Today I went to the school with to further discuss my project and how we were going to get started even with the miscommunication about my arrival. After talking for several minutes, it became clear that the goal of my project was actually taken care of already. The Rotary Club installed a huge water purifier in the school only 2 or 3 months ago. One of the teachers said he knew about my project but when the rotary club came and offered a source of clean water, it was better to go ahead and get the boys clean water sooner rather than later. I agree with this wholeheartedly. The health of the boys over the implementation of my plan is hardly a comparison. They said the M100 is a great idea, but not necessary anymore for the needs of the boys at the school. Instead I probably had resources that could help these boys in other, more essential an relevant ways. He said he will let me know what those ways are soon.
So, where does that leave me and where do I go from here? I'm not going to lie, I was pretty let down when things turned out differently than I had expected. It's hard not seeing my boys after traveling so far, and the M100 will not be for them anymore. However, I think some things happen for a reason, especially those that don't make sense. I have all this training and knowledge about water health and hygiene, purification, and sustainability. I have financial and moral support from loved ones back home. I am in a place that I know has deep need of clean water. So... what to do?
Tomorrow morning I am meeting with some people and will hopefully get a list of some rural schools that don't have access to clean drinking water. These could be normal public schools or special needs ones, but I will not know until these meeting happen.
As I've been attempting to form a new game plan, I have been thinking a lot about NGO's, cultures, and mission work involving the two. When people want to give money, it is easy to make charity sound perfect and that everything works according to plan. The children will always remember the foreigners who came and helped, the people of the community will be overly grateful and understand your efforts, and most things will be organized and run accordingly to plan. I think sometimes, yes, this scenario becomes a reality. However, when one deals projects like this in other countries and communities, there must be an understanding that things could go completely wrong. Perfection is NOT important. You will not have a fluffy feel-good story sometimes. Things will annoy you. Upset you. Disappoint you. But perfection is not the reason anyone does charity, is it?
As my friend Tim told me, you can have the best intentions in the world but if you can't face disappointment or failure: nothing will be achieved. I think that is a misconception some people have about mission work. When things go differently, it's not that your work is a failure. If at this time you were to give up, then yes, it would be a great failure indeed! However, getting past the change and deciding to take up something different than what you originally intended, then that can lead to benefiting people and improving lives.
So, where does that leave me and where do I go from here? I'm not going to lie, I was pretty let down when things turned out differently than I had expected. It's hard not seeing my boys after traveling so far, and the M100 will not be for them anymore. However, I think some things happen for a reason, especially those that don't make sense. I have all this training and knowledge about water health and hygiene, purification, and sustainability. I have financial and moral support from loved ones back home. I am in a place that I know has deep need of clean water. So... what to do?Tomorrow morning I am meeting with some people and will hopefully get a list of some rural schools that don't have access to clean drinking water. These could be normal public schools or special needs ones, but I will not know until these meeting happen.
As I've been attempting to form a new game plan, I have been thinking a lot about NGO's, cultures, and mission work involving the two. When people want to give money, it is easy to make charity sound perfect and that everything works according to plan. The children will always remember the foreigners who came and helped, the people of the community will be overly grateful and understand your efforts, and most things will be organized and run accordingly to plan. I think sometimes, yes, this scenario becomes a reality. However, when one deals projects like this in other countries and communities, there must be an understanding that things could go completely wrong. Perfection is NOT important. You will not have a fluffy feel-good story sometimes. Things will annoy you. Upset you. Disappoint you. But perfection is not the reason anyone does charity, is it?
As my friend Tim told me, you can have the best intentions in the world but if you can't face disappointment or failure: nothing will be achieved. I think that is a misconception some people have about mission work. When things go differently, it's not that your work is a failure. If at this time you were to give up, then yes, it would be a great failure indeed! However, getting past the change and deciding to take up something different than what you originally intended, then that can lead to benefiting people and improving lives.
I have good intentions. I have the ability. And I'm not planning on giving up. We will see what tomorrow brings. In the meantime, keep me in your thoughts and prayers. A door has to open somewhere right?
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