Peace Corps baby!

Adios mis amigos

2009-11-16T07:35:00.000-08:00

Que reuinion! (what a meeting!) My kids threw me the best "despedida" ever! They told me we had a meeting and I suspected something of course, given I was in my final 24 hours of Duveaux, but I did not anticipate what was ahead....I got none other than my own private concert! It was an amazing way to spend the last night in my campo and I could not have asked for anything more. My man, Cholo, got his "grandmother", Muna and Chulo to come tocar palo (traditional haitian percussion music) on my front lawn. I had all my kids there, under the stars as we sang and danced and indulged in my favorite brindis (snack)... chocolate cookies and 7-Up. It was so thoughtful of them and was a great finale to my time in Duveaux.

Marco & Me!

2009-10-22T07:56:00.000-07:00

Marco and I did a beach day! It was so much fun. We got to be beach babies! We went swimming, rock skipping, you name it! Although it wasn't like when I was a kid.... Mama Rach had a little more responsibility and I was slightly nervous. For the first time, Marco was my and only my responsibility. There wasn't grandpa or grandma or tia or tio around to keep the 18 sets of eyes on him there normally are. I only let him out of my hands to take a few glamour shots!

Muasu a si la vie – Escojo Mi Vida – I choose my Life

2009-10-22T05:01:00.000-07:00

I’ll get right to it…. A few weeks ago I went on the viaje of all viajes, the intercambio of all intercambios …. Duveaux goes to Las Pajas, Catholic meets Cristian and Dominican meets Haitian and despite all odds, we had an absolute blast. For so long I have been wanting to bring my kids from Duveaux to Las Pajas. Mostly for personal reasons, but also to show my kids a Batey in the east and potentially put an end to some of the stereotypes their parents, neighbors, etc. have implanted in their brains about Haitians.
This trip was probably the highlight of my entire Peace Corps service and it happened two months before departure! Regardless, I got to show my family from Duveaux, my family in Las Pajas – my two worlds meet! It was such a wild feeling. I was nervous about my campo Dominicans coming to this sacred little piece of my life, as they are teenagers and 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 year olds will be 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 year olds regardless of my emotional and psychological state. Things started off a little shaky, but once we got started, my kids did not want to leave! It was awesome. We did a treasure hunt to get to know Las Pajas and one another a little. Then Duveaux did a charla on desigualdad de genero, we threw in a brindis, a public speaking taller and there you have it! The best part of all had to have been the show de cantos, cuentos y talentos! It was like no other I have seen before and all the educational, cultural activities that were planned did not even come close to the effect show de talentos had on our groups. It was just a Catholic Dominican, Cristian Haitian extravaganza. We heard and saw everything from Escojo rhymes, Haitian jokes, socio dramas, incredible dance moves and needless to say, Brianna and I shared a large cup of wine afterwards!
Total success! Reflecting after getting back from our adventure, I realized what an impact this trip had on my Dominican teenagers. They were in awe of the kindness Las Pajas showed them and the tranquility of a predominately Haitian community. I don’t think any charla on discrimination or guest speaker could have even held a candle to the justice this viaje gave to my campo kids.

What an improvement!

2009-09-24T15:47:00.000-07:00

Looks much better? It looks like a old Jewish man's nose to me, but it certainly feels better. It has been a little over three months and I went for my first run since the accident June 11th today! It was awesome. I didn't clock in at 6 minute miles or anything and it wasn't the longest run I have ever been on, but nonetheless, I ran and my knee does not hurt one bit! My modeling career may be over, but sports live on!

Dia Internacional de la Lectura!

2009-09-21T07:37:00.000-07:00

How awesome is it when a kid reads to a kid? The Asociación de Jóvenes (Youth Association) and I celebrated International Literacy day Tuesday, September 8th. We started the celebration at the Elementary School in Duveaux, grabbed about 6 7th graders and marched through the community shouting such phrases as “Vale la pena aprenderlo, Vale la pena celebrarlo” (If its worth learning, its worth celebrating) and “Leer para Aprender, Saber es Poder” (Read to learn, knowledge is power) The translation might not be exact, but you get the idea. What a hoot! I got these tigueres to read to a huge group of kids! We marched proud to the basketball court and the Elementary School in El Limon, where we read Salta Ranita, Salta and Los Tres Cerdos. My youth group did some dinámicas with the kids and it was awesome! I won’t get all sentimental on you, but I loved that morning and the entire event cost a total of 125 pesos ($3.68). I carried Marco on my shoulders and bought him an ice cream after!

Pasar le blower!

2009-09-21T07:17:00.000-07:00

3 lbs Bizcocho (cake) - $RD 1,200 pesos ($35.29 U.S.)
12 Escojo certificates - $RD242 pesos ($7.12 U.S.)
“Pasar el blower al salón” (hair straighten at the salon) - $RD 80 pesos ($2.35)
The satisfaction and happiness my straightened hair gave Julia – priceless Since I arrived to Duveaux, March 7th, 2008, just about everyone who has laid eyes on me has been dying to straighten all life out of my hair. Not one day goes by where someone doesn’t offer to either run a brush through my mop or blow dry me straight. Comments about how beautiful it would look had I gotten my ass to the salon are also a daily remark. One gua-gua ride, I was letting the breeze blow through my curly locks out the window and a big-gutted man from outside a tire shop yelled to me “ven a peinarte”, (come, let me comb your hair). The kids and teenage girls aren’t the only ones with this yearning desire!
Now, I am not going to go into the whole schpeal about what people refer to as “good hair/bad hair” or how the Dominican yearning burning longing to straighten their kinky is just one of the many ways Dominicans seem to negate the black in them. I will keep this one slightly personal so as to evade the heat or conflict surrounding this topic.
What a lucha it has been to keep my bouncy curly cues hang loose around these parts. Up until today that is, August 16, 2009. Peace finally paid a visit to Duveaux for one, hopefully final, Escojo Graduation. Yes, you guessed it….. I spent the morning in the Salon and what a salon! Now I wasn’t exactly expecting mimosas, but nor was I anticipating the communal bobby pins that clamped my straightened mane. No one sent me the byob (bring your own bobbies) memo. I was already slightly disappointed that I couldn’t rest my head on the sink during the wash and that I was going to be sharing combs and brushes with the community at large. But the bobby pins were pushin’ it! I bit the bullet today to say the least. I am sure some in my community were thinking something along the lines of, “finally that girl got it together or at last, she gets it.” I think that getting my hair blown dry today gave some people in Duveaux the same sense of satisfaction I get when anyone throws something in the trash can instead of on the ground or says please or thank you. Neither one of us is really changing our ways, but we are momentarily pleasing the other!

100 days to go!

2009-09-21T06:34:00.000-07:00

August 14th marked the 100-day countdown! The group I swore in with, November 20th, 2007 as Peace Corps Volunteers is on the last leg of service. We started out as 53 and to date we are down to 43. We lost 12 and gained 2 (one volunteer from Honduras and another from Bolivia). Some have decided to go home for personal reasons, others for professional reasons and others on account of health issues. Regardless, I will always have a special bond with those 53 that I swore in with and an even closer bond with those whom I have done my entire service with side by side. It is hard to reflect or think about the future when I am knee deep in a stove project, a volleyball tournament to enter, an Escojo conference to attend and about 5 grants to close out, but nonetheless, my C.O.S. (close of service) conference came and went. C.O.S. certainly shed some light on what has happened over the last two years and it is hard to believe things are coming to a close.
We all took some time to think about the drowning economy in the U.S., the job market, Grad school and the comforts and discomforts we will come face to face with in the U.S. for those of us returning. Nonetheless, I am happy I did the Peace Corps and would not trade this experience in for all the money in the world. It has been a wild, wild ride and I look forward to sharing stories with other returned peace corps volunteers, because like they told us at the conference, no one else will really want to hear it! Once a peace corps volunteer, always a peace corps volunteer.

Reed comes to Visit! Mama Mia

2009-09-19T16:40:00.001-07:00

Now, from what I remember, it is pretty common to start having kids around the age of 24 or so. The average age at first birth for mothers has been increasing in many developed nations and today it is 25 years of age in the U.S. as opposed to the 21 years of age in 1970. It seems that women start having children later and later and careers are testing the limits of the “biological clock”. My mom had my older sister when she was about 29 and 29 years later, my sister just gave birth to her first child and my first niece (Olive Anna – Born at 12:48 am September 9, 2009 – 6 lbs 14 ounces, 20” tall)! I am one proud aunt! Back to the point…. If my grandparents were alive today, they would be somewhere around 92. Regardless, the possibility that my grandparents would be around to see their great grand kids never really existed. Things are a little different where I live in the Dominican Republic. Not only do great grandparents meet their great grand kids, they get to know their great, great, great grand kids. Seems outlandish, I know, but not if you start motherhood at the ripe age of 12! Reed and I went around my community doing a mini-photo story on young families and it came as no surprise that we were able to find Yuli the 14 year old wife of my friend, Nappa, who is 8 months pregnant and Mileisi; 16 year old mother of one. Not to mention all the pregnant 16, 17 and 18 year olds who I saludar every day. There are supposedly 9.7 million people living in the Dominican Republic and 32% of them are 14 or younger. Are you all thinking what I rewind over and over again in my head on a daily basis….. doesn’t anyone see the correlation between poverty and birth rate? Or where the hell is the birth control? Or why aren’t these kids using condoms? Sure, reproductive health education is not as easy to access as a Presidente, but the information is out there and people do talk. Granted, there is a lot of hidden “love”, birth control chit-chat is talked about just like deciding what is for dinner. There isn’t much privacy around a callejon (block, street) where people depend on their neighbor for protection, water and sometimes food. It is no secret who has had their tubes tied and who hasn’t.
So why is it that current day Dominican Republic campo has so many young moms and families when the infant mortality rate is 29.6/1,000 ?
There is some rhyme and a little reason behind so many young moms like 14-year-old Yuli and why the age at first birth has not changed much since vintage Mejen gave birth to her first child in 1933 at 12 years old. Although there is TV now, hormones still run wild. The age-old saying goes, “Amarra tu gallina porque mi gallo anda suelto.” Tie up your chicken because my rooster roams free. Just so happens that regardless of accessibility to reproductive health information, tradition and culture, not to mention hormones, are hard to change.
Some girls in the Campo simply just don’t have the biological orientation about the correspondence between pregnancy and unprotected sex. Other Latin teeny bops believe it when their macho man assures them they that peeing after sex is just another form of birth control. More noteworthy than these common cases is the hang-up with marriage engrained in this culture. There isn’t a day that goes by where someone does not tell me I need to have a Dominican boyfriend if not a husband. It used to be that when people called me over to them urgently I thought it was because they needed some help desperately, but now I know it is just because they are extremely concerned about whether or not I have a boyfriend. No one has been even close to in as much of as panic (I was recently in a motorcycle accident) as when people discover I am a single woman.
The peer pressure to start a family and begin motherhood is unbelievable. Before these kids can talk they are asked who they have a crush on and how many children they want to have. Just like bachata sounds all day at the colmado some doña is simultaneously propagandizing that to be anywhere close to a respectable human being in society, one needs to be married. Women are thought of as jamonas (hams) if they haven’t shacked up by their 24th birthday. No matter how modern in technological advances, the Dominican campo has a long way to go to be modernized socially. And will continue to be so as long as the dominating peer pressure is to maintain the hot Latin lover reputation Mejen and Lila raised the bar to 76 years ago.
Mileisi’s mom and youngest grandmother (32)we came across wanted Mileisi married by the time she was 14 and was disappointed when she waited ‘til her 16th birthday to say yes to campo matrimony.
She also told us that her second daughter would get married when she was 13 because she is smart! As long as mothers are promoting their children to have children, adolescence will be quickly replaced by motherhood.

2009-09-17T05:43:00.000-07:00

Oh GLOW, where did you go???
Do you remember camp GLOW last July? Or rather, do you remember reading about camp GLOW last year? I remember writing about it. I remember writing about a camp that flew me to the moon! I remember an all-girls camp that made me proud to be a woman: a 5-day extravaganza where I was proud to be a Peace Corps Volunteer. I finally felt that I was accomplishing something: something that no previous experience could hold a candle to. Camp GLOW was it. Life clicked for five days and I was one happy PCV. Sure it was a lot of work and every second was worth it. Hence why I decided to direct camp GLOW this year. Planning started the day camp 2008 ended. We had meetings to not only raise camp GLOW to its highest potential, but to also launch a year round girls group/ gender equality program. I was becoming part of something big - something bigger than a one off 5-day event. This was huge news for a pseudo professional trying to find her place as a “soft soldier.” My service was finally starting to live up to my expectations. I was driven to lead the best camp GLOW the D.R. had ever seen. Big shoes to fill? You bet. And I was ready to fill 'em. Things started off smooth and steady. We created an application process for volunteers who wanted to be part of this all star opportunity and chose carefully. Formal meetings began in February and Emily (co-director/coordinator) and I made sure even the slightest of details had been ironed out. The goin’ was good and I was in charge of something that I believed in, enjoyed doing and fit in my job description. Does it get better? Well, yes, I could be getting paid, but that is another story.
Steps were being taken to make camp GLOW a GO! Committees were forming; charlas created, supplies ordered, reservations for lodging made and professional Dominicans were contacted to speak to the souls and futures of our young adolescents. It was all happening! Fundraising was in the works and our PCPP was slowly filling up. I remember the excitement I felt when I saw the grant had filled. Granted, my right leg was in a cast from my recent motorcycle accident, but I was pumped as could be! All was good and according to plan until July 19, 2009.
Emily and I just spent a rather epic evening celebrating our friend Jo’s 26th B-Day in Loma Verde. We hitched a bola to Rancho Campeche where camp GLOW was set to take place the next day. Perched on the back of a pick up truck, wind was blowing through our hair and we were smiles ear to ear. This is what it was all about I thought! I couldn’t really have been happier. The next thing I know, we are waiting under the shelter of a colmado for the rain to stop. It eases up a bit and we get back on our motorcycle (with Priscilio, my neighbor & trusted moto-concho driver, former house builder, enamorado and current friend). At the entrance to Rancho Campeche, the motorcycle overpowers Priscilio and our tires loose their grip. Sure enough we fall over going about 0 mph. Emily and Priscilio fall with the motorcycle to their left while I decide to fight gravity and burn my right calf on the muffler. I paid Priscilio 100 pesos ($3) and walked the rest of the way, tears rolling down my cheeks. Camp GLOW was off to a bad start and it only got worse. I had just reckoned with the scar on my right knee and gotten used to the pain & eye sore of what my previous moto accident left behind. And now a muffler burn? Right on top of the one I got my first day in Las Pajas. What does this country want with me? Tough to say, but camp GLOW 2009 will go down in history. Tuesday night, the 2nd night of camp and a Tropical storm comes through. One of the reasons camp has been held at Rancho Campeche in the past is the tents: we can see the stars and give some Dominican muchachas the feeling of camping. Hauling wet colchones (sleeping pads) out of tents at 9pm while dirt kissed my muffler burn sure took the romance out of camping! What is one to do with 60 wet Dominican hembras, their clothes, wet tents and a thunderstorm? PCV’s take action! We grabbed all the mats, bags, clothes, sheets, etc. and had a great big sleepover in Aula Taino! Yoga mats and egg crates became sleeping pads; body parts took the place of pillows and the conference room turned into a sleeping hut. We made do so to speak. Sleep deprived? Yes. So, we got a late start our second day at camp Ser Mujer, but we survived the first storm to hit camp GLOW in 6 years! I became the entertainment committee while half the volunteers organized wet sheets, clothes, pillows and mattresses! We had breakfast and played team building games for about an hour and then the sun started to peak through, Gracias a Dios! (Thank you God!) That night at about 11pm we handed out dry sheets and I got my first taste of disaster relief!
Life was pretty chaotic there on out, but at least the sun was out again and camp GLOW lived on! It was a close call. Needless to say, this was not the camp I was expecting, but así es la vida!

give a kid a camera

2009-08-12T15:52:00.000-07:00

While Reed and I had spent the entire week seeking photos for a story about young families, I totally overlooked some of the most hilarious photos I have ever seen! A gave a kid a camera, but little did I know what he would capture!

Escojo Intercambio!

2009-06-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

What is an intercambio you ask???? great question and it could mean a few things in this culture (including a secret santa exchange), but I am currently referring to a union of the forces! The Escojo groups from Loma Verde, Casique and El Ramon all came to exchange charlas, laughs, ideas and phone numbers with Escojo Duveaux on Saturday, June 13th. We hosted about 50 Dominican teenagers for the morning and taught each other about Discrimination, Teenage pregnancy, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Gender Inequality. Wild, I know. That wasn't all.... there were socio-dramas, snacks, music, lunch and the beach! What a day! Now, this is no small task to throw one of these gatherings together and it came with a price, but in the end it was all worth while. I returned from the day feeling proud of my kids and that I had a hand in making this happen for them. Escojo is a Peace Corps initiative and has over the years developed quite an extensive network of groups in the country. We try to go intercambios with other groups so the kids can feel supported and that they are part of something bigger.
Wouldn't it be great if the explanation of this blog ended there? Its never a dull moment in the Peace Corps, so here you go.... on the way to do the "compra" Odi Luis (Escojo Vice President and my right hand man) and I got in a motorcycle accident. Going down a hill we crashed into another motorcycle that was parked, king of the hill, smack in the middle, ogling at a turned over truck. I ever so elegantly got up close and personal with the pavement. I took a seat, got a first hand biology lesson on the patella and sent other Escojo kids with 6,000 pesos ($204) to the grocery store to get saturday's lunch. We went our separate ways (me to Clinica Abreau and the kids to take care of business) and reunited 2 days, a handful of phone calls, a splint, torn tendon, local Anesthesia and 5 stitches later.
The prep work for the event had been long underway, but my kids worked their ass off to get the cooks cooking, the space decorated and all was a go! If anyone out there needs an event planner who speaks Spanish, let me know! All things considered, they did a good job. This was their first major event organizing things on their own and I would say they succeeded. I won't go into the details, but of course there were a few things that were left to dry and it wasn't as picturesque as this blog may lead one to believe, but nonetheless, Escojo Duveaux pulled it off. They did not short themselves in celebrating either..... chisme (gossip) travels fast and I later found out, leftovers, cookies and spaghetti dinner at my vacant home complimented their evening! This situation may remind you of your kids throwing a house party while you are out of town. It rings a bell for me! Kids will be kids whether they are in the U.S. or the Dominican Republic!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

2009-05-22T09:09:00.000-07:00

so, it is a little late and I couldn't give this to you in person, but I am thinking about you. I love you Dad. Happy belated birthday.

Sala goes on!

2009-05-13T15:10:00.000-07:00

Sala de Tarea has moved to my front yard! It is kind of a long story, but I will try to keep this breif. Basically, the elementary school is under construction and the school got moved to various spots throughout the community. Thus, the women's center my Sala de Tarea was formerly meeting in twice a week is being occupied by the 8th grade every morning. My Sala de Tarea kids got the boot! We picked up shop and moved to my front yard. I have company when I drink my coffee in the morning now!

Money, Money, Money, Money!

2009-05-13T15:04:00.000-07:00

My Escojo kids did what's called a peaje last sunday morning and we raised 1,400 pesos (about $50)! They wanted formal I.D. cards to represent themselves as members of Escojo! They earned it and I was proud!

Mango Mama!

2009-05-13T14:53:00.000-07:00

Tis' the season for Mangoes! My mata (tree) is droppin' mangoes like there's no tomorrow! I am starting to invent things to make with mangoes... mango cobbler anyone? They are delish and what would life in the Caribbean be like without a mango tree in your back yard? I don't even want to imagine. So, life is good.

Escojo Regional Conference

2009-05-04T15:27:00.000-07:00

Escojo kids go to their first regional conference! We had a blast! Odi, Cholo and Anabel got to meet with Escojo groups all over the Southern Region of the D.R., hangout, dance, listen to charlas and feel part of the Escojo force! They are amped up and we are on a charla roll! We did a peaje recently and raised 1,400 pesos (40 dollars!) wahoo!

Woman makes Fire!

2009-05-04T14:59:00.000-07:00

Fire! Fire on the mountain!
When the electricity goes out and the gas tank is empty, whatcha gonna do? Make a fire! And I now know how. I am sure I was taught somewhere along the road, like at girl scouts or something like that, but at the time my belly wasn't empty. This time around, I was starving! So, Julia and I lit the fogon!

My name is Helen

2009-04-13T07:16:00.000-07:00

And I am the cutest kid in the world!

Julia!

2009-04-13T07:10:00.001-07:00

We immitate Dominicans all the time and Julia took it upon herself to immitate some of the gringos walkin' around the campo. I had a blast doing this photo shoot!

Hot Shower!!!???

2009-04-13T07:05:00.000-07:00

So this is a new luxury that has recently come into my life, thanks Mom! Yes, I am pretty spoiled here in the D.R. Now, it says Summer Shower, but it is summer on this island year round so you better believe I am not waiting til June 21st to use this and nor am I calling it a day come September 21st! This thing makes a world of difference in terms of my bathing. After showering, I feel like a new woman! No, I am not doing promotions for “Summer Shower”, but I would be happy to if they wanted to set my community up with water! Usually a shower involves pouring buckets of rain water over my head, but this new addition to my life is definitely kicking the bucket to the curb!

Escojo Graduates!

2009-04-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

My first Escojo group graduated March 15th! I was so proud of them! They all said something they learned from Escojo and something they liked from the course. I was impressed! They are my first Escojo students and will be Escojo teachers for more teenagers in the community! Here are the graduates..... Chito (26 - this is his first diploma for anything), Odi Luis Made (17-Vice President of the group), Juan Brujan(18 - President of Escojo and has a 7th grade education), Ariel Rojas (16), Javier Made (19 - now wants to be a photographer!), Anabel Rodriguez (16 - will be attending the Escojo Regional conference at the end of April), Janna Maria Lugo (12 - youngest member of Escojo), Julia de los Santo Vallejo (14 - my best friend in the campo and most eager to learn of the bunch!), Soranye (19- mother of Marco and will be graduating from the 8th grade this May), Barbara (16)

Only in the D.R.!

2009-04-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

As you all know, I go develop photos all the time for my Escojo kids and our photography habit. This is a picture of the place I go to. Yes, there is a Chinatown in the D.R. and of course they call the boss, China! Although extremely un-P.C. in the over hyper U.S., this nickname is accepted here. I just got a kick out of how the photo place I go to about every week also sells toilet paper! What a place.... develop photos for 7 pesos a photo and get 8 rolls of toilet paper for 135 pesos! Only in the D.R.

Duveuax's Photo Debut!

2009-03-11T12:50:00.000-07:00

Go Escojo!!

Success!!
This past Saturday, March 7th, my Escojo group made me proud. They were up and at em’ early Saturday morning to get chairs in place, balloons blown up and snacks sliced for our big debut. We celebrated International Women’s Day with photography, a play, poetry and a song. My kids also educated the community about gender equality.
We kicked things off with a women’s rights song sang by the one and only former host mom, Melania! I didn’t understand much of it, but I did make out that if women don’t stand up for themselves, men will treat them like a tree stump (or something of the sort). She was a real crowd pleaser. Anabel and Julia explained the difference between sex and gender and then the drama. And oh, what a drama it was. The skit was basically about two families (one where gender equality was present in the household and one that was living under a machista father) The ending was slightly vague and it didn’t turn out exactly as we practiced, but I was proud of my kids because they put it together, practiced and the show had a moral to the story.
We also had the 1st ever (that I know of) photo gallery in Duveaux! It was awesome to have my kid]s photos up! They had taken pictures of people doing activities that contradict stereotypical gender roles in Dominican culture to demonstrate how our lives should not be limited to the gender roles we are placed in because of society’s influence.
They also took pictures of women who were important to them or the community and wrote about why. It was an amazing afternoon really, to have Dominican teenagers all gathered around to celebrate International Women’s Day, look at photos and perform.

This is a picture of a meeting we had to elect the president of the Junta de Vecinos. It was a total riot voting for people in the community to be electoral candidates of an organization solely based on their character. None of the candidates said anything prior to the vote. We all just raised our hands based on former knowledge. Everyone in the community essentially knows one another whether they want to or not because they have lived here their entire lives. I suppose 30 or so years watching someone’s life speaks louder than any 5 minute speech!

International Women's Day!

2009-03-11T12:42:00.000-07:00

Mujeres!

The women of Duveaux made quite a presence March 8th, 2009 in the Dominican Republic. We marched screaming phrases like….. Mujer Lucha, Familia Crece (Women fight, while families grow); Mujeres de Duveaux, pongamos en acción para que cambiemos nuestra situación (Women from Duveaux, put us in action so we can change our situation.) The phrases have a lot more umph in Spanish!
It was pretty exhilarating marching together with these Dominican mothers to celebrate Women’s Day in such a machista society. I was pretty empowered to say the least. Now, this is not to say that all the piropos (catcalls) have stopped or that my conversations with men are no longer limited to why I don’t have a boyfriend or what kind of men I like (dark skinned or light skinned), because something tells me this will be the case while I am living in this country, but regardless, this day was great. I was happy to feel included and partly responsible for an important event that promoted female empowerment in this country or at least in the community of Duveaux. We marched throughout the community and ended up in the Local – the Women’s center. Milanda and Nilcia performed a skit, Melania, Milagros and Martina sang with an audience of about 50 women and 4 men! I had fun and at the same time was supporting women in this community, which felt pretty good. I am not expecting too many male dominated marriages to change, but at least more women in Duveaux know they can hangout with other women every other Thursday, chill out, laugh and relax with their female peers. March on Mujeres de Duveaux!

Happy Birthday Marco!

2009-03-11T12:39:00.000-07:00

Today, Marco turned 3 years old! We brought in his first day as a three year old with 3 candles on a cake, 3 balloons and a banana (they are his favorite!)

Drama, drama, drama!

2009-03-06T10:29:00.000-08:00

Escojo Mi Vida is rehearsing for their big debut, tomorrow, March 7th! They are doing a little skit about gender roles in society! They have been working very hard and I am really excited for tomorrow! I am also exhausted, my house and yard has become the stage where they practice every night! Stay tuned for the pictures that we are featuring in the photo gallery tomorrow.

Mama y Madrina come to the campo

2009-03-01T06:21:00.000-08:00

A day in the life…… Mom and Auntie Eileen came to visit the small, Dominican campo of Duveaux, San Cristobal and I think they got a pretty accurate look at my life in the D.R. All my neighbors, community members, anyone and everyone really were all wide-eyed and honored to meet and greet. We schlepped all around the campo because everyone wanted to see, watch and sit with my mom and “Aunt.” My Mom and Eileen patiently sat in plastic chairs while campesinos just stared. Eileen brought letters from Fairhaven High to Duveaux and all my Escojo kids anxiously selected their future husbands and wives! We are attempting a cross-cultural/ pen pal relationship between middle school and high school students of Duveaux and Fairhaven High. The idea is that they can ask each other questions and learn about one another’s cultures. My Escojo kids however only see romantic potential! They devotedly chose their match and began writing. They also wanted photos to accompany these pictures; so of course, we went through the thousands of pictures of them on my computer and chose the perfect one. We also talked at length about how their new found romances will receive these pictures electronically. (Many of them have not been on the internet before) Some asked for their email addresses, but I told them that they, themselves needed an email address to send an email! I suppose I would be asking the same questions had I not gone through adolescence while technology too was simultaneously hitting puberty so to speak. So, we will wait to see what unfolds, but until then, Escojo Mi Vida de Duveaux is learning to write love letters! I am not encouraging it, but it is pretty awesome to see them get so excited about writing a letter!
Back to the visit with the fam. Mixing cultures is a funny business, but oddly enough it wasn’t all that strange this time around. I may be more used to it or my community is more accustomed to peculiar behavior, but somehow I was unfased when my mom and Eileen brought out their sun hats, cheese, crackers & wine and sat down at my picnic table. Sure, they could have been in an ad for J.Crew, but somehow I think all the Dominicans surrounding them would have been airbrushed out. Regardless, all my neighbors were of course very welcoming and excited; maybe a little too much because my Mom & Eileen hit the hay long before the evening banter came to a close at the picnic table. Nonetheless, we had a great time and family is really important in Dominican culture, so my Dominicans were happy to meet more of my family and friends and I was proud to show them off. There just isn’t a better cross-cultural exchange, than real life, American family spending a sleepless (dogs barking, roosters crowing, etc.) night in the campo under a mosqiutero.

Desigualdad de Genero! (Gender Inequality)

2009-02-13T08:09:00.001-08:00

Give a kid a carema and look what happens! I love this shot. It was for no particular assignment, so I can't take much credit, but it is fun to see my kids get creative and have the freedom to take pictures.!
Cholo (one of my Escojo members took this picture)
This is the grant I just got! I am so excited!
Rachel Gottesman ($1,500 RD): Rachel has been teaching photography to her Escojo group over the past eight weeks and they have been using it as an educational tool for sexual education and healthy decision making. Using the GAD Grant, Rachel will be planning a photography exhibit on March 8th, International Women’s Day. Members of her Escojo group will take pictures of both male and females participating in activities that contradict traditional gender roles that have been developed in the community. These photos will be displayed in a public exhibition and a presentation will accompany the exhibit regarding the meaning of gender and how it influences society. The youth will each present their photo and talk about what gender role applies to that photo in particular. Additionally, each Escojo member will take a picture of the woman they most admire in the community, present the photo and talk about why this woman is important to them. The GAD Grant will provide the funds to develop enlarged pictures for the exhibition and brindis for the activity.

Escojo Mi Vida!

2009-02-13T06:33:00.001-08:00

My kids are learning photography! These are just a few of the kids in my Escojo group. We have completed 8 of the 12 charlas for them to graduate from the course and they are doing a great job. We went to Rancho Campeche to celebrate the half way mark and these are some portraits they took of each other. I think they speak volumes of their personalities! They are not only learning about Sexual Health, (H.I.V./ A.I.D.S, Abortion, Birth Control methods, Family Planning, Drugs, Violence, etc.) but they are learning about photography! It is so much fun to teach and the group has really taken to it. We raised about 3,000 pesos ($90) by taking pictures and selling them to people in the communtiy.

Amores Perros!

2009-02-13T05:53:00.001-08:00

Just bein' a grandma! I am a little young to be a grandma, but asi que vamos! Life in the campo has been pretty quiet, hence the time I took to take these pictures of my "grandchildren". I have been concentrating on Escojo Mi Vida and preparing for upcoming events such as.... Mom and Eileen coming to visit!!! and Dia Internacional de Las Mujeres (International Women's Day), a sports camp in May and G.L.O.W., which is just around the corner!

Whiley’s a Mama!

2009-01-20T14:19:00.000-08:00

7 Dominican Doggies in a White Jew’s home!

Does that make me a grandma at the ripe age of 25???? Whiley gave birth to 7 puppies on Monday, January 12th 2009! None of them even remotely resemble Whiley! Three are black with light shading and four are black and white spotted. We haven’t exactly pinpointed all Dads, but we have some good leads! She had 6 boys and 1 girl. I have kind of fallen in love with the girl because of my sympathy for the underdog. Around here everyone likes male dogs better because you don’t have to deal with them getting pregnant. On top of that comes the racist tendencies ingrained in D.R. culture- she is the blackest and no one wants her! She is also the fattest (just like a woman – no man gets in the way of food!) I may very well expand my family and take in the one, black, fat, female pup!

U.S.M. Med Mission - treatin' everything from Vaginal Flujo to Nutrition

2009-01-15T08:11:00.000-08:00

Can you hear me?

Peace Corps volunteers have boasted about Med Missions in the past, but I could never have foreseen the impact it would have on me.
For the last two weeks the University of Southern Maine made quite a presence in Lajas, Santiago. Nursing students, Sports Med students, R.N.’s, N.P.’s and M.D.’s all held clinics in about 15 different communities surrounding Lajas, a campo in the Northern region of the country. They even hiked to Los Hobos, a community that would otherwise be bypassed because there are not roads to get there.
I am not going to get all sappy on you about how we cured the sick and saved lives (although we did help a few out), but I will mention a few instances that touched my sarcastic nature and made a little dent in my soft heart.
In the beginning, I was slightly skeptical about how 60 Americans were going to handle the Dominican campo for 12 days, let alone interact with hundreds of sick patients. There was the expected…. Gringos taking pictures of the lush green landscapes, the millions of kids around every corner and all the roosters perched on random fences. I arrogantly observed as my own culture oggled and ogled at poverty and took the very same pictures that I once took three weeks in country. All the nursing students were wide-eyed and ready to heal.
Initially, I couldn’t help but silently giggle at their invincible, gung ho attitude having an inside at what they were up against. I just kept thinking about how the patients were not going to be able to articulate what they were struggling with and that they just lacked the health education they needed and therefore all dealt with high blood pressure and diabetes. I thought the cure all would just be sleep, H20, eating less salt, sugar and grease and not putting vapor rub on everything and bathing with clean water. This is at least what I constantly want to tell people in my campo when they complain of any health issues.
Don’t get me wrong, there were plenty of patients who could use this advice, but there were also plenty others who needed actual medical attention.
We were able to give some people who suffered from asthma an inhaler. On one of the home visits we tended to a pressure sore that could have gotten infected and led to who knows what. We gave glasses to people who were near sighted. Sports Med gave one guy a brace for his knee that had been bothering him for years. We also gave patients with anemia, vitamins with iron. The nurses were able to see and treat patients who could not afford to go to the doctor. They filled prescriptions for medications that patients would not otherwise be able to afford. It wasn’t just the common cold with aches and pains that were being treated. This U.S.M. connection has been and continues to be many Dominicans Primary Care Physicians. The patients were one thing, but the U.S.M. Nursing Students, Sports Med Students, RN's, NP’s and Doctors brought more to the table than a quick fix. More than their medical assistance, I couldn’t help but be so grateful for how kind they were to everyone they saw. I was taken by their sincerity with a group of people I am constantly arguing with about values, their commitment to church, lack of educational discipline and gender roles.
I was reminded of what I am doing in this country. Peace Corps volunteers are not here because everyone in the country is doing fine and are all progressive activists. We are here to improve already existing positive projects and start new ones that will benefit greater communities. It was an honor to be part of the U.S.M. Med Mission and contribute in such a practical, tangible capacity. I “interpreted” from Spanish to English and English to Spanish and Dominican to English and English to Dominican. I enabled communication so that patients could be treated properly and it felt pretty good to have a skill that was so immediately and directly useful.

The Dark Side

2009-01-14T15:28:00.001-08:00

Despite popular belief, sometimes volunteer life is not all that rewarding. Even though I am supposed to be this humanitarian, all-giving and loving person it is difficult to do this unconditionally when you get the equivalent of a slap in the face. Do you see that 6-year-old in the reading Club picture? Chicha is her name. She is a tough little kid and does not get a lot of attention from her parents. When she does get attention, it is usually because she misbehaved or needs to bathe. Regardless, I was trying my best to do things like give her positive encouragement and affection. I didn’t exactly get the response I was looking for…… the other day I noticed my camera was missing from my house. I asked around the neighborhood and people said they saw Chicha with it around her wrist. Chicha said she “borrowed” it when I was in the shower. Of course she did not come forward with this information until I brought this news to her father’s attention. Crying uncontrollably, Chicha admitted to stealing and burning my camera. She would not say where she burned it or why, but she is 6 after all. Needless to say, there are not any pictures to accompany this blog. What goes up must come down.
One to the U.S.!

Happy Holidays from the D.R.!

2008-12-14T09:27:00.000-08:00

Oh December! Most Peace Corps volunteers stationed in the D.R. are either on a plane right now, have just landed or about to be ready for take off to the United States of America. Christmas rules December as far as most are concerned and that does not exclude P.C.V.’s. They are on their way to see all the Christmas movies in the theater, eat all those frosted cookies and drink hot chocolate next to the fire. Not to mention be swarmed by images of Santa Claus left, right, north and south. It is pretty ironic how so many in the states are anxious for their Caribbean getaway come the new year and those who have been south of the equator so to speak cant wait to bounce on outta here. I for one definitely miss the cold, the snow, skiing, snuggling up in a down feather comforter, putting on sweaters, etc. Paradise isn’t all it’s cracked up to be for a New Englander come
wintertime. Nonetheless, I am staying put in the D.R. for the holidays. In a way, being Jewish has its perks…. I am not missing decorating the Christmas tree or waking up to presents December 25. I do however miss Hannukah; lighting the candles and laughing with my family. Being Jewish in the D.R. is pretty similar to that of public elementary school (when I was there
anyway). Neither can really fathom a world without Christmas. Needless to say, this month is consumed with fiestas, eating, drinking and doing everything but working. On one hand I could get frustrated that most families in my community are spending all their money on new clothes, alcohol and food that will last all of a few days. I could get caught up in the idea that come January people are going to have already spent all the bonuses they got from their employers and be back to where they started. Or I could just join in the festivities. I am doing a little bit of both. I am trying to take advantage of the fact that the kids are on vacation.
I recently started a kids club. It is pretty funny. The kids are my neighbors who are always there, but I have put some formality and continuity to us “hanging out.” I even take attendance! It is funny taking attendance for a two-year old! We meet for about an hour every Saturday and read, sing songs, play sports and do whatever random preschool games I can think of. Most recently we had a relay race, played Simon Says, read and colored. Not bad way to spend a Saturday morning!
The main project I am working on right now is called Escojo Mi Vida (I choose my life). It is a healthy decision making/ sex ed course that includes topics like, adolescent pregnancies, Reproductive organs, sexual orientation, discrimination, H.I.V./A.I.D.’s, S.T.I.’s, how to use a condom, anti-conceptives and you get the idea. Things are going pretty well with it so far. It is much needed in this community because there is a lot of teenage pregnancy. Most teenagers hide having boyfriends from their parents because moms and dads like to keep their kids close. The idea behind this program is that parents can have confidence in their kids to make some good decisions. Anyway, I am implementing photography in the course to keep the kids motivated. Last week we took pictures of pregnant women and talked about what we saw in the frame….. how many months is she? How old is she? Is the Dad in the frame, who else is in the frame? Etc. I love this project, so I hope it keeps going!

Peace Corps Play Day!

2008-11-19T06:43:00.001-08:00

Why wouldn't you build a stove and play in a girls volleyball match in the same day? Why couldn't you take a nap in the hammock in-between activities?
Why shouldn't you do this all with contact dermatitis that itches so bad you would swap skin with a snake?
I am sure there are a number of reasons for many of these questions, but alas I am in the Peace Corps and it is generally best not to ask questions, but to just do, have a great time doing it and then turn around and see what you accomplished.
Monday morning I got on a moto out of my campo, jumped on a 3-hour bus ride to San Juan de Maguana and then mounted the back of another motor cycle through hills and valleys and ended up in La Jagua. La Jagua is what some might call in the middle of nowhere, but that doesn't really differentiate it from any other Dominican Campo. La Jagua is a great little campo that boasts enthusiasm, charm and some of the sweetest Dominicans I have ever met in this country. There is a saying here.... "forma de ser" which means way of being more or less and me encanta su forma de ser en La Jagua (I love how they are in La Jagua) I went there to visit Maureen, a great health volunteer who is finishing up her stove project and learn how to build these stoves to do a similar project in my site. The long and short of it is.... food and cooking is a big deal in this country and mothers and daughters spend hours upon hours in their "kitchens" preparing lunch before the clock strikes noon. The areas they cook in are far from meeting any kind of health code even a five year old could put together. Most women and girls are inhaling the amount of smoke a smoker would inhale smoking a pack a day. This prepares these chefs, not to mention the kids they have latched onto their hips, for countless respiratory problems and a lot of time in uncomfortable smoke. The genius behind these fogones saludable (healthier fires) is to use less firewood (better for the environment/ less kid time looking for firewood) and have the smoke leave through a chimney as opposed to getting trapped inside their lungs.

They are built out of cinder block, cement, ceramic pieces, zinc and a little color sprinkled on top to give it some style.
I am hoping to do this project with my women's group and get about 20 of these stoves built in my community to improve at least some families' lifestyles. After my visit to La Jagua I am a self-certified fogon builder! I will keep you posted on the project as soon as I get a grant!
You may think that could fill a day... making a stove, but it doesn't stop there! A few months ago, team La Jagua made a presence at the Volleyball tournament hosted by Rancho Campeche and I couldn't help but to join them on the court! It was great to give these young athletes a few volleyball tips, see their enthusiasm and inevitably revisit some of the oh so familiar cheers we learned at the Torneo de Volibol! Sirve con Fuerza (serve with force). I don't remember who won, but we had a blast and the sun setting over a late afternoon volleyball match certainly put a sweet close to my visit to La Jagua. I will be sure to go back there stoves and volleyball or not!

Obamanos!

2008-11-15T15:04:00.000-08:00

All Peace Corps volunteers unite!!! We all got together to watch history happen! Barack Obama got elected President of the United States and Peace Corps D.R. showed their support! Champagne flooded glasses, hands jumped high and hearts beat lound (that sounds much more romantic than what was really going on). Regardless, I did get chills and even though I could not be in America for the day, it was great to be with other Americans.
Love to the U.S.

Gettin' my campo legs back!

2008-11-15T14:31:00.000-08:00

Things are getting back to normal in the old campo! I am readjusting to life in the D.R. and again making light of too many a situation. When I am not taking pictures of my favorite kid in the campo, I am putting most of my time into the "Sala de Tarea" (after school program) and teaching English. This is a quick little blog, as I left my camera battery charger in the Old U.S. of A. You will be happy to know that this is all I left in the U.S.! Leave no trace, right?? Speaking of Politics, wahooo Obama! Even people in this country are wearing Obama t-shirts. The best one I have seen reads... Barack & Roll. Of course Dominga Martina Vallejo did not know what it meant, but I did! I am happy to be an American Citizen in a Dominican campo with Obama headed to the White House!

Love to the U.S.

Culture Shock Anyone???!!!

2008-10-31T10:09:00.000-07:00

Come Home to Mama!

It wasn’t getting off the plane in Sept. 07 with all the other gringos that I experienced culture shock. It was after being in the Dominican Republic for a year and then going back to where I have lived for 24 years that I really experienced culture shock for the first time! And just as intense is the culture shock in returning to the D.R. from the U.S. It is wild to say the least. I feel like I have been gone for far more than 2 months.

3 cities in 3 days! Is it possible? Of course, but I came to the U.S. on Dominican time so I did it in 15 days. I spent the last 15 days doing my favorite things and seeing my favorite people in the world! Not to mention enjoying some of the luxuries of life that I have been deprived of for the last 13 months! You said it…. I took hot showers twice a day, indulged in Ice Coffee with Soy Milk, ate Soy Delicious and had mom’s good old apple pie for breakfast. It just doesn’t get better than sleeping in on a cold morning, watching TV on the couch and eating apple pie! I got the “Best Of” New England; relived an old pastime—apple-picking with my parents—and went sailing on G-Whiz (name of our 20 – yr – old boat). The wind was perfect and I remembered that I know how to sail!

I also aprovechared (took advantage of) my time in the U.S. a bit and went to visit Fairhaven High School to set up some pen pals for my English Class. It was quite shocking to be back in a U.S. high school, to say the least. I know that it was only about 7 years ago that I was a senior in high school, but I walked through the halls with very different legs then and saw things with new eyes this time around. First of all, I could not believe how nice Fairhaven High is. I couldn’t help but think that the students in my community would just be shell-shocked and not have a clue what to make of the tile floors, the high ceilings and all the green lockers.
I could not go to the U.S. without visiting my mom’s Kindergarten class, which was an absolute hoot! Living in the D.R. and constantly being surrounded by children I forgot how funny kids are! We had so much fun singing songs in Spanish. I got to visit Mrs. Oien’s music class as well. She played the guitar while the students sang a good morning song in Spanish. It is shocking how lucky Dartmouth, MA is to have the schools we have. There is a library right in the school. We don’t have a library in Duveaux. One of the most stunning things was how excited the kids were about books. I could write forever about all the privileges I noticed and pondered throughout my trip, but I will spare you. So, I said bye to mom and Dad and headed to the city of the new World Series Champions. Go Phillies!!! Sharon (my sis) and I went to the Art museum to see a quilt exhibit from Gee’s Bend (no relation to G - Whiz). It was remarkable how beautiful the quilts were and kind of reminded me of how some see art in what others see as necessity. So Philadelphia prepared me or attempted to prepare me for the City that never sleeps…. N.y.c.! Too many people!!! And just too much stuff! I love the place, but it is overwhelming to say the least. I did get to see a Story Pirates show, which is in line with my works these days…. www.storypirates.org ….. a writing program in the 5 boroughs of New York that performs the stories kids write!
Back to the campo today! I am sure Whiley anxiously awaits! Much love to the U.S.

One Year In Country!

2008-09-19T13:39:00.000-07:00

One year ago I got on a flight with 51 other aspiring Peace Corps volunteers from Washington D.C. and together we landed in Santo Domingo. I sat next to Jennifer Goode a future Health Sector volunteer and also a native from Massachuesetts. We chatted it up, both expressing our curiosity about the unknown and what was ahead of us in the D.R.; I don't think we have spoken since I sat in 14B and her in 14C. That flight was flooded with excitement, anxiety, upbeat banter, ambitious ideas, and above all, an energy for the unknown. I really couldn't have been happier. I was going to be in close proximity with 51 other college grads from the U.S. who were complete strangers. I didn't even know someone who knew someone. It was the Breakfast Club scenario I am constantly searching for. I found myself with a dumbass grin on all the time because I knew I was in my element.
September 13th marked one year in country ! What do I have to show for it? one muffler burn, 2 funguses, 3 staff infections, 2 I.V.'s, one episode of giardia, 8,341 re-hydration salt solutions, 15 rashes, 2 epinephrin injections, 39 ant bites, one dog bite, rabies shots, 9,312 mosquito bites, a site change, one boil and a blood sample waiting on a brucellosis test. Despite how much this climate (both socially and environmentally) does not agree with me, I am still here and here I will remain for one more year. Like they say, if it were easy, everyone would do it. yes, things have certainly been difficult whether or not all this is vale la pena or not, I do not know and I may never know. I will spare you any more pseudo profound epiphanies and let you in on current news. so, the Sala de Tarea I have envisioned for the last 6 months or so is starting to come to fruition. The afterschool program is for kids who are old for their grade. For instance, Jose Luis, who is 18 and in 8th grade. The idea is to keep kids from slipping through the cracks in the educational system. Somehow too many in the elementary schools in my community get to the 7th grade without knowing how to read. There is no time like the present for literacy. so here we go! September 23rd is the first day!
As far as environment goes, my group is collecting signatures to bring to the Mayor of my province in order to solicit a garbage truck to come through the community on a weekly basis and pick up trash. Dream big, act local, right? That is the plan anyway.
In a girls world.... we are graduating! I am graduating 7 girls from my Club de Chicas this Saturday. They finished a 5-week women's health course covering topics like, self-esteem, teenage pregnancy, menstruation and values and all passed the test! granted it was not a difficult test, they still learned a lot and I am proud of my girls. They are the first group I started in this community and it has evolved immensely.
I also got bumped up to co-director of camp G.L.O.W.! If there is anything I want to be co-director of it is certainly a camp for Girls to Lead Our World.
Women's Association - I am laying the groundwork for a stove project. I will explain more about this in the next blog.
What else? well, nothing; all that is plenty for anyone with Giardia!
I am sure there are funny stories awaiting me in the campo.....!

I've got Rythm!

2008-09-16T12:53:00.000-07:00

Ritmo!
I've got a rhythm'! Last Sunday I went to the oh so common fiesta and was pleasantly surprised. Usually I don't frequent the fiestas on Sundays because I am supposed to be "mujer seria" (serious woman) and a respected member of the community. However, I am also supposed to integrate, so it's a balancing act. Anyway, the fiestas here are a bit of a conflict for me because of the economic status of my community. I can't see the logic behind throwing a party when it's a struggle to feed the family every day. In no way does this scream sing, dance, drink rum, play the drums, buy styrofoam plates and plastic cups. On the other hand, live every day to its fullest right? as if there is no tomorrow! I This particular fiesta I threw reason to the wind and just tried to enjoy myself. It was great. All ages flooded the dance floor, played palo and sang all the while. It is no wonder why just about everyone in this country can dance! These kids are born with rhythm. No one has verguenza (shame) dancing either regardless of their, age, economic status or body type. Imagine acting on your every impulse to move to the music? You might just find some rhythm somewhere along the line. Practice does make perfect! This does not imply that I am going to go back to the states and feel the same freedom to bop to the beat on the way to the store, but while I am in this country, you bet I am taking advantage of the normalcy in dancing whenever the mood strikes me.
What amazed me most from this little get together were these four muchachos playing palo and essentially capturing a crowd of 30. These kids who sometimes show up to my medio ambiente charlas were standing in front of me jammin' away as if they had been performing for years. I can guarantee none of them have even heard of music school or think what they are doing is "hot" or "cool". They are playing palo because of tradition, custom, culture and straight up pleasure. Playing with such confidence is second nature to these guys because it is what they have been surrounded by this Sunday every Sunday since they came into this world. It is incredible what goes unnoticed to the majority of the people in my community but stands out like a sore thumb to me! To say the least, I was impressed by these young amateur musicians and to the fiesta I will return!

Leña

2008-09-16T12:47:00.000-07:00

Went to buscar leña for the first time the other day and it definitely showed me what a gringa I am. Now, I know that I am from the U.S. and I do not pretend to be Dominican. Yes, I do cook habituales for lunch, I have a pair of tight fitting jeans and a few t-shirts with sparkles, but that is as far as it goes. However, I have felt pretty integrated these last few weeks, going to church meetings Monday nights, watching the novela at night when there's luz and carrying agua from the street to my house. Feeling confident in my Dominican integration, I took on the hike to buscar leña thinking chopping down a few sticks can't be all that hard. I see girls going to the monte (woods) all the time in their little falditas (little skirts). After all, I am a tomboy and playing in the woods is what I do or what I used to do growing up anyway. Needless to say, I am still a gringa and being a tomboy does not bring me any closer to achieving campesina status. My friend Jose Luis blatantly said it; "tu no sirve" (you do not work). He is right. When it comes to leña anyway; I might as well stay in the kitchen. I came back with a sore shoulder, tons of ant bites, a rash and a few sticks. I am not sure how I would get on had I not bought a gas stove!

2008-08-26T12:30:00.000-07:00

Free wifi comes with a price!

2008-08-26T12:28:00.000-07:00

yes, that is an adult diaper (panuelo) in my hand

Lost In Translation

2008-08-26T07:09:00.000-07:00

Granted, I am living life in a language other than my native tongue. However, I have been in this country for 11 months now. Still, there is a lot that gets lost in translation in my daily life. Some of it has to do with the Spanish language and my lack of vocabulary, grammar and so forth. There is also the cultural current that whisks away many a sentido. Culture, language and personality all got in the way of the following situation.
I am sure I have mentioned a few hundred times the environmental group I have been trying to form? well, it is a work in progress Brigada Verde and yesterday's incident did nothing to strengthen our group. As I was on my way to Escuela El Limon I picked up a saco (rice sac) to clean up some trash around the school yard, while waiting for my Brigada Verde kids to make there way over. School is starting this week and the Director of the school, Carmen, was outside getting some things ready. Who has read or seen the movie Matilda? Do you remember Ms. Trunchbull? You can't forget her. Well, Carmen is the Dominican Ms. Trunchbull. The rice sac I was lugging around triggered her memory - the five labeled rice sacs we used to do a limpieza (clean up) at the school one Wednesday afternoon. The rice sacs were put to the side and left there over night this past summer. She saw that as disrespectful and yelled at me for leaving tons of trash at the school. The trash was arranged to be properly disposed of the following day. Instead of asking me about the situation or picking up on the fact that we separated trash into organic / biodegradable, inorganic, vidrio (glass), papel, plastico, etc. Senora Trunchbull was not havin' it. She left no time for explanation, questioning or what have you but immediately believed that I was out to ensuciar (dirty) the school and that I was up to no good. I have yet to find or hear about a Peace Corps volunteer that went out of their way to give a lecture about saving the whales and then tossed oil in the ocean (you get the point). Yes, Senora Trunchbull brought me to tears. It is just one of those things that got lost in translation. I thought I was cleaning up the school while educating students about the importance of not throwing their trash on the ground and she just didn't see it that way at all. I doubt we see eye to eye on all that much, but this incident was far from building a relationship between Peace Corps volunteer and School Director. I have been working pretty hard at forming this environmental group and educating people in the community about the effects of burning plastic and other trash and how we should use the three R's (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle), etc. To say the least, it hurts when someone not only doesn't acknowledge any hint of your effort but accuses you of working against the benefit of the school. I guess this is just one of those things that I will look back on as a hurdle to overcome. Regardless of how fluent one is in Spanish or any language, I think there is always room for things to get lost no matter what country or culture you are in.

Good, Healthy Fun!

2008-08-15T14:02:00.000-07:00

whatever happened to good old fashioned fun? It has been a while for me, but the other day, Soranje, Barbara, Janelli and I had at it with the hammock!
I think the hammock is kind of like a trampoline in that you can never really be too old to play. Granted I think hammocks are supposed to be for sipping iced tea and reading on a Sunday afternoon or something, I am in the D.R. and Sundays don't mean the same here. I spent the afternoon being very unprofessional and flung myself and neighbors into the air just laughing at whatever gravity did to our bodies. who knew this fun has been sitting in my backyard for over a month now??

2008-08-15T13:57:00.000-07:00

Why is being volted into the air so much fun?

Gottesmans in the D.R.

2008-08-15T13:28:00.001-07:00

My two favorite ladies came to visit! I have not seen my family in 10 months or so and this trip was much needed for reasons far beyond good U.S. "product", Trader Joe's snacks and a few new favorite t-shirts. I only have one mother and one sister and it is good to check in with who and what I know when just about everything else is constantly evolving, changing, rearranging, and all in a different language. On top of being my own blood, these two just happen to be the most outstanding women I have ever met. Now, I have never met Gloria Steinem or Mother Teresa, but I doubt either would even hold a candle to my mom and sister.
We didn't cover all the bases as far as Dominican culture goes, but I think we did hit on some biggies.... my girls group welcomed my mom and sis with galletas (cookies) and jugo (juice), which is a pretty standard afternoon snack for local social occasions! This was one of my favorite parts of their visit because they got to meet a lot of the girls I work with and I have never been more impressed with my Club de Chicas. First of all, it meant a lot that they gave this visit such importance. Usually I schedule the reuniones (meetings) and snacks to accompany them and I usually have to go look for half the girls who tell the other half there is a meeting and wait for about an hour before anyone really shows up. This time around, my girls were on time, dressed and ready to bring in my fam.! Within minutes my sister was learning how to dance Bachata and my mom was telling a three year old to take a balloon out of her mouth! I don't think cookies and juice has brought me such happiness since my fifth birthday!
The next hint of the Caribbean mom and sis got to experience was the old mosquitero. Three in the bed and the little one said roll over, roll over. We all snuggled in like every good Dominican family does! And of course we woke up to my neighbors' kids in the house! My sister oh so discretely whispered over to me... "Rach, there is a little girl here!" Chicha (5), Meluda (3) and Papolla (8) are usually checkin' in on me come sunrise! (they always forget the wheat pancakes, VT maple syrup and eggs!)
We welcomed the next day in the Caribbean Sea (woke up and went to the beach first thing) and spent the afternoon at Rancho Campeche so they could see another side of my project. They got away without taking a bucket bath and riding on a motorcycle! (two trade mark customs for any peace corps volunteer).
After a taste of my life and a little cultural immersion, we hit the highway north to Las Galeras. I encountered a little culture shock there because of the French imperialism that was going on in this little tourist town, but a Piña Colada took care of that in a New York minute. We literally drove to the end of the earth (when the road ends the sand begins) or what seemed like it to get to Las Galeras, but vale la pena (worth it) hands down. We got our beach time in, swam where the Caribbean meets the Atlantic and hungout Gottesman girl style..... (a sheet, a book, the beach and constant back and forth banter). To top it all off we ate some of the best tasting fish I have ever put to my lips. Playa Rincon is one of the most beautiful beaches I have been to. The water has every shade of blue Crayola could even think of putting in their box and the forest of cocoa trees makes for a pretty remarkable backdrop. The place is totally undeveloped too. There were about 5 other tourists there and three little shacks serving fish and rice on picnic tables. Rincon is what some might call a beach lover's paradise. It was a great day to say the least and a perfect way to be with my two my favorite girls.

2008-08-15T12:59:00.000-07:00

Mom and Sha disappear into the palm tree forest.

she really wanted to go horseback riding, but just like in the peace corps we make the best of what we have!

Mom and sis thought this guy would be a safe bet for me. (I hope he calls!)

Beach Babies!

2008-08-15T12:37:00.000-07:00

I would not want to experience paradise with anyone else!

My mom said she would come back to visit just before going for this dip! something tells me I won't have to ask twice!

The sacrifices we make!

2008-08-15T12:35:00.001-07:00

I love mornings, don't you? I am not much of a morning person, but I actually do love mornings here because they are quiet and I look forward to drinking my coffee. Some mornings here have not been all that pleasant though. For instance, one time I woke up to Meluda yelling gringa from afar and insisted I opened the door only to find that what she wanted was to give me rubber bands. (I have always dreaded waking up to alarms and anything other than my body's own clock). Today was just another noteworthy morning of a peace corps volunteer that I think speaks volumes. I met the day at about 7:30 a.m. and called over one of the girls to pick up some sugar for me on one of her errands. This apparently sent out the memo for every one under the age of 8 to come over. Chicha and Meluda immediately wanted to comb my hair and I let them only to be left with a comb mangled up in my mane without any point of departure. My 5-year-old stylists mistook my comb for a roller I think. There was no emergency exit for this comb or my hair. While kids colored on the floor, I lied in bed fearing an involuntary hair cut. I called over to a neighbor (18 year old friend who I am supposed to be an example for) to get my hair out of the mess I got it into. It didn't give. I was given no choice but to go to the scissors. Chop, chop, chop.
Not sure how anyone is going to take my charlas seriously after this one. It doesn't exactly scream sex ed. or environmental expert! nor does it shout out bachelor's degree! sometimes you just can't take life all that professionally. hair grows back, right?

Greenpeace comes to Rancho Campeche!

2008-08-15T12:23:00.000-07:00

In Environmental news, Greenpeace came to Rancho Ecologico Campeche last week! Angela and Juande, from Greenpeace Spain, and I put together a two day camp for kids from El Limon and my developing Brigada Verde group at Rancho Campeche. It has definitely not been easy getting kids to participate in environmental activities around the community, regardless of the snacks I bring, but this past two day campamento brought a new energy to Duveaux and my group. We made small fundas (bags) out of rice sacs to use at the colmados instead of the toxic plastic ones they give out. We did environmental trivia in the D.R., learned how to make a compost and played games to learn about deforestation. By the end of camp, kids were motivated and excited to send a solicitud to our local ayuntamiento to get a truck to come through the community and pick up trash. As things go right now, dona's are burning trash like it's the new black and people toss trash on the road like confetti. So, hopefully we can bring the three R's (or at least two; there is not much recycling in this country) back in style and get people composting. As for now, I am going to reduce the amount of electricity I am currently consuming!

Estrellas de Hoy!

2008-07-24T16:17:00.000-07:00

G.L.O.W. Girls Leading OUR World??

sometimes you get to where you aspire to be before even considering where it is you want to go.
This past week, I reached a goal I had not even set for myself. now, it is rare to reach a goal and feel that sense of accomplishment that only finishing a deodorant stick can achieve, let alone, really pulling through on something meaningful.
I didn't know it yet, but I wanted to be part of providing a girls camp that dealt with issues facing teenagers today and I wanted it to be paid for so cost would not stand in the way of education. 24 Peace Corps volunteers and I just finished a 5 day summer camp for girls around the Dominican Republic. We slept in tents with girls from our communities across the D.R. We ate all our meals together, chit chatted and giggled together, played sports and talked about the latest for girls in the D.R. today. We talked about self-esteem, our bodies inside and out, the D.R.'s relationship with Haiti and discrimination, "good hair" and "bad hair" and just about everything else under the sun. I learned so much from so many of the chicas and couldn't help but be jealous of every activity offered to them. I could not believe how incredible it was to see all these teenage girls constantly on the brink of epiphanies, constantly letting important information sink in. In such a machismo society it was unbelievably empowering to give these girls an opportunity to be away from any male "mandaring" (sending/ordering) them to the Colmado or to do chores. They were so stimulated by everything volunteers and guests were discussing and remarkably inviting and accepting. I am not sure who benefitted more from the camp; me or the girls from Duveaux. I wanted to participate just as much as the next "counselor"! We made dream catchers, earrings out of buttons, friendship bracelets, designed diaries, wrote in journals and reflected on the days activities.
I was so proud and excited when my girls talked about what they had learned and what they were going to bring back to their community. One of the girls I brought, Daniela, from El Limon, said she was going to raise her self-esteem and not get pregnant until she was absolutely ready. Listening to these girls make such huge statements was so overwhelming. I couldn't believe how much each of them had grown in 5 days. They were all of a sudden so open to so many new ideas and concepts. Franyelina, one of the 14-year-old twins said she learned to "dejar mi timidez" (leave her timidness) and she really did! the first day she got so nervous about being separated from her twin and by the end of the week she was raising her hand for just about everything and leading group discussions. Anyelina - other 14-year-old twin (of course) wrote that she wanted to be a Peace Corps Volunteer in her dream catcher. Instead of telling her that the Peace Corps is a U.S. organization, I just smiled and embraced that she looked up to me! I could not ask to be part of a better camp than G.L.O.W. (Estrellas de Hoy - Stars of Today) I was actually supposed to go to the Medical Office during the week, but didn't because I was too busy with camp and didn't think it was anything serious. I ended up getting a really uncomfortable boil on the back of my leg, but as they say "vale la pena". It was all worth it. Hands down. Estrellas de Hoy is probably the most gratifying thing I have done as a Peace Corps volunteer. It is unbelievable to see what a group of 25 people can do when we all work together with the same goal in mind. I can only hope that any one of the girls from any one of the 25 communities invited to camp G.L.O.W. felt somewhat empowered by the time they jumped on the bus back home Friday. I felt more empowered or motivated by this camp to keep going and work harder to open up more opportunities to teenagers all over the D.R.

Towards the end of camp, I was worried that I would be so sad and bored because all the excitement was over and there was nothing left to prepare for. However, one of the best parts of camp actually turned out to be being back in my community and feeling so much more comfortable with Franyelina and Anyelina (the twins I brought to camp). I fell asleep on their "galleria" (front porch) the other day and couldn't have been better cared for if I was at some B&B on Martha's Vineyard. They brought me a pillow, covered me up with a sheet and best of all.... they used the huge piece of paper they traced their bodies on (during a charla about society's image of the female body and their actual body image) to keep the sun out of my eyes. It was better than any thank you I could have ever gotten.

Thank you to all the relatives, friends and generous citizens that helped support this camp. Here is an outline of our schedule and a list of some of the charlas (presentations) volunteers gave so you know what you contributed to...

MONDAY: Team Buiding, Self-Esteem, Healthy Friendships and Bracelet Making, pool.
TUESDAY: Body Image, Women around the World, Nutrition and Exercise, Condom and Teen Pregnancy, pool, Button earrings.
WEDNESDAY: Relationship between Haiti and the D.R., Reproductive Health, Healthy Relationships, Sex & Gender, pool, Talent Show, Thank You Notes.
THURSDAY: Income Generation, Life Planning, Professional Panel, pool, Stars, Bonfire, S'Mores
FRIDAY: How to start a girls group, Certificates, Closing Ceremony, Presenting Higuero tree to Rancho Campeche, Hugs, Pictures, Slideshow

We also played volleyball, basketball, and did Yoga!

If you want to contribute to camp G.L.O.W. for next summer you can start now and make the stress less for volunteers come June. Just make a check out to Alianza O.N.G. for whatever amount you would like and send it to me
Rachel Gottesman
Cuerpo de Paz
A.P.D.O 1412
451 Avenida Bolivar
Gazcue
Santo Domingo
Dominican Republic

Peace Corps Men Support Girls who lead our World!

2008-07-24T16:15:00.000-07:00

Got to hand it to the only two men at camp G.L.O.W.! they were surrounded by 78 girls for 5 days!

Let your hair breath!

2008-07-24T16:14:00.000-07:00

At least we liberated the girls hair!

Camp T-shirts!

2008-07-24T16:12:00.000-07:00

Estrellas de Hoy opened up my wardrobe to glitter!

Proud to be a Woman!

2008-07-24T16:08:00.000-07:00

These are the shirts everyone gets at Estrellas de Hoy!

Sin verguenza! (without shame)

2008-07-24T16:06:00.000-07:00

Peace Corps volunteers get creative to show girls what their vaginas look like!

Duveaux Girls!

2008-07-24T16:03:00.000-07:00

These are three of the girls I brought to camp! (from left to right) Daniela, Anyelina and Franyelina

Welcome to Camp G.L.O.W. (Estrellas de Hoy)

2008-07-24T16:00:00.000-07:00

First day at Camp!

Water Balloon Fight!

2008-07-24T15:59:00.000-07:00

What's camp without one? Yes, these are all Peace Corps Volunteers!

Mom, Can I be an Estrella de Hoy?

2008-07-24T15:55:00.000-07:00

This is Dominga and her 8-month-old, Alicia! They live in Los Francos, one community over from Duveaux. Dominga is a Star as far as I am concerned. She was the only camper with a child and she managed to participate in charlas, free time activities and help serve food to the other campers! (she works at Rancho Campeche and worked throughout camp!)

Congrats Anyelina!

2008-07-24T15:51:00.000-07:00

I was just as excited to get my certificate as any one of these girls!

Meet New Friends, but Keep the Old.....

2008-07-24T15:46:00.000-07:00

Daniela (left) is nothing shy of awesome. For one, she lets everyone call her "gorda" (fat) which is completely normal in this culture. And two, she is part of my club de Chicas and environmental group. Anyelina (right) and her live in neighboring communities but didn't really know each other before this camp!

Haiti and the D,R, stand side by side!

2008-07-24T15:32:00.000-07:00

these two (one on the left is from Haiti and the other Dominican) gave a charla to 55 Dominican girls about Haitian Dominican relations and the girls loved it!

I started a little reading group. We finished Dr. Suess this week and are now onto the Economist! Kids today!

2008-06-13T13:11:00.000-07:00

World Environment Day!!

2008-06-13T13:09:00.001-07:00

This is what we should have been doing for June 5th! but we are on Dominican time, right?? Better late than never. Not your average gardeners or farmers, but Fortuna de la Naturaleza (my environmental group) got down and dirty and planted lettuce at Rancho Campeche! We are only a bottle of balsamic vinegar and a few rainfalls away from a gourmet salad!

Neighbors today, soccer players tomorrow!

2008-06-13T13:02:00.000-07:00

I taught these girls (Meluda, Cicha and Palua) to play one of my age old favorites.... pass!! It was their first time, but I guarantee not their last! Who needs pants anyway?

Mom, you are expanding literacy internationally!! Neighborhood story time!

2008-06-13T12:59:00.000-07:00

Home sweet home!

2008-06-13T12:55:00.001-07:00

Tid Bit of D.R. Life

2008-06-06T11:00:00.001-07:00

Whiley and I have officially moved to our new home! No water, but there is electricity! It is farther away from the main road too, so I don't feel like I have motorcycles driving through my bedroom. Whiley is learning to play fetch and I am trying to train her not to eat the neighbor's chickens. The girl has an appetite!
The family I live next to is great; Ramona, Fauto, Natanael and Racheli. Natanael and Racheli bring me a mango just about every morning for breakfast! I have a Mango tree in my back yard! Paradise! If their mom sends a few extra with them they quickly ask if they can have one and I can't turn down their cute faces! On the other side of the fence my neighbors are a different story! I have involuntarily adopted three girls! (3, 5 and 6 years old) We have been doing a lot of coloring! And they are always keeping me on my toes.
The girls (Club de Chicas) are doing well. We did a minor foto shoot the other day at Rancho Campeche and they are finishing up school these days so they can help me run a Sala de Tarea (afterschool/ extra help program) over the summer. The environmental group I am working with is going well. Happy World Environment Day!!! (06.05.08) We are planning to plant a garden this Wednesday!

Love to the U.S.!

Natanael & Racheli Mangos are their business!

2008-06-06T10:28:00.000-07:00

Club de Chicas at Rancho Campeche!

2008-06-06T10:26:00.000-07:00

Whiley Woo! Learning to Play Fetch!

2008-06-06T10:24:00.000-07:00

New Roomate (doesn't pay rent)

2008-06-06T10:23:00.000-07:00

More Las Pajas Photos!

2008-05-03T15:01:00.000-07:00

Highlights from Las Pajas trip!

2008-05-03T15:00:00.000-07:00

Wahooo!!!

2008-05-03T14:59:00.001-07:00

I love my Family!

2008-05-03T14:58:00.001-07:00

Hands up, baby hands up, give me your love, gimme gimme, your love!

2008-05-03T14:56:00.000-07:00

Is there another way?

2008-05-03T14:55:00.000-07:00

Just another day in the office!

2008-05-03T14:54:00.000-07:00

Proud New Mother!

2008-05-03T14:52:00.002-07:00

Back to the Batey

2008-05-03T14:52:00.001-07:00

Where would you take someone who came to visit you in the Dominican Republic? I think most would imagine a hammock between two palm trees on a white sand beach. Reed and I could have gone to any one of the all inclusive resorts that feeds the D.R. economy, but as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter where you go, but who you're with. To Batey Las Pajas Reed and I went and it was nothing shy of amazing. It kicked any tourist town's ass.
It is the first time I have been back since I changed sites March 7th. Tara came along for the journey. She is the only volunteer who visited me while I lived in Las Pajas and it left a mark for her too. So, I picked Reed up from the airport and we all disappeared into the sugar cane fields. My brothers and sisters screams greeted us... "Che Che llego!!!" They gave me big hugs and had my old room all set up just like I left it. I felt like I was coming home. Ok, I will try to keep the sentimental stuff out of the picture because I know that gets boring. At some point though I am going to talk about how my two year old brother, Baba, fell asleep in my arms again because I love that so much. It was pretty incredible to share the life I lead there with Reed and for him to actually live it for a few days.
Without going into too much detail, I will give a few highlights from the four day trip. The first day we woke up to 15 roosters on Reed's lap. That is what he said it sounded like anyway. After shooing them off, Reed, Tara and I hopped on a moto to the river, one of my favorite places in Las Pajas. Everyone remembered River Fridays and expected the same this time around! Of course, we were greeted by your average old, withered, Haitian man on a horse, who I knew of course. I love knowing everyone between the ages of 91 and 2 months. The first day I also met Samuel!! my two-month old cousin! He is so beautiful (he is the baby in the picture that says "proud new mother")
Day 2...... Reed and I took photos all day and Reed tried his hand at being an animal tamer! The thing about giving direction to animals or trying to get them to stay still for a photo is that they just don't do it. Watching everyone try to help us was quite entertaining though. No matter what the request, no one hesitated to grab hold of goats, flying chickens or mud masked pigs. My little sister, Aida, chased goats all around the Sugar Cane Oficina to get them in place! It didn't work of course, but what a doll to try! I maxed out when Reed wanted a chicken to un-extend it's legs for a picture. I just don't know how to translate that!
Day 3...... I figured Reed was ready for a real adventure! We took a moto deep into the sugar cane forest. It rained the night before so we walked knee deep in mud with all the photo equipment in hand. We got one good shot out of the little excursion. Well, two including the one of me looking at my nails in the middle of chopped down cane!
Day 4...... we were pretty wiped and Reed was less than 100%. Life can be tough in the Batey. It would be strange if it weren't. Upon departure we shared the best 7-up I have ever had. I am not sure if it was splitting it with Reed, the pig watching us drink it, the 50 cent charge or being dehydrated all day that made it taste so good, but it was the best.
There are so many highlights from the trip. I got to see my old friends and catch up with my family. I took an evening shower lit by lantern just like I used to and looked up at the stars. My comb fit perfectly on the same nail and the soap was in the same place. It was great to go back to Las Pajas. It hasn't changed too much in the last two months which is a nice change for my vagabond lifestyle. The best part of all was being back with my family. My mom taking care of us and raising 4 kids at the same time, sitting with Baba, seeing how he has grown up, talking to Aida, hanging out with Yunior and watching my "Uncle" and his wife with their new baby boy and sharing it all with Reed.

outtake.... Best moment from Reed's visit ........ but the one that tops them all is when Reed tried to put the fitted sheet back on the bed with his big toe. Aside from that moment Reed was a productive member of Dominican Society for the last 10 days. The only thing touristy about Reed's trip was his terrible white man's burn on the back of his neck and shoulders.

New Home!

2008-05-03T14:48:00.000-07:00

Crushing Gender Roles!

2008-05-03T14:33:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of the machete I bought recently! I have been fixing up a house for Whiley and I! Things are moving along pretty slowly, but I am learning a bit about how to build a house from palm trees. I have been working side by side with the guys, just hacking away. This alone would not make any mark on gender roles, but seeing an American girl with a hammer and nails by day and snacking on the banana bread she made by night makes a Dominican think that maybe women can do more than just wash the dishes and cook lunch! Things are good in the neighborhood!
Love to the U.S.!

Bathe much?

2008-04-08T08:49:00.001-07:00

Bathe much?

2008-04-08T08:41:00.000-07:00

Sha, remember when you used to make fun of me for mistaking our bathroom for a spa? Who doesn't like a nice, long hot shower? I for one, love them. I did not think about wasting water or conserving energy. The only thing I really thought about was what shower head I should use. Ah, those were the days! Just in case you were wondering what my current bathing facilities look like, take a glance at the image below. On the upside, I do have a mango tree hanging over my house! The tropics are not as glamorous as they look on the web, but the mangos do taste that much better after a bucket bath!

Whiley

2008-03-29T07:44:00.000-07:00

Puppy Love

2008-03-29T07:28:00.000-07:00

6 yr old boy - "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good
life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The
six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so
they don't have to stay as long."

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

Whiley is my pup's name! she is a sweetheart and a bi-lingual sweetheart at that!

Life in the new site is getting better. I started a girls group! We have had a few meetings and the girls are really excited to be part of the group. We do team building activities and play sports. I am teaching them to play soccer and they think I was a professional back in the states! I am not one to argue, but I have reluctantly corrected them. I also introduced them to my an old recess favorite, kickball! It is a good mix between pelota (baseball) and soccer. They are a great group of girls from my neighborhood who are excited to do just about anything. I am also working with the women's organization, Asociacion de Mujeres, which is a random group of middle-aged women who are an absolute riot and like to just sit and chat! Rancho Campeche is another part of my project. It is an ecological retreat in my community that I am working with to unite the center with people from the community for environmental education. Whiley loves it there because she can run wild with other dogs! More blog to come in the future, but I have to run to a eco-jam at Rancho Campeche!
www.ranchocampeche.com

People I love in Las Pajas

2008-03-12T15:53:00.000-07:00

The pregnant girl is wearing my dress from Anthropologie! something tells me she doesn't know much about the store, but I don't think the clothing company knows much about her either. Regardless, she is a beautiful woman who I spent a lot of time with, not necessarily speaking to, but sitting with, eating with, living with, teaching English to and sharing eye contact with when our shared sense of humor surfaced. I don't know her actual name, but she goes by Mella (twin) because she is a twin. She is due in April!
Bemond is the man with yellow "birkenstocks". He was one of my closest friends in Las Pajas and built the bamboo benches with me. He is Haitian Dominican, the community barber and will be graduating 8th grade this June!
Bemond and Umberto are two of my favorite muchachos in the community. Umberto is 15 and refers to condoms as "chicle Americano." I nicknamed him, Flaquito Fuerte (skinny strong). He is a very skinny guy, but strong in character!
The next picture is a photo of an amazing family who live next to the Sala de Tarea. They are a family of 7 with Mom and Dad! The boys are always taking care of their younger siblings and have perfect attendence for River Fridays!
The final photo is of Elvio, the main leader in the community and my two-year-old brother, Baba. Elvio helped me with just about everything remotely professional I tried to do in the community. He is known and overwhelmingly respected throughout the surrounding Bateys. He is getting married to Wilma, a woman in a nearby Batey in August.

2008-03-12T15:47:00.000-07:00

Bye Las Pajas, Hello Duveaux!

2008-03-12T14:53:00.000-07:00

Just to set the scene..... To the right of me a girl about 9 years-old is trying nerds for the first time! And about 3 minutes ago, a middle-aged man just typed his name for the first time on this computer! I love firsts!
Now, I remember about 5 months back when I was entering into what many may have called a black hole. Based on the fact that I didn't know who I would be living with, where in the D.R. I would be living, or what exactly I would be doing for the next two years, "black hole" fit like a glove. This is a very unsettling situation to be in and guess what? I put myself in it again! we only live once, right? or do we? I am changing sites. I am leaving Batey Las Pajas for a campo in Duveaux. Don't try to look for it on a map because it isn't there. Duveaux is situated South West of Santo Domingo between Bani and San Cristobal. It was a really difficult decision for me to make, but I have decided and off I go. Life will be different of course, but "the same" has yet to be sold out! Changing sites is rare, but it is certainly not unheard of. I will be sure to send an update to you all as soon as I get my feet wet in Duveaux. I am going to miss Las Pajas quite a bit. It has been an incredible, irreplaceable experience that I will value for the rest of my life and I will be sure to come back and visit. Here are some of the people who have really made an impact on me during my stay.

5 Months 3 Days

2008-02-16T10:17:00.001-08:00

Hola! Tis' the safra! the season to cut sugar cane that is! the pictures below are in the sugar cane spirit. The building is "la oficina" or what used to be the office for employees at the Ingenio (the sugar cane company). It was built in 1929! and since the Ingenio closed in 2006 in the closest pueblo, it serves as more of a bee hive and a playground for neighbor kids and goats. I live next door so abejas (bees) are constantly swarming, but it is a really cool building and makes me feel closer to history!
the other photo shows all the already cut sugar cane they are taking away to sell. It is pretty grueling work from what I have seen anyway. workers are in the dry, hot, heat all day, chopping down cane. unfortunately, there aren't many people in my community who are working. most of those working live in the next Batey over. this puts a big damper on our economic situation. Well, this is just a snippet of what I talked about recently in my community diagnostic presentation. I have spent the last week at our 3 month I.S.T. (In service training) with other youth volunteers. We presented our community diagnostics with our project partners to all the other youth volunteers and Peace Corps staff. For the last 3 months or so, we have been assessing the situation at our sites; talking to people, taking surveys, conducting interviews, holding focus groups, etc. all of which helped us to reach some conclusions about the situations in our individual communities. It is difficult to explain the reality of life at my site in a blog, but I will try to give you a brief outline.

What's going on in Las Pajas? (for the youth)
Lots of kids with different abilities in the same classroom in Elementary school
High school is outside the community
Universitites are an hour or so away from the community
Young adults have to travel to tourist sites for work
- becoming a transient community and education does not have a clear connection to work
So many kids are Haitian - Dominican so they don't have birth certificates (can't continue education past the 8th grade) and this weighs on them psychologically and socially
There isn't an economy because the closest Ingenio closed two years ago.

What are we going to do about it?
We are going to use our people and our resources
Bring in alternative education for those who don't have birth certificates
Start small businesses for youth
Form an Identity group for Haitian-Dominicans
Start a girls volleyball team to give the girls something to do

This is the idea anyway! We shall see!

The 3-month I.S.T. was a small but significant milestone for me. I have been in the country for 5 months and 3 days now! I have my health, my spanish is much better and I recently took in a puppy! I am also planning on moving into my own place in a few weeks! On top of that I have some direction in terms of what my projects are going to be. This has been a bit on the informative side as opposed to recreational, so I will cut things off for now.

I apologize that I didn't post any pictures with people in them. I know that written words can only keep your interest for so long and photos are always more fun with a face. The next blog I post will certainly have photos to accompany my banter!

Safra!

2008-02-16T10:06:00.000-08:00

Tough loss!

2008-02-04T07:28:00.001-08:00

Tough loss for the Patriots last night! I was sorry to see them lose, but it was a tight game. I may teach some of the youth in the pictures below to play football! the opportunities are endless in my community! you never know what you can accomplish there without trying! so, it was a good "American" weekend, but I am back to living like a Dominican or at least a gringa living in the Dominican Republic! I am getting more and more integrated in my community every day and only when I leave do I really feel like a an outsider in this country. I guess you could say the people are getting used to me.
I am also looking into renting a house and moving out of my host family's place. They are a great family but like any good, independent American woman, I am ready to move out just when I get comfortable! The community is apprehensive about this move because women just do not live alone here. It is about just as common as a white woman living in a Dominican Batey, so I figure why not! I am excited about living alone, making my own coffee, inviting youth over for meetings and planting a garden. I have also adopted a little puppy! She has yet to be spade or get shots, but she is mine. She sleeps in my room and I feed her milk from my family's cow. Her name is Lola. She certainly isn't a guard dog, but she is comforting. so, that is the latest right now in my life.
more to come later this month!
Much love to the U.S.!
Rach

Las Pajas Youth!

2008-02-04T07:17:00.001-08:00

Go Patriots!

2008-02-03T11:42:00.000-08:00

You can take me out of the U.S. but you can't take the U.S. out of me! I indulged in a bagel and lox this morning for breakfast and tonight its superbowl time! I am celebrating U.S. culture today! granted I did just eat a mango that fell off a tree right beside me and it is 80 degrees out!
no, I am not in Las Pajas! I am in the capital for a few meetings and enjoying all its luxuries! however, things in site are going well. my Batey is forming its first youth group! there are a lot of activities in the cards and goals are in the works! I will keep you posted on the progress! check back after the super bowl!

Much love. Go Pats!
Rach

A little Color!

2008-01-23T08:25:00.000-08:00

This one is going to be quick because I am headed back to my site to get there before the sun sets. Monday was a holiday here in the D.R. Dia de Altagracia! I have asked around a bit, but no one has given me a real concise, precise reason for this holiday. They say Altagracia was a virgin, so maybe they are celebrating virginity! who knows. I spent the holiday painting another volunteer's library. It was great! We painted different educational themes all over the walls! It is amazing what a little color can do to brighten up a room!
On another note, I have a staff infection in my ears and nose and the fungus on my arms has yet to return to where it came from! Not to worry, I am on anti-biotics and painting puts anyone in a good mood.
Love to the U.S.!

Rio Reflection!

2008-01-09T15:42:00.000-08:00

Back in action! I am back in my site after greeting gringos for the last few days. The transition is difficult, but I am making my way through it. Today is raining so no one will leave their houses. This is ok by me! I am not one to turn down a movie day! My brothers love it too! My lap top is still a phenomena! I guess there isn't too much to report right now and I should probably be writing in my journal instead of this blog that is open to those who have internet access! Anyway, this is what I am planning for the month of January..... two english classes a week, conducting interviews, counting houses, and starting dia del Rio! (basically just taking a few people to the river every friday!) The thing about being a Peace Corps volunteer is that this simple river excursion is work. A simple field trip quickly turns into a project... attendance and reflection is the key! Attendance before you go to the river to make those participating feel important and reflect before leaving the river on something positive or negative from the experience! No vale la pena without reflection! (it's not worth it without reflecting on the experience). I will let you all know how it goes. Enjoy the beginning of 2008! It only comes once!
Love to the U.S.
Rach

Just some aspiring youth!

2008-01-09T15:35:00.000-08:00