Friends,
Today I have reached my month mark in-site. I am transitioning into my work pretty well but still lack information to get myself running on bigger tasks such as grant writing and proposals. I have met and shared time with almost everyone in my community which is nice. Basically wherever I go I am greeted by name or by "Americana"/"Cubana". I cant say I know each person´s name or apodo (nickname) but Im getting there.
The Lodges are well on their way construction wise. As for funding, they are starting to run low and concerns for the projects completion are on the rise. We still have enough funding to roughly complete 3 of the 5 lodges (let me emphasize "roughly"). Right now I am working closely with my project partner to update our original proposal so once I am given the go I can begin requesting funds from other NGO´s.
I have 2 months left until my 3 month reunion with Peace Corps staff to present my organizational diagnostic and my plans for the next year. I could probably present today if I had to, so I am not concerned about the content of my work and priorities. In the mean while I am more focused on "Escojo me vida" youth group and English classes. Today is Intl HIV/AIDS Day and yesterday we had students from the group present a charla to the local highschool on the realities of HIV/AIDS, statistics, etc for awareness. After the charla we marched through the the community with a banner. Last weeked we (students and 2 fellow volunteers, Peter and Randi) painted a mural on the school wall regarding HIV/AIDS and how it is contracted.
I have great pics and videos of all of this and hope to post them as soon as I get better internet access.
English classes begin in 2 weeks after the local elections which is the hype at the moment.
Last week for Thanksgiving all the volunteers in country traveled to the capital to celebrate together. We all stayed at local pensiones which are not too shabby and very cheap for us volunteers. I arrived in Santo Domingo on Wednesday morning and as soon as I arrived to the Peace Corps office I saw a litter of puppies that a fellow volunteer was caring for. You know where this story goes.... I had to take one. It was a litter of female pups that were going to be abandoned or euthenized because no one in this country wants female dogs. Long story short, her name is Luna "LULU" Perez and she is precious. I cannot say what kind of mut she is but she is super cute and has an amazing personality. Since my job has no restrictions she basically goes everywhere with me and is now my official confidant in crime..(J/K in service). ****SMILES****
Thanksgiving was wonderful. Thanks to the Thanksgiving commitee we had amazing delicious food and I was able to stuff about three plates into my belly and then some. I put the boys to shame. Mind you I have gained my freshman 15 since my arrival to this country. Im not too sad about it, keep telling myself its muscle weight from all the hiking. The bash was held in a country club in Santo Domingo and we did all sort of activities throughout the day. I was able to meet many new faces (old volunteers and not so old ones). I still have many more left to meet. The size of DR team is really daunting.
I beleive this sums up most of the latest. I love you all!
Marite
Pieces of Me From The Peace Corps
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
This is a shot of the construction of one of the 5 eco-lodges. The work is moving along fairly quickly. I hope to soon be able to attach a slide show of the progress of the contruction. 3 of the 5 should be completed within the next 3 months. As for the other 2 we are now actively looking for funding nationally and internationally.
Monday, November 2, 2009
My first day at work...
Hello all,
Last week Wednesday we were all sworn in as PC Volunteers. We all are happy to have successfully completed our 10 weeks of training. I can now begin telling you details on my assignment and my work here in the DR:
In my last post I gave very weak details on my project site and assignment (sorry). Since then, I met my project partner and moved all my belongings from Santo Domingo to my campo site in Jarabacoa. My project partner is a very motivated and involved woman from my community. I forsee us working very well together as she does not leave room for ambiguity. Hence, she is straight forward and knows exactly what she wants and needs from me <>
My business project revolves around an community association that has decided to build an eco-lodge that is well on its way in the construction process. The eco lodge is something the community came up with on their very own to bring in more money to benefit the community residents. The association was created back in `84 which addresses every single community need. It is composed of 27 members who democratically come up with ideas and solutions for these needs. They have received some funding from USAID to build this lodge however lacks the second half of the funding which I need to somehow come up with. Peace Corps does train us on grant writing so this is something I will be doing very soon. Beyond the funding I will have to help with the financial management and teach basic business practices to all the community association members.
The eco lodge will be my primary project, but based on the few days I have spet at my site there are many secondary projects I see myself beginning. For example, since my arrival all the young adults have inquired about potential English classes, which I feel I must offer. There are also many young ladies who I feel need guidance in the choices they make in the next years in their lives, so a womans focus group is also a possibility.
By the way my community was not as big as I mentioned before. It is actually a commmunity of 70 or so houses. According to my project partner there are more like 250 residents. As soon as I complete my census and family tree I will be sure to update you all.
During my first three months here at my site, I will be working on community diagnostic and census to better integrate into my community and better understand the needs of indivdual families and the community as a whole. I will also be analysing the ins and outs of this eco lodge. Toward the end of the three months I should have a plan of action for my two years of service which I will present to Peace Corps staff. Starting February I will be waist deep in work and should have my very own home in my community.
I hope I better explained myself in this post. I miss you all
Marite
Last week Wednesday we were all sworn in as PC Volunteers. We all are happy to have successfully completed our 10 weeks of training. I can now begin telling you details on my assignment and my work here in the DR:
In my last post I gave very weak details on my project site and assignment (sorry). Since then, I met my project partner and moved all my belongings from Santo Domingo to my campo site in Jarabacoa. My project partner is a very motivated and involved woman from my community. I forsee us working very well together as she does not leave room for ambiguity. Hence, she is straight forward and knows exactly what she wants and needs from me <
My business project revolves around an community association that has decided to build an eco-lodge that is well on its way in the construction process. The eco lodge is something the community came up with on their very own to bring in more money to benefit the community residents. The association was created back in `84 which addresses every single community need. It is composed of 27 members who democratically come up with ideas and solutions for these needs. They have received some funding from USAID to build this lodge however lacks the second half of the funding which I need to somehow come up with. Peace Corps does train us on grant writing so this is something I will be doing very soon. Beyond the funding I will have to help with the financial management and teach basic business practices to all the community association members.
The eco lodge will be my primary project, but based on the few days I have spet at my site there are many secondary projects I see myself beginning. For example, since my arrival all the young adults have inquired about potential English classes, which I feel I must offer. There are also many young ladies who I feel need guidance in the choices they make in the next years in their lives, so a womans focus group is also a possibility.
By the way my community was not as big as I mentioned before. It is actually a commmunity of 70 or so houses. According to my project partner there are more like 250 residents. As soon as I complete my census and family tree I will be sure to update you all.
During my first three months here at my site, I will be working on community diagnostic and census to better integrate into my community and better understand the needs of indivdual families and the community as a whole. I will also be analysing the ins and outs of this eco lodge. Toward the end of the three months I should have a plan of action for my two years of service which I will present to Peace Corps staff. Starting February I will be waist deep in work and should have my very own home in my community.
I hope I better explained myself in this post. I miss you all
Marite
Monday, October 26, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
2 Weeks Away....
Friends,
My work is about to begin! There are less than 2 weeks left until we are all sworn is as Peace Corps Volunteers. :) Just this weeks I was notified about my work assignment here in the DR. I will be in a small campo (pop. 500) about 45 minutes away from Jarabacoa and 15 KM from the entrance of the National park, where many go visit Pico Duarte. I was told I will be working with an Eco lodge that just received funding for construction. Unfortunately this is all the information I have at the moment. This Monday I will be given a more thourough explanation on my assignment and project partner.
My sight is knows as the Alps of the Dominican Republic where there is eternal spring. This is one of the most lush areas of the country, where most fruits and vegetables are grown and exported. This area is also known for its wonderful rivers and waterfalls and out door sports.
Coming Tuesday I will meet my project partner and be taken to my sight where I will be introduced to my community and my next host family. I will be with this family for the next three months until I find my own home and get aquainted with my project and community.
I will return to the city after a few days at my site and on October 28th be sworn in as a volunteer. All the volunteers including myself are very happy to have completed training successfully. Training was definately dense and challenging but we now all feel very prepared to go out there and help out our communities. I am sad to say that we started out with 52 trainees and are now down to 46 however we all know that they left for the right reasons. They will be missed and I wish them the very best.
More details soon to come.
Marite
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
A Little Over A Month Now
Hello friends,
I want to first say THANK YOU for all the wonderful BDAY wishes. I cannot express how happy they made me. I miss you all dearly, you all mean the world to me.
I am now on my 5th week of training, we have about 5 more weeks until we are sworn in as legit Peace Corps Volunteers. I am currenly living in a small campo called ¨LOS CLAVELES¨ in Altamira. This place is very humble. The people are extremely nice and welcoming. There are currently 15 trainees in the Business Economic Sector. We are divided up into 4 groups by languauge proficiency. My group is composed of 6 girls. We all live on a dirt road close to the top of the mountain. I wake up to the most amazing sunrises every morning overlooking cacao fincas. Probably one of the most beautiful things I have ever laid I eyes on.
I have been trying hard to get pictures posted but access to internet is not very good, however I do promise to post some amazing pics of the sites here.
Training is very strenuous, in a good way though. We are learning so much about the socio economic needs here in the DR. Within the next few weeks most of the non native speakers will be proficient in the Spanish language and we should all be experts on the issues and culture of the DR. None of us have any clue as to what are assignments will be. Every few weeks we have interviews with tech trainers to better define what areas we will be best in and what works best with our individual needs. SO far we have visited local cacao and coffee farmers as well as local artisens.
I am currenly fighting a small fever but nothing serious. My health is great but I have eaten enough Platano verde to last me a life time. Dont get me wrong ¨mangu¨is great but there is only so much I can stomach. I am also getting an insane amount of excersise. Hiking up and down that mountain everyday is tough but after so many fried foods and starches it is very well needed.
Electricty is available most days but we suffer ¨Apagones¨ almost every evening when we need light the most. Since I live on a mountain, water access isnt so shaby. There is a natural aquaduct so water is basically unlimited. The shower is outside of course and we also have an outdoor latrine. The evening showers are fabulous with every single star visible.
Our town is male dominant, most of which work in the agro business. With six Americanas in town, we have literally turned their world upside down. Needless to say we have all been receiving lots of attention. It has become less intense these last few days now that they see we are really involved in our studies. My host family is this very sweet old couple who now call me their daughter and introduce me that way to all their visitors. I also have acquired an older brother who lives in the house and 11 more siblings who live in the city.
There has also been loads of dancing and for those who know me well you know I have a gigantic smile on my face. The music is incredible (most of the time). Although I have not been gone from the states very long it feels as if I have been away for a good period of time. I will try to steal away to town soon again and give you some more updates. Again, I love you all.
Marite
I want to first say THANK YOU for all the wonderful BDAY wishes. I cannot express how happy they made me. I miss you all dearly, you all mean the world to me.
I am now on my 5th week of training, we have about 5 more weeks until we are sworn in as legit Peace Corps Volunteers. I am currenly living in a small campo called ¨LOS CLAVELES¨ in Altamira. This place is very humble. The people are extremely nice and welcoming. There are currently 15 trainees in the Business Economic Sector. We are divided up into 4 groups by languauge proficiency. My group is composed of 6 girls. We all live on a dirt road close to the top of the mountain. I wake up to the most amazing sunrises every morning overlooking cacao fincas. Probably one of the most beautiful things I have ever laid I eyes on.
I have been trying hard to get pictures posted but access to internet is not very good, however I do promise to post some amazing pics of the sites here.
Training is very strenuous, in a good way though. We are learning so much about the socio economic needs here in the DR. Within the next few weeks most of the non native speakers will be proficient in the Spanish language and we should all be experts on the issues and culture of the DR. None of us have any clue as to what are assignments will be. Every few weeks we have interviews with tech trainers to better define what areas we will be best in and what works best with our individual needs. SO far we have visited local cacao and coffee farmers as well as local artisens.
I am currenly fighting a small fever but nothing serious. My health is great but I have eaten enough Platano verde to last me a life time. Dont get me wrong ¨mangu¨is great but there is only so much I can stomach. I am also getting an insane amount of excersise. Hiking up and down that mountain everyday is tough but after so many fried foods and starches it is very well needed.
Electricty is available most days but we suffer ¨Apagones¨ almost every evening when we need light the most. Since I live on a mountain, water access isnt so shaby. There is a natural aquaduct so water is basically unlimited. The shower is outside of course and we also have an outdoor latrine. The evening showers are fabulous with every single star visible.
Our town is male dominant, most of which work in the agro business. With six Americanas in town, we have literally turned their world upside down. Needless to say we have all been receiving lots of attention. It has become less intense these last few days now that they see we are really involved in our studies. My host family is this very sweet old couple who now call me their daughter and introduce me that way to all their visitors. I also have acquired an older brother who lives in the house and 11 more siblings who live in the city.
There has also been loads of dancing and for those who know me well you know I have a gigantic smile on my face. The music is incredible (most of the time). Although I have not been gone from the states very long it feels as if I have been away for a good period of time. I will try to steal away to town soon again and give you some more updates. Again, I love you all.
Marite
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
3 weeks in
3 weeks in and I have my first technical exam this afternoon. Training is intense but very interesting. Training is composed of language, cultural, geographical and medical information. There is a lot to learn. Tomorrow morning we are back to the Peace Corps office to get final immunizations (there have been many)and we are off to our technical training sites. There were originally 52 trainees we are now down to 49. We are all divided up between water, youth, health and economic development. I will be heading north to the mountains near Puerto Plata with 14 other business economic trainees.
My Dominican family here in the capitol have been amazing. They have been so hospitable and supportive. Tomorrow I will acquire a new family and I am very anxious to meet them. During our time in the mountains we will be going in depth of the economic needs in the country. Our technical trainers will be monitoring our progress and matching our skills to communities with specific needs. In the end we will all have our very own site with a specific project.
I will do my best to update this while I am off at my training site. As of right now the best word to describe this experience is "amazing". This has been harder for some than for others but I am taking it one day at a time and savoring every moment. As of right now this has been truly unique and wonderful.
My Dominican family here in the capitol have been amazing. They have been so hospitable and supportive. Tomorrow I will acquire a new family and I am very anxious to meet them. During our time in the mountains we will be going in depth of the economic needs in the country. Our technical trainers will be monitoring our progress and matching our skills to communities with specific needs. In the end we will all have our very own site with a specific project.
I will do my best to update this while I am off at my training site. As of right now the best word to describe this experience is "amazing". This has been harder for some than for others but I am taking it one day at a time and savoring every moment. As of right now this has been truly unique and wonderful.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
4 days in country
Friends,
It has been 4 days since I arrived to the D.R. Honestly I have to say that it has not hit me yet. Our schedule has been occupied with many orientation classes and prepartion for exams.
I am now living with a Dominican family. They are very kind and have taken me in as part of their family. Before meeting them I was told I would be living with a mom and her daughter but as soon as I arrived I was welcomed basically by the entire neighborhood which were all of the ¨Santos family¨. Where I sleep lives the mom and her daughter but I dine and share amongst all. This consists of an extended nuclear family (great grandparents to small children and even adopted kids).
I am sharing this gigantic family with 4 other trainees (all living in seperate homes in the same neighborhood). We will be here for the remainder of training which ends on October 28th. From now until then we will all be divided up by language proficiency and begin taking intensive courses which includes safety precautions, health awareness, and general knowledge of the culture. We all hope to fulfill our requirements in order to be sworn in and become volunteers on October 28th.
Once we are sworn in we will be given our location and assignments where we will begin our 2 year commitment. Below I have included the yummy foods I have had plus our mailing address. There is much more to come....
Fufu the platano
Mangu
Berengena con semillas sesame
halbondigas
habichuela blancas
Cafe Santo Dominigo
Jugo de Mango, lechosa,pina,guineo con vainilla
mmmmmmmmmm.......
Cuerpo De Paz
Apartado Postal 1412
Santo Domingo Dominican Republic
Lots of love
Marite
It has been 4 days since I arrived to the D.R. Honestly I have to say that it has not hit me yet. Our schedule has been occupied with many orientation classes and prepartion for exams.
I am now living with a Dominican family. They are very kind and have taken me in as part of their family. Before meeting them I was told I would be living with a mom and her daughter but as soon as I arrived I was welcomed basically by the entire neighborhood which were all of the ¨Santos family¨. Where I sleep lives the mom and her daughter but I dine and share amongst all. This consists of an extended nuclear family (great grandparents to small children and even adopted kids).
I am sharing this gigantic family with 4 other trainees (all living in seperate homes in the same neighborhood). We will be here for the remainder of training which ends on October 28th. From now until then we will all be divided up by language proficiency and begin taking intensive courses which includes safety precautions, health awareness, and general knowledge of the culture. We all hope to fulfill our requirements in order to be sworn in and become volunteers on October 28th.
Once we are sworn in we will be given our location and assignments where we will begin our 2 year commitment. Below I have included the yummy foods I have had plus our mailing address. There is much more to come....
Fufu the platano
Mangu
Berengena con semillas sesame
halbondigas
habichuela blancas
Cafe Santo Dominigo
Jugo de Mango, lechosa,pina,guineo con vainilla
mmmmmmmmmm.......
Cuerpo De Paz
Apartado Postal 1412
Santo Domingo Dominican Republic
Lots of love
Marite
Friday, August 14, 2009
6 More Days
I have 6 more days to go and the anticipation is high...
I decided I would begin this blog sharing a bit of my anxieties and excitement. I was officially invited by the Peace Corps to work in the Dominican Republic July 8, 2009. I begin my training August 20, 2009. As you can imagine 6 weeks notice is not much time to get everything sorted out and ready to go. Since applications can take over a year to process, I thought my leaving this soon was unlikely.
The Peace Corps is an organization I have wanted to join since high school. I was very close to applying my senior year of college but then decided to have some solid work experience that can shape some of my long term goals and help me decipher more of who I really am.
As of right now my future title as a volunteer is "Community Economic Advisor". I say right now because everything is still very much in the air. My three months of training could ultimately alter my assignment and final work destination depending on my response to the actual training. At the moment the only thing that is certain is that I will train for 3 months in Santo Domingo and will be living with an assigned family.
Communication will be limited and may be hard to come by however I hope to update this blog as often as possible and wish it to be a window to my experience abroad.
Now with only a few days left to go I am left with some packing to do and a lot of "good bye" and "see you later" . It is truly hard for me to leave so many wonderful friends and acquaintances behind. There really are no words to describe my experience in DC, which leaves me saying "I'll be back". I wish you all the best and hope to see you in the Dominican Republic.
-Marite
I decided I would begin this blog sharing a bit of my anxieties and excitement. I was officially invited by the Peace Corps to work in the Dominican Republic July 8, 2009. I begin my training August 20, 2009. As you can imagine 6 weeks notice is not much time to get everything sorted out and ready to go. Since applications can take over a year to process, I thought my leaving this soon was unlikely.
The Peace Corps is an organization I have wanted to join since high school. I was very close to applying my senior year of college but then decided to have some solid work experience that can shape some of my long term goals and help me decipher more of who I really am.
As of right now my future title as a volunteer is "Community Economic Advisor". I say right now because everything is still very much in the air. My three months of training could ultimately alter my assignment and final work destination depending on my response to the actual training. At the moment the only thing that is certain is that I will train for 3 months in Santo Domingo and will be living with an assigned family.
Communication will be limited and may be hard to come by however I hope to update this blog as often as possible and wish it to be a window to my experience abroad.
Now with only a few days left to go I am left with some packing to do and a lot of "good bye" and "see you later" . It is truly hard for me to leave so many wonderful friends and acquaintances behind. There really are no words to describe my experience in DC, which leaves me saying "I'll be back". I wish you all the best and hope to see you in the Dominican Republic.
-Marite
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)