Chicago - Imagine climbing mountains in rural Pakistan to deliver supplies to civilians who are under terrorist rule, but having every action and move questioned by not only the local government but also members of the international organization one is volunteering for. That’s what Christopher Sunnen’s life was like in the winter of 2008.
Christopher Sunnen, a care free soul with an athletic mind set and dusty blonde hair, volunteered in both rural and urban Pakistan from November 2008 to January 2009.
Sunnen was born in Saint Louis, but spent most of his childhood in Del Mar, a suburb of SD.
Sunnen attended Saint Louis University for his undergraduate degree, and continued on to Saint Louis University’s law school. He graduated in 2004 with a Juris Doctorate.
Sunnen’s love for international unity and volunteering did not develop randomly. He was offered a Fullbright Scholarship during law school. This opportunity allowed him to study for a semester at The University of Oxford in England. He also traveled through out his life.
The opportunity to volunteer for the United Nations (UN) fell into Sunnen’s lap in the summer of 2008.
“I was a park ranger in 1998 in Yosemite, California,” he said. “One of my friends was working for the UN and told me they were looking for volunteers in Pakistan.”
Ten years later, Sunnen would embark on a life changing experience.
“At the end of 2008, I had some free time, called my buddy up, and gave Pakistan a go,” he said.
Sunnen believed that the major difference in Pakistan is not between the West and the East, but rather, between the rural and urban population.
The rural population had a tendency to resist aid. “Rural population resisted the UN help. It might have been because of the fear of the West that has manifested, but they needed help, but would resist,” said Sunnen
The urban population differed. The cities were more likely to accept the help. “The urban population wanted us there. They wanted water treatments and they wanted vaccines,” said Sunnen.
One shocking aspect for Sunnen was the number of weapons that were carried amongst volunteers and civilians. During the interview, his face became washed out and there was sadness in his eyes.
“One thing I wasn’t ready for was how much people were armed. Everyone was armed to the begeeses,” said Sunnen with an ironic chuckle.
He told a story about how one time he had to shoot an AK-47. “I thought my shoulder was going to pop out of joint after that one,” said Sunnen.
Sunnen emphasized the different treatment between himself, as an American, and other volunteers who were from other western societies.
“As an American, I was definitely approached to be more cynical and strategic,” said Sunnen.
The stereotypes of Americans were amplified for Sunnen while in Pakistan.
“People would think I was only there for US interests, when I was really there because I wanted to help people,” said Sunnen, his voice becoming increasingly louder/powerful.
Now, Sunnen is able to view the experience as something positive.
“It helped me see that a lot of people view America negatively, but also, America does do a lot of good that doesn’t make the papers. People are grateful for some of our actions,” said Sunnen.
Sunnen believed that the most enlightening part of the experience was seeing how the UN is worldwide.
“Working in the UN caused me to see how international the UN is. They have a European view of things. They are concerned with clean water, education, housing. Not war or power like the reputation the US has.”
This week, the UN has received criticism from international political actors for not being responsive in areas such as Haiti and the Sudan. Sunnen disagrees with these statements.
“[In Pakistan] the UN was very responsive or at least as responsive as they could be. The limitations did not come from the international arena. The local politics of both rural and urban Pakistan limited the responsiveness. They could only provide so much. The UN was definitely prepared,” said Sunnen.
When asked if the UN deserves the disapproval they have been receiving as late, Sunnen said, “People don’t want to see a multi-international organization step in and succeed. It freaks people out.”
Sunnen did emphasize that the UN does have faults in their procedure and overall implementation of aid.
“One problem is that we didn’t have enough security. That held us back,” said Sunnen.
He explained that the lack of security occurs because of the way the UN is set up. Each individual country decides how many volunteers or workers it can send.
“As an American, my country might be sending thousands of people to Pakistan, but I’m not going to have any different security than a guy from France. There is no security force that stops people,” said Sunnen.
When asked about the UN’s procedure in Sudan and Haiti, Sunnen believed that both situations were different from his own experience in Pakistan.
“Darfur and Haiti are even less stable [than Pakistan]. One hand, you help the people that accept the help. On the other hand, you lose help because it isn’t safe,” said Sunnen.
A confused look came across his face. “What I mean to say, is that the UN could definitely do more in Sudan, it is genocide. But security is a major issue for volunteers,” said Sunnen.
Sudan is under one of the largest genocides in the history of the planet. There has been very little international action to stop the genocide; however, the UN has attempted to create peace in the area.
Haiti had one of the largest earthquakes ever and a recent cholera out break, killing over 1,000 people, in the midst of an election. The country is still rebuilding. The UN is receiving harsh statements from states about their actions in the country.
“Haiti, there is no genocide. The situation is more organic. I’m not sure the UN deserves as much heat for that one,” said Sunnen.
Sunnen believes that this experience has changed his life forever.
“I will never take for granted what we have. God, that sounds cliché, but you know, going around to these places people were just grateful for vaccines,” said Sunnen.
He highlighted one of the key hardships within his volunteering experience. “When you’re in a third world country, there aren’t comforts you’re not used to: i.e. a clean bathroom,” said Sunnen.
Lastly, he emphasized a key difference between Americans and Pakistanis. “People in America refuse vaccines. That idea doesn’t make sense to these [urban] people because it is a matter of life and death,” said Sunnen.
Currently, Sunnen is residing in his childhood home of San Diego. He is working as a bankruptcy attorney; however, the quiet life of Southern California is not his style for much longer.
Sunnen plans on volunteering again for the UN later this year. He is unsure of the location but views his first experience as, “pretty amazing”.
Unfortunately the only truth in this story is that Christopher Sunnen actually went to school in Saint Louis. Everything else is false. He is a FRAUD!!
ReplyDelete