| A
volunteer is he who, on first arriving at a villa, listens
carefully and shows respect towards the people he meets
and everything around him. He does not pass judgment on
what he sees, as he realises that he has much to learn
about how people live in difficult circumstances. He does
not get shocked but he is touched, and he tries to feel
at home at all times. |
| A volunteer who decides
to carry out a particular task in the villa always double-checks
his plans and actions with the people. He acknowledges
the value of a different perspective upon things and takes
it into account when elaborating his activities. |
| A
good volunteer would know when to say "I don’t
know" or "I can’t" and he would constantly
try to seek solutions that are fair and beneficial for
everyone, rather than to simply promote welfare. A good
volunteer in the villa would look the children in the
eye and hug them even if they were dirty. He would not
turn down a mate (an Argentinean infusion) even if the
source of the water was doubtful. |
| He is able to understand
that he might have higher academic training and more tools,
but that does not mean he has the right to subjugate a
culture or judge alternative ways of doing things. |
| A
good volunteer is willing to work in a team, to promote
communication and solidarity among the people he works
with. He understands that being there is a gift, that
humble people give openly and that he will receive more
than he will give. It is a person who will, as time goes
by, learn to love the neighbourhood people as his own
family.. |
