I leveled my life to the circumstances

Voluntary work (FSJ, ICJA “Zivi im Ausland”) can be quite difficult. The bearded, bald boy had to level his life to the circumstances. It hasn’t always been easy but I currently live a very good life. It is different than I thought. Some things are better; some things make me angry and sad. Volunteering in Viet Nam, or just in some organizations?, is quite frustrating. I would like to take matters into my own hands to make sure that they go according to plan.

I’m on the right path for myself. I don’t care a fig for VPV’s matters except my own. The working life turns out to be almost trouble-free after the relocation. They treat me nice, my requests are processed , and friendly. But if I take a look around the other volunteers, then the words fail me. It looks more unsystematic, chaotic than ever before. Peace House is now inhabited by many volunteers. Most are staying short time. The volunteers are wooed with certain project descriptions by VPV. In retrospect, it turns out that the placement assignments are far too often not confirmed by the project partners or the government. Volunteers wait days to get a substitute. A bunch of disillusioned young people are in Peace House. They fall on deaf ears with their criticism, complaints and frustration. Now I’m lucky; I don’t have to deal much with VPV. For me it’s ok, but do you think it is ok for all the others? Would you apply to VPV? The circumstances cast a damning light on this organization. Time will tell if they come to senses.

My (three) sisters visited me in early August. I took a week off and spent the first days with them in Ha Noi. I showed them my house, my block and went out to good restaurants. We’ve seen the Perfume Pagoda and Hạ Long Bay on our day trips. I enjoyed the time with them. We (or just I?) intended trekking on Cát Bà Island. But a typhoon upset our plans and we decided to leave the beautiful island after just one night. Thereafter they traveled down south to the beaches and Ho Chi Minh City. They came back on the previous day of their departure to Germany. So I spent the remaining time with them and listened to their stories. I can respectfully say that they got on with Viet Nam quite well. Thanks to my sisters for having a blast together.

Yann has spent the last week here in Ha Noi. Joscha and I will conduct him to Đà Nẵng today. We are planning to pop around Laos for two weeks. (Hopefully with Yann because he should work in his project)

~ by buudien on September 1, 2008.