It has been so incredibly long since I
last updated you all. I am sure by now
most of you have forgotten that I am still in the Peace Corps. Firstly, that is
because I extended my service, yet again/so many times. And secondly, because
during that time I was so incredibly busy with my project of starting a youth
rugby programme, in addition to teaching/librarian at the secondary school, and
traveling, that I barely had time for myself let alone to update my blog or
send emails! But today, I write to you all only mere days from my COS (close
of service). The end is imminent.
After nearly 4 years, it is finally
coming to an end (and its surreal). It
has been an incredible journey in many regards. It most definitely started out pretty rough,
from having my original assignment canceled one week prior to leaving, to being
in limbo for 3 months and then being sent to a completely different region
teaching literacy (I'm an engineer after all!). Honestly I cannot believe that
I extended my service so many times, nearly doubling the required 2 years. But I have fallen in love with my life in St.
Vincent. My entire Peace Corps
experience has been life changing and eye opening.
Since the last update there have
been many accomplishments and things happening. I organized and directed two
successful month long summer youth rugby camps (2013, 2014); I developed and
implemented a grassroots youth rugby programme, introducing tag rugby into
primary school students during PE classes and starting Nov 2014 secondary
school students too; I traveled to Grenada, Dominica, St. Lucia, and Tortola;
some for work, some for rugby and some for play J. I’ve spent a total of 11 weeks (October 2013,
June/July 2014) in the States trying to catch up with friends and family. I
have seen many of my Peace Corps friends finish their service and start careers
and have welcomed that many more new Peace Corps Volunteers to St. Vincent. I
have also worked with the SVGRUFC executive to hire a new coach to replace me
and continue the youth rugby programme.
I am so incredibly happy/proud to know that the project that I poured my
heart and soul into will continue (and grow) in my absence.
Overall, my Peace Corps experience
has been just that, an experience and an adventure. And one that I would never
take back or change. If nothing else, at
all times it has been a roller
coaster. I have seen challenge after challenge, both personally and
professionally, but I have seen an equal number of triumphs, albeit some small.
I have risen to the occasion(s), surprising even myself with creativity,
resourcefulness, patience, perseverance and resilience; so far as overcoming a
period of major depression. I have made so many deep meaning friendships and
have had to say goodbye to a few of those.
Some have passed on, for others the distance was too great. No matter I
am grateful to have had them in the first place. I may have missed many new
chapters beginning in the States, but I have started a number of my own or
shared in others’ here in SVG. While I was assigned to SVG to serve as a
literacy teacher, I actually learned more than I taught. I have experienced a
number of severe natural disasters (most recently, the Christmas Eve Floods
which resulted in 12 deaths), while ironically missing two major hurricanes
that affected the North East US, and have also been fortunate to explore such a
beautiful and environmentally rich island nation, hiking volcanoes, swimming in
rivers, the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, and many waterfalls, just to
name a few of the amazing eco adventures available. Although I am a vegetarian,
I have had the opportunity to try iguana, sting ray, blackfish (a type of
dolphin), shark, lionfish, conch, armadillo, tripe, goat balls and goat head, cattle
skin, chicken backs, necks and feet, pork (that was reared in a friends back
yard), manicou (opossum), and yard fowl.
I have eaten more fruits than I can even list. Unfortunately, I have had
numerous health incidents/injuries; ranging from mysterious rashes and fevers
(dengue?), to infections, and the worst of them all: a root canal and crown on
my front tooth. Luckily I have learned
some new rather interesting remedies, consisting of many different leaves,
bushes, fruits, herbs, etc. Whatever the ailment, there is a remedy and
probably a superstition to go along with it. Also can’t forget the local rum
(84.5%, that’s percent not proof!),
which is said to cure basically everything.
Prior to Peace Corps, Never Have I Ever: really known how to
cook; how to wash clothes by hand; been a contortionist (van rides will test
your flexibility); bathed in a river; bathed out of a bucket; swam with sea
turtles; hitchhiked; eaten so many different foods; been warmly invited into
stranger’s homes and offered a meal, or even a place to stay (I was stuck in
another island!), but more importantly I have learned to see things as they are
and to never take anything for granted. I have a much more positive outlook on
life, eternally grateful for the things I do have: health, love and support
from family and friends; a roof over my head and food in my belly, and to a
much greater extent than those whom I live around, choices. I have a totally
new perspective; I can and will adapt, I can and will change and grow, I can and
do go without, things that were “necessities”, no longer seem so important.
Many people think that Peace Corps is so difficult because of the lack of
amenities, but it’s actually quite easy to adjust. It’s the emotional and psychological side of
things that makes Peace Corps difficult: the isolation and loneliness, but at
the same time, being surrounded by people and constantly being on display (the
fish bowl effect). Alternatively, many people think the Caribbean is some
paradise. While it has stunningly
beautiful scenery, what they don’t show you in the travel guides is the high
rates of unemployment and poverty, the poor education system and health care
and the social impacts as a result of these shortcomings. All of these factors
have contributed to my evolved outlook and perspective on life. I have also
learned to live in the moment, because you really don’t know what could happen
tomorrow. Nothing is guaranteed.
At this point, no doubt, you are
wondering what my next move will be. I will be staying in St. Vincent looking
for a job. Preferably something more engineering related, or at the very least
science and math focused. We will see
what the future holds.
Please note that my address will
change as will my phone number. If you
are interested in sending me mail, please ask me for my new address!
Lastly, thank you for your support,
encouragement, love and friendship throughout my entire journey of pursuing the
Peace Corps. I could not have gotten
here were it not for your support and encouragement, and I could not have continued without you sharing in my joys, nor without your words of encouragement and advice so help me through the rough patches. Thank you.
Please check back soon though, as I will be posting LONG OVER DUE posts, since I will have more time to finally catch up with my blog.