In my opinion, the component of a service organization that most effectively ensures sustainability and stability is that of a partnership between those providing service and the community being served. It is not possible to enact mindful and efficient change without a constant flow of feedback and information between both parties, as one’s idea of what qualifies as “development” likely varies from community to community. Therefore, what I truly appreciate about organizations such as Compas de Nicaragua and Bridges to Community is that they extensively incorporate Nicaraguans in all facets of the projects, whether for it is for administrative/organization-related duties (as is the case with the individuals we skyped with), or for collaboration with URACCAN students, or for the actual implementation and execution of the project itself (such as with the latrine project).

I also think outsiders who volunteer in such environments can use their position of privilege to provide alternate perspectives on solutions to different issues; for example, I thought it was interesting that Michael Boudreau possibly alleviated a case of domestic abuse by reporting the man to the police– an action that likely would not have been taken otherwise.