That’s a Wrap

Since January 30, I’ve officially been finished with my time at Impulse. I know when I first started there I said I’d be blogging a bit about my work. Well, as you loyal readers out there may have realized, that didn’t happen so much. While I was volunteering, everything seemed to be happening so quickly that I guess I never really thought I had the time to explain anything or even have the chance to really digest what I was contributing or learning from my experience there.

Now that I do have a bit of time, I can tell you I was mostly documenting the organization’s history for its 15th year anniversary book, compiling information for the now-released (but still under construction) website, and meeting with trafficked survivors to document their current life. Smaller tasks included editing reports for UN funding agencies, assisting in workshops, documenting workshops, and writing the monthly newsletter.

In my few days of away-from-office-freedom, I’ve really realized how much my three months there made me grow. Somehow in the last week I’ve kind of come away with an idea of what I want to do with my life, and what I learned from the people at Impulse has made me think of the ways I can actually do it. (What the plan is…well, that’s for another time).

But in the meantime, here are a few pics of me at work. (Click on the thumbnail to view it full size)

Jayna Rust at a workshop on trafficking for the Border Security Force

Jayna Rust at Guwahati making a poster at another workshop

Jayna Rust striking a pose modeling a Western-style salwar suit I’d just had tailored

Jayna Rust discussing the book at its early release

Jayna Rust at Khasi wedding in traditional Khasi dress at the wedding of the son of one of the doctors that works with Impulse

7 Responses to “That’s a Wrap”

  1. Kyle says:

    Congrats! All that you have accomplished is really impressive. You should be proud of yourself for working so hard to benefit this organization! I’m so glad there are USA’ians like you out representing our country in a positive manner in the world doing good for others.

  2. melanie says:

    so proud of you and all that you continue to accomplish!

  3. BHR says:

    I found your blog through Mel’s … we used to work together at Mizzou. This may seem weird, but I think you are absolutely amazing! Your travels are so inspiring. Kudos to you for taking time to learn about the world and volunteer. Wow. You’ve totally impressed this stranger.

  4. Administrator says:

    Thanks, y’all! And welcome to ususbaby, BHR!

    Hopefully, though, I’ll have more to report on this stuff…I still have one project to work on with Impulse while traveling…

  5. Remi says:

    “I’ve really realized how much my three months there made me grow. Somehow in the last week I’ve kind of come away with an idea of what I want to do with my life”

    –> congratulation! This very sentence is the best reward you could get from your RTW trip! IMHO, that exactly what traveling is aimed at: getting to know yourself better by getting to know different cultures and different approaches to life.

    Keep it up!

  6. unhipla says:

    you look great in all this pictures! yay for Jayna and all the wonderful work you did. can’t wait to hear your new life’s plan. :) are you going to stay in India? if so, i may be able to visit you during the summer!

  7. Administrator says:

    Ummm…I’ll get back to you on that, unhipla…where will you be going/coming?

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.