We are all going to the inland rural village of Manunu from June 16 to June 30th to continue our training. Please do not expect any more entries on to this bog until sometime after we return to Apia. We are not allowed to bring computers, but I shall take my camera and a journal.
This is our first experience living with a host Samoan family to learn the customs, continue our language training, and find out first hand what living in a “Fish Bowl” is like. We are all excited as to what to expect in the village. We are only allowed to bring a minimum of clothes and no valuables.
Trainers are preparing us with lessons in Samoan culture and manners. Such training includes taking a shower with only a bucket of water while still wearing your clothes. It is also the first time we experience what living in the “Fish Bowl” society of Samoa is like.
Our trainers are going too. Our daily classroom lessons continue as before. There seems to be no let up into the Peace Corps efforts to cram as much information into our heads as they possibly can.
Last night we went out with other Peace Corps volunteers who gave us their take on what we might encounter. The single females in our group face the biggest challenge, since the societal rules governing their behavior is a big change from the way they have been living. I am sure we all shall have many stories upon our return to Apia and the ability to communication with the outside world. Then it is back to the village.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Health Lessons
Peace Corps has a full-time Samoan nurse, on call 24/7, trained in New Zealand. She seems very good. Peace Corps has its own health office in Apia. There are a number of classroom sessions on health. We also get a first aid kit when we begin our village project. If needed, we are flown to Hawaii for better facilities and treatment.
A term used here is “Self-Limiting Disease, SLD”. It means that certain diseases and illnesses just run their course. There is no need to prescribe medicines or see a doctor for these sicknesses. Prevention is important, mainly common sense hygiene and good luck. We are also starting to get a series of vaccinations.
Those most common diseases encountered by Peace Corps Volunteers are diarrhea, respiratory illnesses, dengue fever, and skin infections. Other endemic diseases on the island are typhoid, dysentery, and tuberculosis, although not a big problem for Peace Corps.
The sun and heat can be a real source of problems. We all are aware of dehydration and a water bottle is carried by everyone. Even with two days of swimming in bright sun, no one has a sun burn, thanks to protective sun screens.
We have a huge manual on health care accompanied by several hours of instruction. The biggest health concern now among the volunteers is gaining weight. It seems adding twenty pounds is not uncommon. Food is plentiful here. Someone said others eat until they are full: Samoans eat until they are tired.
A term used here is “Self-Limiting Disease, SLD”. It means that certain diseases and illnesses just run their course. There is no need to prescribe medicines or see a doctor for these sicknesses. Prevention is important, mainly common sense hygiene and good luck. We are also starting to get a series of vaccinations.
Those most common diseases encountered by Peace Corps Volunteers are diarrhea, respiratory illnesses, dengue fever, and skin infections. Other endemic diseases on the island are typhoid, dysentery, and tuberculosis, although not a big problem for Peace Corps.
The sun and heat can be a real source of problems. We all are aware of dehydration and a water bottle is carried by everyone. Even with two days of swimming in bright sun, no one has a sun burn, thanks to protective sun screens.
We have a huge manual on health care accompanied by several hours of instruction. The biggest health concern now among the volunteers is gaining weight. It seems adding twenty pounds is not uncommon. Food is plentiful here. Someone said others eat until they are full: Samoans eat until they are tired.
Studying Samoan
Language training is intensive. Over 160 classroom hours are scheduled with homework almost every night and living in the village with a Samoan family is also primarily for language. For the sixteen Peace Corps Trainees (PCTs), there are four full time Peace Corps native language trainers. PCTs are broken into smaller groups depending on their progression. These trainers rotate between these groups every two weeks. PCTs are given numerous assessments throughout the three month training process and can move from to another group if deemed necessary. The final test is given by people who have not been involved in the training or Peace Corps. You must have an 80% competency rating at the middle-low level to pass.
The language itself is very nice to the ear, much like listening to an Hawaiian song. There are a few sounds which are different from English, and the Samoan alphabet has five vowels and twelve consonants. Of course, listening to a pleasant song and then trying to sing it can be a challenge.
Since English is taught in high school, many people do have at least some knowledge of it. It is spoken more frequently in Apia where we are and expect fewer to know it when we finally go out to our village. Many of the Peace Corps Volunteers who are in Apia, hardly ever speak Samoan, except for general greetings, etc. Like most places in the world, people would rather try out their English, than their native tongue.
The language itself is very nice to the ear, much like listening to an Hawaiian song. There are a few sounds which are different from English, and the Samoan alphabet has five vowels and twelve consonants. Of course, listening to a pleasant song and then trying to sing it can be a challenge.
Since English is taught in high school, many people do have at least some knowledge of it. It is spoken more frequently in Apia where we are and expect fewer to know it when we finally go out to our village. Many of the Peace Corps Volunteers who are in Apia, hardly ever speak Samoan, except for general greetings, etc. Like most places in the world, people would rather try out their English, than their native tongue.
We spend most of our free time studying the language. Some of the college kids are quick to pick it up and relish demonstrating their learning talents. Mary and I fall into the group who sit in fear during language lessons.
Apia Central Hotel
The Apia Central Hotel is where we are staying for our first two weeks of training. This is what I call the hotel for the honeymoon part of our stay on Samoa. This hotel has housed other trainees like us since 1990. The staff is pleasant and willing to help us with learning how to speak Samoan. I thought you might enjoy a tour before we leave at the end of the week for our first stay in a Samoan village.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Whiffleball Game
One of the trainees, Shawn from California, brought a whiffleball bat and ball. This bat which stuck out of his backpack caused several delays when departing LA and entering Samoa. However, it was all worth it when many of the trainees played a game in the afternoon sun while amazed Samoans looked on in disbelief. Fun was had by all, sunburn for some, and Samoans finally joining to play. Peace Corps in action, integrating into the community.
Welcome for Trainees by Volunteers
Opening Dance
FinaleWe new trainees were treated to a wonderful show and dinner by current Peace Corps Volunteers. They performed Samoan dances and songs. It was quite a show. The finale was a Samoan fire dancer (not a volunteer). The Peace Corps entertainers are very talented. We were very impressed.
P.S. We trainees have to perform these numbers for the next Peace Corps Group.
Our Schedule during Training
As a Peace Corps Trainee, your life is a very scheduled one. The first ten days, June 6-16, we stay in an Apia “hotel” and then move to the rural village of Manunu with occasional side trips to Apia.
Location Calendar
Apia, June 6-16
Manunu Village, June 17-June 30
Apia, July 1-July 7
Manunu Village, July 8-July 28
Apia, July 29-August 4
Manunu Village, August 5-18
Apia, August 19-August 22
August 22 is when those who have passed all the competencies are sworn in as full-fledged Peace Corps Volunteers and then go to their own villages to begin their projects.
Daily Training Calendar:
8-8:30 am Kind of like homeroom
8:30-10:00 Classes
10-10:30 am Morning Tea
10:30-12:00 Classes
12:00-1:30 Lunch (You go out on your own)
1:30-3:00 Classes
3:00-3:30 Afternoon Tea
3:30-4:30 Classes
5:00-6:00 Personal Language Tutoring
Classroom subject areas
Language
Cross-Cultural
Safety & Security
Health
Life & Work
I’ll try to write about each in a little more detail as separate entries.
Location Calendar
Apia, June 6-16
Manunu Village, June 17-June 30
Apia, July 1-July 7
Manunu Village, July 8-July 28
Apia, July 29-August 4
Manunu Village, August 5-18
Apia, August 19-August 22
August 22 is when those who have passed all the competencies are sworn in as full-fledged Peace Corps Volunteers and then go to their own villages to begin their projects.
Daily Training Calendar:
8-8:30 am Kind of like homeroom
8:30-10:00 Classes
10-10:30 am Morning Tea
10:30-12:00 Classes
12:00-1:30 Lunch (You go out on your own)
1:30-3:00 Classes
3:00-3:30 Afternoon Tea
3:30-4:30 Classes
5:00-6:00 Personal Language Tutoring
Classroom subject areas
Language
Cross-Cultural
Safety & Security
Health
Life & Work
I’ll try to write about each in a little more detail as separate entries.
A Day at the Beach
How can we get sympathy for being in the Peace Corps when we spend a day at a beach to learn more about Samoan Culture? The warm crystalline waters were just the right place to relief the stress of the past week. Many, including myself, snorkeled in the clear waters where multi colored fish swan completely unaware of your presence. Many discovered the power of the tropical sun and the return bus back was like a return trip from Las Vegas.
Learning How To Speak Samoan
Language training is intensive. Over 160 classroom hours are scheduled with homework almost every night and living in the village with a Samoan family is also primarily for language. For the sixteen Peace Corps Trainees (PCTs), there are four full time Peace Corps native language trainers. PCTs are broken into smaller groups depending on their progression. These trainers rotate between these groups every two weeks. PCTs are given numerous assessments throughout the three month training process and can move from to another group if deemed necessary. The final test is given by people who have not been involved in the training or Peace Corps. You must have an 80% competency rating at the middle-low level to pass.
The language itself is very nice to the ear, much like listening to an Hawaiian song. There are a few sounds which are different from English, and the Samoan alphabet has about eight fewer letters. Of course, listening to a pleasant song and then trying to sing it can be a challenge.
We spend most of our free time studying the language. Some of the college kids are quick to pick it up and relish demonstrating their learning talents. Mary and I fall into the vast majority who sit in fear during language lessons.
Since English is taught in high school, many people do have at least some knowledge of it. It is spoken more frequently in Apia where we are and expect fewer to know it when we finally go out to our village. Many of the Peace Corps Volunteers who are in Apia, hardly ever speak Samoan, except for general greetings, etc. Like most places in the world, people would rather try out their English, than their native tongue.
The language itself is very nice to the ear, much like listening to an Hawaiian song. There are a few sounds which are different from English, and the Samoan alphabet has about eight fewer letters. Of course, listening to a pleasant song and then trying to sing it can be a challenge.
We spend most of our free time studying the language. Some of the college kids are quick to pick it up and relish demonstrating their learning talents. Mary and I fall into the vast majority who sit in fear during language lessons.
Since English is taught in high school, many people do have at least some knowledge of it. It is spoken more frequently in Apia where we are and expect fewer to know it when we finally go out to our village. Many of the Peace Corps Volunteers who are in Apia, hardly ever speak Samoan, except for general greetings, etc. Like most places in the world, people would rather try out their English, than their native tongue.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Day 1 in Samoa
Talofa,
(Hello, In Samoan)
After a 10 hour plane ride through the night, we arrived in Samoa at 5:00 am to start what we were to find out was a full day. We were greeted at the airport by other Peace Corps volunteers on the island, given a “warm” welcome, with leis made of fresh flowers. The only problem at customs was the suspicious Wiffle Ball bat carried by one of our group.
It is hard to describe all we experienced on Day 1, but I shall try with what I feel are the most important events.
The Samoan People:
On the flight to Samoa, a large Samoan man sat across the aisle from us. We never spoke, but upon landing he got Mary’s and my carry on luggage down from the overhead bins for us. He never asked to do it. He just did. Never said a word and went on his way. We think he overheard our conversations about the Peace Corps.
At the airport, I sat my bag next to a seated Samoan. He asked if I was in the Peace Corps. After acknowledging I was, he went on to say praise the Peace Corps.
At a restaurant, our waiter’s family even hosted a Peace Corps volunteer in their home.
We are finding the people to be one the quiet side, but very friendly with a willing smile and laugh. It feels good to be in a place where we are welcomed as Americans and glad to see the impact of over forty years of Peace Corps in Samoa.
The Lava Lava:
Every person got a lava lava in their welcome kit. Most put them on. I must say getting them to stay up, standing and sitting requires more practice. They are great to wear and most men wear them on the street.
Shane Twilla, Justin Newum
Our Hotel
A picture is not worth a thousand words. What can I say about Apia Central other than it has AC in the room along with a double bed, folding chair and desk, a shower more like a garden hose. Not four star by Western standards, but any place with AC is worth four stars here. The hotel is our home for the next ten days as we have sessions from morning to evening. After which we go to a rural village to continue our training.
The Weather
It is tropical. If you have experienced it, there is no need to explain. If you have not, I can’t explain it, except to say we drink lots of water.
Our Training
We had language classes our first day. These will continue for the next 3 months, twice a day, six days a week. Their technique is to jump in start swimming; very little on textbooks, a lot on just muddling your way though with the hope you will finally get it. Teachers are native Samoans.a
At the End of the Day:
After a very log and trying Day 1, we lay in bed wondering what we have gotten ourselves into. Is this really for us? We learn from others here of the high washout rate, the frustrations of not doing as much as you would like. There is every reason to return home, and there is every reason to continue.
As I write this in the early morning dark, the roosters are crowing, the kittens meowing, and the sun is about to rise. It is a new day.
(Hello, In Samoan)
After a 10 hour plane ride through the night, we arrived in Samoa at 5:00 am to start what we were to find out was a full day. We were greeted at the airport by other Peace Corps volunteers on the island, given a “warm” welcome, with leis made of fresh flowers. The only problem at customs was the suspicious Wiffle Ball bat carried by one of our group.
It is hard to describe all we experienced on Day 1, but I shall try with what I feel are the most important events.
The Samoan People:
On the flight to Samoa, a large Samoan man sat across the aisle from us. We never spoke, but upon landing he got Mary’s and my carry on luggage down from the overhead bins for us. He never asked to do it. He just did. Never said a word and went on his way. We think he overheard our conversations about the Peace Corps.
At the airport, I sat my bag next to a seated Samoan. He asked if I was in the Peace Corps. After acknowledging I was, he went on to say praise the Peace Corps.
At a restaurant, our waiter’s family even hosted a Peace Corps volunteer in their home.
We are finding the people to be one the quiet side, but very friendly with a willing smile and laugh. It feels good to be in a place where we are welcomed as Americans and glad to see the impact of over forty years of Peace Corps in Samoa.
The Lava Lava:
Every person got a lava lava in their welcome kit. Most put them on. I must say getting them to stay up, standing and sitting requires more practice. They are great to wear and most men wear them on the street.
Shane Twilla, Justin Newum
Our Hotel
A picture is not worth a thousand words. What can I say about Apia Central other than it has AC in the room along with a double bed, folding chair and desk, a shower more like a garden hose. Not four star by Western standards, but any place with AC is worth four stars here. The hotel is our home for the next ten days as we have sessions from morning to evening. After which we go to a rural village to continue our training.
The Weather
It is tropical. If you have experienced it, there is no need to explain. If you have not, I can’t explain it, except to say we drink lots of water.
Our Training
We had language classes our first day. These will continue for the next 3 months, twice a day, six days a week. Their technique is to jump in start swimming; very little on textbooks, a lot on just muddling your way though with the hope you will finally get it. Teachers are native Samoans.a
At the End of the Day:
After a very log and trying Day 1, we lay in bed wondering what we have gotten ourselves into. Is this really for us? We learn from others here of the high washout rate, the frustrations of not doing as much as you would like. There is every reason to return home, and there is every reason to continue.
As I write this in the early morning dark, the roosters are crowing, the kittens meowing, and the sun is about to rise. It is a new day.
Los Angeles Staging
Peace Corps Samoa, Group 78, Departing LAX
Front: Crystal Ochoa , Safiya Mitchell, Hannah Goldman, Erin Jenkins
Middle:, Mary Shuraleff, Erin Jenkins, Renee Moog, Kaitlin Everett
Rear: Shane Twilla, Justin Newum,NickShuraleff , Jacob Burney
Back; Mark Miller, Benjamin Harding, Christian Heath, , Paul Sylvester, Donna Barr
Middle:, Mary Shuraleff, Erin Jenkins, Renee Moog, Kaitlin Everett
Rear: Shane Twilla, Justin Newum,NickShuraleff , Jacob Burney
Back; Mark Miller, Benjamin Harding, Christian Heath, , Paul Sylvester, Donna Barr
Before departing for Samoa, we had one and a half days of Staging. This is classroom instruction with various exercises, notebook assignments, skits, sheets taped to walls with our thoughts and ideas, and the usual techniques familiar to anyone who has undergone training. Our trainer is very good, a Peace Corps volunteer herself, whose objectives were to instill in us the importance of our behavior on the Peace Corps image , Peace Corps rules, and to get us excited about our coming assignment. She was successful in all areas.
Of course, the main attraction is the sixteen members of Group 78. Each of us getting to interact with one another. I must say both Mary and I are happy to be with such a diverse and intelligent group. Of the sixteen members, five are what I consider to be in the Senior category, two couples are married, one single woman from Hawaii. The other eleven are in their twenties, five males, six females. They are a fun group and hopefully keep our spirits young.
Communicating from Samoa
Internet access is very limited between availability and our training schedule. Our current plan while we are in Apia is to store our emails, replies and blog entries onto a flash drive. When we have internet access which is only dial up here, our entries shall come in a burst.
After June 16, we move to a rural village for training. During he first two weeks there, we are not to have even our computers as we adjust we move in with our host families.
Please be patient. We want to be in touch with all of you, but this is a very different place.
After June 16, we move to a rural village for training. During he first two weeks there, we are not to have even our computers as we adjust we move in with our host families.
Please be patient. We want to be in touch with all of you, but this is a very different place.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
T'was the Night Before Departure
T'was the night before departure
and all though the apartment,
All creatures are restless
Because we haven't packed yet.
Our material possessions are reduced and stored
as boxes of trinkets, photos, and slide.
In hopes they contain what is important
of moments to remember and revive.
Good friends, acquaintances
have said their goodbye.
Each playing a role,
many wondering, why.
Our exchange students, Arnaud, Adriana, Sonya, Dilmurod, and Quentin,
know all about this eve.
The feelings and emotions
as one is about to leave.
Wonderful employees with whom a career
I share,
Take up the challenge,
to continue, to dare.
Of relatives, Mary has many,
I a few,
Each carry the same seed
of what we are about to do.
But, to our offspring, Nicholas, Kim, Teri, and grandson, Sammy
a special refrain,
To love one another
in sunshine and rain.
At a time like this,
one needs to remember,
The lasting effects of what
one puts on paper.
No tome can contain
all the events of one day.
No words truly express
what one wants to say.
I hope you stay logged on
As we are about to take flight.
Gives us comfort to know, you are there,
Albeit, out of sight.
and all though the apartment,
All creatures are restless
Because we haven't packed yet.
Our material possessions are reduced and stored
as boxes of trinkets, photos, and slide.
In hopes they contain what is important
of moments to remember and revive.
Good friends, acquaintances
have said their goodbye.
Each playing a role,
many wondering, why.
Our exchange students, Arnaud, Adriana, Sonya, Dilmurod, and Quentin,
know all about this eve.
The feelings and emotions
as one is about to leave.
Wonderful employees with whom a career
I share,
Take up the challenge,
to continue, to dare.
Of relatives, Mary has many,
I a few,
Each carry the same seed
of what we are about to do.
But, to our offspring, Nicholas, Kim, Teri, and grandson, Sammy
a special refrain,
To love one another
in sunshine and rain.
At a time like this,
one needs to remember,
The lasting effects of what
one puts on paper.
No tome can contain
all the events of one day.
No words truly express
what one wants to say.
I hope you stay logged on
As we are about to take flight.
Gives us comfort to know, you are there,
Albeit, out of sight.
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