Work work work

el pueblo valenzuela, bus stop

What is new on the work front, you ask? Good things. Very good things.

PC has three worldwide missions that guide my role here. You’ll notice 2/3 of my job is cultural exchange (and that’s why it’s the best job in the world):

1. Help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2. Help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
3. Help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

I have just finished up my first month in site, and completed many personal goals thus far. They were:

1. Visit the public institutions in the community and identify community leaders.
Check! I visited each institution and delivered, in person, an invitation to my site presentation. I met the Chief of Police (he gave me his personal cell number, and the station number), the doctor (he offered to teach me how to do stitches–no thanks! I declined saying I only wanted to learn to sew aho po‘i), the post office workers, representatives of the Cooperatives (local banks, essentially), teachers, principals and priests.

aho poi (snapped this picture in the fancy aho poi store in the capital. i plan on copying it to learn some new stitches.)

There’s a favorite word among volunteers to describe many of our daily interactions, especially early on in our service: awkward. Yes it’s true. It is not easy to just up and introduce yourself at random. In a second language. In a different culture. It’s also awkward when you get the question, “So what are you doing here?” It takes a certain amount of guts and resolve. I’m proud of myself for doing it.

2. Get to know the socias of AMUR and other community members.
Working on it every day! One of my best friends right now is the 60-some-year-old socia Ña Ede. I visit her at the AMUR store every afternoon from about 230 to 430 (after my nap). We drink terere, she helps me with Guarani, we sew or organize the store. I run ideas by her. Last week I told her I learned to say “underwear” in Guarani and she about fell out of her chair from laughing. P.S., It’s chulu.

I’ve lead one meeting with AMUR so far. I started with an icebreaker that had all the ladies playing charades. And then I gave a brief introduction of myself, my family in the States, what I studied in school, why I joined Peace Corps. And then I conducted a group activity, asking the socias to consider the expectations they had of me.

my pretty agenda poster for meetings

I discovered quickly it is harder than I imagined to stay on topic, though most things on the agenda were covered. But normally wherever the conversation goes, I will learn something new. For instance, though I didn’t ask for this directly, I got quite a bit of information about former projects or classes the ladies have done (leatherwork, making homemade household cleaners, aho po‘i, bread making, dressmaking), what worked, what didn’t. There was a lot frustration in the group. So I have identified a bit of a morale issue and lack of unity. Though there was one point of unity: the ladies would like to operate a sustainable micro-business. I know this has been a goal for some time, but has not been fulfilled. And to be honest, I’m not sure it’s in their future. All the ladies have different interests, and different levels of time available to put toward AMUR. But one of my roles will be to help explore this idea and inspire some unity within the group.

baking cookies and cake for my site presentation

My next step in really getting to know the socias will be to start making house calls! I got the idea from Nikki to complete an archivo of the socias. This would be like a database with name, map to house, family information, etc. Plus it’d give me the opportunity to talk one-on-one to learn about each socia’s personal interests and goals in AMUR. Group dynamics, politics, simply being outside of one’s own house may make a socia a little more reserved . I suspect some of the more timid ladies may be more comfortable in their houses. I’ll schedule a few visits each day to go and chat. Now that I have been in site for a month, I am feeling more comfortable with my language skills, and I’m up for this challenge.

3. Visit the campanias (surrounding rural areas).
Check! My host mom is the principal at a rural school in the campania Pirareta. I’ve been out there with her a couple of times to meet the teachers and students. Trouble is, the school is some 8k away, and I had a ride in a car each time I’ve gone. I hope to visit again when I have my bike.

pirareta with our shadows

host mom's school: Séneca says, "Difficulties strengthen the mind as labor strengthens the body."

4.Contact my World Wide Schools partnership match.
I am participating in a program that matches State-side teachers with PC volunteers in the field. My match is a 7th/8th grade Spanish teacher Meredith McCoy, a fellow Tar Heel and Teach for America teacher in Nashville, TN, at Kipp Academy (Meredith says, “At my school, we focus on college as our ultimate goal and constantly teach kids about what it’s like to be in college.”–That is one reason I love Teach for America.) Hi Meredith and students! I look forward to sharing stories, pictures, culture with you over the next two years! Let’s see if I can’t find a Paraguayan classroom to write you guys letters!

5. Identify a a potential early-win project.
Check! Early in my service, I wanted to lead a small-scale secondary project (outside the realm of Community Economic Development) that would allow me to get my feet wet and experience some early success. In other words: a feel-good project to get to know some new folks and gain their confidence and friendship. During my initial meeting with the socias I mentioned that I’m artistic and enjoy painting. So they asked if I knew how to paint fabric. My response? I guess so, it can’t be that different, right? Well, they expressed interest in a class. So I went home and practiced painting a linen kitchen towel and it turned out quite nice. I need to put a border on it, and I’m sure a socia will add crochet.

voila

I submitted a proposal to my contact last week with our budget, class schedule and plans for an interest meeting. She’s on board, so we’ll see where this goes. I suppose if the ladies really enjoy it, it could prove to generate some income if we decide to sell their wears.

6. Find a place to live independently.
Check! Former volunteer Sasha rented a small house in town with a great location relative to AMUR, neighbors, place to get groceries. A couple weeks ago I met with her landlady and got a tour of the house. A señor was there making some repairs, paint touch-ups. I negotiated the price with her, weaseling her down 50,000 Guaranis (about $10.42) from her asking price by reminding her it was a 2-year contract, guaranteed payment every month. In Spanish. BOOM. I get the keys October 1 and will probably spend some time collecting things, cleaning, prepping the backyard before I move it. Plus I’m not really ready to cut the cord from the washing machine and the awesome food my host mom makes.

mi casita

The house is simple. There’s a front stoop where I can put my chair, drink terere, and watch people walk by. Immediately inside is a small entry room/guest room. Then the big bedroom. Then hallway/dining room space with modern bathroom off to the side. In the back room is the kitchen. And out back is my laundry sink, garden and clothes line. And beyond that is more yard where I’ll put my chickens.

As far as furnishing the place goes, Peace Corps provides a “settling-in allowance” that should allow me to cover what I need. But to save, I’m hoping the socias may be able to help me round up and borrow an extra bed frame (I want to invest in a mattress) and fridge. As for the gas stove top, I’ll look for a used one. And I‘d also like an electric oven. And then finally, and most importantly: a ceiling fan.

Séneca

Tags: AMUR, house, Valenzuela, work, World Wide Schools