I honestly feel like I should pinch myself.
This weekend, I moved into the most beautiful apartment complex known to man. I now live less than five minutes away from my workplace. I have a challenging job and a wonderful boyfriend. Things just couldn’t get any better, but I feel like I am just asking for it to end by putting it down on paper (or the electronic equivalent of paper, anyway).
The difference between what I thought I would be doing while living in Gambia and what I am actually doing is a bit disconcerting at times. That old guilt starts to creep around sometimes when I think about the fact that I came to Gambia to help develop the country by teaching in Brikama and assisting with the organization of the library. I look around me and see my beautiful apartment and my fancy phone and my comfortable office and think that I’ve done a complete 180 in just two months.
But, the more I think about it, the last thing Gambia needs right now is another white person coming in and trying to develop it. Gambia needs help developing itself. I think the best way to do that is by developing the economy of the private sector. So, maybe my involvement with my company is the best thing I can do right now. I am able to contribute my education to raising the caliber of work performed in the private sector. I get to show Gambians, who did not have access to the same education I did, the best way to approach business, be it through time management training for the staff or having a say in the amount of educational reimbursement my company provides. Furthermore, my boss has given me responsibility of overseeing our corporate social responsibility efforts so I get to spend my time at work organizing a free lecture series at a nearby high school and providing administrative support for a newly developed (local!) foundation.
Like I said earlier, I just don’t think it could get any better.
1 comment:
Wow! You never stop amazing me and proving your worth to the world! I admire you to the max Michelle! To put it another way, you've came a long way from terrorizing 17th Street with me! Although, I still can't pass a newspaper vending machine without laughing to myself, I am very happy to hear about all the great things you're doing.
I can't wait to reunite with you! Let's set up a visit soon. Although, it might take a while to save up, and definately want to experience a piece of your new life!
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