I wanted to share a recent post by one of our oldest volunteers, 69 year old Dave Herbert. His work in Haiti has been an inspiration, remind us that you're never too old - or too deaf! - to make a difference.
"To return or not to Haiti this year after spending two weeks here last year? No hesitation: of course I will! But with what organization?
Last year, I worked with another group on cholera education and with EDV on preparing suggestions for arriving volunteers who had never taught ESL. What most impressed me about Andy and Emma was their absolute commitment to sustainability by Haitians, for Haitians: listen to their needs; work with them to secure and organize resources; train the staff, transition out, stay involved.. My choice was clear.
As a 69 year old retired high school foreign language teacher, I am not your average volunteer. As I look around the table as volunteers gather for meals or early morning meeting, gray beards and balding heads are conspicuously absent. Instead, I see a dynamic, diverse group of young men and women, mainly in their mid/late 20's, from all over the world, with a sprinkling of slightly "older" ones just to keep things in perspective.
EDV does an amazing job of determining how best to use the skills and talents that each volunteer brings to accomplish the immediate and long term goals of the group. Some are skilled in the trades, some have limited construction experience, some have taught ESL elsewhere, most not. Some will stay for months at a time, others for only a week or two.From this motley but dedicated crew, the staff at EDV is able to assemble highly effective crews to teach English, train teachers, provide health services and resources to three different orphanages, as well as carry on extensive building and rebuilding projects. Amazing!
When I say I am not your typical volunteer, there is one more thing you need to know: I am profoundly hard of hearing and wear two hearing aids. How could my past experience as a teacher be of any benefit here if I am unable to function in a classroom environment? Solution:
I tutor two Haitian teachers in one-on-one sessions 4-5 times a week to prepare them for the ESL certificate exams they need to pass. In addition, I have also been to all three orphanages to help out with health check-ups, deliver donated food supplies, and to distribute the school supplies collected by the students at my wife's elementary school. I am also helping to build tables, shelves, and benches for the new AV room at the school where English classes are held.
It has been a wonderful two weeks, educational, fulfilling, and,most of all, an opportunity to once again marvel at the resilience and strength of the Haitian people."
Thanks so much to ALM Photography for the use of this photo!
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