Tackling Difficulties

Be Sensitive about photography

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Difficulties are bound to arise during an overseas visit, but these are very rarely insurmountable. Difficulties may include:

The powerless feelings of the members of a group in a strange culture and environment. These feelings may be particularly powerful in professional people who are used to being in charge of their lives and of most situations they are involved in. Members of a group may find it especially hard to depend on their hosts in the family time and to respond to suggestions instead of initiating them. Different understandings of time may cause great irritation, when the host is casual or strict about time and his guests are the opposite.

Culture clashes are almost bound to occur, usually related to different attitudes to clothes and behaviour between the sexes.

For example the Church in Kenya does not allow its members to smoke or drink alcohol, and this can be a problem for visitors, especially for smokers.

Age may be a problem during Christians Aware visits, because Christians Aware includes people of all ages and sometimes different age-groups have particular expectations of each other. This can be a problem both between a host and visiting group and within a group. Some older people are inclined to view the younger members of a group as they would view their pupils or children and young people will not accept this.

There may be particular difficulties associated with inter-faith visits and exchanges. As in all visits, sensitivity and listening are vital. Guests should not expect to agree with everything they find in the culture or faith of their hosts on any visit but they must struggle to understand and respect the new culture and faith.

Most difficulties can be sorted out without too much trouble. It is important to allow enough time for a group to talk about itself, and for visitors and hosts to share feelings and to discuss any problems. It is essential to tackle problems openly, honestly and early, and with all the people concerned. Sometimes, if someone is annoying the group, hosts, or everyone, it is wise for the leader to take him or her on one side very quietly, and to sort out a way forward without embarrassment to anyone.

The role of the leader or enabler is very important when difficulties arise. Ideally a leader should be a full member of the group, with no special privileges, but should also be slightly detached, so that he or she may act as a bridge-builder. It is the leader who should, when necessary, protect the group, and also individual members within it, reminding everyone of the value and equality of every person.

The leader must also protect the hosts when necessary, and liaise between the visitors and the hosts when expectations clash.

The cultural differences should be talked about thoroughly during the preparation time of course, but should also be faced openly when they arise. A visiting group should, as far as possible, be expected to adapt to the host culture, and careful preparation should be made so that members are fully aware of what is involved. A certain amount of common sense is necessary here, because sometimes it is not possible for people to fit in completely with another culture, and then hosts need to be sensitive.

Sensitivity is especially needed where food and drink are concerned. Normally visitors should eat what is given to them, and usually hosts offer a diet which they know their guests will enjoy.

A problem which may arise would be when some members of a visiting group are determined to fit in with a local culture and see themselves as the protectors of that culture. They may then be inclined to bully the other members of a group into conformity. A sensitive leader can usually prevent people from doing this.