Many volunteers are challenged by the fact that some Partner Programs are under-resourced or under-staffed, and may not have materials that would be common in similar facilities in their home country.
It is important to recognize differences, but it is also important to assess your role as a volunteer. For example, you cannot, and should not, try to provide the Partner Program with a brand new office computer, a printer/fax machine, or school supplies for an entire classroom. What you can provide is one-on-one attention and cultural exchange opportunities to the people at your volunteer placement. Do not underestimate the value of this contribution to the people you work with, and to the community.
If you still feel like there is a lack of resources at your placement, brainstorm some solutions with the CCS staff. Just remember: while it may seem so much easier to teach a lesson using a PowerPoint presentation and projector screen, when you are gone these things will not be available - and you will have only created a precedence for the teacher that is impossible for them to match.
It is important to recognize differences, but it is also important to assess your role as a volunteer. For example, you cannot, and should not, try to provide the Partner Program with a brand new office computer, a printer/fax machine, or school supplies for an entire classroom. What you can provide is one-on-one attention and cultural exchange opportunities to the people at your volunteer placement. Do not underestimate the value of this contribution to the people you work with, and to the community.
If you still feel like there is a lack of resources at your placement, brainstorm some solutions with the CCS staff. Just remember: while it may seem so much easier to teach a lesson using a PowerPoint presentation and projector screen, when you are gone these things will not be available - and you will have only created a precedence for the teacher that is impossible for them to match.
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