Two days of teaching and I've already realized that education is much more of a complex issue than I had originally assumed. Development being my main focus as a TBB student, I have already concluded that education is in fact the driving force of development. However, in addition to this focus I have made it a personal goal of mine to "think beyond the borders" of the western world. The idea of development from the standpoint of an American is so simple. Give poverty stricken countries aid and they will eventually get their shit together. Send volunteers into rural villages to "better the community" and one by one we Americans can change the world. From a recliner back in the States, this issue with development is quite simple.
Think again.
Aid can very easily create dependence, in turn ultimately preventing sustainability. Going into any project or program with the intention of "helping"---because we Westerners obviously know how to do everything right---will be detrimental to one or more parties involved. Growing up in America I had always had the common aspiration of changing the world. You must know that I was by no means naive about the entirety of global issues. I had seen poverty on large scale, I had seen injustice, I had witnessed oppression, and I had felt guilt, sympathy, and depression because of these worldly experiences. Although, I realize now how under qualified I was, and still am, to change the world.
I am a little over two months into a seven month program revolving around development. I have only been immersed in two of the four issues we will be studying. (Correct me if I am wrong, Robin.) Our structure of curriculum is designed with the intention to understand that these four issues -public health, education, sustainable agriculture, and natural resources- all funnel into development. I have already perceived that there are so many small issues that at length do effect the realm of development. It is utterly mind-blowing to attempt at understanding, much less act upon, how I could ever actually come to change the world. Nevertheless, even during all this daunting frustration, I know I am at the very least gaining knowledge. Knowledge I would most certainly not possess had I not taken this gap year with TBB. I am eternally grateful to have been able to seise the opportunity to think about the world beyond the Western borders.
Think again.
Aid can very easily create dependence, in turn ultimately preventing sustainability. Going into any project or program with the intention of "helping"---because we Westerners obviously know how to do everything right---will be detrimental to one or more parties involved. Growing up in America I had always had the common aspiration of changing the world. You must know that I was by no means naive about the entirety of global issues. I had seen poverty on large scale, I had seen injustice, I had witnessed oppression, and I had felt guilt, sympathy, and depression because of these worldly experiences. Although, I realize now how under qualified I was, and still am, to change the world.
I am a little over two months into a seven month program revolving around development. I have only been immersed in two of the four issues we will be studying. (Correct me if I am wrong, Robin.) Our structure of curriculum is designed with the intention to understand that these four issues -public health, education, sustainable agriculture, and natural resources- all funnel into development. I have already perceived that there are so many small issues that at length do effect the realm of development. It is utterly mind-blowing to attempt at understanding, much less act upon, how I could ever actually come to change the world. Nevertheless, even during all this daunting frustration, I know I am at the very least gaining knowledge. Knowledge I would most certainly not possess had I not taken this gap year with TBB. I am eternally grateful to have been able to seise the opportunity to think about the world beyond the Western borders.
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