Last November, Yee Lin and Bernard jio-ed me to join a service trip during our one week spring break in March called the Alternative Spring Break. It had 12 trips to different parts of US to deal with different society issues, and we get to choose what we want to do. Initially, I had my reservations about joining the trip - was it for me or was it for the people who need it? I didn't want to go with the wrong intentions, eg. Add colors to my resume, so that I can boast to other people, or even creating this giving image of Xiuli, which I'm really not. However, after discussing it with my mother, I decided to go for it, because I wouldn't know until I go, and for all you know, I'll learn more from the trip than the people there gaining from my help.
A few weeks after my application, I got into this trip to Detroit, Michigan to deal with urban poverty. It was my 2nd choice actually, the first being to work with some world hunger relief organization (later I realized it was cancelled). Detroit's ranked 3rd for the worst city in US to live in, with some Cleveland and Ohio cities ranked 1st and 2nd. I was kind of scared after knowing what I got, mainly because I don't look and speak like an American, and I felt that usually the racism in this area would be more jia lat. However, I put my faith in whoever's-up-there and I believe it'll turn out fine.
Since the start of the semester, we've been meeting weekly to discuss about fund raising, logistics for the trip and activities we'd like to organize during the trip. Due to poor attendance and weak liasing with the site in Detroit, we haven't been getting much done. In addition, from a group of 12 people, it has been reduced to 8 because people were not able to commit and also for some personal reasons. Meantime, my friends around have been trying to organize their spring trips to Florida, canoeing in Georgia and hiking in Yosemite National Park, California. Looking at them, I began to wonder whether I've made the right choice. Was even contemplating forgoing my deposit and go ahead with my friends.
Today's meeting was slightly different - we had a coffee talk with another group who was going to San Juan, Texas to deal with migrant farmers issue. Before going for the meeting, I received an email from one of our group members Kristine, who is working as an executive committee member in another campus voluntary organization, VIP:
"Hey guys, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm afraid I will not be able to go to Detroit because of financial reasons. I really need to go home and work over spring break. I don't have the money to pay for this trip anymore because as of two weeks ago, I no longer have a job at school. I feel so bad that you guys will have even less people now, but I will still do my part in fundraising and whatever else you need me to do. Let me know. I hope you guys understand.
Good luck with the trip and I wish you all the best!
Kristin Lupo"
Felt bad reading the email. Felt bad for thinking of quitting what I've started off. And I wish I could do something about it.
Anyway, so I went for the coffee talk. Initially it felt like the typical "I wish to do something for the people" talk. But as the night passed, it began to be more rewarding than what I thought. There were 2 people who left an impression in me, they're both on the San Juan trip. One of them being Victoria.
Victoria's a white American who has been involved in previous activities such as the boycott against Taco Bell due to human rights issues and some anti-sweat shirts demonstration regarding some labor issues as well. She told us how her mum had single-handedly brought she and her brother up and they lived in a car for the first part of her life. I remembered her telling us how she wanted to live in a house, but her mum said,"You can live in a car, but you cannot drive a house." I laughed, thinking that was funny, and found myself the only one laughing =(
Another person was Fernando. He too, came from a less well-off family background. As so he said,"Unless blood was gushing out, or we're going to die or something, my family would not visit a doctor." And he showed us his broken healed finger which was twisted and obviously not been taken care of and he mentioned about his injured knee and ankles as well. (though it makes you wonder how come he's so prone to such injury) Yet, he was very much into wanting to give in this trip.
Actually, there were 2 more people I'd like to mention. One's (I dunno her name) a freshman girl who was born in Guatemala, and she's going to San Juan, and it's because she hopes to be a migrant lawyer after graduation. It's something close to her heart I guess. The other person is Mike, who's in the Detroit trip. When we're asked to reflect about tonight as a closing, he said,"I believe in doing, not talking." Hmm... I wonder what has he to offer... We'll see...
Yep, I'm just mentioning the incidents that actually happened. The cognitive aspects... I think I'll leave it up to whoever's reading to think about it, my lousy description skills will spoil everything. But ya, had a 15 minute therapeutic walk from the meeting place back to my dorm out in the cold (-3°C) in 2 layers. It was good, and yep, I'm looking forward to the ASB trip!
A few weeks after my application, I got into this trip to Detroit, Michigan to deal with urban poverty. It was my 2nd choice actually, the first being to work with some world hunger relief organization (later I realized it was cancelled). Detroit's ranked 3rd for the worst city in US to live in, with some Cleveland and Ohio cities ranked 1st and 2nd. I was kind of scared after knowing what I got, mainly because I don't look and speak like an American, and I felt that usually the racism in this area would be more jia lat. However, I put my faith in whoever's-up-there and I believe it'll turn out fine.
Since the start of the semester, we've been meeting weekly to discuss about fund raising, logistics for the trip and activities we'd like to organize during the trip. Due to poor attendance and weak liasing with the site in Detroit, we haven't been getting much done. In addition, from a group of 12 people, it has been reduced to 8 because people were not able to commit and also for some personal reasons. Meantime, my friends around have been trying to organize their spring trips to Florida, canoeing in Georgia and hiking in Yosemite National Park, California. Looking at them, I began to wonder whether I've made the right choice. Was even contemplating forgoing my deposit and go ahead with my friends.
Today's meeting was slightly different - we had a coffee talk with another group who was going to San Juan, Texas to deal with migrant farmers issue. Before going for the meeting, I received an email from one of our group members Kristine, who is working as an executive committee member in another campus voluntary organization, VIP:
"Hey guys, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm afraid I will not be able to go to Detroit because of financial reasons. I really need to go home and work over spring break. I don't have the money to pay for this trip anymore because as of two weeks ago, I no longer have a job at school. I feel so bad that you guys will have even less people now, but I will still do my part in fundraising and whatever else you need me to do. Let me know. I hope you guys understand.
Good luck with the trip and I wish you all the best!
Kristin Lupo"
Felt bad reading the email. Felt bad for thinking of quitting what I've started off. And I wish I could do something about it.
Anyway, so I went for the coffee talk. Initially it felt like the typical "I wish to do something for the people" talk. But as the night passed, it began to be more rewarding than what I thought. There were 2 people who left an impression in me, they're both on the San Juan trip. One of them being Victoria.
Victoria's a white American who has been involved in previous activities such as the boycott against Taco Bell due to human rights issues and some anti-sweat shirts demonstration regarding some labor issues as well. She told us how her mum had single-handedly brought she and her brother up and they lived in a car for the first part of her life. I remembered her telling us how she wanted to live in a house, but her mum said,"You can live in a car, but you cannot drive a house." I laughed, thinking that was funny, and found myself the only one laughing =(
Another person was Fernando. He too, came from a less well-off family background. As so he said,"Unless blood was gushing out, or we're going to die or something, my family would not visit a doctor." And he showed us his broken healed finger which was twisted and obviously not been taken care of and he mentioned about his injured knee and ankles as well. (though it makes you wonder how come he's so prone to such injury) Yet, he was very much into wanting to give in this trip.
Actually, there were 2 more people I'd like to mention. One's (I dunno her name) a freshman girl who was born in Guatemala, and she's going to San Juan, and it's because she hopes to be a migrant lawyer after graduation. It's something close to her heart I guess. The other person is Mike, who's in the Detroit trip. When we're asked to reflect about tonight as a closing, he said,"I believe in doing, not talking." Hmm... I wonder what has he to offer... We'll see...
Yep, I'm just mentioning the incidents that actually happened. The cognitive aspects... I think I'll leave it up to whoever's reading to think about it, my lousy description skills will spoil everything. But ya, had a 15 minute therapeutic walk from the meeting place back to my dorm out in the cold (-3°C) in 2 layers. It was good, and yep, I'm looking forward to the ASB trip!
2 comments:
Hey
"You can live in a car, but you can't drive a house"
When I saw that sentence, I actually let out a laugh. Serious. So you are not alone. Heh. of cos when you put in the peep's context of cos its not funny anymore and we should say 'urm ya thats quite sad...'
But the actual sentence deserves credit.
Anyway, glad that you are going for tha ASB trip! To put it bare, it will be a much more interesting experience than some hike with friends ba, since you can go the latter with an easier ease.
K, take care ya!
Konnichiwa.
I am happy to see that you are going for the trip. I think you will be able to learn a lot out there.
I am also impressed by your friend, Mike, who said, "I believe in doing, not talking." =)
Ganbatte! Do take care and have a great experience with the people and the trip.
Ja!
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