User:Canalala/sandbox

Just a word to the Wikipedia community who have been watching edits to the page for Cuso International (formerly CUSO and VSO Canada)

First of all, I'm new to editing in HTML, but I am not knew to editing or writing. It has been a little while since I practiced the skills, but they are hardwired into my brain, from years of post-secondary education.

Now, having said that, I know that I am making mistakes because I am taking on the whole page concerning Cuso International. Why??? The reason I am not just doing minor editing is that there were a few glaring errors. The organization's current name was on the page, but the name that was most visible was CUSO-VSO, a temporary name that disappeared in 2011.

(IMO) There were a number of major omissions too. It was evident to me that organizational events and political events that affect Cuso International needed to be included. Cuso International has gone through many changes in the last 25-30 years. I believe that the important points from its history should be included, as well as current events. I tried to provide some flavor for the current mission statement in Part 3 on the page, but I have to admit, despite the fact that I provided attribution, the content was largely plagiarized. I need help, and I would request help from someone who already knows Cuso I well, or is prepared to research extensively. I think it's important to convey the authentic flavor of volunteering and the goals of volunteer involvement. However, I know that the entire page needs a really good look from a dispassionate eye. I have done a lot of work, and I can't keep going now, or I will begin to undo some of my good work. Please help.

In case you are interested, I was a CUSO volunteer myself, way back in the nineties. It was a life changing experience! I truly felt like Harrison Ford on many occasions, or an astronaut heading into deep space. There were hidden dangers all around me. I had to remain calm, pleasant, highly intuitive, and have my wits about me all the time. The words "Canadian", "intrepid" and "tropical" are seldom seen in the same sentence. It really takes some courage to do what volunteers do. They show up in a part of the world where people have little to eat, women are very vulnerable, and cultural rules must always be observed. There is much to learn, many wonderful new experiences to take in and so many risks if things go horribly wrong. For those who consider life an adventure, it's quite exciting. Ultimately, you must focus again and again on the reasons you are there, and how you can accomplish the goals that are set before you.

All this must happen before a volunteer can make much progress with the purpose of their work, which is about sensitively and patiently working side by side and sharing professional skills that may be beneficial with the partner organization.

No doubt you are beginning to wonder, "Why so much talk about something that has nothing to do with a page in Wikipedia?" Here's the reason. Volunteering changes the world. It is not a small or trifling matter. Cuso International is very important to many people in Canada and it is well known in many parts of the world. The fact that Cuso International is receiving significantly more support now than ever before, despite a distinct lack of enthusiasm from the Canadian federal government, tells me it is only getting better.

I quote from Cuso Internacional:

"Cuso International is one of North America's largest international development organizations that works through volunteers. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of our donors, partners, the government of Canada through Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada and the government of the United States through the U.S. Agency for International Development."

Please help me with the work that needs to be done to move this page into the present, while maintaining the standards of Wikipedia.

Thank You.

Canalala 09:10, 25 April 2015 (UTC)