Quote:
Originally Posted by Funwhileserving
A group of 20 of us is coming for a mission trip to help in a Haitian refugee camp not far from the border. We would like to know what the attitude in country is to rich white people coming to help what could be considered illegal immigrants. We will be with a well organized and long stand missionary organization. Do the locals resent us helping the Hatians and not helping them? Is the government happy that we are there?
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Could you tell us how the well organised & long standing missionary organisation has briefed you so far, please? Like Chirmoya I have never heard bateyes or other communities referred to as 'refugee camps' and you wouldn't have used the term out of thin air, so I'm curious as to what your expectations are, based on what you have been told. I ask because there was a US or Canadian newspaper report about 18 months ago, where the young helpers were of the belief that the locals hadn't seen 'white folks' before...........
On the plus side I have seen young volunteers have a life altering experience as the result of their few weeks here which has meant a future career choice for them to enter one of the helping professions. Some of the gains for locals are much needed material gains (the teaching of building sturdy homes, how to implement a clean water supply etc) which I think everyone would support. Mountainannie is commenting on the politics of voluntary effort and yes she has a point. But by and large all voluntary effort is very much welcomed.