T- minus 10 months.
I have reached the hump and am on the down hill slide. The first year flew by and I have no doubts that the final ten months will feel like a week. As of right now my official Close of Service date is June, 30 2011. Although that is the official date I will be able to get out as early as the 7th of June. This is good news for me. I am not dying to go home or get out of Panama but the earlier I get home the longer I can work at the beach. Weird I know, I am trying to be able to work longer. But lifeguarding is such a great job and I miss the beach so mush that I am looking forward to a summer on the sand. Surf, sun and waves. Nothing better right.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
WORK WORK WORK
The Peace Corps is not all fun and games. I am continuously finding more and more projects to perform during my two years of service here in Panama. My projects range from building rainwater catch systems to bringing groups of dentists from the United States to my site in order to do free dental work.
The final project that I posted pictures of is a stove that is made from natural products; clay, cow poop, sand, and water all mixed together and then let dry in order to form a clay mold. We then cut holes in the mold to make a more efficient stove than the camp fires they are currently using to cook. Other benefits of the stove include less fire wood being harvested, less smoke entering the house and lungs of the families, and finally minimizing the heat that is emitted and effecting the mothers that are cooking all day.
I am continuing to find more projects that include education to building the aqueduct to bring clean water to the larger portion of the community. Stay tuned for future projects and fun from Panama.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Burn Panama Burn
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Technology
I live without electricity in my site. Living without electricity really makes you realize how much you rely on stupid stuff like the internet and outlets to just do basic things like charge your phone.
So since I am in Panama City for the next couple of days I am obsessed with the internet. There is unlimited mindless entertainment to be found on the internet. I mean, I forgot how much funny stuff you can find while messing around on youtube. George Washington rap is f@*$ing hilarious. Facebook is a black hole. I can just stalk all of my friends for hours and have fun the entire time. Since all of my friends have jobs they go to 5 days a week, it is like they are obsessed, they are all on G-Chat so I can catch up on all of the events in the good old U S of A.
As well as the internet I get to see sporting events. I got to watch Ron Artest win the game as the buzzer sounded. I will also be able to see the first two games of the finals. The celtics are going down.
I love technology!
I love to read, but from time to time I want to be able to turn my brain off and watch stupid TV. Horrible MTV shows like Jersey Shore.
I can deal without it and am probably better off without it. But I really enjoy technology and easy access internet and TV.
So since I am in Panama City for the next couple of days I am obsessed with the internet. There is unlimited mindless entertainment to be found on the internet. I mean, I forgot how much funny stuff you can find while messing around on youtube. George Washington rap is f@*$ing hilarious. Facebook is a black hole. I can just stalk all of my friends for hours and have fun the entire time. Since all of my friends have jobs they go to 5 days a week, it is like they are obsessed, they are all on G-Chat so I can catch up on all of the events in the good old U S of A.
As well as the internet I get to see sporting events. I got to watch Ron Artest win the game as the buzzer sounded. I will also be able to see the first two games of the finals. The celtics are going down.
I love technology!
I love to read, but from time to time I want to be able to turn my brain off and watch stupid TV. Horrible MTV shows like Jersey Shore.
I can deal without it and am probably better off without it. But I really enjoy technology and easy access internet and TV.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Dentists ahhhhh Dentists
The Group A.Y.U.D.A. with its 60 dentists has come and gone. All in all I would call the trip a success. We did have a couple of speed bumps to get around but that is to be expected in a third world country. In the end we helped 421 people with free dental care. All of these people are from the poorest part of the country and therefore have never received any type of dental care in the past.
The dentists were interesting to watch. At first they came off really abrasive and hyper active but then it hit me “Americans like to get work done and do things fast”. I guess I am adjusting to the Panamanian culture finally and learning a bit of patience. I found myself several times talking with dentists who were saying “ we need to go”, “ we need to get there”, “where are the cabs” and telling them “this is how Panama works” and that if they wanted to stay sane and get more work done that they would have to realize that and adjust to the culture. Again this realization came forward when we arrived on the first day and there were not many patients waiting to be seen. Of course! This is Panama they are all going to wait until the last minute to show up. This turned out to be half true and the number of patients grew steadily throughout the four days. The second part of the culture that the dentists and I had to realize was that because the people had never been to the dentist before they had some trepidation to show up in those first days. Especially when some of the smaller children were seen with blood flowing from their mouth after having a couple of dead teeth pulled. With the education and continued explanation of what we were doing the people slowly came to realize that we were helping and would continue to do so.
With the group was my Dad. My older brother was the only one who had seen my town and I was excited to get to show someone else the way I was living. Especially because now I have my own house and it is all built to my liking. I had a great time with my Dad and he was obviously amazed at the way I was living. I could tell that he was proud of the work I was doing and it gave me great satisfaction to hear him compliment me on the trip and how well it had run. I know that he enjoyed himself and he got to relax from his busy life a little while when we explored the beautiful Carribbean.
The dental project was also a success for me because I was able to get some publicity for the Peace Corps. I worked with ANAM (Panamanian EPA) to get some of the tables and chairs that the dentists used throughout the four days. Little did I know that they were going to bring the local news out on the second day. I was lucky enough to be interviewed for a TV spot that spread the word of the dental group and the good that the Peace Corps was doing in the country. The second day ANAM had also arranged for me to have a spot on a radio station. Once again I was able to inform more people of the work we were doing and how they could receive help as well if they would only show up. The experience was really fun. My fellow volunteers told me I did a good job and that the office would be really happy with what I was doing.
At the end of the trip many of the dentists said that this was the most rural of locations and that they really enjoyed the experience. I was really happy to receive compliments from several of the students that had been on trips to other countries with the group. Part of the job of the Peace Corps is to spread culture, I am sure that many of these dentists have learned and experienced something that never would have been possible without this trip. I am very satisfied to have been able to host all of them and enjoyed showing them my life.
The dentists were interesting to watch. At first they came off really abrasive and hyper active but then it hit me “Americans like to get work done and do things fast”. I guess I am adjusting to the Panamanian culture finally and learning a bit of patience. I found myself several times talking with dentists who were saying “ we need to go”, “ we need to get there”, “where are the cabs” and telling them “this is how Panama works” and that if they wanted to stay sane and get more work done that they would have to realize that and adjust to the culture. Again this realization came forward when we arrived on the first day and there were not many patients waiting to be seen. Of course! This is Panama they are all going to wait until the last minute to show up. This turned out to be half true and the number of patients grew steadily throughout the four days. The second part of the culture that the dentists and I had to realize was that because the people had never been to the dentist before they had some trepidation to show up in those first days. Especially when some of the smaller children were seen with blood flowing from their mouth after having a couple of dead teeth pulled. With the education and continued explanation of what we were doing the people slowly came to realize that we were helping and would continue to do so.
With the group was my Dad. My older brother was the only one who had seen my town and I was excited to get to show someone else the way I was living. Especially because now I have my own house and it is all built to my liking. I had a great time with my Dad and he was obviously amazed at the way I was living. I could tell that he was proud of the work I was doing and it gave me great satisfaction to hear him compliment me on the trip and how well it had run. I know that he enjoyed himself and he got to relax from his busy life a little while when we explored the beautiful Carribbean.
The dental project was also a success for me because I was able to get some publicity for the Peace Corps. I worked with ANAM (Panamanian EPA) to get some of the tables and chairs that the dentists used throughout the four days. Little did I know that they were going to bring the local news out on the second day. I was lucky enough to be interviewed for a TV spot that spread the word of the dental group and the good that the Peace Corps was doing in the country. The second day ANAM had also arranged for me to have a spot on a radio station. Once again I was able to inform more people of the work we were doing and how they could receive help as well if they would only show up. The experience was really fun. My fellow volunteers told me I did a good job and that the office would be really happy with what I was doing.
At the end of the trip many of the dentists said that this was the most rural of locations and that they really enjoyed the experience. I was really happy to receive compliments from several of the students that had been on trips to other countries with the group. Part of the job of the Peace Corps is to spread culture, I am sure that many of these dentists have learned and experienced something that never would have been possible without this trip. I am very satisfied to have been able to host all of them and enjoyed showing them my life.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Religion?
I was raised with great parents. They guided me through life but never forced me to do anything that I truly didn’t want to. Among the things that they thankfully didn’t try and force on me was religion. I was able to believe what I wanted and let my mind wander and absorb all the information possible.
I have never been to a church service in the United States, I have attended funerals and weddings but never sat and listened to a preacher praise the word of God. One of my best Panamanian friends down here is Simon. Simon is a devout Evangelical, he goes to church 4 days a week and is always asking me to come and join him. I have now attended church 3 times and still feel a little skeptical of the whole thing. The Evangelical church is one that is very strict and has many rules regarding clothing and behavior.
My parents were smart enough to raise me with the common sense, do the right thing and to treat others well. In fact I am sure that my brothers and sister will agree that it had a great role into shaping us into people that always want to help others. This was accomplished without any strict rule system and a basic freedom to do what we wanted. The one thing we did have were good role models to lead the way.
I don’t want to offend anyone with my comments about church but I was raised in a country with free speech and believe I have the right to state the way I feel. Having to begin with a warning is one of the reasons that I am wary of the church. I am not able to state my problems with a church without making people angry. They take what is told to them and just believe it as true without ever questioning whether they believe it or not. Then when someone says something contradictory it is a sin and they are shunned.
During one of my three visits to the church with Simon I was told by the preacher that I was not a son of God because I hadn’t been born (religiously) and did not praise the Holy Spirit. Well, if I am a good person and try my best to help everyone in need is that not enough? I do drink alcohol and they consider that a sin, but if I am not hurting others while doing it how can it be so horrible. In excess it could be harmful to the body but studies even show that a glass a day can actually be better for you. If I have a girlfriend I am faithful to her. Being raised in a complete home has raised me with the idea that one man one woman is the way to live. Having respect for others is yet another thing I learned from my parents.
So what I am trying to say is that if I live a good life, I respect others, I try to help those in need, and I treat my body well isn’t that a good life. I believe so. Therefore why does every religious fanatic believe it is his or her job to tell me or anybody else that they are not living a correct life? I don’t go running around telling them that they shouldn’t believe in God, or that they shouldn’t be going to church. Everyone has a choice. Freedom of religion is another right that I was raised with and I believe that includes the right to choose no religion.
I have never been to a church service in the United States, I have attended funerals and weddings but never sat and listened to a preacher praise the word of God. One of my best Panamanian friends down here is Simon. Simon is a devout Evangelical, he goes to church 4 days a week and is always asking me to come and join him. I have now attended church 3 times and still feel a little skeptical of the whole thing. The Evangelical church is one that is very strict and has many rules regarding clothing and behavior.
My parents were smart enough to raise me with the common sense, do the right thing and to treat others well. In fact I am sure that my brothers and sister will agree that it had a great role into shaping us into people that always want to help others. This was accomplished without any strict rule system and a basic freedom to do what we wanted. The one thing we did have were good role models to lead the way.
I don’t want to offend anyone with my comments about church but I was raised in a country with free speech and believe I have the right to state the way I feel. Having to begin with a warning is one of the reasons that I am wary of the church. I am not able to state my problems with a church without making people angry. They take what is told to them and just believe it as true without ever questioning whether they believe it or not. Then when someone says something contradictory it is a sin and they are shunned.
During one of my three visits to the church with Simon I was told by the preacher that I was not a son of God because I hadn’t been born (religiously) and did not praise the Holy Spirit. Well, if I am a good person and try my best to help everyone in need is that not enough? I do drink alcohol and they consider that a sin, but if I am not hurting others while doing it how can it be so horrible. In excess it could be harmful to the body but studies even show that a glass a day can actually be better for you. If I have a girlfriend I am faithful to her. Being raised in a complete home has raised me with the idea that one man one woman is the way to live. Having respect for others is yet another thing I learned from my parents.
So what I am trying to say is that if I live a good life, I respect others, I try to help those in need, and I treat my body well isn’t that a good life. I believe so. Therefore why does every religious fanatic believe it is his or her job to tell me or anybody else that they are not living a correct life? I don’t go running around telling them that they shouldn’t believe in God, or that they shouldn’t be going to church. Everyone has a choice. Freedom of religion is another right that I was raised with and I believe that includes the right to choose no religion.
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