 Elena Kaye-Schiess & Tom Kittredge - Elena and Tom | All Comments |
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| 17th April 2007 Betty Bone S | guiea pigs - From: A Brief Response to the Comments Section Dear Elena: Thank you so much for the birthday card. Because of it I am off to do some more research! And we love your Blogs and we too can hardly wait to see you. Much love, BA |
| 22nd March 2007 Marylyn Wentworth | Learning from Afar - From: A Brief Response to the Comments Section Thanks so much for your responses to my questions. It is good to have you as my teachers from afar. It occurs to me that one of the things you witness and experience by being in Peru is how unevenly resources are distributed around the world. When you name the countries where volunteers come from it is obvious that they are from countries where the earth's resources are used in abundance, giving people the time and money to volunteer for those who do not receive a fair share of the earth's resources. It is a difficult issue that will probably not remain static for long. Could we live with as little as most Peruvian's or Guatemalan's live with? Could we pare down our lives, our goods, our amusements, enough for resources to be distributed with a bit more fairness? There are certainly children (and adults) in our won country who have to make do with the same meager resource base as the children you work with in Peru - the difference being that if anyone were to notice or get indignant, we actually have the resources to increase the fairness, which is not so in some countries like Peru. Keep up your great work! Marylyn |
| 18th March 2007 Daniela Bassani | Hola viajeros - From: A Brief Response to the Comments Section Cómo estan ustedes? Estan hablando mucho espanol? Espero que si. Estoy muy feliz de saber que ustedes estan trabajando tanto y ayudando a las personas. Es muy triste que las personas de Latinoamerica no pueden hacer más unas por las otras.Yo creo que un día vamos a poder. La experiencia con los ninos parece magnífica, creo que ustedes van a volver con una visión muy diferente del mundo. Ustedes piensan que es posible encotrar un tratamiento para la madre de Fernando ? Creo que ella lo necesita tanto como él. Me despido, beso, Daniela. |
| 15th March 2007 Lyman Page | ADHD - From: A Brief Response to the Comments Section Tom One of the observations that made me a believer that we would someday be able to describe many - maybe, ultimately, most - brain function biologically was the effect of small doses (5-10 mg) of methylphenidate (Ritalin) on the small minority of kids with the Dx who have uncomplicated "true" ADHD - intelligent, with no psychopathy. It makes failing students become superior in these special cases. The best approach is therapeutic trial - inexpensive (With generic) and safe, so long as followup is maintained and the drug is stopped if it doesn't work. So if there's any medical resource around you might bring this up. With respect to social relations, a kids reputation will dog him for a while, if interactional difficulties have been prominent. These kids irritate their friend unbelievably, so fighting doesn't always mean the child is belligerent. Of course, Fernando has a tough history, and there may be a lot of non-ADHD behavioral overlay. Keep up the good work! |
| 12th March 2007 Lyman Page | Your site; Fernando - From: Flares, orphans, balloons and more... You've done beautifully with the site IMHO. The Fernando anecdote sounds like a real problem. Is he behaviorly disturbed and diagnosed? If so, is it only the police who respond when he takes off? Is orphanage placement the "treatment" for a boy whose mother doesn't want him at home? Here, for example, Human Services and Chlidren, Youth and Families or whatever they're called in Maine now would be involved and ultimately try to get his behavior in control sufficiently to get him out of an institution and into a foster home or, ideally, back into his own home (unless there are other reasons for ruling that out, such as drugs. |
| 11th March 2007 Kathy Griffin | I love your blogs! - From: Flares, orphans, balloons and more... You 2 sound SO busy! Are you dreaming in Spanish? How cool that there is another "alternative " school kid there and such a varied group at your house. I read Marylyn's comment. She's asking some probing questions! There is 22" of ice on Kennebunk Pond but tomorrow will be in the 40's which will be good as a fiend and I are running in a local 5K fundraiser. Today was probably the last day for decent x-country skiing. ELENA AND TOM, YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME,smart,curious,brave,adventurous...ME hugs |
| 11th March 2007 Kathy Griffin | blog makes me wish I was there - From: Lake Titicaca, Puno, Copacabana and La Paz Tom, Your photos are fab (descriptions too)...a nice blend of close-ups (Teqiile young people, pigeons, Elena's Starburst prowess)and distance shots(your views,sunsets,sailing) I'm paticularly intrigued w/ the foating reed island and am curious if it's "sustainable"/do they grow their own reeds?Will update... He worked building docks in Florida for a month and just went on a week long kayak/camping from one spring to another on the Wakiva River in Central FL. You 2 sound and look great! Hugs from ME! |
| 5th March 2007 Marylyn Wentworth | Where do the orphans come from? - From: Flares, orphans, balloons and more... Given the number of orphanages you indicate there are in Couscu, it seems orphaned children are a bigger problem than here in the US. Is there a reason for this? Are there social issues that contribute to the number of orphans? Has this been true for a long time or is it a recent phenomena? Why do so many volunteers come from other countries to help out with this rather than Peruvians helping? Or do they volunteer too? I do not think of Peru as a third world country, maybe second and a half world country, but it occurs to me that I do not know enough about the relative social, political and economic stability of the country and whether they consider themselves a third world country. Can you give me some insight here? Are you taught anything in regard to interacting with these orphan kids or are you just thrown in to do your best? What seems to be challenging you in this work? I am also interested in the shape your senior project will take. What are you thinking about in regard to documenting your guiding principles and communicating not just a "travel-log" but what you learned about yourselves, about Peru and its people, what you have gained in regard to a broader understanding of the larger world? What were the problems you encountered and why were they problems? What and who has influenced you in regard to your own future from this experience? I have recently been reading a good deal about white racial and cultural priviledge. It is striking to me that most white people take their priviledge for granted to such an extent that they do not even perceive their priviledge. Do you see any distinctions in Peru that point to white race priviledge? Do you feel your own priviledge? If so, in what way? I am really interested in the depth and scope of your learning Elena and Tom. Knowing you two, I expect that you are keeping journals and recording experiences in your fertile brains, but think about long range documentation and think about your core inquiry. I look forward to hearing from you. My very best to you and I miss you both SO much. Marylyn |
| 24th February 2007 Jen Wuest | Amazing - From: Manu I love checking in with this blog. You are seeing/experiencing amazing things. Glad to hear that no one is bleeding from every orifice! Look forward to reading/seeing more....love, Aunt Jen |
| 12th February 2007 Marylyn | Tricks and Treats - From: Manu Looks like you two are ammassing a collection of tricks, riddles and games that could be of real use back here at TNS. You don't seem to have any trouble amusing yourselves on the long drives. On a more serious note, after coming back from Guatemala two weeks ago and living at pretty high altitude (7,000 ft.) I was wondering how high up in the Andes you live and have traveled and if you noticed the difference living up so high after living at about 20 feet in Maine. I also wondered about differences and similarities you find in the Peruvian culture. For example, we notice that babies are always carried by someone in Guatemala, you rarely see a baby in any situtuation except carried in a sling by the mother. Is that true in Peru? We also noticed that children play with all kinds of imaginative toys, but rarely anything manufactured. I am very curious about the cultural similarities and differences that you are experiencing. |
| 12th February 2007 Heidi | wow - From: Manu wow, your blog is incredible i cant believe that your actually experiencing all of the things you wrote about, it felt like i was reading some adventure novel or something. looks like your having an amazing time, i look forward to reading more..... love you guys |
| 3rd February 2007 BA | amazing - From: It's been a little while...sorry dear Elena: unbelievably we had dinner with a friend of Sally's who had been just where you are and another teacher who has spent her life teaching, in Germany, English as a second language. We think and speak of you all of the time! Much love, BA |
| 17th January 2007 Hallie | - From: Al salaam a'alaykum from Nouakchott Hola Elena & Tom! Im sitting in an internet cafe in Guate which is probably the same one Cassie wrote you from. Peru sounds wonderful. Things are crazy here as well (I smashed my head into a concrete wall... we all got tattoos...). I wish you both luck in the "after grace period" and remember to RELAX on a regular basis! |
| 14th January 2007 Elena and Tom | Hey all - From: Al salaam a'alaykum from Nouakchott Hey Jake and Cassie! I want to hear all about Guatemala. Dad, the soccer team is Cienciano, they play in the Peruvian league, and they made it to the finals, only to lose to the team from Lima. |
| 14th January 2007 cassie | - From: Al salaam a'alaykum from Nouakchott hey guys! Im sitting here in an internet cafe with jake!! i am glad you guys arehaving such an adventure...us too! its amazing ere in xela! dont have much time thoug but both me and jake say hello! |
| 14th January 2007 cassie | - From: Al salaam a'alaykum from Nouakchott hey guys! Im sitting here in an internet cafe with jake!! i am glad you guys arehaving such an adventure...us too! its amazing ere in xela! dont have much time thoug but both me and jake say hello! |
| 14th January 2007 Fletcher | What is the name of the local Futbol Team? - From: Al salaam a'alaykum from Nouakchott What is the name of the local Futbol team? In what league do they play? Are they any good? |
| 13th January 2007 Cornelia Kittredge | Thanks. - From: Al salaam a'alaykum from Nouakchott Dear Tom and Elena, Thanks so much for your entry. It is great to see where you are. All the sun looks nice on a dreary January day. Please keep posting. I will forward the address to Tom's uncles and aunt. |
| 9th January 2007 Kathy/Bill/Cort Griffin | HOLA GRINGOS - From: Hola de Peru! How hot is it? Love the views and we've created a contest "find the mountain badge" Score here is zero. Clues anyone?! What's your 'tude about the altitude? Tell us more!! |
| 9th January 2007 bettybone | hi! - From: Hola de Peru! This is wonderful! I sent a private note to Elena but am not sure it really went. It will be great to learn how things go from day to day. We will write when we get to New Zealand, also marveling at the Southern Cross. When we were last there I tried to see if the toilet flushed in the opposite direction but Couldn't really tell. Tom, I feel I almost know you, so "hi" and don't waste too much time checking the water flow! Bill says love, as do I. |
| 8th January 2007 Rick | Ciao! - From: Hola de Peru! Great to hear you are there and over the barfing, Elena. Jealous of your weather and environs. What a beautiful and full view. We miss you already. You got a letter from Wells College - you got a schlarship there as well, so congratulations again. Same old here as we had cloudy and rain all day. Tom's blog was great reading. Keep em coming. Have you been to the market yet? Love, Dad |
| 8th January 2007 Aunt Jen | Congrats! - From: Hola de Peru! Hi Tom from your Aunt Jen! Hi Elana whom I've never met from Tom's aunt Jen-- congrats on making it this far-- the pictures are great. I look forward to hearing more, Jen |
| 7th January 2007 Xine | - From: Hola de Peru! Wow! You guys are sitting under different stars! Southern Cross instead of the Big Dipper. That's so COOL! Glad you made it safely. Elena, so sorry to hear about the projectile vomitting mid-flight. Keep laughing, you guys! |
| 7th January 2007 bryan | sweet - From: Hola de Peru! please keep the puke scores updated and let me know when you see an orange throated tanager |
| 6th January 2007 Hallie & Cassie | - From: Hola de Peru! WE LOVE YOU TWO! |
| 5th January 2007 Fletcher Kittredge | Looks Great - From: Hola de Peru! Hi Elena and Tom! Glad to see you all arrived safely. How is the altitude effecting you? regards, fletcher |
| 4th January 2007 Xine | Bon Voyage!! - From: Hey Tom Good Luck Guys!!! Have fun, stay safe, and keep in touch. |
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