The Start of Something Amazing

Jack Richardson
England, UK

I recently discovered a diary which I had been writing in 2008, the year before I joined VE in Santiago. One line said “I have just found a really exciting gap year opportunity in Chile, I wonder If I’ll look back on this sentence knowing that it was the start of something amazing.” I have now looked back and I do indeed now know that it was the start of something amazing. I know that it was worth every minute that I put into my application, worth the uncontrollable nerves I had on my first day at the institution where I worked, and worth all those weeks of arguments, tantrums, tears, and rather questionable food.

This is only one side of the story though because, however much we can learn and gain from the tough times, people still crave and enjoy the good times and I can assure you there was no absence of these. I can’t really justify leaving the description at ‘good’ to be honest, I’d elaborate to joyful, tear-jerking, hilarious, thrilling, genuinely life-changing times. I could go on for pages justifying this, picking the boys up from school each day, monkeying around on the swing with the younger ones and making bracelets with the girls are just a few examples of moments that are guaranteed to bring a huge grin to my face.

Admittedly, as a fairly young volunteer, it did take a while to settle into my new life and work in Chile. I think it was about 2-3 months into my placement that I felt like I belonged there, I understood my role, understood what I wanted to get out of the experience and ultimately feel accepted. This acceptance from the children that I was there to help them and improve their quality of life not only made me relax and enjoy the volunteering a whole lot more but also brought me so much closer to them all. Up to that point I had known that they were disadvantaged children and it felt good to be helping them in whatever way I could but it was not any deeper than that. But when the time finally did come for me to leave I was tearing myself away. I clearly remember being on the bus to a VE gathering after my leaving despedida with the children. I had my bag stuffed full of drawings, presents and cards and I just broke down into tears. The thought hit me that I would most likely never see those kids again and I was to have no more say in their future, where they went and what they made of their lives. I’d just have to leave them in the safe hands of the next volunteer.

Joining and participating in VE Global was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and I don’t regret it for a second. It’s an NGO with a difference full of dedicated and truly lovely people from all around the world who share fantastic ideas and ideals together.