Plan ahead? Why?

Throughout PST (Pre-Service Training) we are repeatedly told that the American Volunteers get frustrated with many of the differences in the Macedonian culture from what we are accustomed to in the States. One of the big differences that become a source of frustration at our work sites is that the Macedonians have no inclination to plan ahead for anything. They see no reason to make an agenda for a meeting, since everyone usually gets along with each other and there is little (hidden agenda) competitiveness. This perspective about work is carried to the point of not planning ahead to delegate tasks and set incremental goals for larger projects. Yesterday was my first direct experience with this aspect of Macedonian culture. The NGO I am working with has numerous assisted living apartments and houses in Negotino and some other cities and towns. These are for people who have mental developmental challenges. They live in the apartments and houses with varying degrees of support from skilled staff and are supported in becoming integrated into the general social and employment community. Some of the apartments and houses have been in need of renovations. This past year, funds were donated by a church in Skopje to renovate the bedrooms and a bathroom in one of the houses here in Negotino. The work has recently been completed and the president of our NGO asked representatives of the church to visit and see the improvements.

Newly renovated bedroom

Newly renovated bathroom.

The visit was scheduled for yesterday. The day before yesterday became a scramble to put together specially made (decorative) food platters and create an open house event for the visit. I thought that was a last minute approach, but said nothing because it was already too late to suggest planning ahead. The staff and clients/beneficiaries spent the day making many decorative food arrangements. They seemed to take it all in stride as just another day.

Specially decorated food displayed for the open house reception for the donors who supported the renovations.

 

One of the decorative platters

 

Зелка Зајак (Cabbage Hare)

I was in for quite a surprise when, yesterday morning I was asked to take photos and use some to create a montage complete with text overlay as part of a thank you gift to give the church representatives. The surprise was amplified when I learned that I had to get this all done in 35 minutes, including the time to walk back and for the between the home and the NGO office. I managed to get my work done.

 

However, I then learned that the NGO does not have a color printer, so it was all completed in black and white.

It's just not the same in black & white

No one seemed the least bit concerned about the scramble that occurred and the less than desired outcome. I was mortified and apologized to the church representatives, who are Americans and were representing the World-wide Social Ministry Services of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Yep, Mormons). Those representatives were very gracious and even applauded my efforts when they learned that I am a Peace Corps Volunteer. They nicely accepted our offer to email the color image, even after I offered to personally deliver it to their office in Skopje. They also commented that they recognized some common humanitarian goals and efforts.

Overall, the end results of this lack of planning were not disastrous as I had anticipated and I now wonder how much of the stress we Americans experience during lengthy planning phases are really necessary.