The Reason

Sometimes in the grind of things, I forget the real reason why I'm here.

Yet, today, a good friend of mine reminded me... In this post, I would like to invite you to the blog of my friend and fellow PCV, Kevin (http://wilkins-kevin.blogspot.com/). He's serving in a small, remote village in Senegal, and his experience is definitely more rigorous than mine. But today, I was reading his post entitled, "Dakar Trip w/ Brothers (from the village)" and I was profoundly inspired. It is quite evident from his post how touched he was by his trip with his host brothers, who had never left their tiny village. He opened their eyes to a world beyond what they had imagined - he introduced them to the vastness of their own country and to the big city.

His blog serves as a testament as to why we PCV's jump into this lifestyle. Though we dream up big projects for our communities, in reality, it's not about the big things, the big impact; it's about the small things and the differences we may make in one or two people's lives. If we've done that, we've succeeded and we should be proud.

Kevin has that "spark" now. He's been through a lot during his time in country. Nothing's easy for him, but he's endured, and now he's in love... In his blog, he claims that this defining trip with his host brothers was one of the most memorable experiences in his life... He touched his brothers greatly, and their appreciation inspired him in return. Amazing.

I'm looking for that "spark" too, and that's the real reason I'm here.

1st Anniversary

This past week was a busy one. At my CTC, we hosted an event to celebrate our first anniversary. We were a bit disorganized at first, and I was rather stressed for several days (the most stress I’ve experienced here!). However, everything came together at the last minute, and I was rather proud of the outcome. Everyone worked hard to prepare the center for all the visitors. We cleaned the CTC, decorated, set up chairs, discussed the procedure. Then everyone went home to get dressed, and when everyone returned, they were all so elegante! We were all proud and excited. We knew what this anniversary meant; it was finally an opportunity to promote our services and really show the community what a great resource the CTC is.

I had to say a few words for the ceremony, so I drafted a short speech beforehand. I’ve gotten used to speaking in front of people in spontaneous Spanish, but I wanted to say something special. During the event, I was a bit nervous, but I think it came out all right. So, here goes my speech (translation below):

Buenas tardes, señoras y señores estimados. Gracias por venir aquí. Su
presencia es muy importante para nosotros todos.

Yo tengo mucho suerte para vivir aquí in esta comunidad. Estoy
agradecida para trabajar en este gran CTC. Gracias a ustedes por aceptarme en su
comunidad.

El CTC ha logrado mucho en este año pasado. Ciertamente, este CTC es un
buen ejemplo de oportunidad y progreso. En el año que viene, espero que logremos
mucho más.

Queremos implementar más programas, más charlas y más talleres. Sin
embargo, necesitamos su ayuda. [Nuestro pueblo] tiene muchos recursos y buena
gente. Juntos, nosotros podemos movilizar la comunidad para hacer este CTC uno
de lo mejor en el pais. Si tiene un idea, un tema muy importante para la
comunidad, compartalo, y ¡lo hablemos! Aproveche el CTC, su CTC.

Este CTC es como una familia. ¡Juntenos y trabajemos juntos! Gracias
por el privilegio para ser una parte de esta familia.

And now the translation:

Good afternoon, esteemed ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you for coming here. Your presence is very important to all of us. I
am very lucky to live here in this community. I am grateful to work in this
great CTC. Thank you all for accepting me in your community.

The CTC has accomplished a lot in the past year. Certainly, this CTC is a
great example of opportunity and progress. In the coming year, I hope that we
accomplish much more.

We want to implement more programs, more talks, and more workshops.
However, we need your help. [Our town] has many resources and good people. We
can mobilize the community in order to make this CTC one of the best in the
country. If you have an idea, an issue very important to the community, share it
and let’s talk about it. Take advantage of the CTC, your CTC.

This CTC is like a family. Join us and let's work together! Thank you for the privilege to be a part of this family.

Now that I’ve translated it, it doesn’t sound as brilliant as I had hoped, but I’m still working on my Spanish. I think I have a long way to go before I can master the sophisticated literary manipulation of the language. Ah, one day.

So here I sit, glad that the event turned out great. Now, I must move on to my other project – my diagnostic report and presentation. I have a lot of work to do, and our conference is in a week!

Making posters!

Damas muy elegantes

My speech

Speaking with PC Volunteer Leader Kathy

Catching Up...

Hello Dear Readers,

I realize I have been a bit absent as of late. Wouldn’t you believe, I’ve been a little busy? This Peace Corps Volunteer actually has a social life too!

So where in the world have I been? Or more appropriately, where on this little island have I been?

For 4th of July weekend, I celebrated my American-ness with about 60 other gringos on the beautiful peninsula of Samaná. We all converged on a very quiet town on the end of the peninsula. It was almost as if we were at the edge of the world. On the 4th, we all escaped by boat to Playa Rincón, which has been deemed the most beautiful beach in this fair country. It was quite secluded (you only found gringos on this beach that day). We spent several hours sunbathing, ocean-bathing, and river-bathing (there was a very refreshing river that ran right into the ocean). That night, we celebrated with hamburgers and hot dogs, though I must say no one can beat my grandfather’s “cookout” burgers. After listening to some good ol’ fashioned American tunes by the likes of Michael Jackson and Madonna, we all went to the discoteca to partake in our newfound Dominican-ness.

The following week, I went to the capital to take care of some business. Many complain that the capital is the hottest part of this country, but I must say, the three days I was there were the most air-conditioned days I’ve had since I’ve been there. I don’t think I chanted my usual “Ah, hace calor. Hace calor.” once during those 3 days.

I am still working on my diagnostic. The conference to present my results is in less than 3 weeks. I’m ready to begin working on my projects, but my preoccupation with this diagnostic is taking up much of my time. However, the English classes I’ve been teaching give me a sense that I’m accomplishing something at least. Also, I’ve been planning an anniversary event at my center with the administrative committee. I feel a little bit like a producer, as if I’m working on a film set again. I’ve been offering my ideas, but I’m also learning to sit back and allow the committee to own this event.

So yeah, I’m hanging in there. As we like to say here, I’m always en la lucha (“in the fight”), whether it’s the heat, my communication mishaps, my desire for control, or my longing for comfort. But everyday I’m learning, and I’m getting a little wiser. And somewhere in all the work, I get my piece of paradise too.

Now, back to work…