I believe everybody has the general responsibility to contribute to international development when the opportunity presents itself. Moreover, it’s important to stay informed and up to date with the happenings and developments in other countries, both positive and negative. For one, this stems from the fact that it is impossible, or at least almost impossible, to help a cause that one is unaware of. That said, it’s also important to be aware of the development and improvement in social and economic issues around the world so as to not lose faith in the potential to improve. That is, if we believe that there is no improvement in crisis issues around the world regardless of how much effort is put into improving their situations, the general sentiment will be one of despair. One will be more reluctant to make any effort to participate in service experiences due to the belief that nothing can really be done to improve the situation and that there is genuinely no point in attempting to do so.
After my immersion experience in Bolivia, I believe that these responsibilities will still be the same, but I will also have additional responsibilities beyond what I have now. I think once I get a more realistic understanding of the issues at hand in Bolivia it will also be my responsibility to be an international advocate and spread awareness of the situation there. Moreover, it will be my responsibility to work with other people to ensure that the seeds of change that I plant in Bolivia manage to grow to be strong and healthy. That is, that the initiatives I develop with the people in Bolivia remain sustainable and relevant for the years to come.