I will definitely do this again!

Posts will be quiet over the next 2 months as I organize my overseas move, and spend time traveling through Central America. I'm already building my stash of craft materials and over the counter medicine to donate, and am looking forward to visiting local non-profits and making contacts for future trips. I have also been searching the opportunities in Colorado (which abound!) and am really excited about Alianza who teach Spanish in order to train bi-lingual volunteers. I'll be practicing during my trip and will sign up with them in June. It's the end of one era but the start of so many new things, I can't help be excited!!