"Good Deeds"

 

After talking about the experience from my previous post to people, a few have told me "Great job. Now don't you feel good that you did a such a good and generous deed for these poor people?"

 

I am happy and glad that the children now have new stationary for the new term. But it is a tremendous overstatement to say that I did a life changing deed for these children. Me nor my other fellow volunteers and monks think there is anything we should be particularly proud or be boasting about.  

 

This is not say I am denying the work that we've done; I am very glad that I did it. But it's nothing more different than all the other things I do daily at LHA. It's part of my job. And most importantly it's part of my duty as an ordinary human in civil society--when in need, people help each other out.

 

Yet others do not see it that way. What bothers me most about DCVs (developed country volunteers) coming to Cambodia is that they have an extremely conciliatory and lording attitude when doing these sort of "charitable" work. They bring boxes of food, clothing, and books from their home countries to distribute in Cambodia. They claim themselves (ostensibly) as doing humanitarian deeds and hail themselves as "saviors" in a brazen manner that is jarringly disturbing. They even update their Facebooks as such. Even worse they post pictures along with it --heads hung high with their smug smiles and hugging children they barely even know.

 Do not get me wrong, it certainly is praise worthy that these people fly thousands of miles to these distribute goods. But the reality is that it does not significantly impact the local people at all. They are merely putting temporary band aids on wounds that will certainly open up again. It will not change the fact that they are still socioeconomically disadvantaged and living in vulnerable conditions. 

The true definition of good deeds and humanitarian relief is bringing about change. Rather than giving out things for free, we really need to be advising the community on how to become sustainable. We need to teach them how to create businesses and help them with community planning. Needless to say this is excruciatingly hard work that requires diligence, perseverance, and leadership. But it will make an everlasting impact and a big difference in peoples lives. Only then can you say that you have done a "good deed".  

Yet the attitudes of some volunteers has made me irate and it's been ruminating in my head. It's been a been a real struggle for me to sort out my emotions though once it is, I would like to write about more in further detail. But one thing I am sure is that the ignorant actions of some will not deflect me nor ebb my passion for what I am here in Cambodia for: true compassion and striving for a better and sustainable society. 

 

In any case, thank goodness I work with an amazing group of volunteers and monks. The day had been amazing with a lot of laughter and smiles all around. And though very briefly, it's always nice to mingle with communities outside of Siem Reap. There is still yet so much to see and learn about in this beautiful country.