How do I become a Donor?

On February, 15th 2009 I will finally start my volunteer service at the Scouts in South Africa and I am still searching for active donors, who will financially support the projects that I take care of as well as their project coordination.

Since the sponsorship of the federal ministry of economical collaboration and development covers only 75% of the arising costs in South Africa and the accuring costs in Germany are not taken care of, I am in need of social committed people.

The amount of the donation is predominantly not so important, because I act as a multiplicator who wants to give his experience to as many people as possible. That means I would be glad about many donors who will in return talk to others about my experiences as in terms of "Do good and talk about it."

DPSG-Bundesleitung
A/C No.: 2000110119
Bank code: 370 601 93 ( Pax-Bank eG )
Reference: Volunteer service 2009 Gregor Piesche

Contribution receipts can be handed out, but I am not sure if it makes sense to get one for a none German citizen. However every donor will be mentioned by name in my blog.

Why at all?

As it turned out some where wondering how I came to this and why I am even doing it. To begin with I only have this blog since yesterday and well the complete preparation and application time lies now severel months behind me, you'd bet that I do not remember everything so clear. And a lot of time I really do not have left, especially for the little things. Mum, thanks for the utterly tasty sandwich that you brought me about noon. Without this absolute necessary brain food I would have already fallen off my chair long ago. You are the best :)

Now to my decision to do a voluntary service. As the day comes where every young person stands in front of a wide-ranging branch where he has to decide which way to go, was I just as well standing before that branch right after I finished my German Abitur at Werner-von-Siemens Schule. And I was asking myself:" Now Gregor what next?" and how all great things happen by chance I was having a conversation with one of my old classmates and we were talking about a voluntary service in Africa. After one or two days of reflexion I was totally thrilled. Thereupon followed one thing after another and with my contacts to the scouts here in Germany I was lead to Nangu Thina, where I was heartly accommodated and after some whimping and trembling I finally got the OK form SASA Mbumalanga. After that I went straight into my preperation time, because I had only one and a half month left and that is why a lot of flexibility was required by Jan and me. Jan by the way is the other volunteer who is flying to Johannesburg the same day as I am and we will be living in an apartment-sharing community on a farm. We were even able to participate at an, at least for us, at short hand occuring seminar, which was led by Experiment e.V. (www.experiment-ev.de). How fast everything went is best described when I tell you how and when it happend. It was Thursday the 15th of January I was signing the contract from the DPSG (www.dpsg.de German scouts) and Weltwärts (www.weltwaerts.de) in which all the important aggrements were stated. And then I was asked if I would have time from next week Monday until Sunday. Only one thought came to my mind:" Well sure!" and the other day my driving teacher told me:" Ho, slowly son that won't work." but I was totally convincing at our night drive. I knew I can do it :)

Short insertion:" Seminars are simply abnormal rad!" the people that I got to know at the Experiment e.V. seminar were simply peachy. And at this point I underline it again that I was really sad that I already had to go on Thursday. I would have really loved to see that rap from the winning team of the "Schnitzeljagt".

The hot phase

The time has finally come, I only have a few weeks left in which I want to get a few things done. The first flyers, queries and orders are sent out. A little bit late but better now than never. The important workshops lie now behind me and I feel invigorated and perfectly prepared and I'm excited as a little kangaroo from morning to night. At this point I want to thank Nangu Thina (www.nangu-thina.de) for the good organized and informative workshops as well as the sacrificial assistance and that you were so flexible for Jan an me, even in this more or less short lead time that we had available. The Asian food at Uwe's was my fav ;) and also not to be forgotten should be Experiment e.V. (www.experiment-ev.de) where we found a place at short notice and where we internalized the 3 F's. Which are by the way flexibility, flexibility and flexibility.

The important documents and immunizations are already taken care of. My certificate of conduct which was sent to me by our courteous police only confirmed what I'd already known anyways, and that is that I am hopelessly not involved in any criminal activity what so ever. Since the South African Embassy has changed a few requirements and forms, which are to be filled out and handed in by the volunteer in order to receive the visa, I'll have to sent one or two letters more to the SA Embassy. My new favorit requirement now is that I have to get the consent from my parents allowing me to do voluntery service, because I'm not of the age of 21 at my entry in SA. And how it seems I also need a guardian for 4 whole days because I'll not be 21 until February 19th. My alternative dad Dudley James, which is at the same time my host at the farm where I'll be living for my time being in SA, made himself immediately available. Yippe? And I thought that I was already of full age.