Last week, we received a blog post from one of our Farmer-to-Farmer volunteers, Dave Pearce, in Ethiopia. Here’s a snapshot of his trip, in his own words:

Thursday, Valentines Day in Lera, Ethiopia (Lera is a small ((mostly Muslim)) community of 15,000, 260 KM south and west of Addis Ababa. 2600 meters above sea level, cooler mountainous air, in the dry season of the year– the rains come in June, July and August– and the people are ready!).

In nearly 20 years of overseas volunteering– this time to meet and work with small growing and emerging agricultural coops– I am always fascinated with community participation at the Marketplace. Thursday’s and Sunday’s provide that opportunity for any and all. Today, (a Thursday) seems to me 1 in 3 of the population are here! 5000 of the 15,000!

Everything to anything is available– goats, shoes, sewing machines, butter, wrenches, hats, hand tools. The market place is a social and economic standard for Ethiopian people as for ALL PEOPLE. The American/Caucasian is “obviously” a standout at today’s market– and “not for sale.” Groups of children gathering to see and hear this different being. …..Mostly fascinated with the pictures and the Ipad!

Specifically, I take this as opportunity to meet and greet members of the cooperatives I will be working with– the chance to walk, and talk, and hear the sights and sounds– provides the context of life experience I need to do my best at teaching and training– to meld my education and experience with theirs….. and ready my learning experience as they will “teach me how they see.”

These two women are cooperative members who will participate in Dave’s training on management, marketing, and accountability

I have learned that much tradition and wisdom is taught through parables and proverbs. One African proverb I love is “He or she who teaches — learns twice.” I think it more than doubles the value of this experience!

[Thanks so much, Dave!]

Winrock’s F2F staff in Nigeria recently re-visited some of the host organizations that received volunteer support over the last year. These visits are a way for us to see first-hand how the volunteer trainings have impacted each organization.

Sometimes the feedback is especially inspiring.

The managing director from Ogbuka Green Merchandise, a Nigerian agribusiness that received training from volunteer William Symons in June 2012, had this to say:

“I was shocked to see an American come and volunteer his time to strengthen our capacity. The Volunteer was not even bothered by how obsolete our equipments were and how disorganized our workshop floor was but rather gave us tips on how to make the best use of what we have and how to re-organize the work space. This has changed our perception and increased our love and respect for the American people and the government of the United States of America.”

I think all of our volunteers would agree that these assignments also build love and respect for each of the countries where we are working, as well. –Both sides benefit, sometimes in immeasurable ways!

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Bio-systems Engineering of North Dakota State University, came to Bangladesh in 2012 as Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer to conduct an assignment on compost preparation using municipal waste. After growing up in Bangladesh and graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering, Dr. Rahman completed his Masters, PhD, and Post-PhD in Thailand, Canada, and USA, while gaining vast knowledge and skills in waste management and compost preparation. He was delighted for the opportunity to return to Bangladesh as a volunteer under the USAID-funded Farmer-to-Farmer program. Sharing his thoughts about his experience as a volunteer, Dr Rahman stated,

“After having advanced education, knowledge and skill through study and working in developed countries, the opportunity to come to my home country to help farmers gave me immeasurable satisfaction. My sincere thanks to USAID and also Winrock International.”

[Thanks to YOU, Dr. Rahman!]