VOLUNTEERISM IS CUTE BUT SILLY volunteerism, a cute buzz word which we coined and started in August 2007 in Albay for Reming rehabilitation since many foreign CSOs and INGOs were helping out in the housing. But, after studying the idea very intensely, we quickly aborted and threw away the idea as being inoperable and silly since we found we can not contain the intrinsic threats posed by volunteerism to the dignity of internally displaced persons making it a condition of ignominy. 1. We were worried that IDPs, still in their very vulnerable state, would feel they are made as objects of interest or even curiosity rather than as partners in the rehab process. 2. We strongly felt the need to strictly preselect, educate and train potential volunteers esp. in terms of robust psychological preparedness. The costs for such training and ecosystem preparedness would far outweigh the benefits. Without it, the potential for abuse is not insignificant. WELL, the word has a way of resurrecting itself but is better off buried for good.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 10:34:51 +0000