The Expat Aid Worker : Profound Development

Each morning
I wake invisible.

I make a needle
from a porcupine quill, 

sew feet to legs, 

lift spine onto my thighs.

I put on my rib and collarbone.

I pin an ear to my head,
hear the waxwing's yellow cry.

- Diane Glancy, "Solar Eclipe"

As I sit in my city house, waiting for the painters to arrive, I recall a time in my life when saving the world meant more than just being conscious of the plastic footprint I leave behind.  I have engaged youth on teen dating violence prevention strategies, and prior to that, worked with gang members through expressive arts in hopes of altering their course.  Long before these pathways to activism were realized, I had a life long dream of working as an aid worker in a developing country.  It's never too late to fulfill a life goal, but as I said, I'm waiting on the painters, in the sweltering heat of this newly adopted tropical paradise.  Did I mention that a gigantic roach just attacked my computer, then flew into my hair?  HA!  As such, my suspicion is that my day is done imagining myself  fighting poverty, introducing best business practices, or arts education in an extreme environment. Sharing a hut with several other people?  No thanks, I've done that!  

Though I no longer hold that dream, I have tremendous respect for Expat Aid Workers.  They have some of the most difficult challenges imaginable.  Though happy to be saving the world, some of their locations are dismal, and the efforts of their work may never be witnessed again.  Just as they arrive, they depart, and the whole village knows that they will leave.  My friends that have chosen this path are forever changed by their experience.  They speak of having been transformed on a very deep level, and the idea that their life work does matter, affords them with an amazing gift to convey the global interconnection of all people.  Don't believe them to all be in their twenties.  Many Expat Aid Workers are well beyond middle age.  They come from all countries, offering a life-time of professional expertise, and gaining a renewed optimism that activism does make a difference. 

In my quest to learn more about this specialized group of expatriates, I found two very impressive sites.  Expat Backup, written by Elie Calhoun, is an exceptional voice in this sphere.  Her message is loving, and her writing is caring.  Her tagline, "Aid workers need assistance too," succinctly conveys the nature of her blog.  A three part series, Expat Manifesto, regards the practice of being the change you want.  I love this, as it mirrors the very nature of Art Therapy practice; namely, create the life you want by living artfully.    

The many authors of Stuff Expat Aid Workers Like, spout a boisterous array of out-of-the-box concepts, complaints, and courageous positions on the  humanitarian efforts offered by this strain of expat.  The post are richly packed, and often just plain fun!  Watch as the EAWs in Juba, celebrate the historical Red Dress Hash Run, begun by British expats of Kuala Lumpur, 1938.

Expat Aid Workers!

With Much Love (and a bit of an envious eye),

The Broad   

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