Site Visit | Host Family | Rise2Raise
So much happened the past two weeks! I visited a current Peace Corps Volunteer, was adopted by a Liberian host family, helped with Rise2Raise girls camp, and went through many long hours of training.
While visiting George, a current volunteer at his site, we had the chance to see his home and how he has integrated into his community. It was encouraging to see him pass by friends, students, teachers, and coworkers and show us the great relationships he's made.
We also stopped by his school. I was excited to see the library project he was working on. George's school was having a book give away and invited teachers from neighboring schools to visit and select books from the giveaway. Unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to see a class being taught, however, seeing the school environment there made me aware of some of the challenges I might face in my future site. Sometimes, teachers don't show up to school, girls get removed from class for arbitrary reasons, and classes can range from 50 to 100 students. Recognizing that these will be issues I will be working with some of these scenarios is important so that I know potential future frustrations in my service.
After returning from our visit. We had an adoption ceremony back at the Peace Corps training site. It was such an emotional and uplifting ceremony. Each volunteer met who their family will be for the next three months and was taken home after the ceremony. All of the people there were so excited to meet their new families. The hospitality of the people here is absolutely incredible and it is so uplifting to see welcoming attitude everyone has.
It was a great time meeting my family for the first time. It's always a bit uncomfortable being in a new environment with people you don't know, but so far I've connected with my family really well! We shared pictures with each other along with stories, laughs, and good talks. They're teaching me how to live with them and re-learn how to do many of the basic things I take for granted back home. Cooking, collecting water, bathing, and cleaning are just some of the basics I am learning in the Liberian way.
The last major thing that happened this week was the Rise2Raise girls mentoring program/camp that took place at our training site over the weekend. A great group of young women have been attending monthly workshops for the past year all related to education, opportunity, and empowerment for women. They have even met influential people including Michelle Obama and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia' first female president (and first female president in an African country).
The theme for this weekend was "Outspoken Girls are Powerful Girls!" and it was specifically focused on gender-based violence. The girls had the chance to learn about the difference between sex and gender and reasons why people might stay in abusive relationships. Just by showing up to the workshop, these girls were challenging the stereotypes that are pervasive in the Liberian culture. We had the girls practice teaching us a lesson as if they were bringing home the information to a friend or club. They did such a great job presenting the newly learned information and discussion activities. Giving the girls the tools to continue to teach others is what this was all about and I am excited to hear their progress next month when they return for another session!
While visiting George, a current volunteer at his site, we had the chance to see his home and how he has integrated into his community. It was encouraging to see him pass by friends, students, teachers, and coworkers and show us the great relationships he's made.
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| Gathering water at George's home |
We also stopped by his school. I was excited to see the library project he was working on. George's school was having a book give away and invited teachers from neighboring schools to visit and select books from the giveaway. Unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to see a class being taught, however, seeing the school environment there made me aware of some of the challenges I might face in my future site. Sometimes, teachers don't show up to school, girls get removed from class for arbitrary reasons, and classes can range from 50 to 100 students. Recognizing that these will be issues I will be working with some of these scenarios is important so that I know potential future frustrations in my service.
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| Visiting the library at George's site |
After returning from our visit. We had an adoption ceremony back at the Peace Corps training site. It was such an emotional and uplifting ceremony. Each volunteer met who their family will be for the next three months and was taken home after the ceremony. All of the people there were so excited to meet their new families. The hospitality of the people here is absolutely incredible and it is so uplifting to see welcoming attitude everyone has.
 |
| Meeting my host Pa for the first time |
It was a great time meeting my family for the first time. It's always a bit uncomfortable being in a new environment with people you don't know, but so far I've connected with my family really well! We shared pictures with each other along with stories, laughs, and good talks. They're teaching me how to live with them and re-learn how to do many of the basic things I take for granted back home. Cooking, collecting water, bathing, and cleaning are just some of the basics I am learning in the Liberian way.
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| Feeding our new puppy! |
The last major thing that happened this week was the Rise2Raise girls mentoring program/camp that took place at our training site over the weekend. A great group of young women have been attending monthly workshops for the past year all related to education, opportunity, and empowerment for women. They have even met influential people including Michelle Obama and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia' first female president (and first female president in an African country).
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| Participants picking out characteristics that best describe them to create a personal profile |
The theme for this weekend was "Outspoken Girls are Powerful Girls!" and it was specifically focused on gender-based violence. The girls had the chance to learn about the difference between sex and gender and reasons why people might stay in abusive relationships. Just by showing up to the workshop, these girls were challenging the stereotypes that are pervasive in the Liberian culture. We had the girls practice teaching us a lesson as if they were bringing home the information to a friend or club. They did such a great job presenting the newly learned information and discussion activities. Giving the girls the tools to continue to teach others is what this was all about and I am excited to hear their progress next month when they return for another session!
John, thank you for sharing. It is so interesting hearing about your adventures. As you describe many differences, I am still impressed with all basic similarities all people share- love and concern for others, the need to be loved, the drive to learn and change what's wrong. Continued blessings as you make your special impact on all the people you come in contact with. You are awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandy! Yeah it is amazing to see those similarities that bring us all together :)
DeleteJohn, so exciting to read your blog and share in the experience...thank you. Stay safe. I might start my M6 reading this blog as part of English Global Community Project.
ReplyDeleteJan at kkvs
Jan, that would be so great! If you have them read it, can you share some of the things your students do with me? I'd love to connect that way. I'm trying to write a post 2 times a month. Depending on my placement it might be more or less but that's the goal.
Delete