Anders Hastrup’s hypothesis that refugee camp residents create Darfur’s history from exile also gives an extra angle to the understanding of the stories of the refugees in this study-as well as to those of volunteers, and of my own. Hastrup’s point that there is no one “true story” about the conflicts that rage in Sudan, just as there is no one true story about the conflicts in the homelands of the refugees I have met and read about on Venligboerne. Rather, truth emerges through the stories that are told, online and in person. According to Hastrup, in camp, truths are brought forth, discussed, embroidered upon and worked with. They are places for the creation and molding of truth. Truths about the camp itself are also subject to this non-static, interpretive nature. One truth might be defining of a person to a worker at the center, and another truth may be defining in another context with a volunteer. Just like a person gives a different impression personally and professionally. This can be a challenge for an aid worker, or volunteer when trying to communicate through Venligboerne. It may be difficult to see the whole tapestry behind the individual asylum-seeker. What are the reasons for the type of request or communication I am receiving? What is the social context that this person fits into now, how has that changed? The requirements for volunteers are sometimes considerable, (even more so for staff at the asylum centers) and security is an issue, both for individuals online, and when meeting in private space. According to Frivillignet, a Danish organization for volunteers helping refugees, about a third of Danish refugees are traumatized, which might hinder participation in programs like Venligboerne. (Frivillignet.dk, 2015) Frivillignet also has a closed intranet, onto which volunteers may log, and find calendars, activities and inspiration for how to start boys and girls clubs and homework assistance. UCT CCT Two types of aid are described in an article in The Economist aptly titled “Pennies from Heaven”. This article describes the difference between conditional and unconditional aid plans, like Give Directly, where money is is donated directly to the poor without bureaucratic intervention. (The Economist, 2013)
Anders Hastrup’s hypothesis that refugee camp residents create Darfur’s history from exile also gives an extra angle to the understanding of the stories of the refugees in this study-as well as to those of volunteers, and of my own. Hastrup’s point that there is no one “true story” about the conflicts that rage in Sudan, just as there is no one true story about the conflicts in the homelands of the refugees I have met and read about on Venligboerne. Rather, truth emerges through the stories that are told, online and in person. According to Hastrup, in camp, truths are brought forth, discussed, embroidered upon and worked with. They are places for the creation and molding of truth. Truths about the camp itself are also subject to this non-static, interpretive nature. One truth might be defining of a person to a worker at the center, and another truth may be defining in another context with a volunteer. Just like a person gives a different impression personally and professionally. This can be a challenge for an aid worker, or volunteer when trying to communicate through Venligboerne. It may be difficult to see the whole tapestry behind the individual asylum-seeker. What are the reasons for the type of request or communication I am receiving? What is the social context that this person fits into now, how has that changed? The requirements for volunteers are sometimes considerable, (even more so for staff at the asylum centers) and security is an issue, both for individuals online, and when meeting in private space. According to Frivillignet, a Danish organization for volunteers helping refugees, about a third of Danish refugees are traumatized, which might hinder participation in programs like Venligboerne. (Frivillignet.dk, 2015) Frivillignet also has a closed intranet, onto which volunteers may log, and find calendars, activities and inspiration for how to start boys and girls clubs and homework assistance. UCT CCT Two types of aid are described in an article in The Economist aptly titled “Pennies from Heaven”. This article describes the difference between conditional and unconditional aid plans, like Give Directly, where money is is donated directly to the poor without bureaucratic intervention. (The Economist, 2013)