Blog 2 HR

As I have said before, this type of service is extremely different from missionary work through the church. The major difference that I like most as far as this line of work is that we are teaching these people how to catch their own fish instead of fishing for them. We are there to give them a small yet helpful push towards success. What both of these services have in common is a helping hand. We are there to help for a good cause and perhaps save multiple lives. We are also there in hopes that the knowledge they develop for their businesses will spread to others in need.
Many people do these types of service trips to make them feel better about themselves, like they have accomplished something and they can say they have been her or there and have done this or that; all of those are bound to come along with the trip, however, you have to put yourself last. It is not about you, it is about the people. The effect you have on others is what this is all about. One person cannot save the world; if everyone helped we would still not have a perfect world. It takes the act of one person to push others to help, and that is the best you can do. When we go to Belize, we are sacrificing ourselves for others, to love others, and to help those in need, so that one day they can carry it on and become self dependent.
Talking to a close friend from my church about this I realized, everyone has there own way of seeing God or living through God. Some may believe in God and may never help others, while others may do the opposite or do both. I see God through nature and through the people I come across in life, I don't believe you have to worship at church every Sunday to be a good person. There are people that go to church that behave worse than those that do not attend. I believe seeing the world beyond your own eyes and your own selfishness will urge you to do great things for those around you. Sometimes it takes going a step beyond just seeing a bigger world on TV, in order to make a difference or change your life. You develop a sense of self and a reason for living once you have been to a place without the necessities of living.
The beauty about it is, when you have witnessed someone living without anything, they seem happier than those living with everything they 'need'. This goes to show you that being rich is what you make of it. I'd rather be rich with love, family, and laughter instead of money, cars, and a big lonely house.
Hopefully by helping those in Belize, someone will see our kindness and help someone else.

I have never heard of Yunus until I talked to my friend about the class and I think this is an amazing idea. There are so many people in the world that want to help the poor but don't know how. There are a ton of people that do not think they will make a difference so they do not try. This is a bold idea that allowed many people to get involved to make a difference and his thoughts have traveled throughout the world. What I love about it is he did not give up and now there are people across the world getting help. I have helped a lot of people through mission trips and this has opened my eyes to other ways of lending a hand. I think this is a better way of helping because they become more responsible, while in mission work you are doing everything for them when they could probably do it better and faster. I believe that you have to work and learn for what you get. Yes, there are always things given to you for free, but personally I feel better when I have earned it. The bad thing about this was that there is a lot of time and money spent to educate their clients. Many of these poor people have never held money in their lives, especially the women. They have to learn the concept of loans and what to spend it on. Most families in Belize put there family members or children first; whether it is for food or health. That is why it is important for Grameen Bank to emphasize the importance of speding the loan on their business instead of their family. The beauty of this process is that they get very small loans, and when they put money towards their business they thrive and make their business stronger so they will have more money in the end, which will allow them to pay off the loan.
What I wish they would do in Belize, as other places, is reach towards the poorest of the poor along with those that are on the verge of poverty. Everyone needs a little help.