Home: What I've Learned

House Dedication Ceremony - Our Global Village Team

After arriving home, it took some time to settle back into my routine. It also took time for my body to re-adjust and for my mind to process the emotional journey. Volunteering on a humanitarian trip in a third-world country is challenging and rewarding, but if you are like me, and you allow yourself to feel everything you experience, then re-adjusting to life at home becomes a challenge. The emotions that typically follow an experience like this are known as “reverse culture-shock” and I'm grateful that I've learned to recognise this. For example, while enroute to Canada, during my flight connection in London, I watched shoppers enter the numerous designer stores of “The Queen’s Terminal” and I felt perplexed, dismayed, frustrated and even angry. The world felt…unjust. I also felt an overwhelming urge to shake them all awake, so they would make more conscientious choices. Then, I arrived back in Canada, where my children were just beginning March Break. We had pre-planned a winter getaway and had rented a log cabin in Nova Scotia….but it felt wrong to be having fun and celebrating when I felt so guilty for the very privileged life we lead: the day of skiing, the contents of our fridge, my happy and healthy family, the wood-stove that kept us warm, the fuzzy bath towels, the lovely meal we shared with friends, my dogs who are irresistibly spoiled with affection. I hadn’t anticipated feeling this intense guilt, and I soon realised that fitting back into my life would take time. Habitat for Humanity advises volunteers not to make any life-altering decisions for at least a few months after returning. I get it! As I have experienced this before with previous “re-entries”, I have learned that the best way to relieve the guilt/shame is to identify the areas of your life that you feel are excessive (or those that no longer match your values) and work to change those that affect you on a daily basis...consumption of energy, water, reduction of waste, reevaluating your priorities, redefining quality time, etc. For me, one of the most effective ways to reduce the burden of unjust privilege is to continue to give back. “Habitatitis”...hopelessly addicted to these experiences...yup, that's me. One of the most thrilling post-build moments were my daughter’s words, “Mommy, I can’t wait until I am old enough to go on a Habitat for Humanity build with you!”. Sweet girl...me either.

House Dedication Ceremony - Lele's Grandson

What I have learned, post Lesotho: 

• That for however brief a time, thirteen volunteers, many of them beginning as strangers, can become one team and share an authentic and enriching life experience. In fact, an entire community of volunteers came together on this build and it was beautiful to witness.
• That regardless of the assigned work tasks, the blisters, and no matter how hot the temperature, on any given day, building this home didn’t feel like work.
• That I will continue to process and accept the lessons the journey has brought, most especially the perspective reminders.
• That my comfort zones were challenged, my limitations and weaknesses exposed, but regardless of how tough some days were that I am proud that I was mindful, aware and still brave enough to face them.
• That the sightseeing experiences in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Kruger National Park were more than a dream come true. I have always known my journey included exploring the world, but this gift feels surreal. I only hope that the memories will not fade.
• That capturing the treasured moments with a few megabytes of digital memory was unrealistic…but there was joy in the attempt.
• That once in Lesotho, I realised that I had brought expectations with me based on my previous Global Village experiences. I regret not recognising this sooner as my acceptance of a new experience, rather than a desire for a similar one, would have made certain challenges easier. Now that I am home, I see the lesson.
• That giving is not a completely selfless act...my sentimental tears were often quietly wiped away during this experience, and what I find amazing is that the majority of those tears reflected love, compassion and joy.
• More so than on any other build I learned that where my heart goes, my family goes too. Most of what I experienced didn’t feel real until I was able to share it with them.
• That I’m grateful to each and every star that aligned. I’m sure it took those in both hemispheres to make this happen.

I am in the process of uploading a few of my photos of the build in Roma. Should you be interested in viewing them, click on: Habitat Lesotho - Gratitude Photos

Thank you to everyone that supported this build in Lesotho…you helped build hope! On behalf of Lele and her family, the staff at Habitat for Humanity Lesotho, the community of Roma, our rock'in build team, the staff at Global Village Canada...we all thank you.

Jill