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Compassionate Communities GABRIELLE ANTOLOVIC A FOUR YEAR JOURNEY OF COURSE WORK, COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURES & A CAPSTONE Parish Episcopal’s ACADEMY OF GLOBAL STUDIES
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Compassionate Communities

Jul 21, 2016

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Travel monologue apart of Parish Episcopal's Academy of Global Studies
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Compassionate Communities

GABRIELLE ANTOLOVICA FOUR YEAR JOURNEY OF COURSE

WORK, COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURES & A CAPSTONE

Parish Episcopal ’s

ACADEMY OF GLOBAL STUDIES

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“The giver, donor, volunteer or benefactor must be objective, wise, and compassionate.” Benefactors are “striving to turn emotion into a motive.”

Jane Addams

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Wher e i t a l l b e g an . . . I AM PART OF THE FIRST COHORT TO COMPLETE P A R I S H E P I S C O P A L ’ S AC A D E M Y O F G L O B A L STUDIES. This selective, four-year, research-based consists of coursework, a capstone, community service, and globally orientated extracurricular activities. It requires a two-year thesis, concluding with capstone project fit for publication. The program is such a significant commitment that only 13 students remain from the 25 who started freshman year.

For my research, I studied how a psychological phenomenon affects social change. Instead of limiting myself with one particular region with one problem (like pollution in China), I chose a broad idea that I could come to understand and evaluate with different scenarios and at different places of the world. By focusing my time on the belief that empathy and compassion are a catalyst for social change relating (but not limited) to health, education, and basic human rights, I created a signature area of study that shaped my upper school experience.

Compassion is not simply a concern for others, but more importantly a force for social change and action. Compassion, contribution, and community improvement are three parts of the social action strategy. As I traveled, I reflected on these ideas and was compelled to ask many questions. What is the definition of a compassionate

community? How can community service-based compassion measure as a resource for change? How can compassion inspire others to respond to global problems of community service? How can one establish a community filled with zeal and fervor for responding to such problems as disease, education, poverty, or pollution?

For my service component, I traveled abroad my sophomore year and spearheaded a tutorial project in Fiji that provided English enrichment for members of local villages. During my junior year, I worked in Thailand at a free medical clinic. Also during my junior year, I traveled to Laos to do field work in ecology. During my senior year, I traveled to Peru and spent most of my time in Perka, a community on Lake Titicaca. I assisted in designing safe kitchens for the women in the village who needed new machinery for their cooking.

My AGS travels strengthened my physical, academic, and emotional skills. They required me to step outside my familiar environment and explore a new world. I spearheaded a variety of initiatives that helped form and shape my commitment to social action and gave me the upper hand on my research required for my capstone. I now stand as a globally attuned student, prepared to be an impactful international leader of tomorrow. Today’s complex world presents significant challenges, but thanks to AGS, I am ready to face them.

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5The Journey

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Fi j iDuring my sophomore year, I spearheaded a tutorial project in Fiji that provided English enrichment for members of local villages. This opportunity allowed me to travel and visit rural communities where I was able to teach and advocate for educational awareness among the young children of Fiji. Fiji was my first experience doing community work abroad, completely severed from my world back home.

After eighteen hours of flying I had finally arrived in Fiji. The group and I were meant by our first Fijian sunrise; something that we would look forward to seeing the next twenty days. We had made it. Energized and eager to see what the next weeks would have in store we loaded up onto the bus to take us to our first hostile. The first of many.

A lanky Fijian man greeted me. He introduced himself as Oro. The first thing I noticed besides his name was his English. His understanding was good but pronunciation was rather, dog like. He smiled at all of us. I wondered if he would be apart of our service. As I pulled my bag out of the trunk the moist Fijian air swept across my face. I had never felt humidity similar to this before. The rest of the group unloaded their things. We ate our first Fijian breakfast shortly after: bread, and Tang. The water and native juice was not safe for us to drink. We could have purified water, water that we purified ourselves, or water mixed with the artificial sugar that created Tang.

I was meant by our leaders, Carl and Aimee. They gave us the ground rules with loud- booming voices, and cheer illuminating their faces. The first being health. We had a rather disturbing conversation concerning food. They wanted to be honest. I appreciated this honesty; at least we knew what could happen. My

second experience that I really hadn’t anticipated: an opening conversation based off of stomach issues.

After our “low down”, our leaders explained to the group why we were there, the mentality we should have, and the take-away that we will get if we go “all in, all the time”. It was from here on out, that the dynamism really shown. My other group members and I had made the decision to not let one opportunity slip by while we were in Fiji. Our favorite word became “yes”.

So, we began traveling from village to village. We clocked hours in the bus traveling from Nadi to Suva. All along the way experiencing the real Fiji. Not the Fiji that you saw on the travel channel or the pictures of. We saw the people; the way they lived; they way they acted; they way they went about their daily lives. It was raw.

““

NOT THE FI J I THAT YOU SAW ON THE TRAVEL CHANNEL OR PICTURES OF. WE SAW THE PEOPLE; THE WAY THEY LIVED; THE WAY THEY ACTED; THEY WAY THEY WENT ABOUT THEIR DAILY LIVES. IT WAS RAW.

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sun. During the day I worked in the early child-learning center that groups before me had built. I read, played, and assisted with school work, in each moment focusing on the English enrichment of each child that I was with. Most children could speak and understood all of what my group and I were saying. The elders had a more difficult time. We knew we were there to effect the next generation. I was blown away from the smile that each child would give me, instantaneously. They appeared so happy to have undivided attention. The positive energy that I had the opportunity to provide only enhanced their classroom; making it a place for learning to prosper.

At night when the older kids would return

We then arrived in Malakati Village, on the Nacula Island, apart of the Yasawa Islands. We traveled on sea for five hours. We were ment out at sea by the villagers of Malakati in dinghies piling our things into the boat and heading closer to the island all along the way with the Fijian water splashing us, and the salt being blown in our face. After about thirty minutes, we arrived at our paradise. Our home for the time being. I approached the beach with mounting excitement.

Each day in Malakati consisted of being woke by the rooster. We slept in huts with other girls in them. Having all the windows opened created a breeze that would give us a much-needed cool down at night after spending hours in the

BEN

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from their off island school, I would have the opportunity to tutor them. One night specifically was monumental. Ben, who became a friend of mine, asked me to help him with his homework. With the help of my headlamp, we proceeded to work on assignments for his health class. I was shocked that he knew and understood what AIDS/HIV was. The fact that he understood and could comprehend diseases such as this blew me away. He was only nine. When I was nine, I did not have the slightest understanding of what AIDS/HIV was. I do not think I even knew that AIDS/HIV existed. I was shocked by his maturity and comprehension. This moment in particular demonstrated the cultural differences between him and I.

It was sad to leave Malakati especially since I had made such a connection with the kids like Ben. After tutoring him for his health class that night, I tutored him in other subjects. We would sit together under my head lamp mostly underneath a bug net. After we completed his work we would join most of the other young kids on the beach where we would play. One of our last nights, we had a bond fire. It lit the beach beautifully. All of the children taught our group folk songs and hand games like patty cake. My time in Fiji had come to end. The Fijians embraced having me in their village, to the fullest, and I will never forget that.

BOUIE

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TYPICAL FI J IAN DRESS

TYPICAL FI J IAN MEAL

TYPICAL FI J IAN HOME

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T ha i land During my junior year, I worked in Thailand at a free medical clinic. I performed clinical duties alongside local Thai physicians. Some of my medical duties included: splinting, wound care, distributing medicine, and drawing blood. I also attended wilderness medicine classes daily, which wove a unique blend of holistic and Western medicine. I became informed about typical medical illnesses and diseases that affect the Thai people. Through visitations in both private and public Thai hospitals, I gained a greater understanding of how the medical system works in Thailand, which implemented one of the first universal health care systems. Upon completion of my training, I received an International Wilderness Medicine Certification through the National Outdoor Leadership School.

Upon arriving in Northern Thailand after an amounted three days of traveling, I finally had made it to the base camp. Outside of Udon Thani, Thailand was my new home. Here I lived and attended classes to receive my wilderness medicine certification. Walking into the Rice Fields Base House, I was taken aback by the scenery. Rice fields as far as the eye could see encompassed the buildings. Blue and white structures with Buddhist sacraments were periodically placed. Lit paths guided me between rice patches and ponds eventually leading me to my room.

Each day consisted of considerable classroom time. My group’s classroom was located close to our housing. Our schedule was separate from other foreign kids living at the base. We were dubbed, “The med kids”. We woke up at 4, completed our clinic hours, and would return for breakfast after everyone else at the base. From

then we would sleep for a bit and then return back to our classroom. Our classroom was lead by Thai and American physicians. Throughout our class, we would perform what that we learned on each other and ourselves. The classroom blended both lecture and activity to ensure that we grasped the all of the material. It was school, I had to study and take quizzes. I was prompted, questioned, and tested; very different from what my friends were doing back home in Texas.

I toured a public and private hospital in the closest city, Udon Thani. This tour highlighted the differences between both types of healthcare. It gave perspective to discussions that we had had back at the basehouse in our classroom. Beyond that, I was again shown the Thai Healthcare system. Learning about one of the first universal healthcare schemes derived questions: What is the downfall of this system? Why have other countries been reluctant to implement something similar? Does doctor skill become monopolized instead of specialized?

Thailand presented my favorite service to me. Even though my duty within the clinics I worked in was small, I felt as if I had completed the most noble of deeds. Upon arriving in Thailand, I knew my service would be engrossing and special because duties that I would be completing would not be legal in the U.S however, I did not know the extent to which I would be utilized within the clinic. Patient turnaround surprised me. I would go from distributing meds, to clerical work, to drawing blood. I was utilized to the fullest extent. It was uplifting and satisfying to feel that I had such a role in Thailand; a greater sense of purpose. My being was valued very

highly. Today, I reflect on those feelings and how I can harness them in my future workplace.

Nearing the end of the trip, which not only had included “med things” but also tours of the countryside, orphanage and school visits, and temple ceremonies I had to prove that I had learned the wilderness medicine that I had been taught. After a written exam and physical demonstration I received my wilderness medicine certification. With one day of break, I prepared for my drive to the Thai border where I would receive my visa to go to Laos.

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“THAILAND presented my favor i te

serv ice to me.

Even though my duty

wi th in the c l in ic I worked in

was smal l ,

I fe l t as i f I had

completed the most noble of

deeds .

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and so I

d id i t I forcefully remained calm, ensuring my chicken and rice from hours earlier would not make a second appearance. I kept repeating, “I cannot screw this up.” Steadying my quivering, sweaty hands, I mustered up my voice to manage out a pathetic, “hold still.” I picked up the needle and aimed at my target: a protruding vein. Holding my breath I felt my friend’s arm tighten as she held hers. I inserted the needle and watched the blood flow into the tube. Success! I had drawn blood for the first time. I brushed the hair out of my face, raising my eyes to see my friend’s smile. I had not lacerated her vein yet. She was thrilled.

My friend and I ventured to Thailand to pursue a Wilderness Medicine Certification. Udon Thani was a city pieced together by rice patties as far as the eye could see. We understood we would be working in primitive free clinics in Northern Thailand assisting the local doctors. All week our class had been studying wilderness medicine and protocol such as splinting with sticks, patching with a leaf, and other basic medical skills to assist in the clinics.

Yet, we were clueless to the fact that we would also be required to perform a procedure that I thought was an “adult job.” At 11 o’clock one evening, just prior to bedtime, our teachers called us back into the classroom. Suspiciously, we filed back into our seats.

Preparing to draw my friend’s blood, at 16, I quivered at the thought, the responsibility. She cleverly lured me to “practice” first. She added, as I was alcohol swabbing her arm, “Don’t screw this up, Gabrielle.” She laughed, “If you do, I’ll make sure I do too;” mimicking a faint for she knew “my history.” I kept quiet while the needle rested in her vein, gaining my poise. My confidence put my patient at ease, and in doing so, eventually me as well. Thank God I was a Grey’s Anatomy fanatic. The show gave me more guidance than I was given, for sure. I appreciate this approach now. Sometimes it’s best to learn by diving in, in this case, into my friend’s forearm. Minutes passed. I made a clean exit of my friend’s arm, hoping she would reciprocate. I took a deep breath. Now it was her turn to practice on me.

As she poked my vein I couldn’t help but squirm, almost messing her up. I realized that I might make a better doctor than a patient. My lack of control gave me anxiety, but I had no other choice. I needed to trust my friend to make it through the next few seconds without ending up face flat on the floor. She did it beautifully! In that moment our friendship became closer by experience and blood, literally! We shared a connection that most friends can’t speak of.

Laughing and astonished at how crazy that experience was, we couldn’t shut up. I left the classroom eager and inspired for the next morning’s clinic duty. Was this really what I had signed up for? This was the thought that kept echoing in my head. My palms answered by shaking slightly. I was elated.

It wasn’t a friend, but it was a real person now. This clinic day was the most impactful for me, not just because I was drawing blood and loving every minute of it but because I felt as if I had found the reason why I continue to travel abroad: to challenge myself

emotionally, physically and to gain experiences that I never could back at home in the United States. I approached my first patient with a smile. Making hand gestures, I got ready and placed her arm on the lapsable table. I poked her vein with ease and watched my success flow into the vile.

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capt ion

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I WAS REQUIRED TO TAKE A TEST

IN LAO

LAOSIn addition to traveling to Thailand during my junior year, I traveled to Laos to do field work in ecology. In Laos I learned about the historical importance of the elephant in conjunction with the culture and economy of Laos while assisting at an Elephant Conservation Camp in Luang-Prubang, Laos. Before approaching the elephants, I was required to learn the basic language of Lao in order to ensure adequate communication with the animals. I thoroughly enjoyed my duties, which included feeding, exercising, and bathing the sacred creatures. Over the course of my stay at the elephant sanctuary, I became familiar with the elephant’s spiritual and economic role within Laos. Living alongside the animals in such a wild environment was an awe-inspiring experience to not only learn about but to see and grasp first hand. I became a mahout or elephant “keeper”.

I arrived in Laos astonished by how lush it’s landscape was. Everywhere I looked was green. As I exited the airport terminal, I made my way to the bus that would take me further into the jungle along the Mekong River. Once I arrived, I couldn’t believe how beautiful the camp was. My hut was perched along the side of the river that looked like coffee. It’s muddy brown tone was offset by the forest canopy. I soon learned how constant the rain was. It rained every day and every night. I was given my “Mahout suit” for my work, it did not protect me from the emitment drenching. The suit was thick jean clothing, a top and pants, in a traditional style for me to where when engaging with the elephants. My fellow volunteers and I were warned of Elephant rash. Elephant rash comes from a bacteria living on the elephants skin that irritates human skin. Without the protection of the mahout suit I would not be able to work with the elephants long. Some of the other volunteers

learned this lesson the hard way as their legs became covered in lumps and sores filled with bacteria.

Before properly engaging with the creatures, I needed to prove to the other, local Mahouts or elephant trainers that I could function jointly with the animal. These elephants were commanded by language, not physical whisk. After passing the exam I was cleared to join my elephant that I would be partnered with for my time at the camp. In the coming weeks we would form a bond.

Each day, I woke up before sunrise to retrieve the elephants from deep in the jungle. My elephant was named Tung Koon, meaning Gold in Lao. During the night the elephants were released to the jungle to feed. We learned that they spend most of their lives eating to sustain their body weight. We were taught how to mount them by the Mahouts using a combined form of broken English and hand gestures. Once I was on Tung Koon’s back I could ride him back to camp. Arriving back at the main camp, I would feed him and give him vitamins. I would also do a physical examination alongside the Mahouts. Afterwards, I would exercise him. This was the part was the most fun out of my daily activities. We would walk together or even run alongside the river that ran along the camp. The scenery was serene. Something about being in the middle of the quiet jungle was freeing. On the other hand, being alone with the largest mammal on the planet felt petrifying. Bathing the elephants was one of the most entertaining experiences. I was unaware that they could swim underwater and hold their breathe for quite a long time. We would wash them as they swam about. “Tak Boon” I would say for them to spray water out of their trunks to create a rain shower.

At night, after walking our animals back into the jungle we became familiar with the connection of the elephant with the culture of Laos. We were told religious stories, beliefs, and symbols that accompanied them. In addition, we were told about the connection with elephants to the economy of Laos. For years these animals were

the power of the nation. In the 90’s when Laos reversed its stance on tourism, elephants became less of a tool as rather a feature for the country.

While in Laos, I also spent time in Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang is perched along the Mekong River surrounded by temples and monasteries. The city is well known for it’s traditional sites. I got to explore the city by bike traversing through it’s markets, temples, and neighborhood streets. Each morning, monks flood the streets collecting their alms. Monks accept the offerings of others before the sun breaks. I got to be apart of this sacred ritual. One morning my group and I set out to deliver the alms. We brought offerings of food, candy, and rice. We sat up on our knees, palms out with neck scarf on. As the monks processed by we placed some of the offerings in a pouch for them. The monks were all ages. I was careful not to touch the monks, for they cannot touch women. We also learned that they can only accept offerings in the morning and that they can go in and out of the monasteries during their lifetime. Being a monk in Laos for some part of a man’s life is common. Our guide leader, Paradon, had been a monk for two years before and told me that he planned to go back to the monastery for a bit before he gets married.

If I were to describe Laos in one word it would be wild. Laos gave me wild experiences with the wildlife and was wild with natural beauty like I had never seen before.

“ “

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MEET“Tung-Koon”

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IN A WEAVER’S VILLAGE ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE

MEKONG RIVERLUANG PRABANG, LAOS

MY HOUSE VIEW

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an insp i ra t i on t o me

I like to speak my mind and I admire other women who do the same. A woman in history who exemplified these qualities was Jane Addams. A pioneer of social work, women’s rights activism, education, and a proponent of voluntary service Addams held her own values true to her heart, incorporating them into her work, her Hull House.

Discussing Addams’ unprecedented work would be intriguing if I could go back in time to speak with her. I would ask what obstacles she faced. I want to know her source of inner strength. After reading her work, Democracy and Social Ethics, specifically, in chapter two “Charitable Effort” she brings the challenges of community service to attention criticizing both the benefactor and the beneficiaries. I gained an understanding of genuine service. From her writing, I learned that she holds truth in high regard. It would be interesting to hear her

perspective about current issues that she was also concerned with in her lifetime such as poverty, basic human rights, social justice, and women’s rights. I would ask her what progress has impressed her, and where she thinks we’ve fallen short. Was she aware of the sparks she ignited among American culture and the culture of women in the world? Could she give me any advice? I am curious to know how she thought she was viewed.

Like Jane Addams, I hope my work will take me into the public spectrum, for I believe work worth doing is work worth talking about. Addams stated, “The most serious effect (…) comes when dependence upon the charitable society is substituted for the natural outgoing of human love and sympathy.”

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PeruDuring my senior year, I traveled to Peru, and spent most of my time in Perka, a community on Lake Titicaca. I rode along the border of the Lake for six hours to reach Perka, perched atop a hill looking above the water. When I arrived, the sky was total darkness alone being illuminated by patches of stars. The stars were so bright there. I was whisked away by a Mother with baby on her back. A man grabbed my bag making gestures to follow him, going higher up the hill. I plowed up the hill guided by his simple hand motions, all the way listening to the drums echoing as they welcomed our arrival.

I assisted in designing safe kitchens for the women in the village who needed new machinery for their cooking. They were the ones that were cooking day in and day out. Although it appeared that my group and I were only serving them, we knew our initiative would benefit the men and women of Perka. The following day, my group and I initiated a design, and engineered safe conditions for the community members to support their families. We were called to Perka for the bettering of the Peruvians lives; for the bettering of a community; for the bettering of fellow inhabitants of the world.

It was inspiring to see how our group helped the villagers reduce harmful fumes, which came from cooking over an open fire. As a result, our design helped safeguard and protect the health of the women in that village. The service was especially significant because we were the first group of Americans to travel to this village. The Peruvians living in Perka, welcomed all of us with open arms. I was pleasantly surprised how they accepted our group with warmth and kindness, almost immediately.

Days before our arrival to the shore of Lake Titicaca

my group was summoned to the parlor where we were staying in Cusco. We had nine group members down in total out of our original eighteen. Unbeknownst to us we had encountered a new bacteria. My new friends went to the hospital to try to find out exactly what they had and to find some much needed relief. The other nine of us that remained well were anxious to see if we would get the “plague” as we coined it, and to see if our friends got better. At our parlor meeting the country director for our program assured us that “this happens all the time”. She then moved on to discuss Perka. Her tone changed and her face was lit up but serious, I couldn’t tell what she was going to say to us all as we were all sitting there in a circle eyes open but laced with exhaustion. The country director told us that we had a special mission. Our group would be going to a place where the people had never ever before come into contact with Americans. We had the honor to be the first Americans that the people of this village would meet, but also live with. She stressed that our mannerisms and behavior would affect the way this village sees American’s for the rest of it’s history. I knew that I needed to leave a positive legacy behind. This was going to be a big deal. I left the meeting feeling even more excited knowing that I was going to make a larger impact than I had expected.

WE WERE THE FIRST GROUP

OF AMERICANS TO TRAVEL TO THIS VILLAGE

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And so the journey continues