The first steps into Heifer International were full of anticipation and excitement. By the time we entered simulation I somewhat "knew"what I was about to go through the next three days. To sum up my understanding in one word would be; hell. I was told from upper class-men that you won't get any food and have to sleep on the dirt in the freezing cold.
During the beginning of this amazing experience we went on a tour of the simulation. We checked out every country's homes and living area. No one wanted the dirt slums because it was the least developed. You could probably guess the county I was assigned to. Yes, the dirt slums. So unfortunately this meant I would have to sleep on nothing but dirt and my sleeping bag. Although I was put into one of the worst counties I had a good group of mutual friends that I became very close with by the end of the trip.
Our first meal was an interesting one. We were given only a quart size container of rice to feed all 10 of the dirt slum residents. As the stove was occupied by the other slum groups (the brick and wood slums) our rice was stolen. This was the beginning to a long and eventful "dinner". From stealing other counties food to evening sing-a-longs were what made this an even more memorable trip.
The next morning all the "slums" had to make breakfast for the rest of the countries. We served mush. It tasted like cardboard and was not a bit appetizing even though we had little to eat the night before. We also were required to do chores. These chores ranged from making bricks to washing dishes to milking goats. And eventually lunch came. The directors made us get in a long line (I was close to the end). They were passing out sandwiches and potato chips but by the time it was my turn to get food there was none left. I was mad but later realized they were doing this to show us what real life is like in a place where food is scares.
Finally it was time for dinner. We got to go to a "market". There each country was given a certain amount of money. We managed to buy a jar of tomato sauce and two containers of noodles. Our "neighbors" (the other slum groups) came up with an idea to put everything we had bought from the market together and have a thanksgiving feast. By feast I mean sharing three containers of pasta among 43 people and some oatmeal for dessert. We made it work, and by the end of the night everyone was satisfied. This was important to me and showed me what people can accomplish when they share and work together.
Overall I learned that you can make effective things from what little you have as well as not taking what I have for granted. Since Heifer, I waste less food and keep in my mind that somewhere in the world there are families that won't eat dinner because they don't have the resources to provide for themselves. Heifer was not at all hell it was more of an opportunity to learn about the world we live in and the daily challenges of regular families in different less developed countries.
During the beginning of this amazing experience we went on a tour of the simulation. We checked out every country's homes and living area. No one wanted the dirt slums because it was the least developed. You could probably guess the county I was assigned to. Yes, the dirt slums. So unfortunately this meant I would have to sleep on nothing but dirt and my sleeping bag. Although I was put into one of the worst counties I had a good group of mutual friends that I became very close with by the end of the trip.
Our first meal was an interesting one. We were given only a quart size container of rice to feed all 10 of the dirt slum residents. As the stove was occupied by the other slum groups (the brick and wood slums) our rice was stolen. This was the beginning to a long and eventful "dinner". From stealing other counties food to evening sing-a-longs were what made this an even more memorable trip.
The next morning all the "slums" had to make breakfast for the rest of the countries. We served mush. It tasted like cardboard and was not a bit appetizing even though we had little to eat the night before. We also were required to do chores. These chores ranged from making bricks to washing dishes to milking goats. And eventually lunch came. The directors made us get in a long line (I was close to the end). They were passing out sandwiches and potato chips but by the time it was my turn to get food there was none left. I was mad but later realized they were doing this to show us what real life is like in a place where food is scares.
Finally it was time for dinner. We got to go to a "market". There each country was given a certain amount of money. We managed to buy a jar of tomato sauce and two containers of noodles. Our "neighbors" (the other slum groups) came up with an idea to put everything we had bought from the market together and have a thanksgiving feast. By feast I mean sharing three containers of pasta among 43 people and some oatmeal for dessert. We made it work, and by the end of the night everyone was satisfied. This was important to me and showed me what people can accomplish when they share and work together.
Overall I learned that you can make effective things from what little you have as well as not taking what I have for granted. Since Heifer, I waste less food and keep in my mind that somewhere in the world there are families that won't eat dinner because they don't have the resources to provide for themselves. Heifer was not at all hell it was more of an opportunity to learn about the world we live in and the daily challenges of regular families in different less developed countries.