Hello! I’m an American fourth-year participant on the JET Programme living in Saitama, Japan. I first volunteered with Go Longitude and ARV (Association of Relief Volunteers) for the Winter 2010 trip to Chevuru. Before I left, I tried to form ideas of what to expect based on what I had read and heard from friends. Of course, actually going and working alongside the people in Chevuru was beyond my expectations.
Ideas have a strange power. The physical distance between a volunteer’s home and an Indian village is relatively easy to traverse. But our ideas can make the distance between two people greater than the Pacific, or closer than a handshake. The ideas that ARV helps inspire in volunteer and villager alike are truly amazing. Slowly but steadily, the combined effort of Dalit villagers, volunteers, and staff form a spirit of camaraderie, perseverance, and teamwork that are bringing change to the ideas that create barriers and divisions among people.
No matter how far or near, one person really can make a difference. I hope you’ll support and join our team this year, and I look forward to working with you!
