Inspiration... and Humility

Inspiration
March 13, 2009

Today was really inspiring indeed. The country director (the PC head honcho for the DR) visited us today and talked to us about the PC program in the DR. He said that never again will we have a job like this in our careers -- we will have complete freedom and opportunity to do what we want in our sites (the American dream! haha). We will be completely in charge. He said that he's witnessed the transformation in many Volunteers... They start out as starry-eyed, timid Trainees like ourselves; then after 3 months in site, they have a little more confidence. At one year, they are pretty confident and comfortable in their site, and then at 2 years, well, they're absolutely unstoppable. Nothing phases them. They have so much confidence, they can do anything. He said we are really going to learn how to be great leaders! And the doors that will open for us afterwards will be incredible.

It's not going to be easy, because most (older) people here aren't open to change... However, more than 60% of this country is under 25 (!!) so we will have a huge opportunity to inspire some young minds and maybe help shape the future of this country. Education is not wonderful here, so I really hope to incorporate some interesting, educational topics in my computer classes. Beyond that, I can develop any other projects that may be beneficial to the community!

Technical training starts in little over a week. We will be traveling to another town in the East, and there we will learn how to build a computer lab, how to utilize teaching methodologies, and how to use more sophisticated software. I’m really excited about all that I’m going to learn!


Humility
March 17, 2009

I want to take a moment to speak about humility. I’ve lived here for only 2 weeks, and I feel already I’ve been humbled.

We complain a lot in the U.S., but the reality is that the U.S. really does have it better than most countries. So far my experience here has been so wonderful, but I’ve had to live without the comfort of what Americans would deem basic (and usually reliable) necessities. For instance, I can’t get internet when I want anymore. Now, I have to try and steal it from the wireless network near the training center, but the connection is soooo slow (I’ve been having flashbacks of the terrors of dial-up). Sometimes, I go to the internet center (with a much faster connection) and pay for an hour of time there. But now I can’t watch videos when I want or browse. I can’t research or find comfort in just mindlessly wandering the internet. I have to plan out my internet surfing. I’m going through withdrawal symptoms for sure!

Also, I haven’t had a hot shower in about 2 weeks, and it will probably be several months before I have another. The water is cold and rather shocking, but I’m sure I’ll appreciate it when the weather gets horribly hot... which it will. It’s supposedly abnormally cold here (at a chilly 75 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit). Everyone keeps declaring, “Hace frio! Hace frio!” but I’m loving it… as long as I’m not in bitter, face numbing 10 degree weather.

Perhaps surprising to many of you, basic utilities in America are almost commodities here. Running water and electricity here are not always reliable. Both utilities could go out at any time without notice. That’s just how it is here. Many of my fellow Trainees have to take bucket baths from water held in a tank and many don’t have electricity for certain hours of the day. The infrastructure here just isn’t as advanced as it is in the U.S. Fortunately, where I’m staying, we’ve had little problems with electricity, but that won’t always be the case during my service. But no worries, I came prepared! I brought three kinds of light sources!

A final example is that people here can’t afford to indulge in “luxuries.” What I mean by luxuries is buying a new purse or even a bath towel! Okay, I went to the equivalent of a Wal-mart here and the towels were super expensive, and forget about getting a good one! I couldn’t believe it! Also, the money they gave us is for small expendables. I came here without a handbag (which I totally regret), but I don’t have enough pesos to buy the cheapest handbag. I can ride the “guagua” up and down the street forever, but I can’t get a handbag – unless I change my dinero. Oh well, I will get by for now… A couple other Trainees were so kind to lend me/make me a purse. Sooo very sweet.

I would say, if anything, I’ve learned quite quickly how many advantages there are in the U.S., and I understand why people immigrate there. The poorest person in America living on welfare can afford to have a decent public education (even a university education), computer, reliable internet connection, running HOT water, and consistent electricity. Here, even the middle class may not have any of these. We, as Americans, really have so very much. I believe one of my goals has been met (and will continue to be met throughout my service) -- I have come to appreciate what I left behind in America, and so far, I’ve learned to humbly live this new life with less technological “advantages.” I know there will be more challenges to come, and I hope to adapt to them…

But let me just say, the wonderful experiences I have had here thus far really outweigh the minor inconveniences.