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Published: November 18th 2009
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Aldayer the Monk
Aldayer doing a little reflecting of his own. oh wednesdays. i'm stressed. but, i will get things done...eventually. i'm going to be posting a couple blogs a week since s & j are gearing up for australia and will have computer access here shortly. for those of you who pay close attention, the picture of aldayer was repeated in this blog. but that's ok with me, because i love it. so much in fact, that i've actually made it my desktop background. have a wonderful second half of the week. - b
16 September 2009
As of today, we’ve reached our one year “anniversary” for being in country. Looking back on that year, I’ll go against the cliché and say that it has been a long one. We have both colossally broadened our perspectives on all faucets of life; not to mention stretched ourselves to the limits of physical comfort in regards to diet, housing, and isolation.
Being at the middle of one’s service may not be all that different from a mid-life crisis. We’re looking critically at the year that has gone past, over analyzing what we’ve done in regards to our project work and speculating on what we could or should attempt to start
Smokin'
Justin and the latest model of meat smoker. in the year to come. It’s easy to be hard on ourselves and notice how, in accordance to our culture’s standards, we have fallen short of even the minimum of what we thought we could accomplish.
Justin, such a trooper, is still waiting on the school’s computers to show up. He has done his best to prepare the teacher’s here for working with them without actually having anything for them to practice with. He is exploring other venues for his time here. Currently, he is planning a money management and budgeting workshop that he will run for the teachers first and open up to the community during the summer months.
Also, he’s attracted a lot of attention by experimenting with smoking meat. The handyman at the school and he are busy perfecting the most ideal meat smoker that can be created with materials on the island. The initial model was a cardboard box with layers of coconut “bones” (the hard part that runs through the middle of the leaf) to lay the thin slices of meat on while still allowing the smoke to circulate inside. This one was successful, but wound up burning on their second go round.
Mama's workshop flyer
Thought you guys might enjoy reading this. Next, there was a plastic bucket they cut horizontally into many layers and wired metal screening to each layer. It looked goofy and proved not to be very efficient as the smoke leaked out profusely through the layers.
The current model seems to be holding up well. For this one, they sawed the back off of a wooden chair, leaving just the seat and four legs. Then, particle board was nailed to the top and three sides. The fourth side was attached with hinges so it could be opened and closed. Inside, seven layers of mesh screen are used to hold strips of meat. He has smoked meat three separate times and is experimenting to see how long it can last without molding; with plans of a future workshop for anyone interested in learning how to smoke meat. This will be a very practical method for the people here to store meat. Usually, if a cow or pig is killed for meat, it has to be eaten with two days. Now, they’ll have the option of storing it longer.
Things in the world of teacher training are progressing slowly. When I am frank with myself about how much
Walkin'
down the lane of coconuts. Aldayer and Tugu, two brothers of mine, bonding with Justin (and wearing his clothes). of the information will “stick” with the teachers once I am gone, well, let’s just say I prefer not to go there. However, it’s easy to measure ourselves against our culture’s progressive expectations and definitions of “success”; and hard to remember the broader reasons for Peace Corps’ existence.
Currently, I am working with the primary teachers more one on one in an attempt to get them to use Phonics and Word Wall activities in their classrooms. The female teachers are very receptive and take the initiative to adapt the activities to their classes. Be it because of cultural differences or just lack of training and skills, the male teachers aren’t as responsive. This month, I’m working with two of them on planning and how to incorporate the activities more specifically to their classes’ level. I have also bribed the lot of them with a certificate. If I observe them using Phonics/Word Wall in their classrooms and see a week long plan, they will be awarded with a certificate. As much as I hate to resort to extrinsic motivation, it seems to be working. I offered the chance to two “observers” (aka paras) as well, so that should they seek a permanent job teaching here or elsewhere, they could have the certificate to back their resume. We shall see how long term the effects of “certifying” are.
Next month I have a workshop planned for the mamas of kindy and year one students in Betarara. I’m still working on the specifics, but am thinking of having just a general “toktok” on the importance of education and then make a few activities that they can take home to play with their kids. Most kids start year one without knowing how to spell their name, so we’ll make name “puzzles” out of cardboard and also develop matching skills with shape dominoes. I’m hoping the workshop will also be a chance for me to get to know some of the women in the community better, as up until now I have spent most of my time working with teachers.
Both of us continue working with the four youth that we took to Ambae for the camp GLOW/BILD workshops. We plan to have a camp here at Gambule School over the summer break in January. So far, I have been impressed with their drive and dedication to seeing this project through. We are planning fundraisers to help pay for renting the building and other materials for the camp. I am excited to get to work more directly with the youth and know that the sessions, namely on leadership, reproductive health, and healthy relationships, are a need in this area.
We are reminded of our “One Year” also because we are gearing up to host four Peace Corps Trainees (PCTs) for about a week at our site in October. They will shadow us in our typical day to see the life of a volunteer is like. This is something that our training did not include, but I can see the advantages of it. We will (hopefully) be a good resource of information for them on a variety of topics. Plus, I hear we are supposed to get two married couples, so it will probably be especially easy to relate our experiences to what they may deal with. And we are hoping to get to talk with them in advance and see if they’ll bring us out some treats - maybe some pasta and fresh veggies from Vila.
Our pride over the past year is the relationships that we are continuing to form and strengthen here. We have celebrated, cried, laughed, and learned with our family and friends here. They are coming to us with questions and favors just like we are going to them. I have pretty well cemented my role as the village banana cake baker and Justin as the white guy who grinds strong kava. It is nice to be mutually needed in the community. The understanding that both they and us have of a new culture is something that will influence our decisions and perspective for the rest of our lives.
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Aunt mary
non-member comment
hello
We are enjoying the blog. Thinking of you!! Sounds like you guys are doing well. What a grand experience. Talk to you later. Love you, Aunt mary and Uncle Mel