Journey360 recently blogged about voluntourism, how it "offers tourists a way to give back to the destinations that help to transform them." This is directly applicable to the SVG Public Archaeology Program. Not only will participating in svgdigs give you a great tan (complete with tan lines!) and an amazing experience (many digs have changed people's lives), you will be contributing to a re-write of Vincentian heritage. By helping excavate prehistoric remains, you are confirming that their descendants are not only those from abandoned slave ships. You will teach Vincentian youth that their ancient forefathers were intelligent craftsmen and foragers, with the ablity to create beautiful pots and manufacture stone tools of the highest quality. Imagine what that does for national pride.
Added bonus: you will help raise awareness for archaeology, which is an unestablished discipline in St. Vincent. There are no archaeologists in St. Vincent, just a handful of keen archaeology enthusiasts (who should be commended for their efforts)...
What will this do for you? An amazing experience will always change your life, but when that experience is combined with giving, and contributing to a developing nation, it will help feed your soul. Sounds cheesy, but it will help returning to your desk job that much better. Or maybe you'll trade that desk in for a trowel?!
Thank you for your hard work SVGdigs team! Keep up the good work.
ReplyDelete