Ask yourself three questions

Liam Gilmore, South Africa , 2002

My journey to South Africa in January 2002 had its faltering first footsteps in the corridors of my university. Preoccupied and somewhat stressed with exams, a simple poster caught my attention. 3 questions demanded an answer: Do you like to travel? Would you like to meet new people? And lastly, would you like to make a difference? Stop and think about these; I did and joined SPW.

SPW enables you to do all of the above. Leaving the depths of winter, you are soon welcomed by the warmth of South Africa . Early in training you will begin to understand the enormity of the challenges that lie ahead of each volunteer. The mix of people assembled is eclectic: embrace the diversity. Public school uniting with State school, township interacting with rural youth, National and International volunteers developing together. Misunderstandings and tensions are understandable and self-evident. These are overcome with time but be patient; accepting differences while working towards a shared goal is the basis of a successful year. Remember: managed conflict can be productive. Do not avoid it.

For all its merits, training cannot prepare you for your first moments in your village. It is a bewildering encounter. Looking back, trying to condense 9 months into a few words is merely scratching the surface of an unforgettable year. Leaving all memories aside, being immersed and accepted into an African family is a deeply enriching experience. Within the large extended family with whom I stayed, there was a beautiful little girl called Asiphe, aged 3. She was so eager to tell her class friends in playschool that she had a white brother staying in her home. Small memories like these abound.

Joining SPW is not an easy decision. Being on the program and sustaining your commitment throughout is a challenge. You will (with time) adapt to community life, no running water, perhaps no electricity, mundane food is the norm and sickness is a strong probability. I must not forget the concept of “African time” (for those familiar with “Irish time”, just magnify many times and you are in the ballpark!). You accept these when you join SPW. Face these realities and you will cherish the friendships you make. Revel in your community's warm welcome and you will remember always the various ceremonies you attend.

Ceremonies are very special occasions, a chance to delve deeper into Xhosa culture. Often the whole community will attend, at which each person will be fed the best of food (meat lovers take note: a rare opportunity to gorge on freshly “barbecued” beef). This is a noteworthy point, feeding 200 or 300 people without electricity is quite a feat. Days of preparation are needed to have everything in order. Once it starts (invariably late), join in the dancing and singing and you will be an instant hit. Focusing on your work in the community though, try to be realistic, you will have disappointments and low times (e.g. when nobody comes to your workshops!) but these are compensated for by shared moments of fun, learning and achievement.

Reflecting on those earlier questions, it is easy to answer the first two in the affirmative. Making a difference is at the heart of the program and it is hard to gauge. Time will tell but it certainly has made an impact on me. Joining SPW is not for everybody, but for those who have joined, I wish you all the best. Hambani Kakuhle!