January 3, 2007
I cannot believe it's already 2007! Where has the time gone? I know what many of you are thinking...that I haven't updated in a really long time. You're right. So now I will make up for the lost months. Part of the problem is usually there is so much I would like to update about, and then I do not get the chance. When I do find time, it is so overwhelming to think of writing about everything. However, I'm willing to try right now.
The first school term was filled with many exciting projects and activities. I initiated a virtues programme to start in my primary school. Essentially, it is a whole programme based upon positively reinforcing the innate values and virtues within ourselves. It works very well with students because their hard work and effort is recognised and they learn their extensive capabilities. It was started by a trio of brilliant minds, and Peace Corps has been trying to incorporate it in various cultures around the globe. It is a wonderful alternative to corporal punishment in schools and seems to work very effectively. In Grenada, there are two of us that are really spear-heading the efforts to introduce it into schools and programmes with which we are working. We trained the recent volunteer group that arrived in August (12 awesome volunteers now!), and hopefully they will be using virtues methodologies in their various work as well. If you're interested in learning more about the project, visit: www.virtuesproject.com .
So yes, in August we received some new trainees, which were then sworn-in as volunteers in mid-September. In past year, volunteers would arrive twice a year, however, they've increased the volunteer group size and changed it to once a year for new arrivals. It makes more sense because volunteers that would arrive in march would find themselves in the middle of summer by the time their training finished. After months of training, you're usually so ready to start working, that it does not make sense to be left with months of more down-time. As the veteran group, we were able to assist a lot in training plans and facilitation. Besides the virtues session, I was fortunate enough to be asked to co-facilitate a session on diversity. It was really interesting and we used some great activities on prejudice and differences.
In terms of my adolescent girls' group at the group home, it got off to a late start, but it has been going really well. I am trying to add an extra day at the home to not only be more accessible if the girls need to talk, but also to spend a bit of time with the younger group. They have been wondering why I never spend time with them, and isn't it only fair? Maybe we will do a story-reading afternoon or art projects. In the middle of December, I was asked to attend a sleepover the older girls were having. They each invited a friend to come and stay with them, and most of the adolescent staff was present. It was so much fun! I introduced a lot of games and ice-breakers which went over really well. I plan on spending more nights there, because it really is a great way for me to get to know the staff and residents a lot better.
World AIDS Day was exciting this year (Dec 1st), and a few of us traveled to schools to present on HIV/AIDS. I visited a few schools and mainly addressed grades 6+7. They seemed very fascinated and it was great to see their interest-level. There was also a large rally with different information booths and hand-outs organised by the National AIDS Directorate of Grenada. It was great to see so many different committed local organisations.
In extra-curricular news, I still sang with both choirs, Crescendo and Chorale. Both groups had Christmas concerts this year, and I had a fairly large solo with Chorale. A couple months ago, I was also asked to participate in a new musical being written by a local actor/director/writer/playwright. It should be very exciting and the rehearsals have been very fun! I will keep everyone posted on it. The shows will most likely take place in late April/Early May.
Well, it's hard to believe I arrived in Peace Corps in 2005 and now it's 2007. I hope this year brings exciting opportunities and fun challenges to make my last 9 months of Peace Corps incredible.
Happy New Year!!