My Thoughts

There are certain things that run through my mind when it comes to volunteering and helping out others in foreign countries. The structure of North America is based around the concept of the individual rather than the collective. The individual has become associated with the mixed-market economy and capitalist framework to the point where the individual’s main concern is the lifestyle of one’s own. There are those that believe that is a selfish way of living, but how can it be so when it has become ingrained into the minds of many North Americans. Thinking from an individualistic perspective does not make you an evil person; in fact it is far from it. Thinking from an individualistic perspective helps one learn about themselves and guides them contribute to the wellbeing of the collective. Before one can help the collective, one has to know themselves. People that volunteer to help others use these opportunity to learn about themselves, their individual preferences. It gives them an opportunity to connect with other individuals to make a collective.

Volunteering for me is not only to learn more about myself but to also extend my hand in maintaining a collective humanity. I don’t have the mentality that my action is going to drastically improve the lives of those I am looking to help but I believe it gives me the opportunity to learn and understand from others. Sometimes those that volunteer forget to learn from others; sometimes they don’t understand that there is already a culture that is in place that is different from yours. The whole idea of me volunteering is to understand their culture and to get a different perspective. I am not looking to drastically alter their current way of living but to gain a new idea of the world around me. It is a way to integrate myself into their culture without being intrusive. It is not about the individual, it is realizing that the collective will make a change in the lives of others. When you are able to change from a stranger into a friend is one of the best rewards that helps the individual realize the importance of a collective. It is probably one the greatest rewards as a volunteer. It is something that I look forward to doing.

This just something I thought about while sitting in the library at the UofG. Take care

Hello everyone,

I would like to start of by saying thank you for taking the time to come on here. This is my first post, so I will start off with the basics. My name is Sheriff Wiredu, I am about to graduate from the University of Guelph with a degree in International Development Studies and Political Science. During my time here I have been part of the University of Guelph men's basketball team. Being part of this exclusive body has helped me grow as a person. It has taught me the value of hardwork, teamwork, and expecting more from yourself. It has helped shaped me into the individual that I am today.

While in school here I have had the opportunity to meet new people and creating new friendships. I have met people from different backgrounds and ethinicities all with a common goal in mind; to learn. To learn from one another, to put into practice what they have learned, and to share the new knowledge that they have acquired. People from different age groups and backgrounds all striving to improve the life of others as well as their own. It has inspired me to learn and to engage with different people. When you were younger your parents always said "don't talk to strangers" but as you grow you realize talking to strangers sometimes help create lasting friendships.

I will be part of a team where we will be going to Guatemala to help improve the health, education and living conditions in a small community called La Comunidad. I look forward to posting more blogs in the future. Thanks for your time in reading this and I hope that you will donate to make my dream come through by going to Guatemala and having the opportunity to apply what I have learned and to learn new things as well.