On 14.05.23 the time has come! 

One of my tasks as a volunteer in the Triform Camphill Community is to build up a support group in advance. Therefore, I decided to participate in the S25 run in Berlin for a good cause and collect donations for the facility while running the 25 kilometers. 

This is how it works:

1) Decide if you want to donate for each kilometer or staggered by time goals.

2) The certificate will be shared on 5/15/2023 by me on Instagram (@damonphilipp) or by mail request.

3) Write to me or visit the "Support" subpage on my website to get the donation form.

4) You will receive the donation receipt from the association afterwards.

Thank you to everyone who participates in the fundraiser and supports the project!

Update 15.5.23

After a long training I participated in a public run for the first time in my life, the S25 in Berlin.

It was fantastic! Already on the train to the Olympiastadion there was a super atmosphere, runners from young to old were in great anticipation for Germany's oldest city run with over 8500 participants.

The 25km race started in front of the Olympic Stadium and led along the Technical University and the Goldelse through the Brandenburg Gate, past the Gendarmenmarkt, Potsdamer Platz and the Memorial Church back to the stadium. Along the route, many cheering passers-by and drumming groups motivated us runners, and in addition, numerous volunteers provided us with refreshments along the route. At the end, we went through the catacombs into the stadium, where all the incoming runners were honored with applause and medals. I was congratulated directly after crossing the finish line by my volunteer colleagues from the Red Cross, who were on duty as paramedics.

I reached my targeted goal of about 2 hours and 30 minutes for the 25km and I am very happy about all who participate in my fundraising run for the Triform Camphill Community and donate a freely chosen amount for each kilometer to the community for people with disabilities in Hudson, New York. For more information and the donation form, please feel free to write to me or visit the "Support" subpage. Thank you!

After the charity run and the letter campaign, I decided to also collect donations with a flea market booth.

Since I am abroad for a year and have little space for storage, I was able to fill many boxes with household items, clothing and entertainment media and offer them to interested buyers at the flea market in front of the Hornbach Schönefeld. Not foreseeable when making the reservation three weeks before, today of all days a heat warning was issued due to a temperature of 33° and an additional load due to reduced nightly cooling. Nevertheless, some people ventured out to the flea market, and in return they enjoyed some good bargains at my booth. I used the opportunity to draw attention to my donation project and to introduce the Triform Camphill Community. I thank all buyers, because 100% of the profits go to the donation project!

Before the start of the volunteer service on 25.8, all IJFD volunteers participated in a preparatory seminar at the Seminar and Conference Center Allerheiligen near Oppenau from 4.8.23 to 13.8.23. The diverse topics included:

• Rights and duties of volunteers

• Presentation of the countries and volunteer sites

• Presentation of the learning zone model

• Teambuilding

• Exchange with former volunteers

• Confidence exercises

• Examination of one's own perception and senses

• Care / living with impairments

• Closeness and distance

• Nonviolent communication

• Energy thieves and sources of strength

• Emergency case 

I especially liked the simulation game "Plane crash". The scenario was that the participants crashed in a plane and the survivors were spread out in the forest. The search team was given the task of rescuing all the injured and finding the flight recorder. Given the limited resources, the team had to decide how the injured could perform tasks despite their limitations. It was a physically and mentally demanding exercise, but one that was a lot of fun.

Another highlight for me was the opportunity to offer my own workshops. Here, all volunteers could share their hobbies and interests with each other. I meditated and danced "Modern Dance" together with others. Modern dance is characterized by the fact that although one person stands in front and suggests dance movements, but everyone can move to the music as they wish. Despite many different movements, this created a beautiful, coherent picture. 

We laughed together, celebrated, danced, sang, cooked, made music, bathed in the ice-cold stream, fought our way through the undergrowth, played flag football, organized tournaments, searched for treasures and meditated. It was an intense program that took a lot out of everyone both physically and mentally, but at the same time bonded us together as a team.

Many thanks to the lecturers of EOS Erlebnispädagogik e.V., who organized the beautiful and varied program. And thanks to all the other volunteers, it was a great time with you! Besides me, seven other volunteers are going to the USA, we will see each other there again!

Living abroad for a year also means having to say goodbye to your friends. 

Two days before my trip to New York, I organized a big farewell party on Aug. 23, which was attended by more than 40 of my friends. Despite very little time to prepare after the preparatory seminar, my grandparents' garden was beautifully prepared, thanks to the help of my cousin and a family friend. I am very grateful for the many kind words from my friends, which give me a lot of strength for the challenges ahead. Even though the thought of not being able to see my friends and family for a year hurts, I am convinced to take this step.

On August 25th the time had come. After completing my master's degree, I left Germany and made my way to New York, where I would work in an institution for people with disabilities.

At 3:30 early in the morning the alarm clock rang, a little later my mother drove me to the airport BER, which is only half an hour away from my home. I have only flown twice in my life, so I was a little excited. The airport staff was very helpful so I was able to catch my 7:00 flight without much stress. Two hours later the plane reached London Heathrow, there I started the day with a nice breakfast.

The flight from London to New York was a big surprise. I thought I had the wrong row, because my seat was very comfortable compared to the first flight, had an incredible amount of legroom and even an entertainment system with movies, music, podcasts and Google Earth. While we were crossing the Atlantic, I watched the movie "Inside" (2023) with Willem Dafoe about an art thief who breaks into a New York penthouse. A great way to set the mood for the upcoming time in New York! Another surprise was the service, at regular intervals delicious food was served to me and my equally amazed seatmate. Pasta, cake, cookies, ice cream and drinks to go with the movie, a welcome respite after the stressful preparation before leaving the country.

Shortly after 13:00 the plane arrived at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City.  At the U.S. Customs and Border Protection immigration checkpoint, a colleague was called in to take me to their office. I sat alone in the waiting room and was very excited, even though I had been prepared for this situation. In conversation with a border guard, I had to answer several questions about my B1 business visa and show the invitation from my assignment site. The border guard checked the documents, called a colleague, and then announced to me that the U.S. Consulate in Berlin had probably made a mistake. Because I would have to leave after six months and re-enter the country, since a one-year stay for this purpose was not possible. However, to be on the safe side, she called her supervisor, who fortunately contradicted her and confirmed the consulate's decision. A small shock that woke me up again after the long flight.

From the airport I took the AirTrain to Jamaica Station, from there to New York Pennsylvania Station. Unfortunately, I could not take the next train to Hudson there, because it was fully booked. To bridge the waiting time, I sat down on the West Manhattan Plaza and enjoyed the soundscape of New York known from movies and TV. I am very excited to explore the city! 

I then took the Amtrak, comparable to the Regio in Germany, for a two-hour ride from New York City to Hudson. The route runs directly along the Hudson, so I had many beautiful impressions of the river and the surrounding valley (Hudson Valley). 

I arrived 18:45 in Hudson and was immediately welcomed by my householder. The 18-hour journey was very exhausting, so she only gave me a short tour of the house. Then I moved into my room, which was to be my new home for the next 12 months. 

The house where I live is one of the biggest houses in the Triform Camphill Community. The house is run by the two house parents, who live there together with their two children. Four people with disabilities live in the house, who are not called clients here, but "young people". They are between 23 and 47 years old and have different disabilities and needs. Some are very independent, others need assistance with personal care. Besides me, there are three other volunteers living in the house who accompany and support the people both in the household and in their work in the morning and afternoon. The other volunteers come from Europe, Africa and Central America, so we are a very diverse team, which is also reflected in the diverse cuisine - the residents are very happy about this! In addition, six chickens, two guinea pigs and three cats belong to the household. 

My first day started with a trip to the Hudson Athens Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1874 and is quite unique, because it stands not on the shore but in the middle of the river. Formerly operated by the Coast Guard, volunteer members of an association now guide visitors through the tower, which was occupied by the family of each lighthouse keeper from 1874 until the 1930s. It's a fascinating glimpse into American history that not only fascinated me as a historian, but the residents as well. 

I am not allowed to upload photos with the residents on my blog, but you can find them on the Triform Camphill Community Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=676554451174691&set=pcb.676555787841224

 In the next blogpost, I'll give you an insight into my daily routine on the farm.

The first two weeks are over, and slowly routine sets in.

The Triform Camphill Community can be thought of as a large farm that includes nine (eight occupied) family homes.

The site spans two towns (Town of Livingston & Town of Claverack, Columbia County, New York State) and is so vast that it takes over half an hour to walk from the entrance to the Stewardship. Fortunately, in addition to various tractors and vans, there are golf carts that can be used to cover long distances. 

The house parents, the volunteers and the residents live in the houses. The house parents all have a double role. On the one hand, they are responsible for managing the common life in the houses, on the other hand, each of them has another job. Some work in the office selecting new residents and volunteers, communicating with parents, or conducting trainings. Others work as "Work Leaders" and manage the different work areas. These include:

- Estate (landscaping, removing leaves/snow/invasive plants, maintaining green areas).

- Garden (most fruits and vegetables we eat grow in our garden and greenhouse)

- Weavery (weaving, including placemats, bags, rugs, pencil cases, scarves, pillows, throws)

- Bakery (bakery, besides buns and granola also pizza once a week)

- Pottery (plates, pots, mosaics, cups, matchboxes)

- Farm (livestock for milk and meat)

- Home Economics (housekeeping, cooking)

The work leaders set the daily goals and keep an overview, while the volunteers supervise the residents at work and lend a hand. At the farm, for example, the group is divided into one work leader, two volunteers and three residents to milk the cows, while the other group works with the cattle and the pigs on the farm.

At the selection interview, I wished to work outside as much as possible. My goal was to get out of my comfort zone, gain practical skills and learn about farm life. I am very happy that this wish was granted! I work mostly on the farm, but am also involved in Garden and Home Economics. I will explain more about what my work looks like specifically in upcoming blogposts. Working on the farm on the livestock team has definitely been one of my highlights in my first two weeks! 

I was surprised at how long and filled the days are. Basically, I work six days a week, with my day off being Thursday. 

Here is a typical daily routine:

5:30 - Wake up & run 5km

7:00 - Wake up students & help in bath or prepare breakfast

7:45 - Morning circle, singing, reading the Bible

8:00 - Breakfast

8:30 - Prepare students for work

9:00 - 12:00 - Work on the farm or cooking lunch with students

12:30 - Lunch

13:00 - Prepare students for lunch nap

13:30 - 15:00 - Lunch break/ free time

15:00 - Wake up students and prepare for work

15:30 - 17:00 - Work in garden/farm/drama class with students

17:00 - 18:00 - Prepare supper

18:00 - Supper

18:30 - 20:00 - Going with students to the compost & bath time

20:00 - 21:00 - Quite Time for students in living room, then prepare for bed

In the evening, around 21:30, we volunteers meet regularly to end the day together and talk about the work we have done. 

The days are very long and it has taken some time to adapt to this rhythm. This schedule is broken up by outings and events shared by the different houses, which bring the residents together. I will tell more about this in upcoming blogposts.

In today's blog entry, I would like to tell you a little bit about our outings. Once a week, on Saturday, our houseparents organize an outing. It's a great opportunity to explore American culture and the surrounding area. Since the daily routine is the same every week and we are always among ourselves in the Camphill community, it is a highlight of every week for both the residents and us coworkers.

In addition to the aforementioned trip to the Hudson Lighthouse, we also visited the Columbia County Fair. Columbia County is the county in which the Camphill Community is located. Once a year the county organizes a big fair with Ferris wheels, bumper cars and show program. The residents had a lot of fun trying out the different rides. Since we eat very healthy at the facility, I was very happy about deep-fried chicken, deep-fried chocolate bars, sour gummy snakes and Pepsi. So far so familiar from Germany, but there were a few surprises. 

There was a dog race ("Hot Dog Pig Races") with dachshunds, which amused the children present. For the adults, there was a car show where souped-up pickups and tractors raced past the grandstands with loud engine roars. Booths offered a variety of fried sweets, such as Oreos and Snickers. In the game known from Germany, where objects have to be fished out of the water, live fish could be won. In Germany, as far as I know, it is forbidden to offer or raffle live animals as prizes, which makes sense to me. What happens to the fish won by the winning families? At one booth, visitors could even win Colt revolvers and precision rifles, which seemed very strange to me. I had a very interesting conversation with the employees of the "Department of Corrections" booth. Enticed by giveaways, they wanted to recruit me for a career as a correctional officer in New York. I declined with thanks and we chatted about my year abroad, one of the staff even knew a little German. The highlight of the trip was the magic show, where a resident of our house was invited on stage by the magician and became part of the show. A great afternoon! 

The third excursion was a trip to Germantown. The town got its name from the fact that over 2,400 acres of land were sold to Queen Anne in 1710. She settled refugees from the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation there and required them to work there to pay off the debts of their passage. Today, among others, the director Oliver Stone should also own land there. However, we did not visit the city, but a classical concert. Surprisingly, this took place not in a concert hall or on any other stage, but in a barn of the Tydeman Farm, provided by a family for events. The children marshaled the cars and filled the buffet, and the parents personally greeted all the visitors. There were also residents from the nearby Camphill Ghent, which specializes in elderly people with disabilities. The concert "Music for Peace" with violins, viola, cellos and piano was very nice, even if I had to fight with my tiredness. The working days are long and filled, still my body has not got used to this intensity. Since we volunteers have only one day off a week and use it to explore the interesting surroundings (Boston, Albany, Long Island, New York City, Washington, Philadelphia), there is little time to be alone and relax. I will take with me as a goal for the coming weeks to openly communicate where my limits lie and to create space for myself in everyday life.