Networking is hard enough in English. It takes patience and a lot of time, even with all our social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. But what about in a language that I have not yet mastered, and in a culture that I might never fully identify with? And how about if the majority of the people don’t even have an email address, never mind a computer? There have been moments where no matter how many times I walk across town to have a five minute conversation because phone calls are just too expensive and no matter how many hand written notes I send, it seems that I still have gotten nowhere.
But to all of you out there trying to create change but who find yourselves discouraged because (for example) it rains too much and people don’t come to meetings when it’s raining…do not give up! I have recently had the experience of starting a girl’s softball team in a town where the average response to my idea was: “that’s a boy’s sport.” But through talking to anyone who would listen, giving it a little time, waiting for the right people to lend their hand in support, I have gotten a preliminary team together of about six muchachas, even before the official city-wide meeting has happened. And they are passing the word on to their girlfriends. I have gotten the gym teachers from all three schools in town to offer their technical support and equipment. And I have even been interviewed live on the local radio station.
My advice is to get down to basics: talk. Here in Latin America it’s not about sitting in your office shooting off emails all day long. It’s about coming face to face and having a real conversation. Talk to anyone and everyone about what you want to do: at work, at the club, at the market, on the street: basically anyone who will listen. For every 100 people that you explain yourself to, there is sure to be at least one who will offer you something with which you can move forward, even if it’s just a baby step. And even if you have to take a few steps backwards, once you have the momentum, you will surely be able to make leaps and bounds.
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So true! Doing business in Latin America is such a different story from Europe, where everything is digitalized! Although I find working in Europe often more effective and quick, trying to get things done in Latin America is a lot more personal.
The boundaries between personal and business are often very vague here, which was hard in the beginning, but once I got used to it, I really liked it!
Fei An
http://www.uvolunteer.org/volunteer-life
Hi.
Thank you! Yes, I too have been lax in the actual vis a vis / face to face conversations. I have been away too long in email land!
This is a good note of encouragement!
Also, this is linked to Celeste’s site-Hugs and Mysterious letters which was really cool.
La Vida – Long live spontenaity! (oops spelling)
Steffie Jo Bunny