Changuinola is actually burning. There are photos and news footage of Ngobe Indians throwing maltov cocktails through the windows of banks. Yup that is right the Indians that I work with and are usually so docile have decided to go crazy. A few of them have died and they have also managed to kill a police officer. I thought that I lived in a country that was stable and I wouldn't have to worry about any national problems that would affect my service.
So here are the facts as I have collected them. The President of the country, Ricardo Martinelli is actually a huge idiot and has decided to pass a law that would have caused large problems in the U.S.. The law states that Unions are not allowed to collect dues and therefore weakens their ability to negotiate with the large companies of Panama (aka Chiquita Banana). The law also takes away citizens rights to protest while increasing the laws on police brutality. Citizens that fall victim to Police brutality are unable to file legal charges against them. This I believe is one of the reasons that things got out of hand so fast in Changuinola. People will protest when they are treated unfairly. The Indians have been pushed around for many years and the President finally pushed them past their breaking point.
As for what I have been doing while these dangerous protests have been going on. I am in what is called a Standfast. This means that I am not allowed to move from where I am until the situation calms down and it is safe for me to travel. I am stuck in David the second largest city because I was out to celebrate my one year with my group. Therefore I am an a hotel with Gretchen and several other volunteers who daily try and find new things to keep ourselves entertained. Well here goes day 7 of standfast, I am trying to enjoy it rather than get down.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Office Space
I live out on one edge of the country of Panama. The office which is located in Panama City is a twelve hour bus ride from my closest town. Therefore I do not make it to the office all that often. In fact I just visited the office for the first time in a year during my mid term medical check up. This visit made me come to a few realizations.
The first of these realizations was one that I knew well before I even joined the Peace Corps. I will never be able to work in an office setting. The hierarchy laid out by office size, cubicles, florescent lights, business casual attire, robots typing away in front of a computer and the overall business structure. All of theses things turn me away from the office setting.
One reason I enjoy my job is that I work outside in the shit, sometimes metaphorically and sometimes literally shoveling shit for compost. I don't have to worry about a stain on my new Calvin Klein shirt. In fact a stain is more fitting and leads to more acceptance among the people within my town. I also visually get to see the progress and outcome of my projects. I am not looking at printed statistics to confirm that my job is making an influence.
Something that I am upset at realizing is that in the office setting people only look out for themselves. It is all about getting ahead and making more money. The Peace Corps is about helping others. Volunteers help people in their towns and the office helps the volunteers. Being in the office made me realize that the office isn't upholding their end of the bargain. When you put a salary on a volunteer organization you change the goal of the people's jobs. They are looking for things that only make them look better. This isn't true for all people in the office but some of the more important ones are definitely at fault. It should be; What do the volunteers need? not, How can I look good? or, What can we do to make the program look good? Somehow people that sit in an office in front of a computer know what we need without asking us.
The second reason I like my job is my site location. I am good at what I do and don't seek approval or praise for the things I accomplish. I am here to help people that can't help themselves. I don't have some staff member looking over my shoulder and trying to claim my successes as their own in order to receive a raise or promotion. The office leaves me alone and I leave them alone... just the way I want it.
The final reason I like my job is that there is nobody to blame but myself. I chose my project, schedule, hours, and house. If something doesn't happen it is all on me. Nobody to point the finger at and nobody to point the finger at me when they don't do their job.
I know when I go home I will have to adjust to a more structured work schedule. I know I will be able to adjust. I have done well here and know I will continue to be successful. But no reason I can't enjoy my freedom while it lasts.
The first of these realizations was one that I knew well before I even joined the Peace Corps. I will never be able to work in an office setting. The hierarchy laid out by office size, cubicles, florescent lights, business casual attire, robots typing away in front of a computer and the overall business structure. All of theses things turn me away from the office setting.
One reason I enjoy my job is that I work outside in the shit, sometimes metaphorically and sometimes literally shoveling shit for compost. I don't have to worry about a stain on my new Calvin Klein shirt. In fact a stain is more fitting and leads to more acceptance among the people within my town. I also visually get to see the progress and outcome of my projects. I am not looking at printed statistics to confirm that my job is making an influence.
Something that I am upset at realizing is that in the office setting people only look out for themselves. It is all about getting ahead and making more money. The Peace Corps is about helping others. Volunteers help people in their towns and the office helps the volunteers. Being in the office made me realize that the office isn't upholding their end of the bargain. When you put a salary on a volunteer organization you change the goal of the people's jobs. They are looking for things that only make them look better. This isn't true for all people in the office but some of the more important ones are definitely at fault. It should be; What do the volunteers need? not, How can I look good? or, What can we do to make the program look good? Somehow people that sit in an office in front of a computer know what we need without asking us.
The second reason I like my job is my site location. I am good at what I do and don't seek approval or praise for the things I accomplish. I am here to help people that can't help themselves. I don't have some staff member looking over my shoulder and trying to claim my successes as their own in order to receive a raise or promotion. The office leaves me alone and I leave them alone... just the way I want it.
The final reason I like my job is that there is nobody to blame but myself. I chose my project, schedule, hours, and house. If something doesn't happen it is all on me. Nobody to point the finger at and nobody to point the finger at me when they don't do their job.
I know when I go home I will have to adjust to a more structured work schedule. I know I will be able to adjust. I have done well here and know I will continue to be successful. But no reason I can't enjoy my freedom while it lasts.
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