Staff Interview with Sebastien Kervyn
Get to know Fundación Aldeas De Paz - Peace Villages Foundation's staff!
Sebastian Kervyn was born in the US but he has lived almost all his life in Belgium. After obtaining his degree in Clinical Psychology, he worked in the medical and mental health field. Having developed a strong attachment to various NGOs over the years, Sebastian decided to take advantage of his experience and work for an international organization.
What inspired you to work for Fundación Aldeas de Paz- Peace Villages Foundation?
Before working as a coordinator in the Dominican Republic, I ran a project for Doctors of the World Belgium, and I became quite knowledgeable in all stages of management of complex projects. I was also eager to gain more professional experience in developing countries, especially with local NGOs.
Because of my multicultural background, I was very attracted to Central and South America. Working for a small grassroots NGO with worthwhile social and cultural projects was the right thing for me. What also inspired me to work for Fundación Aldeas de Paz was the values and ideals promoted by that foundation.
Proud of the work we do
Describe a typical day of work for you.
The day starts at 6:00 a.m. with one hour of sports or physical exercise. Then comes some administrative work: replying to professional emails, preparing various meetings with volunteers and collaborators of our different projects. I also meet with our various teams and check on their work.
In the afternoon, I devote my time to new duties as they present themselves on a weekly basis, such as attending meetings with local officials and resolving issues that come up in our projects or in the day-to-day life of our volunteers.
It is indeed important to supervise the on-going programs to make sure they run smoothly. But it is equally important to improve the existing activities and find new ways of addressing the needs of the Dominican community.
What do you find most fulfilling in your role as the coordinator for social and cultural operations?
What I find most fulfilling is observing our international teams of volunteers as they get involved in valuable social work, and to implement projects that have a positive impact on the underprivileged communities.
And I feel especially motivated in my work when I recognize how our undertakings actually make a difference in the lives of Dominicans.
There’s nothing better than this
How do you support volunteers?
Once they arrive on site, we try to integrate them as well as possible in the programs they will be working on, but also in the social life of the community. The management team also coordinates the good functioning of the cohabitation and the supervision of the volunteers in their day-to-day life. We focus on addressing different needs, and we assist the teams in case of problems with their work.
Are there specific qualities that makes a successful volunteer? If so, what are they?
In my opinion, a volunteer should be dynamic and determined to make the most out of the experience they are having. When one gets involved in social work, it is important to be committed to the principles and the purpose of the organization.
Some qualities such as patience, understanding, empathy, and enthusiasm are very important in that sort of environment. A successful volunteer is also a proactive, resourceful individual who aspires to participate in community-based work, and who wishes to “gain by giving”.
It is quite astonishing to see how individuals who are open to changes in themselves make the most of their experience and mature as they go along.
How has your multicultural upbringing influenced your approach to your work?
Growing up, I was very lucky to discover other cultures and experience new ways of thinking. We get a more well-rounded understanding by stepping out of our comfort zone and confronting other ways of life.
My approach to work is to keep an open mind and to try to be comprehensive with others in their own individual idiosyncrasies. From my own experiences, we learn and grow by being in contact with different cultures and adapting to unfamiliar circumstances.
If you could participate in one of the current projects, what area focus would you choose and why?
I started my career as a clinical psychologist and I’ve always been very interested in the mental health field. If I had to choose, I would probably get more involved in that area. This part of the healthcare system that doesn’t get enough attention, and I feel there is much that could be done to improve it.
It’s all about coming together
Why do you think it is important for individuals to travel and experience new cultures?
It is essential to confront new cultures because the experience broadens our understanding of the world and makes us better able to appreciate our fellow human beings. It also helps us to understand who we are, as we discover our ability to overcome new obstacles.
What impact has Fundación Aldeas de Paz had on the local community of Samaná through various projects?
Fundación Aldeas de Paz has a very positive impact on the local community because we do our best to empower Dominicans as they get personally involved in our projects. Our support to the private health sector allows Dominican physicians to obtain valuable assistance from international volunteers.
In our school for children with physical and psychological disabilities (the only such school in the whole province of Samaná), we help children, adolescents, and young adults to acquire more autonomy and become a core part of the community. Our focus on the educational system is also very important through the language and computer classes we provide to the public. This allows us to teach Dominicans valuable skills that help them find work and be more skillful in their day-to-day lives.
Our amazing team
What hopes do you have for the future in your role and for Fundación Aldeas de Paz as a whole?
I hope that the Fundación Aldeas de Paz will continuously cooperate with other local and international NGOs. Our coordination team is currently working on this, and we hope to achieve additional alliances with NGOs that share our ethics.
I also believe that our social activities will focus still more on sustainable projects. I am convinced that our foundation as a whole has a positive and meaningful impact on the lives of many Dominicans. And I hope that we will keep growing in this way.
Are there any projects you hope to see Aldeas de Paz work on?
I am currently working on the draft of a public healthcare project to be implemented in the province of Samaná. The objective is to implement preventive methods against the spreading of tuberculosis (TB), as the Dominican Republic has one of the highest incidences of the disease in the continent.
The emphasis is on routine screening in underprivileged areas of the cities and in the countryside, aiming for people who are at high risk for latent TB. The strategy of this program is to decrease the number of infected people by raising awareness of the disease and better implementing prevention and control measures. It is also vital to appropriately treat active cases, which is always a challenge in remote parts of the country.
I am also looking forward to observing the progress we are making in our project against gender inequality. This is one of the programs we are currently working on in Las Terrenas. Machismo is a complex problem in the Dominican Republic, as in many other countries, and it is important to pay careful attention to this very sensitive issue, now and in the future.
