|
|
"A
Senegalese poet said, 'In the end we will conserve only
what we love. We love only what we understand and we will
understand only what we are taught.' We must learn about
other cultures in order to understand, in order to love
and in order to conserve our common world heritage."
Yo-Yo
Ma, Cellist
Happy 2004 from Global Service Corps...
Today hear what recent participants have to
say- one who was in a mid-life crisis, others who were looking
for an international adventure where they could help and
learn. Find out: Why they went? What they get out
of it? The highlights and the pitfalls....
Also, read about our new Two-week Thai programs
now offered year-round in health care, education and Buddhism.
And meet GSC's talented staff and new faces in our San Francisco
headquarters and abroad.
Please visit our website
for more information, schedules and prices. You may also
email us at gsc@earthisland.org or call 415/788-3666 x128.
|
|
Children leaving home, parents getting sick, husband a grouch,
and fiftieth birthday looming...
I am in the grips
of a mid-life crisis and not sure what to do with the
negative energy it is generating. I can see a cosmetic surgeon,
do something crazy or self-destructive, or go on an adventure.
I opt for the latter, which is how I came to spend the month
of May teaching English in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
Read
on...
|
Volunteer with Monks |
|
From Alarms to Rooster Awakenings |
Feeling that my actions were making a difference
in the lives of people was an extraordinary experience...
...Returning home was probably the most difficult
part of the journey.
Walking off the plane in Arusha, Tanzania, I was greeted
with everything I didn’t expect: a mass of welcoming
faces, a fragrant almost intoxicating air, and absolutely
no bugs!
For the first week in Arusha, the two other Global
Service Corps volunteers and I stayed in a hostel. Every
morning I would wake up to a rooster announcing the
day. I’d go outside for a morning run and hear
the nuns sing Swahili gospel hymns while they did chores
and prepared breakfast. Read
more...
|
Here's a truthful project report from one participant
about her experience on the Tanzania program (HIV/AIDS)
this past summer. Hear her view of the high points,
and low points.
A high point:
"...the best part of my stay in Tanzania was
starting immediately to learn the language and becoming
immediately involved with cultural natives, including
the translators, Frida..., the participants, and my
host family. When visiting a new place, I really prefer
to learn from the perspective of someone who lives
there and knows the true culture firsthand. I hate
feeling like a tourist...
I have really become comfortable in
Arusha and the surrounding area while here, and with
the exception of the frequent calls of “Mzungu!,”
I feel like I belong here and have “lived”
here for a while rather than just visiting." Read
More...
Due to popular demand, Global Service Corps is
pleased to announce that
the Thailand two week program is now offered
year-round. Programs begin on
the same start-dates as our 23-day Thailand short-term
program. See
our schedules
and fees for current start-dates.
Thanks to the wonderful support of our friends
in Thailand's Ministry
of Public Health, Global Service Corps Thailand
is also pleased to
announce that the Health Care program is now offered
as a two-week program. As
with the Buddhist Immersion and Education programs,
this is offered
year-round. More on all Thailand
programs
|
|
|
Several new faces have joined GSC. And with them,
they bring an abundance of talent. Our staff now includes
numerous Masters degrees...many languages...25 years
of executive experience at The Gap...extensive international
expertise...Ivy League universities...and the list
goes on.
Most important, our staff has a whole
lot of spirit, chutzpah and dedication.
And there's been alittle staff shuffling
too.
Visit
our Staff Page...
Photo at left: Staff members: Susanna Beck, new operations
manager, and Cooper Funk, new Tanzania programs coordinator
|
We welcome your input, comments and stories. Also, please
feel free to forward this issue to friends and associates.
To subscribe to this Newsletter, send us an email
with "Subscribe to GSC Newsletter" in subject.
To subscribe to the GSC Consulting Newsletter, send
us an email
with "Subscribe to GSC Consulting Newsletter" in
subject.
To contact us:
Global Service Corps
gsc@earthisland.org
300 Broadway
Suite 28
San Francisco
CA 94133-3312
(p) 415-788-3666 x128
Visit our website at www.globalservicecorps.org
for more information on all our programs, the schedule and
application.
|
|
