Justmehere
Sponsor
I don't know which forum to post this in, so mods, please feel free to move this to any forum that this fits best under.
I'm contemplating working with an NGO (non-government organization) based out of my city.
I have worked for an NGO abroad, in a developing country, in the past.
With this new organization, I would not be traveling anywhere. However, I would have direct contact with refugees in refugee camps and with people in the US helping them.
I would not be in a role to meet the needs of the refugees, but helping connect them to people who can, and connecting people who want to help to refugees to those who are in dire need.
I don't know if I should do this or not. I'm considering turning down the very minimally paid part time job and offering to work as a volunteer for 5-10 hours a week, doing it as a volunteer, and to commit to doing this for 3 months, and then reevaluate.
I love the model of the group I would be working with, and I would love to be able to help people going through far worse than anything I have ever been through. Plus, to be honest, it would also be an amazing experience for me professionally in a bunch of ways I can't describe online. It would be a huge tool to growing my own professional life as I work my way off disability completely. I have the time and the means to make it work, and I have skills the NGO team in town is currently lacking and needing.
It would also be hard. It would bring some heavy world issues right to the forefront in my own life.
It is pretty direct exposure to some intense issues and trauma happening in the world. I have PTSD already and vicarious/secondary traumatization is a real thing.
I've thought about postponing involvement... but in 6 months to a year, this opportunity will be gone.
I have a few days to decide if I'm going to get involved now. My therapist says she will support me either way, and likes my approach to have an easy way out if I start relapsing doing the work.
I mean... If I do this...These kids... The refugee kids... They are already on my mind. I can't forget them. I have shed a few tears already because damn it, 6 year olds should be playing with friends and toys and not freezing every night in UN camps for months/years on end. I already feel like I can't walk away without doing something. And I actually have an opportunity to do something for at least one child. And their whole family. And even more of a chance to empower others to do something for other kids and families. I can't forget them. Already, I can't forget them.
But the fact that I already feel this way... Maybe it's a sign that I shouldn't do this and it would be too much.
I mean, it's kids, running from war, and it's a novel NGO model providing direct help to them to help them survive and know there are people in the world who do care for them.
I need some outside advice from anyone who has struggled with working or volunteering in a potentially tough field while already being diagnosed with PTSD. Is this the worst idea to even think of doing this? Should I walk away and rest in the fact that others will help? It was never all up to me anyhow? Or could this be a good thing? Or how do I even make this decision?
I probably am not the right person to be involved in this. I want some way to be more sure though. Maybe I just need encouragement to walk away... or to give it a try. I don't know. :(
I'm contemplating working with an NGO (non-government organization) based out of my city.
I have worked for an NGO abroad, in a developing country, in the past.
With this new organization, I would not be traveling anywhere. However, I would have direct contact with refugees in refugee camps and with people in the US helping them.
I would not be in a role to meet the needs of the refugees, but helping connect them to people who can, and connecting people who want to help to refugees to those who are in dire need.
I don't know if I should do this or not. I'm considering turning down the very minimally paid part time job and offering to work as a volunteer for 5-10 hours a week, doing it as a volunteer, and to commit to doing this for 3 months, and then reevaluate.
I love the model of the group I would be working with, and I would love to be able to help people going through far worse than anything I have ever been through. Plus, to be honest, it would also be an amazing experience for me professionally in a bunch of ways I can't describe online. It would be a huge tool to growing my own professional life as I work my way off disability completely. I have the time and the means to make it work, and I have skills the NGO team in town is currently lacking and needing.
It would also be hard. It would bring some heavy world issues right to the forefront in my own life.
It is pretty direct exposure to some intense issues and trauma happening in the world. I have PTSD already and vicarious/secondary traumatization is a real thing.
I've thought about postponing involvement... but in 6 months to a year, this opportunity will be gone.
I have a few days to decide if I'm going to get involved now. My therapist says she will support me either way, and likes my approach to have an easy way out if I start relapsing doing the work.
I mean... If I do this...These kids... The refugee kids... They are already on my mind. I can't forget them. I have shed a few tears already because damn it, 6 year olds should be playing with friends and toys and not freezing every night in UN camps for months/years on end. I already feel like I can't walk away without doing something. And I actually have an opportunity to do something for at least one child. And their whole family. And even more of a chance to empower others to do something for other kids and families. I can't forget them. Already, I can't forget them.
But the fact that I already feel this way... Maybe it's a sign that I shouldn't do this and it would be too much.
I mean, it's kids, running from war, and it's a novel NGO model providing direct help to them to help them survive and know there are people in the world who do care for them.
I need some outside advice from anyone who has struggled with working or volunteering in a potentially tough field while already being diagnosed with PTSD. Is this the worst idea to even think of doing this? Should I walk away and rest in the fact that others will help? It was never all up to me anyhow? Or could this be a good thing? Or how do I even make this decision?
I probably am not the right person to be involved in this. I want some way to be more sure though. Maybe I just need encouragement to walk away... or to give it a try. I don't know. :(