My son, who is almost 18 and will be completing his GED tomorrow wants to have a plan for his future...this is good. He is very interested in WWOOF and wishes to go to an Asian country and work in the fields in exchange for food and housing. The more I think about it, the more I like it. Our son has really never "known" hard work and this would be a challenge for him, but I also really like the picture of him adapting to Asian culture and putting in a hard days work.
It comes down to this... We buy the airline ticket, plus pay a $50 (5,500 yen) application fee. He leaves the country feeling like he's not just hanging out in Corvallis spinning his wheels and we have a bit of peace. Also, with his room vacant there's a whole new possibility of a rec room.
My husband, who is more level-headed and less of a romantic adventurer thinks we would be paying for a two week vacation for our son. I think my husband is a brilliant man, but I also think he could do with lightening up a bit. It would be better for his health... physically and mentally. I'd like our son to be gone a minimum of 6 months. I need a break from the teenage insanity.
Has anyone out there worked with this organization? Would you share your insights with me? Any information is appreciated.
~ch
4 comments:
I haven't heard of this, but it sounds like a chance to create a "contract" with the boy.
A: We buy your plane ticket, but you pay us back 1/2 within 1 year.
B: We'll pay the $50 fee, but you must work at least 6 months.
C: If a circumstance arises where you must return to the USA before the 6 months have passed, due to your own negligence, you must pay us back the entire sum.
D: While you are there, you will send us weekly messages, letting us know how you are doing.
E: If you get into trouble, do not count on us to bail you out at anytime. International law is tough and you must be prepared to suffer the consequences, should you choose to mess up.
F: We love you. That's a fact, Jack!
http://www.tenways.org/organizations.html
Print and share this site's page.
I don't know the particular organization, but TAFKAMBF (the artist formerly known as my boyfriend) spent a good 6 months in Asia when he was about 20. He taught English in Taiwan and Hong Kong, then ended up working in Mother Teresa's respite facility in Calcutta, then worked on a farm in the West Bank in Israel. ALL of this benefited him significantly.
I think many young adults benefit more from living overseas than from traditional education, and many employers value that experience as well. I'm really pushing S to consider at least one term overseas when she gets to college, and if she eschews college, I would absolutely push her toward an experience such as the one your son is facing.
(Oh, and hi! Glad you're posting again. :)
~ C.
Hi there
Please feel free to have a mosey around the webspace I am developing for WWOOF at http://reli.sh
It is designed to introduce the organisation and the experience of 'WWOOFing' to newcomers such as yourself and your son.
For the record, I went WWOOFing in both NZ and Japan as a 19-year-old and wouldn't exchange those memories for the world.
Hope the site helps - cheers
Derry
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