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Fellows > Blogging for Peace > 2007 > Fellows for Peace...

Fellows for Peace Blogs, Issue 11 (Last 2007 Digest)

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AdvocacyNet
Fellow Update, Volume 5 #11, August 22, 2007
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Fellows for Peace Blogs
 
Thirty Peace Fellows are volunteering this summer in 18 countries or territories with community-based partners of The Advocacy Project (AP). AP issues a weekly digest of their blogs.
 
Highlights:

• Leaving Sri Lanka Does Not Mean Goodbye
• Parting Gift Leaves Fellow with Renewed Faith in Humanity in Guatemala
• Volunteering Has Profound Impact on Fellow in Bangladesh
• Fellow's Work in England Considered Valuable by Travelers
• Return Imminent for Fellow in Palestine who Wants to Do, See and Learn More
• Fellow Helps Launch Radio Show in Nepal
• Social Change Comes Slow Even with Hard Work in Macedonia
• Fellow Thanks AP, ISC and YCC for an Amazing Summer

Excerpts from some of this week's blogs follow:
 
Leaving Sri Lanka Does Not Mean Goodbye
 
Madeline England (Columbia University) is volunteering for human rights and as an advocate for torture victims with the Home for Human Rights (HHR) in Sri Lanka.
"As I was leaving the office today, the executive director of HHR, Mr Xavier, said to make sure I tell the world what is happening to the people of Sri Lanka. From Sri Lanka, we whisper. From the States, I can scream. I will do as Mr Xavier asks because he is my hero, but I don't know how long I will last before returning to HHR. A big part of me just wants to forget my second year of graduate school to continue working there. At the very least, I know this is not goodbye."
 
Parting Gift Leaves Fellow with Renewed Faith in Humanity in Guatemala
 
Abby Weil (American University) is volunteering to support victims of the Rio Negro Massacre with ADIVIMA in Guatemala.
"I was completely blown away. To me, three Quetzales is almost nothing, but to her it could mean the difference between a meal and going hungry. Tears welled up in my eyes as I thanked her and turned to leave. While she thought it was only a painted bowl that she had given me, in reality she had given me the gift of a renewed spirit for my work and a rekindled faith in humanity."
 
Volunteering Has Profound Impact on Fellow in Bangladesh
 
Caitlin Burnett (American University) is volunteering for the development and protection of the disabled community with the Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development Organization (BERDO) in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
"...this summer has made me think about my life and work in an entirely new way. Sitting back and accepting that discrimination, poverty, and humiliation are the norm for persons with disability in Bangladesh, or other marginalized people across the globe, is simply not an option. There's just too much that can and must be done to prevent it."
 
Fellow's Work in England Considered Valuable by Travelers
 
Zachary Scott (Georgetown University) is volunteering for Traveler's rights at the Dale Farm Housing Association in Essex, England.
"Filling my bags as I prepare to leave with the numerous gifts that Travelers have given me as tokens of their appreciation for my work this summer, I feel vexed. Have I done enough? Could I have done more? Has my contribution been significant at all? Perhaps the true measure of my work here isn't that I have dramatically altered the confrontation surrounding Dale Farm, but, rather, that I have worked hard for something I truly believe in and that, as Kathleen stated, my work has been appreciated and valuable."
 
Return Imminent for Fellow in Palestine who Wants to Do, See and Learn More
 
Tatsiana Hulko (Georgetown University) is volunteering for women's rights, community development and peace at the Women's Affairs Technical Committee (WATC) in Ramallah, Occupied Palestinian Territory.
"As the time draws closer to the end of my internship, it becomes more difficult to sit down and post a cogent blog entry...I feel like I haven't done enough, haven't seen enough, haven't learned enough – and that's why I conclude I have to come back."
 
Fellow Helps Launch Radio Show in Nepal
 
Tassos Coulaloglou (Leiden University) is volunteering for peace and democracy with the Collective Campaign for Peace in Baglung and Kathmandu, Nepal.
"It was music to my ears (literally because I could only understand the music). Our first radio program was aired this morning and it's a great feeling to have something concrete to show for my time working in Baglung. Sure, I've submitted proposals and finished smaller projects, but this, I hope, will have an immediate impact in the community."
 
Social Change Comes Slow Even with Hard Work in Macedonia
 
Stephanie Gilbert (Georgetown University) is volunteering with the Institute for Sustainable Communities in cooperation with the Association for Emancipation, Solidarity, and Equality of Women (ESE) in Skopje, Macedonia.
"After ten weeks here and having traveled to several different countries, I am still waiting for the man whose reaction when I tell him I'm working with a women's rights group is something other than a roll of the eyes and some muttered comment about women knowing their place. Just one. I will go home happy."
 
Fellow Thanks AP, ISC and YCC for an Amazing Summer
 
Katie Wroblewski (Indiana University School of Law) is volunteering with the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) on their Civil Society Strengthening Project (CSSP) with the Youth Cultural Centre (YCC) in Bitola, Macedonia.
"It's been an exciting summer, and I want to take a moment to thank The Advocacy Project, the Institute for Sustainable Communities, and my local hosts, the Youth Cultural Center – Bitola, for this amazing opportunity. I can only hope that I have been able to contribute something positive to YCC's body of work."

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