I was up close and personal with large tigers the other week, volunteering at a carnivore preservation compound. This had the potential to be one of the most exotic, fun and different volunteer experiences I had ever partaken in. I mean who doesn’t like being near huge fluffy cats that can maul you to bits? Unfortunately, it turned out to be one of the worst volunteer experiences I had ever had.
I was seriously considering writing a harshly worded email when I realized that that was silly; I have a rant blog. Why write an email that would likely fall on deaf ears (so to speak) when I can complain to the whole world about my awful experience that most can relate to.
I spent over four hours laboring out in the blistering sun in large fenced in open-air tiger cages. And what did I get to show for it? I got soreness in my arm muscles for days after and fire ant bites on my ankles, which are only now healing.
Did any of the staff members thank me or the group I was with? No – quite the contrary. While my group was pulling vines off the fence, one of our assigned tasks, a staff member or regular volunteer approached us and called us “lazy fuckers.”
I was tasked with using a plow-rake thingy to cut down on big weeds and other huge growths. This was extremely difficult, and required swinging the thing like a golf club rapidly. I did this for hours. Needless to say, every now and then I took breaks when I could swing no more. Whenever I took a break, a staff member would scold me harshly for not working! I wanted to scream at him that I am a VOLUNTEER, giving up my time to be there to do what I can.
In addition to being rude, they were pretty sexist. The men had to do the labor-intensive jobs, while the girls were given clippers to cut back vines. After hours of swinging, I tried to switch out with a girl, but I was not allowed to do so.
It is great to volunteer somewhere where the people are grateful, like my wonderful experience volunteering in the Dominican Republic building a house, but this is not always the case.
Is the work still worthwhile if it’s offered in good faith but unappreciated? I suppose in this case, I was really doing it for the tigers, who can’t thank me, but can’t live if they don’t have an acceptable place.
You’re welcome, tigers.
