Cultural Differences

As time passes and we get knee deep in projects and events it becomes more apparent that we have a lot to learn. When you come to help others even if it is just in the next state over, there are always cultural differences. Our group is realizing cultural things about ourselves and about the people we are working with here on a daily basis.

The first cultural thing is time. In my sociology classes we distinguished it as sacred and secular time. Cultures that run on sacred time get things done when they get done. They arrive when they arrive and they leave when the event is over. Rarely are there set times for events (and if there are set times they are just a suggestion). People here run their lives this way.

Cultures who run on secular time have set schedules. Events start at a certain time and end at a certain time. If there is any variation to the schedule people get their panties in a bunch. Most Americans run with this understanding of time.

While here we have made a couple of schedules and we have never abided by the schedule. In many ways this is a freeing experience, but it is also a learning experience. Most of us have had to learn patience and push anxiety about being late out of our heads. A common phrase in our group is, "It will all work out". This tends to keep people at ease. I am quite sure we will all have cultural shock when we get back to America and have to adjust back to tight/rigid schedules.

Another cultural difference was experienced today by our group. We carried out a project called "Love Covers". This is an event in which we have a vacation bible school for a group of kids and end the program by giving them all backpacks with school supplies and uniforms. We had the uniforms made prior to the event and spent many days packing the backpack with all of the things they needed. It sounds like a fantastic program, right? In theory this is an amazing thing. And it all did turn out today, yet we had a few hickups. We had packs for all of the registered children. Here is where the cultural difference comes in... In America if children register for an event they will come and those who don't register will not come or be allowed. In Africa if children register they will come. And those who don't register still come. This means when you have 100 kids registered in reality you should prepare for 250 children. We were happy to have all of the kids and we were able to treat them and teach them, but we did not have 250 uniforms or backpacks made. It was an interesting cultural difference to face. For the most part all of the kids went away happy, and we understand that it will all work out.