Quote of the day: Liberty is not license to do whatever you want to do. It is the freedom to do what you ought to do.
Journal by: Jeff Jackson
We began our July 28th with a typically nourishing breakfast, followed by Grace’s succinct summary of the day before and her thought of the day. We spent the morning either teaching or constructing, with time off for some playing soccer or volleyball. The library is coming along nicely, the teamwork is enjoyable. Lunch and shade were welcome sights, with plenty to talk about. Experiences, both the uplifting and perhaps the frustrating, are easier to discuss within the group.
As usual, an hour of the afternoon was spent reading with the children in the library. Afterwards, we walked to the Palace, excited to meet with the Queen Mother. She was, however, traveling today and not available. I think it’s fair to say we were mildly disappointed, but moved on quickly. After a tour of the museum we walked home. On the way we had an unnerving experience. A man was laid out in on the path, his eyes open and breathing shallowly, if at all. He looked dead, or at least in some kind of altered state. Eventually we discovered he was intoxicated, a funny kind of relief for all of us. After a dinner of Shepard’s Pie and salad some of us hung around and played a game before retiring for the evening.
As a follow-up thought, later in the evening I reflected back on the incident involving the man lying in the path. On the one hand, as a group of caring and concerned volunteers we may have been moved to help or ask for help for the man. On the other hand, the Global Volunteer Principals of self-governance and respect for local societal norms might lead to the conclusion that the situation be allowed to unfold without our intervention. I am not sure what the right thing is to do, I can only make note of the dilemma.
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