Last Thursday was my first time volunteering at the Working Centre and it was absolutely wonderful! I enjoyed myself soooo much! I volunteer in the Speak English Cafe, a program for non-native English speakers to come together with volunteers who speak English well, in order to learn English in an informal environment. Here the learning is done primarily through dialogue. Last Thursday, for example, There were four stations set up around the room, each with a picture of a different sport taped up on the wall. The sports were swimming, baseball, volleyball and soccer. A question was asked to the group at large (i.e. What is your favourite sport to play?) and everyone got up and moved to the appropriate group. Then a few minutes followed where everyone discussed in groups why they liked to play this sport. A second question, what is your fave sport to watch on TV was asked and again everyone moved and discussed. Later, the categories were switched to favourite fruits and then to favourite hobbies. Then, we all sat down around tables and followed a handout of discussion questions about summer activities and vacations.
I found that this was such a wonderful environment. Even though I had never been before, everyone reached out to me, introductions were made and conversations about anything at all took place. I met some of the most incredible people. And the best part was that I didn't necessarily teach or accomplish a lot, it didn't take up a significant amount of time, but it really made my day. When I was asked at the end of the night if I would like to come every week or every other week, I didn't even hesitate to say EVERY WEEK!
When I think of my time spent there I think of Freire and his insistence of the importance of dialogue. Many of the people I met were not rich in the sense of worldly possessions, they were not the type of people I would normally approach. But when I think about it, these people were so full of joy, so willing to reach out and accept a newcomer in their midst, they listened when each other talked (and I mean really listened). At the end of the night the thing that stood out to me most was how fun it was just to BE with others.
I didn't go with an agenda or a to-do list. I didn't have a particular purpose, but I still feel like I accomplished something very great. My accomplishment: simply being present.
4 comments:
Reading your entry made me smile - you sound very excited :) I know what you mean by how fun it was just to be with others.. especially when everyone is so stressed out about everything back on campus, it's really nice to be able to be in a different environment and just enjoy spending time with people..
I really envy your situation with your Working Center project. I love baking in the kitchen but for different reasons. I also really like how you can link lectures and readings to your situations. I am having a hard time with that because I really didn't feel I learned a whole lot and to be honest I haven't come across a situation that reflects anything I have learned yet. I'll have to think about that one. I really like how you write. You write like you talk and I can hear you tell this story. :o)
Thanks for sharing about your experiences. I didn't really understand how Speak English Cafe worked before, but now I have a pretty good indication. It is hard to learn to just be present with people without goals or objectives or to-do lists, but it is really important. I really appreciate your insights!!
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. I didn't really understand how Speak English Cafe worked, but you've given me good insight. Learning to be present with people is a difficult lesson to learn, especially when we are so used to going into something with goals and to-do lists in mind. I think it is an important lesson, though. Though it doesn't seem like it, just being there really is participating.
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