Gina Stiens and Adam Renner Rouge Forum Louisville, KY March, 2008

A DECADE OF WORK IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH: SOCIAL SERVICE OR SOCIAL CHANGE? (OR, WHAT DOES MOVEMENT TOWARD SOCIAL JUSTICE LOOK LIKE?)

Gina Stiens and Adam RennerRouge ForumLouisville, KYMarch, 2008

Contact Lenses (Audre Lorde)

“I see much

better now

And my eyes hurt”

Overview: “Conviction that change is possible” (Freire) Concepts to keep in mind when generating service

partnerships (understanding/interrogating power) Social service vs. social change (Kivel) Short range vs. long range goals (Gil) The buffer zone (Kivel)

History of our trips Partners Projects/Process

Applying concepts to our work: getting ahead vs. getting together

Feedback

Transcending ‘normal’ Challenging status quo, emergent reflection, critical

consciousness Short range vs. Long range goals (Gil)

Short range = necessary, reduce intensity of injustice Long range = social transformation

Social service vs. Social change Social service = get ahead Social change = get together

Caution: buffer zone Take care… Keep hope alive Social control

Our work at the intersection of compassion and justice A couple of thoughts on our service learning

process Service learning for caring solidarity

Overcoming boundaries Reciprocity--dialogue, trust Long term Dynamic of ‘server’ / ‘served’

Charity vs. development vs. social justice (Farmer)

History

1998-1999-high school students

2000-2001-committed friends; scripts

2002-service learning with TMC; dissertation

2003-learning conference 2004-CCSA 2005-2007-strengthening

relationships 2008-(PT)

Partners

Blossom Gardens Since 1998 Bringing food, medicine, toiletries Help with construction projects $

West Haven Since 1998 Bringing food, medicine, toiletries Outfitted local men’s football team $ Partnering with our DPT program, 2008

Ambassadors for Christ School 1999-2004 books, school supplies rebuilt roof taught lessons in school $

Partners

Mrs. Kaye (and Barrett Hall Basic School) Since 1999 Books, school supplies, stove, desks, Taught lessons in school Served on school board Down payment on her land Sponsored and hosted graduation ceremonies 2004-2006 Putting her through Sam Sharpe Teacher’s College and providing monthly

stipend to family Other $

Other Have brought more than 70 different people to the island to work with these

partners since 1998 Thomas More now sponsors a parallel trip every year New partnership with DPT and doctor/hospital in Colorado (for work at West

Haven) Full scholarship secured at BU for Jamaican student Helped move student’s family to the US

Getting ahead vs. Getting together Social service/Short-range

upcoming 10 day trips, meeting immediate needs in the children’s homes, planning lessons for a school, Mrs. Kaye and the Fenton’s? Who has gotten ahead?

Social change/Long-range continuing this trip year after year—it’s evolution

(people, purposes), linking it to others’ work (TMC, PT Dept., Colorado,…), ongoing discussion from last year’s group, Mrs. Kaye and the Fentons? Who have we gotten together?

Litany for survival (Audre Lorde)

“So it is better to speak

Remembering

We were never meant to survive”

Feedback

“If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. But, if you have come because your liberation

is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”