World Development & Relief’s creative volunteers

If asked, on a personal level, about the joys of working for World Development & Relief (WDR) for nearly 20 years, I would immediately say “the friendships”. I have good friends who started as colleagues, good friends who started as partners and also some special guys who have been capturing WDR’s photos and videos overseas since 2016. Professionals, they have given their time and skills for free. Pete and Simon have covered visits to Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Palestine, Nepal and, most recently, South Africa again. Calum has just completed his first visit with WDR. Here, in their own words, is why they choose to do this.

Pete

When I was a student, I made a connection with WDR through a friend. I was studying visual communications and wanted to gain experience, volunteering my skill set in an area that I felt passionate about. In 2016 we made a trip to Ghana to document the work of WDR’s partners there. Meeting local people, capturing their stories of transformation, learning from them and celebrating their work, helped me understand the significance of development work and, more importantly, helped me appreciate the partnership approach that WDR takes. These experiences have helped me grow personally and professionally.

Simon

For me, going on these trips with WDR is a no-brainer. I get to take photos of amazing people, places and work. Honestly, it’s so fulfilling. Sometimes that feeling of fulfilment is hard to achieve in normal week-to-week work. I’ve always found the experience very educational. Meeting with partners, and hearing how they are combatting their challenges, is eye-opening. It forces you to think differently about issues and see things from a different perspective.

Calum

Working with Pete and Simon in Northern Ireland, I had seen much of the content from their work with WDR. When they returned from visits, I got first-hand insights to the work happening around the world.  As a filmmaker, getting to see the stories of these people and organisations being pieced together, I always thought what an amazing opportunity.  When I was asked to join for South Africa this year, for me it was an easy “YES!”. I was excited to help WDR communicate their work. I was really humbled to get to see what I would say is the ‘real’ South Africa, walking through informal settlements and rural villages and talking to welcoming people.

Pete

We last visited South Africa in 2017. It was great to see the transformation over the last 7 years but equally difficult to hear of continued and deepening struggles in some communities. What struck me was the incredible resilience of our partners and beneficiaries. Their passion for change has not wavered in those years and, if anything, has grown stronger. COVID hit them hard and continues to have a lasting impact. The economy has greatly worsened. The stories we record and tell are stories of hope, resilience and empowerment in the face of adversity. Seeing the Kingdom of God come to fruition in these contexts always inspires me.

Calum

I think my standout memory was our visit to an informal settlement threatened by the government wanting to clear the land for property developers to build expensive housing. We walked around with one resident who had been living in basic conditions there for 15 years. We skirted along the high wall separating the ‘haves and the have-nots’. Coming from outside the Methodist Church in Ireland, I realised that their approach to development through WDR and their indigenous partners, makes sense. Partners are local and, with the people, best understand the context and possible solutions.

Simon

It is hard to choose one standout memory across the years. Anytime we are in a very rural area, it’s a ‘pinch me’ moment. I think waking up in Tangting, a mountain village in Nepal, with the sun rising over the Himalayas, was special. I could talk a lot about my work with WDR but the one word to summarise it is ‘friendship’. I’ve always received such a warm welcome and genuine hospitality anytime we meet partners or beneficiaries. I have a genuine friendship with Tim and Laura after sharing these rich experiences together. I’ve also learnt a lot about development as a whole from them and their understandings of how to partner with people to bring about positive change.

Over the last 9 years, WDR has made 6 such media visits. They are intense and very tiring times but the media gathered helps supporters understand contexts, meet their partners and beneficiaries and reflect theologically upon the Christian obligation to respond to poverty. Whilst in South Africa, we went to a large and lively gathering of landless people. We entered as they were singing their protest songs. Simon turned to me and, with a smile, asked, “What on Earth have you brought us to this time?”. Heartfelt thanks to our friends: Pete, Simon and Calum.