I have been back for about 3 weeks now, and things seem like they are just beginning to start back up. There has been a seemingly endless amount of holidays this month (last weekend was a 5 day weekend!). It is either a Saint Day or a historical day and then lets just add on some more days just for fun. So hopefully tomorrow we will have a first artisan meeting of the year pero vamos a ver, si dios quiere (We will see if God wishes), which is always the response. Hopefully we will though because we need to talk about the urgent situation, of the artisan building, which may be taken away this month! This is because the artisans have had an impending debt for 5 years, and we have tried many quotas, but no artisans seem to care to pay. I have tried peer pressure, a payment plan, star charts, but to no avail so maybe this will be good for them to finally see the consequences of their lack of action. Anyways since the bank came this week, I am hoping it will force a meeting (fingers crossed).
On brighter news, 2 weeks ago I started my second round of a health/ sex-ed course which focuses on preventing HIV/AIDS and youth pregnancies. The kids whom graduated my last class are now teaching along with my help. The last class was a little unruly, so I had to give them a talking to (Please only come if you want to learn etc.), I told them I was sad with how they were acting because I don’t know the word for disappointed, but I think they got the picture. Some of the little hellions can be seen above, posing sadly (they love staged photos)! If any of you teachers have any good suggestions for controlling students, let me know! I do really enjoy the class, so I have hope they will calm down a little, although the next week is about body parts, so I think the snickers are unavoidable!
So my favorite new project is a women’s exercise/health class, that I started having once a week. Think jazzer-size meets yoga and overweight donas (housewives), jumping around in circles, kind of to a hip hop beat! IT IS HILARIOUS to say the least. I will maybe try to video it one week for your viewing pleasure. The women seem to be loving the class though. I have organized it into a mash-up of weightwatchers and fitness class. I bought a cheap scale, and made them small health booklets where they write down their health goals and keep track of their weight every week. I have been giving them homework every week too. This week is to try to drink 8 glasses of water a day and not to drink soda. Most of the health problems here seem to be closely linked to a lack of knowledge on diet and exercise, so I hope to help educate the woman and thus their families while jumping around to GIRL TALK and other ridiculous hip-hop jams. I knew all those exercise classes and tapes would pay off!
Last but not least… more Haiti updates from the DR. A few friends have been to the southern border working in the clinics in the town Jimani. There are two clinics functioning. One is American run and pretty well organized, and one Dominican clinic, which apparently is considerably less organized. Although originally the borders were more or less open to Haitians whom needed medical care, it seems now that Haitians are being turned away at the border, so some volunteers left early because there wasn’t enough for them to do. It is really a shame. Furthermore, I believe that there has been some negative propoganda on the news stations. Hatian attacks on relief are not often and I think portrayed out of context. Small towns are pulling together to help each other, and are really being helpful letting Aid workers know where the more needy people are. Furthermore, I believe that the roads although not great are passable. From those on the border, it seems that the roads were probably always bad and it is not so much due to the earthquake as it is portrayed.
Right now, there are a few Americans in my town that were solicited to help with getting water filters over to Haiti and to just generally help out. It has been nice to have other Americans in town, and I have felt helpful, translating for them and helping them get acquainted here. They have both passed on my name to other relief efforts. One is to help translate with aid relief. The other is to help logistically coordinate aid with a bunch of different NGOs. I haven’t heard too much yet, but I hope I will be able to get involved in one-way or another.
To come… This upcoming week I am translating for a medical mission of doctors which are coming to my friend’s site to the new hospital she facilitated opening. Sadly, the night before the med mission, I will be heading to the capital to say goodbye to one of my best friends in Peace Corps whom has decided to leave early because of his life at home. Hopefully we will send him off right, typical dancing with live music at ancient ruins might be in the plans, so stay tuned!
Side note: If you are interested in reading about Haiti, two books of interest are Mountains Beyond Mountains (a biography of Paul Farmer), and Farming for Bones which I believe talks about Haitian Dominican relations. They were suggested by me from one of the American volunteers helping with Haiti relief, whom lived in Haiti for 4 years.
Until next time… stay warm and plan your visit here!
No comments:
Post a Comment