Marian Nelson-Addy has been working with a Christian humanitarian organization based out of New Orleans for over ten years. Marian Nelson-Addy joined the organization while studying for her Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences at the University College London. Marian Nelson-Addy was one of the humanitarian relief workers helping victims after hurricane Katrina. Marian Nelson-Addy is a Christian and a member of the youth group at her local church. The group gathers once in two weeks at the church to help out the poor and needy in the community. Here are a couple of things you should know before getting into humanitarian work.
Conditions
Not every humanitarian assignment you take up is going to be pleasant. Often the places that need humanitarian aid are in some of the most challenging places on the earth. Working as a humanitarian, you could be called out to some far-flung place in a different country, and be required to live in a tent or share a small room with your co-workers. More often the places you will be required to go and help out at could be in insecure environments. You might not have access to modern amenities you are used to in the western world, hot and cold running water could be something you might not have access to.
Workload
As a humanitarian, you will most probably be expected to make huge personal sacrifices and work long hours in disaster-stricken areas around the world. Working as a humanitarian could be physically and emotionally exhausting, and could lead to ‘burn-out’ within a couple of years. However, this does not mean that humanitarian organizations are unreasonable towards their staff, but it does mean that the conditions and workload might not be what most people expect.
Marian Nelson-Addy has dedicated her life to serving others in disaster-stricken areas in the United Kingdom and around the world.
