On Tuesday we all met up in scary Addis Ababa for the counterpart workshop. For those of you who don't know, my counterpart is my #1contact in my host town and my coworker. He will be doing most of my projects with me, and just as importantly, translating meetings while I'm still learning Amharic. We met yesterday and I am very excited about working with him. He is about my age (which is awesome, same as in the US, the young people here are yearning for changes). He is the HIV coordinator at the town health office which oversees the clinic.I'm not actually working in the clinic which is perfect because this way I get to be more on the business side of things.
My town is in the Southern Nations and Nationalities Peoples Region in the western highlands. I'm the farthest west of all the volunteers and in one of the more rural posts. The town has a population of about 7,000 and is supposedly beautiful! Lush forests, temperate climate,high elevation, few mosquitoes and lots of tea/bunna/tej production. I get to visit next week which I am way excited about. And the 2 day journey on public transportation will be an adventure! Luckily my counterpart will be with me and able to guide me through the rougher cities. I will also get to stay at my house!! It has two rooms, and an outside latrine (no luxury toilet like at my host family's house). I have to sleep there all week with no bed...thank you greg and Melissa the sleeping bag.
Mom wrote me a letter asking if this is a hugging culture. It's a bit hard to explain. They do not hug and are often surprised when I try to hug them (I'm a Putnam kid...I love hugs...especially dancing hugs).When people greet each other they shake hands and, if they are good friends, do a shoulder bump. However, they are very touchy feely people. It is not uncommon for two men to hold hands (or pinkies)while walking in town, and they also always have their arms around each other. A hand resting on someone elses thigh is ok too. Not ok with me yet though. I still like my space.
I'm running out of internet time here in Addis, but I will end by thanking everyone for the letters! I get more than anyone else at training and it really makes me happy. So thank you Mom (and Dad for signing the card, too haha), Danshults, Beth, Rosie/Brad, Ellie, Kevin and Jess. You all have letters in the mail. But it takes much longer to get from ethiopia to america than america to ethiopia.
Also, happy birthday greg and jess!!! wish i could be there to celebrate. you should all call me during the parties and pass the phone around.
Love you all and miss you. Come visit, Africa is wonderful!
Cheers,
Nikki
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
10/24/09
Blogspot is still blocked in Ethiopia, but thanks to Andrea I am able to post semi-regular updates! I'm feeling a bit better today than I have for a while...turns out I am allergic to Mefloquin (malaria propholaxis) because once the doctor told me to stop taking it my hives have started to go away. Good thing too, the itching was beginning to be unbearable and really put me in a funk. Fortunately there are no mosquitoes in my training town (because of the high elevation) so I don't have to worry about getting Malaria. Also, I had a good reason to request a cooler, higher altitude post (no 100 degree Africa sun OR mosquitoes!) which, if they give me, will be wonderful.I will eventually go back on Malaria meds, probably Doxy, once this stuff gets out of my system and the hives go away. Between Spice this summer and the allergic reaction I've almost forgot what it is like not to itch. I really can't complain though, I'm one of the few who haven't had a GI episode yet (knocks on wood), my family thinks I'm allergic to T'eff so they don't feed me injera anymore, my host sister makes my friends and me french fries and onion rings and I live in a beautiful town.
The past week I discovered some great places in this town. There is a river that supplies the surrounding areas with water (It flooded on Sunday and knocked out the pipes, so because there was so much water there was none) that is absolutely stunning. It flows through green hills and on Sunday the whole town goes there to bathe, wash clothes or just to hang out. I went with my sisters to explore a bit. There is one place where the water looks as though it is flowing from the inside of a tree. The locals believe that the water has a healing power and people come all the way from Addis to drink from it. I'm not convinced though, it did not clear the rash, but it was still really cool. I took lots of pictures, someday I'll figure out how to post them. Then on Friday during community discovery we went walking through the farmland on the other side of town. The fields went on for miles and miles...beans, corn, wheat and lots of those trees that are in every picture of Africa you've ever seen. We stopped to talk to the farmers (by talk I mean introduce myself and say hello a bunch of times because that's pretty much all I know) and to "simply sit".Simply sitting, walking etc...is big in Ethiopia. And I thought Putnam-ites had to be creative with recreation time! It's great though, sometimes I just stop in my tracks to look around in awe at the untouched natural beauty in the rolling hills and mountains. At night I still am struck every time I walk back to my room from the shint bet and I can clearly see every single star in the sky...the best part about no lights.
There are definitely times when having to be incredibly polite to every single person (Ethiopians are much nicer than I am) drives me crazy. And when the fidel (Amharic alphabet) makes me want to stab my eyes out. Sometimes I dread turning on to my street because the neighborhood kids all wait for me at 5:00. And then there are times when I desperately want to be with someone that knows me and I can be myself with. But at the end of the day I am always happy that I made the decision to join the Peace Corps. Especially this past week when we started to get into the technical training and visit health centers I remembered why I am here. The APCD was right, this is a gift. Nowhere in the US would I get the chance to slow down and have the time to reflect on life and appreciate every little thing. You should all visit, Africa has some kind of magic that soothes the soul. And I miss you and would enjoy the company of a familiar face.
Write letters...I have lots of time to write back. And it sucks to be the one who doesn't get mail on hub day (but I wouldn't know because this week I got letters from mom and one from ds!). It looks as though it takes 10 days to send a letter from the US to Ethiopia. I sent my first batch on the 16th...I will let you all know when they got to their destinations.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Cheers,
Nikki
Blogspot is still blocked in Ethiopia, but thanks to Andrea I am able to post semi-regular updates! I'm feeling a bit better today than I have for a while...turns out I am allergic to Mefloquin (malaria propholaxis) because once the doctor told me to stop taking it my hives have started to go away. Good thing too, the itching was beginning to be unbearable and really put me in a funk. Fortunately there are no mosquitoes in my training town (because of the high elevation) so I don't have to worry about getting Malaria. Also, I had a good reason to request a cooler, higher altitude post (no 100 degree Africa sun OR mosquitoes!) which, if they give me, will be wonderful.I will eventually go back on Malaria meds, probably Doxy, once this stuff gets out of my system and the hives go away. Between Spice this summer and the allergic reaction I've almost forgot what it is like not to itch. I really can't complain though, I'm one of the few who haven't had a GI episode yet (knocks on wood), my family thinks I'm allergic to T'eff so they don't feed me injera anymore, my host sister makes my friends and me french fries and onion rings and I live in a beautiful town.
The past week I discovered some great places in this town. There is a river that supplies the surrounding areas with water (It flooded on Sunday and knocked out the pipes, so because there was so much water there was none) that is absolutely stunning. It flows through green hills and on Sunday the whole town goes there to bathe, wash clothes or just to hang out. I went with my sisters to explore a bit. There is one place where the water looks as though it is flowing from the inside of a tree. The locals believe that the water has a healing power and people come all the way from Addis to drink from it. I'm not convinced though, it did not clear the rash, but it was still really cool. I took lots of pictures, someday I'll figure out how to post them. Then on Friday during community discovery we went walking through the farmland on the other side of town. The fields went on for miles and miles...beans, corn, wheat and lots of those trees that are in every picture of Africa you've ever seen. We stopped to talk to the farmers (by talk I mean introduce myself and say hello a bunch of times because that's pretty much all I know) and to "simply sit".Simply sitting, walking etc...is big in Ethiopia. And I thought Putnam-ites had to be creative with recreation time! It's great though, sometimes I just stop in my tracks to look around in awe at the untouched natural beauty in the rolling hills and mountains. At night I still am struck every time I walk back to my room from the shint bet and I can clearly see every single star in the sky...the best part about no lights.
There are definitely times when having to be incredibly polite to every single person (Ethiopians are much nicer than I am) drives me crazy. And when the fidel (Amharic alphabet) makes me want to stab my eyes out. Sometimes I dread turning on to my street because the neighborhood kids all wait for me at 5:00. And then there are times when I desperately want to be with someone that knows me and I can be myself with. But at the end of the day I am always happy that I made the decision to join the Peace Corps. Especially this past week when we started to get into the technical training and visit health centers I remembered why I am here. The APCD was right, this is a gift. Nowhere in the US would I get the chance to slow down and have the time to reflect on life and appreciate every little thing. You should all visit, Africa has some kind of magic that soothes the soul. And I miss you and would enjoy the company of a familiar face.
Write letters...I have lots of time to write back. And it sucks to be the one who doesn't get mail on hub day (but I wouldn't know because this week I got letters from mom and one from ds!). It looks as though it takes 10 days to send a letter from the US to Ethiopia. I sent my first batch on the 16th...I will let you all know when they got to their destinations.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Cheers,
Nikki
10/16/09
I haven't been able to blog since arriving in Ethiopia because the little town of Gonde does not yet have Internet. So I am posting this from Asela, the nearest city. Here is a short re-cap of my time so far in the Peace Corps.
Philadelphia: Staging was quite brief. We all got together in a hotel to go through paperwork, discuss aspirations/anxieties and get an overview of the Peace Corps. The next day we got the Yellow Fever vaccine and departed for the airport. Nothing too eventful.
Addis Ababa: Addis was a bit more interesting, but not really Africa.We had a couple days of safety/security training, food and water safety, typhoid, rabies, meningitis and hepatitis vaccines along with the start of the Malaria meds. The meds were the cause of only one interesting dream starring a talking rhino that threatened to kill me if I left my house. He also had a friend giraffe. In Addis I got to know the other volunteers a bit and got past the artificial conversation that you all remember from the first week of college. We went from hanging out in hoards to large groups. Finally on the last day in Addis we left the hotel and braved the streets. We had our first "fishbowl" experience being watched very carefully by everyone.It's a weird feeling being a celebrity of sorts. Everyone wants to shake your hand and listen to you try to say hello. This phenomenon becomes more apparent later.
Training Hub: We all boarded buses to Asela, and then our respective training sites. On the way there we came upon a car accident. Instead of waiting in traffic our bus detoured through the mud. And since the bus couldn't make it through the mud we had to get out of the bus to lessen the weight. Eventually the bus made it back to the main road- I feel like some kind of hitch had to happen. In Asela we had lunch and learned to dance. The Ethiopian dance is a lot of jumping from one foot to the other and controlled arm movements. Women also do this awesome shoulder shake that I have not yet mastered. We all gave it as hot though and a good time was had by all.
Satellite Site: My town for the next 3 months is the smallest of all the satellite sites...it just moved up from being classified a village two months ago. When we arrived it was down pouring and we got out of the bus with all of our bags sloshing through the mud. We took shelter in the pharmacy, which I would later discover is my host father's shop. I had a conversation with a few children while we waited for the rains to stop before walking home.
Two young men carried my bags for me (good thing too, at this point I was not good at walking in the slippery mud) and my host parents led the way through puddles, up a mud/rock road. On the way we passed donkeys, goats, sheep, dogs, horses, cows and tons of curious people watching the "ferenji". We stopped to knock on the metal gate of the compound. The gates open up and I am let into the house which smells like incense. Everyone lines up to meet me, and I am relieved to hear the words "Hello, welcome. My name is Sunnat". She speaks English! Sunny has since become quite close to me and a wonderful resource to be integrated in family chats. Dinner is being brought to the table and a girl brings over a watering can and a slotted bucket with a bar of soap. The family washes their hands and I sit down with mom and dad to eat a wide spread of food. Injera, wot, french fries, vegetables,bread, juice, water, and tea. This is the first time I am able to enjoy food since being in Ethiopia...not because it had made me sick before, but because it was too spicy for me to eat. I eat tons and love every second of the precious food. After dinner I sit on the couch with the family and look at a photo album while coffee beans are being roasted on a charcoal stove. The rest of the night we drink coffee, laugh and I watch them all interact. All my worries were washed away and I was happy to be surrounded by family.
Since then I have fallen in love with Africa. I go to bed every night in awe of how beautiful this country and the people are. I am able to say hello to every person that I meet (and everybody wants me to stop to say hello) and learn Amharic in the garden of one of my friend's compounds. Life is very simple and beautiful. I wake up early when the rooster calls, eat a homemade breakfast with my father and then get walked to school. During school we have 2 tea breaks where we walk through town to practice what we have learned in the community. We often sit at the chaibet with our LCF and make friends with the locals. After school I go home, hang out with the family, have dinner,and hang out some more. We have coffee at lunch and dinner. Then I go to bed around 9-10. Every night I go to bed thinking how lucky I am to have this opportunity. Life here is just so natural. The stars are even more brilliant than in New Zealand. I can't really explain what it is like, but I love it here.
I have so much that I can write about, so to make my blog more interested let me know what you want to hear about. Language?Training? Food? Peace Corps? My Family? Other volunteers? Visual descriptions?
Love you and miss you all.
Cheers,
Nikki
I haven't been able to blog since arriving in Ethiopia because the little town of Gonde does not yet have Internet. So I am posting this from Asela, the nearest city. Here is a short re-cap of my time so far in the Peace Corps.
Philadelphia: Staging was quite brief. We all got together in a hotel to go through paperwork, discuss aspirations/anxieties and get an overview of the Peace Corps. The next day we got the Yellow Fever vaccine and departed for the airport. Nothing too eventful.
Addis Ababa: Addis was a bit more interesting, but not really Africa.We had a couple days of safety/security training, food and water safety, typhoid, rabies, meningitis and hepatitis vaccines along with the start of the Malaria meds. The meds were the cause of only one interesting dream starring a talking rhino that threatened to kill me if I left my house. He also had a friend giraffe. In Addis I got to know the other volunteers a bit and got past the artificial conversation that you all remember from the first week of college. We went from hanging out in hoards to large groups. Finally on the last day in Addis we left the hotel and braved the streets. We had our first "fishbowl" experience being watched very carefully by everyone.It's a weird feeling being a celebrity of sorts. Everyone wants to shake your hand and listen to you try to say hello. This phenomenon becomes more apparent later.
Training Hub: We all boarded buses to Asela, and then our respective training sites. On the way there we came upon a car accident. Instead of waiting in traffic our bus detoured through the mud. And since the bus couldn't make it through the mud we had to get out of the bus to lessen the weight. Eventually the bus made it back to the main road- I feel like some kind of hitch had to happen. In Asela we had lunch and learned to dance. The Ethiopian dance is a lot of jumping from one foot to the other and controlled arm movements. Women also do this awesome shoulder shake that I have not yet mastered. We all gave it as hot though and a good time was had by all.
Satellite Site: My town for the next 3 months is the smallest of all the satellite sites...it just moved up from being classified a village two months ago. When we arrived it was down pouring and we got out of the bus with all of our bags sloshing through the mud. We took shelter in the pharmacy, which I would later discover is my host father's shop. I had a conversation with a few children while we waited for the rains to stop before walking home.
Two young men carried my bags for me (good thing too, at this point I was not good at walking in the slippery mud) and my host parents led the way through puddles, up a mud/rock road. On the way we passed donkeys, goats, sheep, dogs, horses, cows and tons of curious people watching the "ferenji". We stopped to knock on the metal gate of the compound. The gates open up and I am let into the house which smells like incense. Everyone lines up to meet me, and I am relieved to hear the words "Hello, welcome. My name is Sunnat". She speaks English! Sunny has since become quite close to me and a wonderful resource to be integrated in family chats. Dinner is being brought to the table and a girl brings over a watering can and a slotted bucket with a bar of soap. The family washes their hands and I sit down with mom and dad to eat a wide spread of food. Injera, wot, french fries, vegetables,bread, juice, water, and tea. This is the first time I am able to enjoy food since being in Ethiopia...not because it had made me sick before, but because it was too spicy for me to eat. I eat tons and love every second of the precious food. After dinner I sit on the couch with the family and look at a photo album while coffee beans are being roasted on a charcoal stove. The rest of the night we drink coffee, laugh and I watch them all interact. All my worries were washed away and I was happy to be surrounded by family.
Since then I have fallen in love with Africa. I go to bed every night in awe of how beautiful this country and the people are. I am able to say hello to every person that I meet (and everybody wants me to stop to say hello) and learn Amharic in the garden of one of my friend's compounds. Life is very simple and beautiful. I wake up early when the rooster calls, eat a homemade breakfast with my father and then get walked to school. During school we have 2 tea breaks where we walk through town to practice what we have learned in the community. We often sit at the chaibet with our LCF and make friends with the locals. After school I go home, hang out with the family, have dinner,and hang out some more. We have coffee at lunch and dinner. Then I go to bed around 9-10. Every night I go to bed thinking how lucky I am to have this opportunity. Life here is just so natural. The stars are even more brilliant than in New Zealand. I can't really explain what it is like, but I love it here.
I have so much that I can write about, so to make my blog more interested let me know what you want to hear about. Language?Training? Food? Peace Corps? My Family? Other volunteers? Visual descriptions?
Love you and miss you all.
Cheers,
Nikki
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Getting Ready
Now that is September, and only a month before I depart for the unknown, I am terribly excited. Facebook has introduced me to a few people that will also be a part of Ethiopia Group 3 which makes the adventure more of a reality. This past week my parents visited from Maryland and we got the paperwork business out of the way (appointing power of attorney, insurance, car etc...) and they also were a HUGE help in outfitting me for the journey. True to form I packed immediately and am just about physically ready to go. Not sure I'm emotionally ready quite yet. I don't really feel like I'm leaving my friends and family, that part hasn't sunk in.
For those of you who are working on packing, here is a list of items I've packed. If you have any suggestions please let me know! I tend to under pack (who goes to eastern europe without a raincoat?!) so its likely I forgot something.
Netbook/DVD drive
Memory sticks
Camera
Voltage/Outlet converters
Ipod
Chacos trail shoes
Sandals
Hiking boots (keen hybrids)
Clothes
Toiletries
Sun Block
Sewing Kit
Non-stick frying pan
Knife
Headlamp
Nalgene bottles
Flavored water packets
Alarm clock
Bandanas
DVDs
Pictures
Gifts for host family
Books
Duct tape
Stationary
Journal
Playing cards
Scrabble
Sleeping bag (thanks greg and melissa!)
And probably a few other things I forgot to list.
For those of you who are working on packing, here is a list of items I've packed. If you have any suggestions please let me know! I tend to under pack (who goes to eastern europe without a raincoat?!) so its likely I forgot something.
Netbook/DVD drive
Memory sticks
Camera
Voltage/Outlet converters
Ipod
Chacos trail shoes
Sandals
Hiking boots (keen hybrids)
Clothes
Toiletries
Sun Block
Sewing Kit
Non-stick frying pan
Knife
Headlamp
Nalgene bottles
Flavored water packets
Alarm clock
Bandanas
DVDs
Pictures
Gifts for host family
Books
Duct tape
Stationary
Journal
Playing cards
Scrabble
Sleeping bag (thanks greg and melissa!)
And probably a few other things I forgot to list.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
My Aspiration Statement
Everyone asks me why I want to join the Peace Corps, and describing why is difficult. Below is the aspiration statement I had to write to the Ethiopia country desk, maybe this will make my reasons clearer. You can probably tell what the questions are by the answers.
A.
I first began entertaining the idea of joining the Peace Corps in 2006 when I studied abroad in Australia. While the difference between the US and Australia is not extraordinary, the experience of entering, sight unseen, into a new world far away from home was exhilarating. The tourism aspect was phenomenal, but what I found most enjoyable was the local culture. Living in another culture is far different than visiting. Taking on the local lifestyle, letting go to strict deadlines and allowing myself to slow down was something completely new, and quite liberating. Being from New England, I am used to a fast paced environment; if a train is late or appointment does not start on time it is an extreme inconvenience. However, I learned in Australia that if you slow down and enjoy life instead of racing through it, you can find more meaning, develop stronger relationships and, most importantly, be happy.
As I began to fall in love with Australia I also began to wonder about the experience I could have gotten out of all the places I visited as a kid if we had stayed a while longer. From there I began researching the US Peace Corps. I actually remember the first time when I learned about the Peace Corps when I was a kid and thinking to myself “why would someone want to do that”…every time I think about that instance I laugh to myself, because now I know exactly why someone, including myself, cannot wait for that experience. I want to experience the world, not as a tourist, but as a part of it. I don’t want to stand by and learn about countries and people far away, I want to be one of them. And rather than just seeking employment in another country, I want to help. The inequalities across the globe are disheartening and just do not make sense. Why is it that so many people die from malaria every year when treatment is so inexpensive? Why is a region rich in oil, a powerful resource, full of people who live on just $2 a day? And I don’t want to just hear about these people, I want to get to know them and learn how to make a difference.
With the seed already planted in my head about going to the Peace Corps I met David Ives. He probably doesn't know it, but he was the deciding factor in my decision to apply. David is the director of the Albert Schweitzer Institute at Quinnipiac University. I knew him through the Albert Schweitzer Club which I was a part of and, upon his suggestion, took a philosophy class my senior year of college titled The Thought and Work of Albert Schweitzer. We learned about Schweitzer’s mission in Gabon to repent for the mistreatment done by Europeans in Africa. He gave up fame and fortune to complete medical school and provide medical care in a forgotten corner of the world. I learned about “reverence for life” and how sacred every living thing, plant, insect, animal or person is. Through this class I kept a journal of my experiences volunteering at a Hospice and evaluated it through the lens of Schweitzer. This class, David’s account of his Peace Corps experience in Costa Rica, and his invitation to meet people like Jimmy Carter, Rigoberta Menchu and survivors of the bombings in Hiroshima, the Albert Schweitzer Institute made me realize how much one person really can do.
I realize that I will not build a hospital, I will not “fix” any major problems and I definitely won’t save the world. But what I can, and intend to do is make a difference. As my mentor in graduate school would say, passion and tenacity go a long way. I believe to be a Peace Corps volunteer you need to encompass both attributes. With the knowledge I have gained through my education and life experiences, I aspire to improve the lives of vulnerable populations in my town/village. I listen to the stories of those I work alongside with at the Agape Center (an HIV/AIDS resource center) and realize that it is not necessarily disease that affects their everyday life, it’s the isolation. These people want to be a part of the community and they want to remain productive. In fact, many of the clients also volunteer their time at the food pantry in the building. This is how I want to make a difference. I want to help remove stigmas and help people find their place in the community. If I can make a positive difference in just one person’s life, the 27 month commitment is worth it.
B.
Working in the Peace Corps is going to be very different than going to school in Australia. My work is going to be a partnership, not a solo act. As I read through my invitation packet and the blogs of volunteers already in Ethiopia I begin to imagine myself there. I think the best way to integrate into work is the same as the best way to get into the ocean after laying in the sun on the beach. First, observe everyone else already in the water. I believe that I will have to spend the beginning of my experience learning by observation. What is the organizational culture? What is taboo? Where do I fit in? I would have to learn the work ethic and goals of my host country partners instead of starting work and creating my own agenda. Second you have to ease your way in, take one step, get used to the temperature and then take another step. After observing I need to focus on working with my partners and learning where I need to be and what I need to do. I will need to try something, test it, and then if it doesn’t work in this environment, get out of the water and try again from a different angle. The third step is the plunge, when you’re in the water to your waist and the only way to get in is to jump. After I have found how the organization works and what my role is I need to jump in. I will only have 2 years, and I can’t spend the whole time scared and watching from the wings. I will have to give it everything I’ve got and watch things fall into place. And just like getting into that cold water, being side by side with someone always provides comfort and motivation. I will need my host country colleagues to help me in at first, and then work together.
C.
In my experiences, the way I best adapt to a new culture is to embrace it. I don’t like to retreat to comforts, such as exiling myself to my dwelling or clinging to the closest American. I believe that if I start by allowing myself to have a crutch, I will never fully adapt to the new culture. The easiest way for me to settle in is to make myself feel uncomfortable and awkwardly try to fit in. While the first weeks or months may not be as pleasant as my romantic fantasy of the Peace Corps is, I will learn what is expected of me and how I fit into my new community. I expect to be met with obstacles that I cannot even fathom at this moment, but I accept that challenges that lay ahead of me.
Other than being isolated by language, my biggest fear is losing my own identity. In the US I am quite passionate about certain issues and tend to be outspoken. I learned in Australia that it is not a good idea to get involved in politics in a different country so I go to Ethiopia fully expecting to remain silent on such issues. However, as I immerse myself into the new culture I need to realize what values are important to me, what I am willing to sacrifice and what I need to be firm about to keep being Nikki. As I prepare for departure, and during training, I need to do some soul-searching and decide what sacrifices I need to make and what about my own culture I can preserve. After all, the Peace Corps isn’t just about learning about a new culture, it’s about teaching other people about Americans as well.
D.
I have a number of items I expect to learn during training to prepare me for service. First and foremost I expect to make progress in language. I have already ordered an Amharic phrase book, but I hope that during pre-service training I will be able to at least introduce myself, learn words such as please and thank you and learn the major cultural differences so I do not offend anyone on my first day. I also hope to learn more about the resources I will have at my disposal for my work. I know that resources will be limited, but knowing exactly how limited will allow me to begin brainstorming ideas before I actually begin service.
I also want to gain knowledge about the current state of affairs in Ethiopia. What are the major ambitions and goals of the Ministry of Health? What are the biggest issues that the people of Ethiopia are faced with? What do the people want? What are the goals of the Peace Corps/Ethiopia relationship?
E.
My motivations to join the Peace Corps are primarily to use my training and experience to help a growing community. When my family and friends ask why I want to be in the Peace Corps I reply that because the world has been good to me and I was fortunate enough to be born in an area where I have the world at my fingertips, I feel like it is my duty to share my good fortune with those who do not share it. To me it is atrocious that in a world connected by the media, internet and television that people do not do more to help each other. It is not enough to “feel bad” about the AIDS epidemic, or buy a t-shirt that says “Save Darfur” instead of giving time to call a congressmen ask him or her to put international aid on his or her agenda. I need to give myself to the world, use the education and experience I have to help others.
With that said it is impossible to say that joining the Peace Corps is a complete sacrifice of my life and is without reward. Many people report that they feel they got more from the Peace Corps experience than they gave. I am going to have new experiences and adventure that will remain a part of my identity for the rest of my life. My current goal, though by the end of my 27 months I may have a completely different life plan, is to take advantage of the noncompetitive advantage for government employment. I strongly believe in civic duty, and just like if you disagree with the inequalities in the world you should act, if you do not make an effort to create change then you cannot complain about the status quo.
I believe that I should contribute to the country that has given me great opportunities. With my background in healthcare management, I want to work for the CDC as a Health Analyst. These people travel the world to determine the health needs of different countries are, and work with the host country to meet these needs. I view my experience with the Ministry of Health in Ethiopia the beginning of this career.
A.
I first began entertaining the idea of joining the Peace Corps in 2006 when I studied abroad in Australia. While the difference between the US and Australia is not extraordinary, the experience of entering, sight unseen, into a new world far away from home was exhilarating. The tourism aspect was phenomenal, but what I found most enjoyable was the local culture. Living in another culture is far different than visiting. Taking on the local lifestyle, letting go to strict deadlines and allowing myself to slow down was something completely new, and quite liberating. Being from New England, I am used to a fast paced environment; if a train is late or appointment does not start on time it is an extreme inconvenience. However, I learned in Australia that if you slow down and enjoy life instead of racing through it, you can find more meaning, develop stronger relationships and, most importantly, be happy.
As I began to fall in love with Australia I also began to wonder about the experience I could have gotten out of all the places I visited as a kid if we had stayed a while longer. From there I began researching the US Peace Corps. I actually remember the first time when I learned about the Peace Corps when I was a kid and thinking to myself “why would someone want to do that”…every time I think about that instance I laugh to myself, because now I know exactly why someone, including myself, cannot wait for that experience. I want to experience the world, not as a tourist, but as a part of it. I don’t want to stand by and learn about countries and people far away, I want to be one of them. And rather than just seeking employment in another country, I want to help. The inequalities across the globe are disheartening and just do not make sense. Why is it that so many people die from malaria every year when treatment is so inexpensive? Why is a region rich in oil, a powerful resource, full of people who live on just $2 a day? And I don’t want to just hear about these people, I want to get to know them and learn how to make a difference.
With the seed already planted in my head about going to the Peace Corps I met David Ives. He probably doesn't know it, but he was the deciding factor in my decision to apply. David is the director of the Albert Schweitzer Institute at Quinnipiac University. I knew him through the Albert Schweitzer Club which I was a part of and, upon his suggestion, took a philosophy class my senior year of college titled The Thought and Work of Albert Schweitzer. We learned about Schweitzer’s mission in Gabon to repent for the mistreatment done by Europeans in Africa. He gave up fame and fortune to complete medical school and provide medical care in a forgotten corner of the world. I learned about “reverence for life” and how sacred every living thing, plant, insect, animal or person is. Through this class I kept a journal of my experiences volunteering at a Hospice and evaluated it through the lens of Schweitzer. This class, David’s account of his Peace Corps experience in Costa Rica, and his invitation to meet people like Jimmy Carter, Rigoberta Menchu and survivors of the bombings in Hiroshima, the Albert Schweitzer Institute made me realize how much one person really can do.
I realize that I will not build a hospital, I will not “fix” any major problems and I definitely won’t save the world. But what I can, and intend to do is make a difference. As my mentor in graduate school would say, passion and tenacity go a long way. I believe to be a Peace Corps volunteer you need to encompass both attributes. With the knowledge I have gained through my education and life experiences, I aspire to improve the lives of vulnerable populations in my town/village. I listen to the stories of those I work alongside with at the Agape Center (an HIV/AIDS resource center) and realize that it is not necessarily disease that affects their everyday life, it’s the isolation. These people want to be a part of the community and they want to remain productive. In fact, many of the clients also volunteer their time at the food pantry in the building. This is how I want to make a difference. I want to help remove stigmas and help people find their place in the community. If I can make a positive difference in just one person’s life, the 27 month commitment is worth it.
B.
Working in the Peace Corps is going to be very different than going to school in Australia. My work is going to be a partnership, not a solo act. As I read through my invitation packet and the blogs of volunteers already in Ethiopia I begin to imagine myself there. I think the best way to integrate into work is the same as the best way to get into the ocean after laying in the sun on the beach. First, observe everyone else already in the water. I believe that I will have to spend the beginning of my experience learning by observation. What is the organizational culture? What is taboo? Where do I fit in? I would have to learn the work ethic and goals of my host country partners instead of starting work and creating my own agenda. Second you have to ease your way in, take one step, get used to the temperature and then take another step. After observing I need to focus on working with my partners and learning where I need to be and what I need to do. I will need to try something, test it, and then if it doesn’t work in this environment, get out of the water and try again from a different angle. The third step is the plunge, when you’re in the water to your waist and the only way to get in is to jump. After I have found how the organization works and what my role is I need to jump in. I will only have 2 years, and I can’t spend the whole time scared and watching from the wings. I will have to give it everything I’ve got and watch things fall into place. And just like getting into that cold water, being side by side with someone always provides comfort and motivation. I will need my host country colleagues to help me in at first, and then work together.
C.
In my experiences, the way I best adapt to a new culture is to embrace it. I don’t like to retreat to comforts, such as exiling myself to my dwelling or clinging to the closest American. I believe that if I start by allowing myself to have a crutch, I will never fully adapt to the new culture. The easiest way for me to settle in is to make myself feel uncomfortable and awkwardly try to fit in. While the first weeks or months may not be as pleasant as my romantic fantasy of the Peace Corps is, I will learn what is expected of me and how I fit into my new community. I expect to be met with obstacles that I cannot even fathom at this moment, but I accept that challenges that lay ahead of me.
Other than being isolated by language, my biggest fear is losing my own identity. In the US I am quite passionate about certain issues and tend to be outspoken. I learned in Australia that it is not a good idea to get involved in politics in a different country so I go to Ethiopia fully expecting to remain silent on such issues. However, as I immerse myself into the new culture I need to realize what values are important to me, what I am willing to sacrifice and what I need to be firm about to keep being Nikki. As I prepare for departure, and during training, I need to do some soul-searching and decide what sacrifices I need to make and what about my own culture I can preserve. After all, the Peace Corps isn’t just about learning about a new culture, it’s about teaching other people about Americans as well.
D.
I have a number of items I expect to learn during training to prepare me for service. First and foremost I expect to make progress in language. I have already ordered an Amharic phrase book, but I hope that during pre-service training I will be able to at least introduce myself, learn words such as please and thank you and learn the major cultural differences so I do not offend anyone on my first day. I also hope to learn more about the resources I will have at my disposal for my work. I know that resources will be limited, but knowing exactly how limited will allow me to begin brainstorming ideas before I actually begin service.
I also want to gain knowledge about the current state of affairs in Ethiopia. What are the major ambitions and goals of the Ministry of Health? What are the biggest issues that the people of Ethiopia are faced with? What do the people want? What are the goals of the Peace Corps/Ethiopia relationship?
E.
My motivations to join the Peace Corps are primarily to use my training and experience to help a growing community. When my family and friends ask why I want to be in the Peace Corps I reply that because the world has been good to me and I was fortunate enough to be born in an area where I have the world at my fingertips, I feel like it is my duty to share my good fortune with those who do not share it. To me it is atrocious that in a world connected by the media, internet and television that people do not do more to help each other. It is not enough to “feel bad” about the AIDS epidemic, or buy a t-shirt that says “Save Darfur” instead of giving time to call a congressmen ask him or her to put international aid on his or her agenda. I need to give myself to the world, use the education and experience I have to help others.
With that said it is impossible to say that joining the Peace Corps is a complete sacrifice of my life and is without reward. Many people report that they feel they got more from the Peace Corps experience than they gave. I am going to have new experiences and adventure that will remain a part of my identity for the rest of my life. My current goal, though by the end of my 27 months I may have a completely different life plan, is to take advantage of the noncompetitive advantage for government employment. I strongly believe in civic duty, and just like if you disagree with the inequalities in the world you should act, if you do not make an effort to create change then you cannot complain about the status quo.
I believe that I should contribute to the country that has given me great opportunities. With my background in healthcare management, I want to work for the CDC as a Health Analyst. These people travel the world to determine the health needs of different countries are, and work with the host country to meet these needs. I view my experience with the Ministry of Health in Ethiopia the beginning of this career.
Monday, August 10, 2009
The post service in Ethiopia is obviously not as fast as the USPS. A letter will take about 4 weeks and packages 4-5 months. Do not send anything valuable in envelopes because one in a while the edges of envelopes will be clipped by postal workers looking for money. Also, do not send anything valuable in packages because they may or may not make it to me. Try to decrease the value of items (like if you are sending clothes take of the tags, wash them and label it "used clothing"). Also, any letter needs to say "air mail" on the front of the envelope.
For the first 10 weeks you can mail me at this address (perhaps a birthday card?):
Nicole Therrien
US Peace Corps/Ethiopia
P.O. Box 7788
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
After training I will be given a new address and will let you all know. I love mail!
Cheers,
Nikki
For the first 10 weeks you can mail me at this address (perhaps a birthday card?):
Nicole Therrien
US Peace Corps/Ethiopia
P.O. Box 7788
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
After training I will be given a new address and will let you all know. I love mail!
Cheers,
Nikki
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Wait is Over
Yesterday it came. I have officially been invited to join the Peace Corps and I couldn't be happier with my assignment. My invitation is to be a Health Economic Development Advisor in Ethiopia. Staging is Oct 4-5 and then the evening of Oct. 5 I will board a plane to Ethiopia! I had initially thought that I would be working in the health education sector, but my actual assignment is really more business than health (which makes sense since I am a few weeks away from completing my MBA). I will be working with the Ministry of Health (sounds like Harry Potter!) to identify means of economic stability and income generation for those infected with HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable populations. My interpretation of it is that I am working to break down stigmas and get these people integrated into their communities. By assisting them with business development, people will be able to afford food, medical treatment and a better standard of living.
Since I wil be working with the Ministry, my accommodations will be set up by the Ethiopian government (no rent...one less thing to worry about!). According to my assignment description I will be in a small-medium town or village and living in a compound (whatever that means). Typically, HED volunteers have one-two rooms to themselves in a house. Most, but not all, have running water and electricity. Something I was not banking on, so that's a nice surprise. Additionally, part of my job may be teaching business owners how to use MS Office or use databases to manage their businesses. Sounds like I may have computer access (and possibly internet).
I think the only aspect of this whole ordeal that I'm not excited about is the dress code. For those of you who know me, you know I do not function well in heat. Well, Ethiopians dress conservatively and I will need to wear long skirs and shirts that cover my shoulders and go up to my neck. I need to find some super light weight material!
The next step is to accept my invitation, which I will do later today. Then its a whole bunch of paperwork and a final medical review (if the last one wasn' t enough). I also think I'm going to find a way to start learning Amharic, the language aspect makes me nervous. I love to talk, and if I don't know the language it will be very lonely.
Cheers,
Nikki
Since I wil be working with the Ministry, my accommodations will be set up by the Ethiopian government (no rent...one less thing to worry about!). According to my assignment description I will be in a small-medium town or village and living in a compound (whatever that means). Typically, HED volunteers have one-two rooms to themselves in a house. Most, but not all, have running water and electricity. Something I was not banking on, so that's a nice surprise. Additionally, part of my job may be teaching business owners how to use MS Office or use databases to manage their businesses. Sounds like I may have computer access (and possibly internet).
I think the only aspect of this whole ordeal that I'm not excited about is the dress code. For those of you who know me, you know I do not function well in heat. Well, Ethiopians dress conservatively and I will need to wear long skirs and shirts that cover my shoulders and go up to my neck. I need to find some super light weight material!
The next step is to accept my invitation, which I will do later today. Then its a whole bunch of paperwork and a final medical review (if the last one wasn' t enough). I also think I'm going to find a way to start learning Amharic, the language aspect makes me nervous. I love to talk, and if I don't know the language it will be very lonely.
Cheers,
Nikki
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)