STORIES FROM THE FIELD
Shree Bhakta Basnet
International UNV Specialist – UNDP
I came from Nepal. I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science (major Sociology) from Tribhuvan University of Nepal, and I have a diploma in Community Health and Development from Jamkhed Institute, India. I worked with an International NGO ‘ADRA Nepal’ from 1989 to 1994.Given the opportunity to become a National UNV, I accepted to assist to organize Training for Rural Employment Project for One-year in Nepal.
Volunteer Experiences in Indonesia:
During almost five years of UNV assignment in Indonesia, I accepted three different assignments offers in different parts of the country, such as the provinces of West Nusa Tenggara, East Java, Papua and East Nusa Tenggara.
In 1998, for the first time, I came to Indonesia to take up a UNV assignment, initially, as an International UNV/DDS/FW assisting the ‘Eastern Indonesia Integrated Social and Economic Development Pilot Project (EIDDP) and later on supporting the ‘Community Recovery Programme’ (CRP) as an International UNV Field Worker. But since September 2003, I have been serving as an International UNV Specialist under CPRU, Local Settlement Programme for East Timorase Refugees in West Sumba of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
During the assignment in aforesaid programme and places, some time I have worked very closely with community groups, some time governments and some time with NGOs. Because of work nature and place, the experiences also are various however, UNV code of conduct and TOR are always keep in mind while working.
There are some common experiences that can be shared as following:
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Right from the start, I experienced with an important difficulty that was the language barrier. English is of little use in rural Indonesia. Learning Bahasa Indonesia was the first step. I had a 6-day course when I arrived in Indonesia It was in fact not enough to learn any language. But staying in a host family helped. I wrote on the pieces of paper and put on the furniture what their name was in Indonesian, similarly I put names on everything whatever I saw in the room such as window, door etc. Playing with small children also help me to learn Bahasa Indonesia soon. Knowing local language is big assets while working in the country of assignment.
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I encountered another initial difficulty that was the high expectations from the beneficiaries as well as implementing partner. But later on they were convinced/socialized through sharing the objectives of the assignment.
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The past work experiences are another assets. My past experience with community development has largely helped me achieve my task without difficulty.
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My flexibility in lifestyle always helps me to assimilate soonest with different level of life settings. Thus, flexibility is necessary.
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Genuine desire is most important to work with the people, with clear intentions considering that money is not the important.
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Should encourage teamwork rather than working alone. Good team sprit finally achieves the objective of the programme.
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To establish good relationships with both rich and poor. Political leaders, governments, different ethnic groups and youth through examples and actual practices help us to take further steps to involve the whole community and their participation and support.
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Flexibility in approach towards the community is required rather than imposing rigidly.
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Community is not always a homogenous structure; therefore it is important to maintain neutrality. Neutrality always keeps us clean.
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Transparency of programme is another important thing while implementing project. People want transparent. It will help us to get more support from all.
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