Page 18: Breaking down the barriers
From SI Exco News
Contents |
How Servas Can Help
Servas International conferences - A dreamland
A Servas International conference, held once in three years in a different continent, is considered the peak of Servas activities, BUT, only about 200 members (1%) participate. Since most of the other 99% aren’t so exposed to it, I would like to share my personal experiences, after taking part in four of them. 1
- France 1992 was my first one. I had no clue what to expect or what such a provincial young guy is going to experience, meeting people from about 60 different countries and cultures. Without any warning, I found myself in the welcome party, surrounded by so many different faces, costumes and languages. It doesn’t take much time to feel like your mind and heart can’t digest it all. More are arriving, hugging each other or loud are shouting with joy at finding old friends. And here you stand, in the middle of that Babylon atmosphere, wondering if you are dreaming, or simply fortunate. But actually, you don’t get much time to wonder. Those who already know you introduce you to new ones, and if you stand alone for a second, somebody comes and introduces himself to you. No age, gender or nationality differences. After only few minutes, new and “old” friends are acting like they have always known each other. The first thought I had was that I never felt so warm and welcome.
Later, in the years to come, many times my mind wanders back to that first evening, realizing that the amount of fuel and warmth I got then, is actually keeping my motivation engine running till today. The pride of being part of a very special Servas family has never left me for one single day.
The next week was “the usual” conference activities, which of course for a newcomer are not always so easy to follow.
- There are two main activities: the GA (General Assembly) and social activities. Some of the participants are key persons, gathering in order to cover important issues. Some are “musts” - like electing new Exco (Executive Committee), other committees or approving the budget. Also discussing and voting proposals, and running workshops. During the next three years, everyone will be expected to follow the GA decisions.
In between meetings, during meals, tours and especially during the evenings, the social part comes alive. The hosts have prepared cultural events, a time to get to know each other, and for spontaneous performances of members’ hidden talent. Singing, dancing - all in happy and friendly harmony and atmosphere. No boundaries, shame or embarrassment. You feel like you’re on a far star, where there are neither wars nor conflicts. Only one peaceful and friendly society. What more can one ask for? And after living this sweet dream, being in contact with a few whom you met, visiting others or having the pleasure to host them - the next 1995 Australia conference is knocking on your door, inviting you to join one more imaginary week. But now you know what to expect. This time you hug your old friends, reaching a hand to new ones, making sure that they will be introduced and welcome. And also this time, I’m the Israeli National Secretary, representing my country, taking part in all discussions, expressing views, and voting. Well, goodbye to any free time. Be prepared to sleep very little, realizing that what will be achieved today, will actually shape the face of Servas for the next three years if not longer. After Australia as the email era grew and the way to keep contacts becomes easier, more members know you, accepting your visit invitation, feeling like you won the lottery. Before you notice, Guatemala 1998 arrives, finding yourself on a new continent, rich with a colorful history and warm people.
On the practical level, a real need for new tech tools, communication ways and better flow of information between members and key persons world-wide becomes. When it’s introduced to the GA, the SI-ICT (Info-Communication-Team) is born, led by your humble servant. Each conference you see how little you know about places, people, religions and customs. You realize more, that the bad guys or things you hear about are the minority, while the majority is like those whom you meet here. From now on, no matter what you hear about a certain country, you always picture in your mind those whom you have met in person. Slowly, prejudiced views and biased thoughts die. Now you really understand how meeting face to face are important, and how more pleasant and easier it will be in the three years to exchange letters and work with those whom you have met. Such a week becomes as valuable as months of emails and phone calls. And since not everyone can arrive to these far places, you understand the great value of area meetings, summer camps and local get together.
- Thailand 2001 arrives brings together once again old and new friends from around the world. A new and impressive idea - a gathering of 30 young ones, learning about Servas, hopefully later taking part in Servas activities. Hopefully is the key word, since more can and should be done to hand over activities to new hands and fresh minds.
The climax then is one unforgettable moment at the closing party, in that big darkened hall, filled with more than 200 people, from about 60 countries, holding glowing candles and singing a universal song of peace, hope and friendship. This is definitely one of those rare moments, when you tell yourself that no matter what will happen, how little money you’ll have, how unhealthy or busy you’ll be - you’ll always drag your old bones to the next conference. You would never miss the chance to meet your old friends, to gain new ones, and to be again surrounded by so many loving friends - knowing that real peace always starts with the common people and their small personal contribution. Hoping to see you all in Barcelona
Amir Levy
Servas Israel
amirlev@bezeqint.net
A Host in Malawi
The first time I heard of Servas was from an x-pat {expatriate-one who lives outside one’s country} friend of mine in Malawi. There is little mixing between x-pats and locals because their earning capacity is so much greater and often there is nothing for us to share culturally.
But when I joined our little group of Servas hosts here, I began to see x-pats in a different light, more as people than as ‘whites’. Servas is a peace organization that helps us understand others in the world because we get to stay with each other, breaking down those barriers of prejudice.
Here in Malawi, we have plenty of those barriers of poor understanding between those living here, not to mention those coming to visit. I think Servas has really helped me to break down my own barriers of mis-information and prejudice, and I hope with more visitors coming to stay with me, more of my ‘walls’ will be broken down.
I now have a shared interest with an x-pat on an equal footing, that of Servas Malawi. In Servas, we are equal. How much money I have or do not have is irrelevant. What is important is who I am, and that is what Servas visitors are interested in. In fact, I am probably in a better position because foreigners visiting Malawi want to stay with ME and not our x-pat hosts as I can give a ‘real local insight’.
I like Servas because it continues to open my eyes to the bigger world and brings the bigger world closer.
I urge you to come to Malawi, my country is beautiful, my arms are open and my ‘walls are starting to crumble’. Come with a hammer! Mary Boloweza, Servas Malawi
Servas Malawi, with 13 hosts and 5 more awaiting interviews, holds meetings and puts out a newsletter four times a year. A small, landlocked country in southeast of Africa, the Republic of Malawi has many lakes, rolling plains and mountains. English and Chichewa are the official languages. It is quite safe to travel there, says national secretary, Demelza Lewis, “if you are not in a miniskirt and high heels”. benlewis@malawi.net.
A National Secretary
When travelling, we join together both banks of a river and making comparisons between cultures and distinct worlds becomes unavoidable. We perceive and witness sensations at every stop along our way. This experience refreshes and uplifts our soul, and we store this recollection to be able to explain later what the rivers here and the peoples there are like. We can manage to travel through hundreds of kilometres to greet unknown hands for two or more days and discover their own world: a whole different world, yet similar to ours. We feel hospitality in every home and we collect a little bit of nostalgia to write our own particular story. All this leads us to alter our views… Sometimes we reflect and talk about the society we live in, not as an intellectual exercise but in a more practical and emotional way, as though we really cared about it. We want to work for a better world, and we certainly have our tools ready: our words, our hand to greet, our glances; and time is also in our favour. In SERVAS, we say goodbye after a short stay, as though we had sat down at crossing to share our food and a relaxing chat … In this way, we are travelling and telling about our experiences, inviting people to get to know us and to practice the noble art of hospitality. Opening our doors and presenting our own home atmosphere to neighbours or visitors from our planet is a true sign of friendship. The spirit of our organization is full of experiences which teach us to love each other beyond world differences: a world we dream of without borders. Luis Muguel Avendano, Servas Spain, 27824vhv@comb.es
Servas Blessing
- May the road rise to meet you.
- May the wind be always at your back.
- May the sun shine warm upon your face, the
- rains fall soft upon your fields, and until we
- meet again, may your Servas friends inspire
- you and the spirit of Servas be at your side.
- contributed by Chris Slader, former president of Servas International
