I’ve been trying to summarise my experience in India since I arrived back home, however I can’t seem to fathom how. My friends query whether I have ‘found myself’, which I am yet to admit (maybe). The structure of being a Team Leader for the Pravah (VSO) International Citizen Service program was a calculated cocktail of having an altruistic purpose, responsibility of volunteers, and living in a wildly unknown land. YES, my life has evolved. As part of the program we were taught to critically reflect and advocate experiences. Therefore this blog post will (attempt to) encompass advocacy and lessons learnt as a volunteer in India.
One of our final successes involved the School Management Committee (SMC). Our team of volunteers (especially Jake Mann) emphasised how patience and persistence is key for development and sustainability. After multiple failures to gather the SMC, a heated meeting was held between committee members and parents, which almost led to a brawl. This level of rage was the exact ambiance we were aiming for to rival up responsibility to improve the quality of education. This included monitoring the wandering finances, and tackling the corruptions within the school and (evil) external forces. It was the longest (3 hours) and most attended meeting (22 people) that the School Management Committee has ever seen. Although we won’t be there to witness it, we can hope that the next meeting will be as effective (and entertaining).
Similar to most development schemes, we learnt to evaluate the impact of volunteer projects in the village of Kardala. We analysed quantitative data from surveys and quoted qualitative information from the villagers. Although I feared that we created a volunteer dependency in the community, where the villagers relied on volunteers to solve issues, I do believe the overall impact was positive for the community. We proudly produced a 28 page report (English and Hindi) summarising our past efforts, predicting sustainability, and suggesting future actions. This report will be submitted to Ajmer District Level of governance; the politicians who create policy. When we met with Zila Parishad, CEO Ajmer District, he was concerned and shocked about the issues, and thus this report was our last endeavour to encourage sustainability at policy level. The whole process was a valuable lesson to critically analyse the work we were so intensely involved with, and to realise that not everything has a positive impact.
Being a Team Leader was an incredible roller-coaster ride. It was my first time in leadership, where I had responsibility of 9 projects, 8 volunteers, 6 mentees and myself! At the start my biggest challenge was balancing being a team leader, and also living with two volunteers, and even sharing the same bed as them. There was no time off to unwind, being a Team Leader was a 24/7 role, where I learnt to be patient and keep my poker face on the entire time. Eventually over time the two volunteers became my beautiful amazing Gandi girls, and by the end they could lead their own projects. That is my favourite part of being a leader… CAPACITY BUILDING. All volunteers fantastically led their own projects, and supported the individuals in the village to lead projects and community groups.
Living in a host home really put my life in perspective. Since eating as a vegetarian for 3 months, I have implemented this back into my life at home. My real rationale is that I mainly missed cheese… not meat. As the village was located in the desert, the vegetation was also limited, thus I always craved nutritious fruits and vegetables. However, my host family mischievously served us chicken. They had claimed that they were vegetarian, however on three instances they came home with a meaty surprise and devilish grin on their faces. On the first occasion we reluctantly ate the chicken to appreciate their efforts of ‘surprising’ and ‘treating’ us. The second time we refused the plate of chicken, so they tried to persuade us that it was actually mutton, then goat. Thus it was easier to decline the ambiguous meat. The final time was on our last night in the village, I knew they wanted to please us before we left, and it fully sunk in about value they placed on meat; it is a luxury. On rejection of the meal, I internally contracted to place more value on animals and hence my new lifestyle choice.
CHICKEN SURPRISE!
Then there was the long week of goodbyes, and learning how to overcome the palette of emotions. When will I ever see you again? The farewell to my host family was heart breaking. My host father (Bhaiya) unexpectedly wept, which completely broke me too. They requested that we return, and I promised I would one day. I felt so guilty that our relationship is wholly dependent on how much effort I contribute. One neighboring family were upset even weeks before our departure. I feel a close bond with the amazing family, who supported us with projects and fun throughout! On the morning we left, our many friends of Kardala waved us off with tears rolling down their faces. It was far more difficult that I anticipated. Similar dreading feelings began again when I waved off the volunteers who had become like family over the three months. It’s been hard to adjust to not seeing their familiar faces every day or as I wake up. Then suddenly I found myself in a taxi to the airport. Where had the time gone?
Dr Daniella Watson 
What you have done is fantastic and admirable. I am an sure you life is so much more enriched as a result. I am very proud of you and priviledged to be able to read your blog.
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