Introduction as to why and how I became a volunteer

Introduction

For those of you who don’t know me personally this is a brief introduction, and also an explanation of how I have come to the decision to come to Guatemala to volunteer.

Who am I?

My name is Rory O’Connor I am 29 years old, from Ashford in Co.Wicklow, Ireland. I went to Ashford National School and De La Salle Wicklow secondary school. In 2004 I was awarded a BSc Degree in Construction Management by Waterford Institute of Technology. This qualification has allowed me to work as a QS, Site Engineer and most recently as a Project Manger both at home and abroad. Last year I did a Masters in Sustainable Architecture, well still a thesis to do but am hoping to get some inspiration on a topic while here.

First Experience of Volunteering
My first experience of volunteering was while in South East Asia as part of the round the world trip in 2006. Cormac Creed a former life coach (Hi Dad if your reading. Mam says hi...) of mine whilst working JT Magen in New York, told me about a place I should visit in Cambodia that he had done a lot fundraising for. To be honest I went there initially out of respect for Cormac. Myself and my good friend Mairead Lucey spent a little over a week only in SCD Cambodia (http://www.scdcambodia.org/) orpahanage with Chan Norn. To be fair my expectations were blown away. The kids were so happy not just for kids with nothing, they were genuinely happy kids. They were always happy to see you and appreciated every little thing that you did for them. Whether it be buying them a pencil or playing a game of football with them the smile you got was ten times of a reward for the act you had done. My time there has always stayed close to my heart and if I am honest I knew I would do volunteering of some sort again, in my life from that point on.

Experience of Central America

From leaving college up until recently I have worked in the construction industry in varying capacities but generally for comparatively speaking well paid jobs. With this money I have done quite a bit of travelling in this time and it would be fair to say that some of the most diverse and enjoyable has been in Latin America. This has also aided in compounding the regret I have for not concentrating in Spanish class in WIT or making the effort to become fluent since. It is fair to say that most ordinary people in Latin America do not speak English. Nor should they have to, but it is always with regret that the warm smile often encountered cannot be communicated with better than a Hola or Gracias. Also if im being realistic its pretty impossible to be of much use as a volunteer if you can’t communicate with the people you are supposed to be helping.

The Decision

Last March or April, I met a family friend Michael Dempsey who had just returned from Guatemala where he was volunteering as an English teacher. In fact he was my school principal many moons ago. Probably the most interesting cup of coffee I have ever had. He told me how EIL had set him up with Inlex a Guatemalan charity. Inlex  gt.inlexca.org set up volunteers in positions they are suited to and also teach them Spanish first. The more Michael told me about his experience I knew that I had to do something similar. Something in my heart told me that of all the ideas going round in my head this one was right for me. So the BMW E20 that I was going to buy didn’t get bought and pretty much everything besides my laptop, I pod and clothes got flogged off. Can’t bring a sofa on a plane sure.

Why Now?

The last construction company I worked for went out of business over two years ago. Since then I set up my own business and completed a Msc in Sustainable Architecture with CAT. I was busy sporadically and the Masters helped to fill in the time when I wasn’t so busy. I actually had been the busiest I had since April up until September. For most of this time I was in a long term relationship which finished a few months back. To be fair neither work or Becky would have stopped me doing this sooner if I had of really wanted but I had them as barriers or excuses in my own head so as soon as I was both single and work had dried up I new in my heart of hearts what my next step would be.

Getting Organised

I called EIL on Wednesday 7th of September, having finishing a project on the previous Friday and knowing that there wasn’t much else coming down the line. I arranged an interview for as soon as possible and went there the following Monday and paid the deposit for the programme to start on the 27th of October. I could have went in September but I had a few loose ends to tie up and had to get the remainder of my fee together. With the little savings I had I paid for my return flight the next day.
EIL put me in contact with Joseph McLean. A volunteer who they had arranged a construction related placement with a small charity called Seeds of Help in Huehuetenango near the Mexican border in a place called Chiantla. Joe was very helpful and it was on his advise that I decided to fundraise money for construction materials for the project I would be working on. Joe explained that often the man power is available but simple materials such as cement or steel were just too expensive for the people who needed them.

Fundraising

I decided to host a poker night and a benefit night which included a raffle, an auction and a charity waxing to raise money. The poker night raised €350 and between the charity night and other private donations the remainder of the €2100 euros was reached. My most sincere thanks to, all who donated or helped in any way, or went out of their way to attend either function. Special thanks to Elaine and Deirdre for agreeing to wax myself and the lads despite what their stomach’s may have told them. Gazza, Joey and Viv for agreeing to be waxed. Leighton for getting the Jerseys signed for the Auction. Debbie (Aristacuts), George (Chester Beatty’s), Bash Barry (Martsworth), Nuala (Ashford Pharmacy) and Padhraic Humbey (Diageo) for providing vouchers and prizes for the raffle. Chester Beatties and Ernie’s Bar for providing the venues. Mam, Dad, Trina, Shar, Viv, Sprock, Gaz, and Conor for encouragement and support for which I could not have held the functions without and support which made the trip possible.