This little piggy wasn’t quite fast enough. He tasted really good with my spicy tomato salsa.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
This Little Piggy
10/26/08
This little piggy wasn’t quite fast enough. He tasted really good with my spicy tomato salsa.
This little piggy wasn’t quite fast enough. He tasted really good with my spicy tomato salsa.
Lawrence, Niko: Update
10/25/08
Lawrence, 23 months, and Nicholas, 6 months, are the two grandchildren of my host family. Mary tried unsuccessfully to cure chronic skin infections on Lawrence. He still has them. Nicholas, my namesake, has chronic boils on his scalp. Parents are here for an undetermined period of time. Everyone is happy being together. Such is a Samoan family.
Lawrence, 23 months, and Nicholas, 6 months, are the two grandchildren of my host family. Mary tried unsuccessfully to cure chronic skin infections on Lawrence. He still has them. Nicholas, my namesake, has chronic boils on his scalp. Parents are here for an undetermined period of time. Everyone is happy being together. Such is a Samoan family.Rosie and Bridgett
10/24/08
Rosie (Roselinda) Wong is a Peace Corps teacher at the nearby village of Fusi. Bridgett is a newly graduated veterinarian from England currently neutering dogs with the Animal Protection Society in Apia. Bridget is in Samoa for three months before venturing on to New Zealand.
Please note Rosie’s bandaged leg from a vicious attack by a “friendly” pet dog.
Rosie (Roselinda) Wong is a Peace Corps teacher at the nearby village of Fusi. Bridgett is a newly graduated veterinarian from England currently neutering dogs with the Animal Protection Society in Apia. Bridget is in Samoa for three months before venturing on to New Zealand.Please note Rosie’s bandaged leg from a vicious attack by a “friendly” pet dog.
Progress Report: Month XIV
10/23/08
New Primary School
Suddenly out of nowhere I am told by the mayor on a Friday to write a proposal for a new primary school which needs to be submitted to the Japanese Funding Agency, JICA, by the following Tuesday. He says this proposal is the reason why the village requested a Peace Corps Volunteer. I can’t go into details as to what transpired before or after the proposal was submitted, since I am writing a screenplay for what is sure to be a smash comedy hit.
Diabetes/Hypertension/Health
A second round of testing for my village of Iva and the adjacent village of Vaisaulu scheduled for the Diabetes Association postponed October 30th due to lack of funds. It should be rescheduled for November. The staggering results of the first round were submitted to the Ministry of Health. I posted the results on my wall for passers by to see in hopes of raising awareness.
I am happy that there is some interest by the Women’s Committees of both villages to work on a program for interested people to lose 10 pounds in 20 weeks. A loss of only 10 pounds can dramatically lower blood sugar and blood pressure. However, seemingly easy lifestyle changes are difficult wherever.
Garden
The satisfaction of growing your own food, introducing new vegetables, selling produce is worth all the time and effort. Just what long lasting effects this has on the village seems bleak. Other Peace Corps Volunteers have started their own gardens. It is hard to tell what may happen.
Small Business
The single mother with whom I am consulting is making deposits for herself in the bank. Her mother seems very happy with the progress so far. I got some cheese while in Apia as pizza may become a new offering to go along with DVD rentals and commodity sales.
Sewing Machines
The Women’s Committee has assured me that they are preparing for a fashion show for the around New Years.
Bees
No new developments.
Telecenter
No new developments.
New Primary School
Suddenly out of nowhere I am told by the mayor on a Friday to write a proposal for a new primary school which needs to be submitted to the Japanese Funding Agency, JICA, by the following Tuesday. He says this proposal is the reason why the village requested a Peace Corps Volunteer. I can’t go into details as to what transpired before or after the proposal was submitted, since I am writing a screenplay for what is sure to be a smash comedy hit.
Diabetes/Hypertension/Health
A second round of testing for my village of Iva and the adjacent village of Vaisaulu scheduled for the Diabetes Association postponed October 30th due to lack of funds. It should be rescheduled for November. The staggering results of the first round were submitted to the Ministry of Health. I posted the results on my wall for passers by to see in hopes of raising awareness.
I am happy that there is some interest by the Women’s Committees of both villages to work on a program for interested people to lose 10 pounds in 20 weeks. A loss of only 10 pounds can dramatically lower blood sugar and blood pressure. However, seemingly easy lifestyle changes are difficult wherever.
Garden
The satisfaction of growing your own food, introducing new vegetables, selling produce is worth all the time and effort. Just what long lasting effects this has on the village seems bleak. Other Peace Corps Volunteers have started their own gardens. It is hard to tell what may happen.
Small Business
The single mother with whom I am consulting is making deposits for herself in the bank. Her mother seems very happy with the progress so far. I got some cheese while in Apia as pizza may become a new offering to go along with DVD rentals and commodity sales.
Sewing Machines
The Women’s Committee has assured me that they are preparing for a fashion show for the around New Years.
Bees
No new developments.
Telecenter
No new developments.
Pua o le la
10/22/08
These happy faced “Flowers of the Sun” look at me through my porch railing as I do my morning exercises. What a wonderful way to start the day.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Two Events
10/20/08
Your impression of a place is sometimes shaped by little events. Here are two that happened to me.
While sitting in a waiting bus to the ferry at the Apia market, a man next to me eating a bowl of soup asked about my wife, Mary. I said she had returned home because of illness. Startled, I pressed on to learn who is this person. He turned out to be the bus driver. He went to describe the number of times Mary was alone and when we rode the bus together. He finished his soup, got in the driver’s seat, as the bus gathered more passengers for the trip to the ferry wharf 45 minutes away.
On the phone to the European Union, a man told about seeing Mary and I at a large conference last February. He knew that Mary had returned home. Although he lives and works in Apia, he has family in our village of Iva and often visits. I have no idea who he is.
These are not isolated events, just the most recent this past week. When they happen I begin to realize the impact Peace Corps must have on others, where even the inconsequential has consequences.
Your impression of a place is sometimes shaped by little events. Here are two that happened to me.
While sitting in a waiting bus to the ferry at the Apia market, a man next to me eating a bowl of soup asked about my wife, Mary. I said she had returned home because of illness. Startled, I pressed on to learn who is this person. He turned out to be the bus driver. He went to describe the number of times Mary was alone and when we rode the bus together. He finished his soup, got in the driver’s seat, as the bus gathered more passengers for the trip to the ferry wharf 45 minutes away.
On the phone to the European Union, a man told about seeing Mary and I at a large conference last February. He knew that Mary had returned home. Although he lives and works in Apia, he has family in our village of Iva and often visits. I have no idea who he is.
These are not isolated events, just the most recent this past week. When they happen I begin to realize the impact Peace Corps must have on others, where even the inconsequential has consequences.
Snail Mail
10/17/08
There is something special about learning you have mail. You wonder with excitement and anticipation as to who has taken the time and effort to communicate in this most personal way. The words may not be current, or even well chosen, but that really doesn’t matter. It is the feel of touching what the other person has touched, that matters a lot.
There is something special about learning you have mail. You wonder with excitement and anticipation as to who has taken the time and effort to communicate in this most personal way. The words may not be current, or even well chosen, but that really doesn’t matter. It is the feel of touching what the other person has touched, that matters a lot.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
