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Volunteer Blog

VOLUNTEER BLOG

Receiving More Than Giving

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Jen Snow

Burt Hicks is finishing up his first volunteer assignment with Winrock in Myanmar (Burma). He describes his rewarding experience below:


Over the course of the past two months, my wife and I have worked as volunteer consultants in Myanmar with Winrock International through the USAID Farmer-to-Farmer Program. While I was the one that was supposed to spend the summer providing knowledge and training to farmers and processors within the fishery sector, as I reflect upon my time here, I believe that I have received more than I gave. This is not because of a lack of effort on my part; rather, it is because of the way in which the people with whom I have had the pleasure of working have treated me.

My assignment has given me the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the Ayerwaddy River Delta. This is an area where the land is extremely fertile, and where people have generations of experience in agricultural enterprises. If the farmers here can obtain access to capital, better seeds and better technology, the aquaculture and agricultural sectors in Myanmar has the potential to see rapid growth – and this will be one of the major areas to lead that growth.

Traveling here makes one feel that they have traveled back in time 80 or 100 years ago. Farmers cultivate the plots of land with plows powered by the brute strength of two water buffalos or cows. They transport their harvest in small wooden boats loaded to the brim. And they tackle each day with an abundance of optimism, even when it seems – at least, to my biased Western eyes – that life could be so much easier for these wonderful and beautiful people.

Plowing a filed the hard (and old) way

Plowing a filed the hard (and old) way

Local farmers transporting their harvest up the river

Local farmers transporting their harvest up the river

Even though the average annual family income in this region is far less than $1,000, I am treated to tea and a meal fit for a king at each of my stops. One of my favorite dining experiences was in the small town of Twante. On this day, I had visited the fish farms owned by the chairman of the regional fish farming association to discuss a transition from a low-value fish to tilapia, a fish that has the potential to increase his farm’s income significantly. After telling me about the devastating impact Cyclone Nargis had on his operations and how he is still struggling some five years later, he invites me to join him and his family for lunch. I was expecting some rice and deep fried whole fish, but when I stepped-off the boat into his house built on stilts, the table was covered with several dishes made from local produce, various types of curries, three different types of fish, loads of fresh fruit and, of course, rice. I was absolutely blown away by his generosity. And this type of thing happened on numerous occasions over the past several weeks.

Sharing a meal with the fish farmer and his family

Sharing a meal with the fish farmer and his family

I will leave Myanmar at the end of next week. I believe my assignment will have a positive impact for a number of businesses operating in the fishery sector, although I hope to have the opportunity to come back here and do more. Needless to say my time in Myanmar has been a great lesson on giving more than I receive.

Presenting to the Myanmar Fisheries Federation

Presenting to the Myanmar Fisheries Federation

Posted in Asia, Myanmar, Volunteer Feedback | Tagged agriculture, cultural experiences, international travel, international volunteer, Myanmar, people-to-people exchange, service |

Volunteering in Burma

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Jen Snow

Winrock is pleased to be sending volunteers to Burma (also known as Myanmar) through our USAID-funded Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program. Recently, F2F volunteers Mike Frinsko and John Woiwode worked with shrimp hatcheries and fish processing plants to help increase production, improve quality, and increase sales. True to the spirit of F2F, the trainings were hands-on and engaging for the eager-to-learn participants. Here are some photos of John, Mike, and trainees in action:

Dr. John Woiwode demonstrates improved techniques to prepare tilapia fillets

Dr. John Woiwode demonstrates improved techniques to prepare tilapia fillets

 

Volunteer, Mike Frinsko, and hatchery staff collect prawn larvae for health screening

Volunteer, Mike Frinsko, and hatchery staff collect prawn larvae for health screening

 

Hatchery technician conducts water quality measures

Hatchery technician conducts water quality measures

 

Hatchery technicians participate in training on new methods of brine shrimp production

Hatchery technicians participate in training on new methods of brine shrimp production

Mike says, “Personally, this was an excellent cultural experience. Having worked in development projects previously, this one rates at the top.”

Here are some other photos of beautiful Burma, taken by Mike:

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myanmar

Posted in Asia, Myanmar | Tagged aquaculture, international volunteer, knowledge transfer, Myanmar, people-to-people exchange

National Day of Service

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Jen Snow

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.

Today is the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, and this weekend marked the National Day of Service. In honor of both, here are some photos of some of our Farmer-to-Farmer volunteers in service around the world:

Bill Goeres on a dairy farm in Ethiopia

Bill Goeres on a dairy farm in Ethiopia

Howard Prussic with onion farmers in Myanmar

Howard Prussic with onion farmers in Myanmar

Doug Johnson training beekeepers in Nigeria

Doug Johnson training beekeepers in Nigeria

Posted in Africa, Asia, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Nigeria | Tagged international volunteer, patriotism, service |
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