Does this “community development” or repair and/or maintenance to the village actually improve the Mexican residents living conditions or is it rather something done for the volunteers personal fulfillment?

Claim-Illich interprets the reports they sent back on their labor as how only one perspective is being used. Illich’s reaction using “‘community development’ spirt”as a sarcastic way to express the volunteers ignorance of the actual reality of the situation, therefore creating a false sense of self-accomplishment.

The purpose of our question is questioning whether or not the volunteers are actually repairing anything and benefiting the Mexican community. Illich would say no and that they are presumptuous in thinking that they can go into the community and do any good or if what they are doing just worsens the situation. Others would contend that the simple service to village by the volunteers would help if by nothing else, simply providing a better living situation.

These questions will lead us into what is the difference between simply service and service learning. What can the volunteer do to provide a greater service both by learning themselves, as well as teaching the people whom which they are helping.