The Importance of Volunteer Communication

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 103 views

Volunteer Communication in Empowering Rohingya Refugees in the City of Langsa, Aceh Province

Introduction

Langsa City in Aceh Province has become a hub for volunteers who play a crucial role in empowering Rohingya refugees. The communication process between volunteers and Rohingya refugees has been a vital aspect of their interaction, with nonverbal communication such as sign language being the primary means of communication at the beginning of their arrival. However, as empowerment activities took place, verbal communication began to be used in conjunction with visual aids like images. This study aims to explore the dynamics of communication carried out by volunteers and the obstacles they face in empowering the Rohingya refugee community.

The Importance of Volunteer Communication

Volunteer communication is a critical aspect of empowering Rohingya refugees in Langsa City. Volunteers not only serve as information delivery agents but also as liaisons between refugees and the local community. At the beginning of the refugees' arrival, many volunteers relied on sign language to interact with them due to the limitations of the language possessed by Rohingya refugees. Over time, refugees began to study several vocabulary in Indonesian, but challenges remain in terms of effective verbal communication.

The Role of Volunteers in Communication

Volunteers apply various forms of communication, ranging from interpersonal communication to group communication. They interact directly with refugees to motivate, socialize, and hold discussions. In this context, intercultural communication is also very important, as volunteers must assess refugee behavior based on the perception and background of their lives in the country of origin. This gives a deeper insight into how volunteers can adapt and adjust their approach to refugees.

The Form of Communication Used

Volunteers use various forms of communication to interact with Rohingya refugees, including:

Interpersonal Communication: Volunteers interact directly with refugees to motivate, socialize, and hold discussions.
Group Communication: Volunteers use group communication to reach a larger audience and provide information to multiple refugees at once.
Intercultural Communication: Volunteers must assess refugee behavior based on the perception and background of their lives in the country of origin.
Nonverbal Communication: Volunteers use nonverbal communication such as sign language to interact with refugees, especially at the beginning of their arrival.

Obstacles Faced by Volunteers

There are several obstacles faced by volunteers in an effort to empower Rohingya refugees. Some of the main problems include:

Language Barrier: The difference in language often becomes a barrier in the communication process.
Narrow Perspective and Mindset: The narrow perspective and mindset of both parties can cause distortion of perception, which inhibits cooperation.
Cultural Differences: Cultural differences are also a challenge, where volunteers must be able to understand the values and norms that exist in the refugee community.

Conclusion

Effective communication between volunteers and Rohingya refugees in the city of Langsa is very important to create a sustainable empowerment process. Although there are many challenges that must be faced, especially in terms of language and cultural differences, volunteers continue to look for ways to bridge the communication gap. Efforts made by volunteers not only help refugees to adapt in new environments but also contribute to building a sense of mutual understanding that can strengthen social solidarity in the community. By understanding the dynamics of communication, it is expected to find a more effective strategy in empowering Rohingya refugees in the future.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Language Training: Provide language training for volunteers to improve their communication skills with Rohingya refugees.
Cultural Sensitivity Training: Provide cultural sensitivity training for volunteers to understand the values and norms that exist in the refugee community.
Intercultural Communication: Encourage intercultural communication between volunteers and Rohingya refugees to promote mutual understanding and respect.
Community Engagement: Engage the local community in the empowerment process to promote social solidarity and cooperation.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

Small Sample Size: The sample size of this study is relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Limited Time Frame: The study was conducted over a limited time frame, which may not capture the full dynamics of communication between volunteers and Rohingya refugees.
Self-Reported Data: The data collected in this study is self-reported, which may be subject to biases and limitations.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Longitudinal Study: Conduct a longitudinal study to examine the dynamics of communication between volunteers and Rohingya refugees over a longer period.
Large-Scale Study: Conduct a large-scale study to examine the generalizability of the findings to other contexts.
Mixed-Methods Approach: Use a mixed-methods approach to collect both quantitative and qualitative data to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of communication between volunteers and Rohingya refugees.
Q&A: Volunteer Communication in Empowering Rohingya Refugees in the City of Langsa, Aceh Province

Introduction

Volunteer communication is a critical aspect of empowering Rohingya refugees in Langsa City, Aceh Province. In this Q&A article, we will explore some of the most frequently asked questions about volunteer communication in empowering Rohingya refugees.

Q: What is the importance of volunteer communication in empowering Rohingya refugees?

A: Volunteer communication is essential in empowering Rohingya refugees because it helps to build trust, understanding, and respect between volunteers and refugees. Effective communication also facilitates the exchange of information, promotes social solidarity, and enhances the overall quality of life for refugees.

Q: What are the challenges faced by volunteers in communicating with Rohingya refugees?

A: Volunteers face several challenges in communicating with Rohingya refugees, including language barriers, cultural differences, and limited understanding of refugee experiences. These challenges can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunications, and frustration, which can negatively impact the empowerment process.

Q: How can volunteers overcome language barriers in communicating with Rohingya refugees?

A: Volunteers can overcome language barriers by:

Learning basic Rohingya phrases: Learning basic Rohingya phrases can help volunteers communicate with refugees and show respect for their culture.
Using visual aids: Using visual aids such as images, videos, and diagrams can help convey information and facilitate communication.
Working with interpreters: Working with interpreters can help volunteers communicate with refugees who speak different languages.

Q: What is the role of intercultural communication in empowering Rohingya refugees?

A: Intercultural communication plays a vital role in empowering Rohingya refugees because it helps volunteers understand the values, norms, and experiences of refugees. By understanding these differences, volunteers can adapt their approach to meet the needs of refugees and promote mutual understanding and respect.

Q: How can volunteers promote social solidarity in the community?

A: Volunteers can promote social solidarity in the community by:

Engaging with local communities: Engaging with local communities can help build trust, understanding, and respect between volunteers and refugees.
Organizing community events: Organizing community events can help promote social solidarity and foster a sense of community among refugees and locals.
Providing education and training: Providing education and training can help refugees develop skills and knowledge that can enhance their quality of life and promote social solidarity.

Q: What are the benefits of effective communication in empowering Rohingya refugees?

A: Effective communication in empowering Rohingya refugees can lead to several benefits, including:

Improved trust and understanding: Effective communication can help build trust and understanding between volunteers and refugees.
Enhanced social solidarity: Effective communication can promote social solidarity and foster a sense of community among refugees and locals.
Improved quality of life: Effective communication can help refugees develop skills and knowledge that can enhance their quality of life.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The sample size of this study is relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Limited time frame: The study was conducted over a limited time frame, which may not capture the full dynamics of communication between volunteers and Rohingya refugees.
Self-reported data: The data collected in this study is self-reported, which may be subject to biases and limitations.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research should focus on:

Longitudinal study: Conduct a longitudinal study to examine the dynamics of communication between volunteers and Rohingya refugees over a longer period.
Large-scale study: Conduct a large-scale study to examine the generalizability of the findings to other contexts.
Mixed-methods approach: Use a mixed-methods approach to collect both quantitative and qualitative data to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of communication between volunteers and Rohingya refugees.