For the kitchen shift, we again arrived slightly late, but to no fault of our own this time. The bus was delayed by about ten minutes and yet again, no one was upset with us, just glad to have the extra help. This time around though, because we were the latecomers, we had the very disgusting and awful task of cutting turkey. Now one may ask why cutting turkey would be so bad, but they have not experienced turkey cutting in the manner required of Charlie, Kevin, and myself. We were given close to fifteen whole turkeys and were told to pull apart, skin, and then chop these cold, greasy, dead birds. This task, for the average first time volunteer would most definitely ruin their experience of service and it did quite a number on us as well. I was not happy to be doing this task like I was to deliver food for an afternoon. No this was much worse, I felt like the man standing just a few feet from us, who was sporting a shiny, black ankle bracelet, signifying this was his deferment from jail time or a probationary measure.
As the evening continued, more turkeys were piled on our plate and the task seemed endless. Needless to say we were not happy with our task and although we did not voice this unhappiness it was quite apparent in our general demeanor towards everyone. We did not speak but amongst ourselves unless addressed by someone else and our facial expressions told our storied better than words alone could. We were not happy in the position we were in and everyone ended up helping us in any way they could. A few people began to cut and peel turkeys with us when they finished their tasks and had been told they could leave already. Another two people managed to finish their tasks around the same time as the turkey cutting had finished and cleaned our workstation for us. This ended up salvaging my negative outlook on the entire experience and turned it into a slightly positive experience, although my hands hurt from cutting for three hours and I was physically exhausted.
Seeing those people stay longer to help us, even though they had done their fair share of work was inspiring. It definitely saved the experience for me and made me want to volunteer for PAH again. We were also apologized to for being forced into the turkey cutting as they generally save that job for the more experienced volunteer and not a first time kitchen shift volunteer like use three. I was shocked to get an apology and very thankful as well. Had we not been helped or apologized to I do not think I would have ever had the motivation to volunteer for a kitchen shift again. It was a very good learning experience though I would not partake in the same task again because it truly was absolutely awful.
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Zach-
ReplyDeleteIt was really surprising to hear about your less than pleasant kitchen shift. Most people (including me) complained about the monotonous work, but I hadn't heard any stories of a truly miserable PAH experience. This could be a prime example of how service learning can be bad. Newcomers like us could potentially be turned off of service learning as a whole after a single, less than satisfactory shift with a mangled turkey.
It was heartening, however, to see your transformation at the end of the shift when the other volunteers helped you cut and clean up the turkey remnants. It is incredible that people can give up so much of their time and energy to a good cause and still have the motivation to help out a fellow volunteer in need. When volunteering, you get the satisfaction of helping someone in need. But is a volunteer elbow- deep in turkey grease a less worthy cause than a person with AIDS or HIV? I'm not sure that I would consider sacrificing my energy for that cause. Would you? If not, does that mean we are cold hearted? Or does it cancel out that we were participating in a kitchen shift to begin with?
-Kristen
Zach,
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I can say I had in common with your kitchen shift was being late due to public transportation (but I was 20 min late), and the monotony of the work. Yet, while you got to rip apart greasy turkey carcasses, I got to peal fresh apples. Sorry for your bad luck. :)
But, though your kitchen shift duty was truly disgusting and horrible, I found it admirable that you still found the time you spent there as worthwhile. Personally, I think if I were in the same situation I would only be pleased with the shift once it was done, and for the fact that I would never have to do it again. Yet you said the help you received reiterated the cause of PAH and made you want to volunteer again! Even with the help, I don't think I would want to volunteer again. SO, the only conclusion I come to is that you must be a better person than me.
-MaryKate