Living in Moldova during the winter time has its advantages and many disadvantages. I can say the only advantage I see so far is all the quiet time I have to think. The disadvantages are: I have no life after 5pm every evening due to the fact that I need to be in my home before it gets dark out, never have any friends or family to talk to and I get very lonely, I have resorted to peeing in a bottle in the middle of the night due to the cold temperatures and not wanting to go to the out-house(laugh at me, you should!), I am a 24 year old young woman who basically isolates herself 5 out of 7 days a week!
WINTER IN MOLDOVA PLEASE DON'T KILL ME :)
Daily life continues...
I head to my center each day with the anticipation that I will conquer the world, but by the end of the day reality sets in and I realize that it's not merely possible. However, progress is being made and I can feel/see that with every movement I make.
Some of the differences I have begun to experience the longer I am here in Iargara are the relationships and the respect I am building. In my center I have a wonderful Moldovan partner Valeria. If you didn't know better most would think we are best friends.. This young woman speaks a few words of english, yet understands almost everything I say to her. Our communication is quite funny, and if you ever were to be around us you may think we're crazy... Just imagine a dialect between hand gestures, english, broken romanian, real romanian, and spanish... All and All that is our communication style, and I can proudly say IT WORKS! :)
Beyond the relationship I have with my partner, I can say I am starting to be included in the "team," at the center which is a wonderful feeling. The women really turned to me for advice with just about everything: clothes, make-up, computers, food, design... I may not know the answer, but they feel confident enough that I will find it for them. Which really puts a smile on my face and helps me get through each day.
This past week really was one of the best/productive since I have been in Moldova. The director of the center "Pentru Tine," was in from Greece. Argi is a very out going, direct and fun loving person. She really helped me to get a better understanding of the center and what "I" as a volunteer can do for them.
Finding out that my center "Pentru Tine," was created due to the high risk of human trafficking in the area of Iargara, Moldova. The organization "Children on the Edge," which was created by the people of "The Body Shop,"had assessed five different villages in Moldova. And in conclusion found that Iargara was in the most need. They based this on the following: number of children in the village, abandonment, poverty, trafficked women(that have been taken, fled, or returned), and risk for trafficking in the future. This really opened my eyes. Recognizing that the center was created to provide a safe place for the children of the village and to show them there are other opportunities that can help them to be happy and to advance in life. Since the center has opened three years ago the trafficking risk has decreased, more children are attending school and overall they are receiving the help they need.
With the new information of the center it gave me a whole new set of ideas for myself on how to help. Argi talked with me about conducting seminars on awareness of alcohol, drugs, trafficking, etc. Along with helping the women in the center to learn on how to deal with children who have grown up in socially vulnerable homes and overall to provide a more motivating/inspiring community setting. Each one of these areas I believe I can help with, and not only that but do it with a smile on my face.
Which brings me to the exciting news that "Children on the Edge," has agreed to sponsor the center for the next year as long as we meet half of the budget on our own. We are trying to obtain this by convincing the local raion of Leova to help us out. In conclusion to this, today my director and I worked for 6 hours on a powerpoint presentation to present to the council. December 15th will be the big day in which we find out whether or not the center will remain open after March 2012. "No big deal right?"I only need to convince 33 members on the council with our powerpoint, no pressure at all!! haha... But, with the meetings I recently had with the partners, I believe we have a great shot at this money! The one thing I can say is if I don't do anything in Iargara beyond helping the center remain open, I will walk away with a smile on my face.
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| The women who work at the center, along with the directors and partners! |
Other News:
On November 15th I had the pleasure of helping another volunteer Michael Houdyshell, with a "Critical Thinking," seminar. This was quite a different experience. We conducted this seminar to the english teachers of the village/raion. It was to provide them with knew knowledge on how to help students. We focused on what critical thinking is, and to recognize where it should be applied in the future. At the end of the seminar the women had the chance to do a debate with the topic of "Should all the people of Moldova be required to speak the native language?"
This debate brought on a lot of steam from the ladies which was quite exciting. Even more for me due to earlier in the seminar I made the comment to the ladies to think about what they want to say to their students and not to say "NO," right away. The majority of the teachers said "I never do this." However, it really came out in the debate on how human instinct makes us put up our guards right away and we can't help to express our own opinions with out thinking. By the end of the seminar the women were able to recognize what I was trying to express.. Was a success to say the least..
Next, the executive director of my center, is also the director of the school in my village. Her and I were talking about a young boy recently and his troubles at home and most recently his behaviors at the center. This young boy has been acting out in many different ways: hitting, taking his shoes off and throwing a fit, yelling, drinking, smoking, and overall being a bully. I expressed to the director about ways to talk with this young child and how to appropriately handle a situation such as this. Reasons why I expressed this is because this boy is constantly being yelled at by his parents, teachers, and basically every one, and he continues to feel like it's all his fault and feels all alone.
After the director took my approach she came up to me and thanked me for informing her on this method. She expressed that this young boy had never opened up to her like he did that day, and she truly recognized how approaching him in another way really allowed him to feel protected and more comfortable. I as a person feel so grateful that I was able to help in this situation and will look forward to giving seminars to the teachers in the future.
As a whole I can say things are getting better.. I am starting to see the light of success... And I am starting to understand Moldovan ways.... Nothing in life is perfect or easy. I recognize this every day. But knowing within myself that I need to make the most out of each day that I am in Moldova, because before I know it the time will of passed and it will be time to go back to the USA.
Lastly I want to express the difference I feel within myself as the holiday seasons approach. For any of you that are reading this blog and have a positive relationship with your family and friends you will understand what I mean... It truly is AWFUL to be away from my loved ones, and often I find myself wanting to jump on a plane and just be with them for the holidays. To every person I am close to I want to say I LOVE YOU MORE THEN ANYTHING IN THIS WORLD AND I AM THE LUCKIEST PERSON TO HAVE SUCH A WONDERFUL FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
This holiday season I am thankful for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and all that he has provided me, the opportunity to help others, for my family in the states and the love they provide me each day, my new friends in Moldova and their gracious and giving ways, and myself for being able to take on and endure new exciting adventures each day.
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