{"id":30595,"key":"Guide_for_arrivals_in_the_developing_world","title":"Guide for arrivals in the developing world","latest":{"id":1224876,"timestamp":"2026-01-09T01:46:51Z"},"content_model":"wikitext","license":{"url":"https://www.appropedia.org/Appropedia:Copyrights","title":"CC-BY-SA-4.0"},"source":"[[File:Main world languages.png|thumb|World map showing some major languages]]\n\n{{Project data\n| authors = User:Chriswaterguy\n| uses = How to guide\n}}\n\nYou've just arrived in a [[less developed country]] or community. The language is different and the culture is different - not to mention the food. You came because you want to help, but where do you start?\n\nStart by learning and being open to understand. The most important thing you can do to help is to ''not'' try to change things or start projects straight away, but to understand what is needed.\n\nKey areas to be prepared for are [[health]], security, conflict, [[language]] and [[culture]], and project management (if working on a project).\n\n== Language ==\n\nStart to learn the [[language]] before you arrive. How you approach it depends on your learning style, but as a start:\n\n* If at all possible, live with locals (who don't speak your language). and speak their language, and spend time with locals outside of work or class.\n* Learn how to say \"What is that?\" \"What is this?\" and \"What does... mean?\" and use them constantly.\n* Take classes, at least for the beginning of your stay. This makes an enormous difference in adapting and learning about the culture and language.\n* Listen - even when you don't understand the words, being exposed to the sounds can help. Music with clear lyrics can help.\n* Take classes in the beginning of your stay. Once you have the basics, you can decide how much more formal learning you need (but occasional classes will benefit you as you continue to learn).\n* See [[Wikibooks:How to Learn a Language]] for more ideas.\n\n== Culture ==\n\nLearn the [[culture]].\n\n* Read some history\n* Ask questions politely - curiosity about the culture is usually appreciated, and they will often be curious about you.\n* Observe.\n* Remember that just because someone in that culture acts in a certain way, doesn't always mean it's \"culturally acceptable\".\n\n== Context ==\n\nLearn the [[context]] - the social, [[economic]], [[environmental]] and institutional challenges. Learn how people tackle these problems now. Learn what programs have addressed and continue to address these problems, and what their successes and failures are.\n\nIf you're interested in positive change, understand the base that you're starting from.\n\n* Talk to people. Take [[Paul Polak]]'s advice: \"Talk to the people who have the problem – and LISTEN to what they have to say.\"<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110810093320/http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2008/10/22/pop-tech-paul-polak-on-scaling-the-bottom-of-the-pyramid Pop!Tech: Paul Polak on Scaling the Bottom of the Pyramid], October 22, 2008</ref>\n* Ask questions.\n* Read\n* Get out there - walk the streets, and travel the country. (Be aware of your personal safety, of course.)\n* Observe\n\n== Know your own work ==\n\nHaving a skill to share is valuable - once you know the context. Being prepared beforehand with a good education is important. You can also continue to learn by making use of open educational resources.\n\nEducate yourself about the process of aid and development. Many mistakes have been made and continue to be made - learn from them. Start at '''[[Resources for aid and development workers]]''' and read widely.\n\nFor more reading, see [http://www.how-matters.org/2010/07/15/what-is-our-true-job/ What is our true job? ], [http://www.how-matters.org/2010/08/28/aid-worker-first-know-thyself/ Aid Worker: First, Know Thyself], and [http://www.how-matters.org/2010/09/17/a-new-discipline/ A New Discipline for Development Practitioners] on [http://www.how-matters.org how-matters.org]\n\n== See also ==\n\n* [[Appropriate living manual TOC]]\n\n== References ==\n\n<references />\n\n== External links ==\n\n* [http://wikitravel.org/en/Travel_topics Wikitravel's Travel Topics]\n* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etiquette#Cultural_differences http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etiquette#Cultural_differences]\n* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_manners http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_manners]\n\n{{Page data\n| license = CC-BY-SA-3.0\n| keywords = developing countries, travel, Aid and development workers, Country guides\n| sdg = SDG10 Reduced inequalities\n| authors = User:Chriswaterguy\n| published = 2010\n| description = Prepare for work in a new country with simple tips on culture and planning. Appropedia shares steps for smoother adaptation.\n}}\n\n[[Category:How tos]]\n[[Category:Country guides]]\n[[Category:Aid and development workers]]"}