Y’all, this blog entry is really from Erin. I will do my best to read and to write this correctly – conditions for letter writing aren’t the best there…limited light – candle, sun or flashlight and there’s no desk, chair, etc. If I have anything to say, I’ll put it in parentheses. Here goes…enjoy!
10/22/07
Hey y’all! I have not seen my blog but I hear Mom is doing a great job updating it – thanks Mommy! (Ah shucks, you’re welcome, honey!) I am sending this letter with a good friend of mine who is coming back to the states. PC is not for everyone – even the most incredible of people. So hopefully this will actually get to y’all in just a few days – the quickest communication for a while! Madagascar is great! It is a beautiful country with very kind people who are all so glad we are here to work with and help them. My family is huge and precious. Compared to what we have in the states – water, power, tables, chairs, toys, pillows, etc. – they have nothing but – but they have each other and are truly the happiest people I have ever met. They have an inner joy and love for family and neighbors. Listen to the African Children’s Choir song “It Takes a Whole Village” because that does a great job explaining life here. It is simple, rough-around the edges, extremely friendly and in need of more education. I have class all day each day and learn Sakalava – the language dialect of Malagasy which they speak in the far north. I am moving to Sadjoavato in December. It’s 52 kilometers south of Diego which is supposed to be the most beautiful city in Madagascar. I get to visit my site in 2 weeks for a week to see what I need there – bed, mosquito net, pots, locks, etc. It is a brand new site so the 4,000 villagers will meet me as the first American ever. I’m pretty excited but also super nervous, so please keep me in your prayers. I do feel very good about everything though – except missing y’all! We learn skills about cooking and building clay stoves, cleaning food and water, medical skills in case of emergencies, etc. We also learn a ton about the culture which is way different from home. Gasy (that’s short for Malagasy, has nothing to do with eating too many beans!) time is super laid back and if it’s the hot & rainy season, the roads go away and life sort of takes a rest for a few months. All of the volunteers who come down to train us are incredible and really revitalize me with their success stories. Our job is to effectively educate and communicate to our (village) and (to) surrounding villages about simple messages to keep them well. We will plant gardens, teach them to clean water, build latrines, play with the kids and get the community active in AIDS awareness, disseminating vitamin A pills and mosquito nets, plan events together with other volunteers like bike races, soccer tournaments and plays/concerts to share information about malaria, AIDS and nutrition. The training we are getting right now is awesome. Our Malagasy PC staff rocks! They are so fun, hilarious and sweet. I am teaching one of my sisters English at night, too, which is great because it helps both of us a lot. I have already been able to see my presence has a purpose and positive effect on my family here in the village near Tana (where) we train at. They wash their hands before we eat, brush their teeth and cover their mouths when they cough. I know it sounds crazy but these little actions we take for granted are really going to keep them healthy because there are so many illnesses here which are only because of the lack of knowledge of basic hygiene. My site will not have power, water or cell service but I will get to go to Diego once a month to get in touch with y’all – please keep writing letters and I will get you my new address soon – thank you so much for the letters and great gifts! They make my day when I get them! I really hope to get pictures to y’all somehow because this place is unreal! The sunsets rock my world, the stars go on forever, the moon is huge, the rice fields are the greenest green – like Ireland, Grandma! This weekend I got to see a bunch of lemurs which was wild! They are so human-like and graceful in the trees. Oh, and the flowers would have blown your mind! 70% of the flora and fauna on this massive island are endemic and only here. I think you should all come visit for sure! It is my language tutor, Franka’s, birthday today which reminds me, I am so sorry I’m missing all your birthdays. Here is one big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you for your next couple birthdays! We will celebrate a lot when I get back! What’s going on back there??? GO HOOS! I can’t believe we’re having such a great season :-) Are the debates for the election heating up? Any new fun music coming out? Please send me CD’S! How is Deep River Tribe? I wish I could be there working with y’all. I am learning so much here that you would much rather have me when I get back! How are your jobs? How is class? How is married/engaged life?
Jeb – please tell the GRS folks that I really want to talk to them – it would be a perfect program here! The kids love foot-ball! And a lot of my friends in training and I want to expand the AIDS/Malaria ed through soccer tournaments…
so as y’all sit down in your comfy chair at your fast computer in your air conditioned homes with glass windows – don’t take for granted – most of the world cannot even dream of those things. But DON’T feel badly – this island, the 10th poorest country in the world – is full of the most spirited and smiley—with no teeth—people in the world.
I love and miss y’all! Keep in touch!
XOXO
Erin
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Tokoa Valisoa(ing) (Very Rewarding)
Hey y’all! It’s Mama blogger once again. I know some of y’all heard from Erin when she was on the field trip mentioned in the previous blog and some of y’all heard from her a few days ago when she was in Antananarivo (Tana) getting a yellow fever shot. She was so excited to talk with those of you who were available! (I didn’t write about our conversation from the Tana trip since I had been informed that I could call her today.) So, here’s what’s new…
Erin has a very busy schedule for the next few weeks. On Friday, Nov. 2, 2007, the PCT (Peace Corps Trainees) will be taking a trip about 1 ½ hours away from the villages to go to a place that the Peace Corps owns where the Malagasy people have a big “carnival/folk festival” according to what Erin has learned. The PCT’s will spend the weekend enjoying this cultural experience and become more familiar with Malagasy dance and songs. On Mon. and Tues., Erin will stay at this PC place and the “doctor” from her village in northern Madagascar will spend some time with Erin. Then they go to Antananarivo (Tana) and fly to Diego on Wed. or Thurs. so Erin can visit her site – the place she’ll be for the next 2 years. According to what Erin’s been told, the village has built a “house” for her right behind the Community Health Center.
Erin has learned to build a clay stove, so she’ll cook for herself is she has to do so. (Oftentimes, the PCV will find a family in the village that does the cooking and the PCV shares meals with them – paying them for the food and the help.) Erin has learned to make rice and peanut butter.) Her new village is closer to the equator so there should be some good fruit. (I’ve found over a dozen different protein bars – with 10-20 grams of protein – so I’m send those to her with a rating sheet. She can let me know which ones she likes and I’ll send more.)
Erin met an environmental PCV whose name is also Erin. She’s in a village about 5 hours from our Erin…and that’s considered close by in Malagasy terms. The roads are not very good. For example, Erin is about 25 miles away from Diego; however, getting to Diego takes about 4 hours. Our Erin will get to go to Diego every month or so which will be nice since she will stay in the PC House where they have bunk beds with mosquito nets and something similar to a toilet and (cold) shower. (That’s close to 5-star for Erin!) Diego doesn’t have electricity, but they do have generators, so Erin may have power there some of the time on some of her trips there. She may be able to make a couple of phone calls and/or may be able to get on the internet. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Erin said that this experience has been very challenging and very rewarding! She got toothbrushes from the PC to give her village and she has taught them to brush their teeth. Among the other things Erin has taught her village, she has taught them to make clay ovens so they can cook without having to destroy so many trees and without having to create so much smoke – bad for their respiratory system and for the environment.
Most every day is like an emotional rollercoaster. About 1/3 of the time, Erin is so very, very happy. Another 1/3 of the time she misses everyone so much that staying is difficult. I’m guessing that the other 1/3 of the time, she’s so busy learning so much that she doesn’t have time to consider how she’s feeling. Bottom-line, she knows that there is a reason for her being there that is so compelling that she is happy to be there. The people are so incredible! Erin is learning to be calm and patient…and she’s instructing me to be calmer and more patient…pretty funny! She realizes her presence can make a tremendous difference and that’s extraordinarily rewarding!
She sends her love to everyone and misses y’all so much! Many thanks to those who have written…and please continue to do so! When Erin moves to her placement, she’s going to be quite lonely being the only westerner there, so your letters will be a tremendous source of strength and encouragement. Some of y’all have sent me things to mail to her – books, CD’s, etc. Please feel free to do so…mailing things can get very expensive…I send little packages every week so adding something from a friend is no big deal. (695 Saint Regis Lane, Alpharetta GA 30022). If you’ve forgotten, Erin’s address is:
Erin Levin, PCV
Bureau du Corps de la Paix
BP 12091
Poste Zoom Ankorondrano
Antananarivo 101
MADAGASCAR
Please date your letters – no telling when/if she’ll get them. Please, please include your return address on the inside of the letter, too, because the outside may not be readable by the time she receives your letters. Be sure to write "Par Avion" on the outside of the front of the envelope. Thank you!!!
Y’all take care! I hope to be writing again soon.
Erin has a very busy schedule for the next few weeks. On Friday, Nov. 2, 2007, the PCT (Peace Corps Trainees) will be taking a trip about 1 ½ hours away from the villages to go to a place that the Peace Corps owns where the Malagasy people have a big “carnival/folk festival” according to what Erin has learned. The PCT’s will spend the weekend enjoying this cultural experience and become more familiar with Malagasy dance and songs. On Mon. and Tues., Erin will stay at this PC place and the “doctor” from her village in northern Madagascar will spend some time with Erin. Then they go to Antananarivo (Tana) and fly to Diego on Wed. or Thurs. so Erin can visit her site – the place she’ll be for the next 2 years. According to what Erin’s been told, the village has built a “house” for her right behind the Community Health Center.
Erin has learned to build a clay stove, so she’ll cook for herself is she has to do so. (Oftentimes, the PCV will find a family in the village that does the cooking and the PCV shares meals with them – paying them for the food and the help.) Erin has learned to make rice and peanut butter.) Her new village is closer to the equator so there should be some good fruit. (I’ve found over a dozen different protein bars – with 10-20 grams of protein – so I’m send those to her with a rating sheet. She can let me know which ones she likes and I’ll send more.)
Erin met an environmental PCV whose name is also Erin. She’s in a village about 5 hours from our Erin…and that’s considered close by in Malagasy terms. The roads are not very good. For example, Erin is about 25 miles away from Diego; however, getting to Diego takes about 4 hours. Our Erin will get to go to Diego every month or so which will be nice since she will stay in the PC House where they have bunk beds with mosquito nets and something similar to a toilet and (cold) shower. (That’s close to 5-star for Erin!) Diego doesn’t have electricity, but they do have generators, so Erin may have power there some of the time on some of her trips there. She may be able to make a couple of phone calls and/or may be able to get on the internet. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Erin said that this experience has been very challenging and very rewarding! She got toothbrushes from the PC to give her village and she has taught them to brush their teeth. Among the other things Erin has taught her village, she has taught them to make clay ovens so they can cook without having to destroy so many trees and without having to create so much smoke – bad for their respiratory system and for the environment.
Most every day is like an emotional rollercoaster. About 1/3 of the time, Erin is so very, very happy. Another 1/3 of the time she misses everyone so much that staying is difficult. I’m guessing that the other 1/3 of the time, she’s so busy learning so much that she doesn’t have time to consider how she’s feeling. Bottom-line, she knows that there is a reason for her being there that is so compelling that she is happy to be there. The people are so incredible! Erin is learning to be calm and patient…and she’s instructing me to be calmer and more patient…pretty funny! She realizes her presence can make a tremendous difference and that’s extraordinarily rewarding!
She sends her love to everyone and misses y’all so much! Many thanks to those who have written…and please continue to do so! When Erin moves to her placement, she’s going to be quite lonely being the only westerner there, so your letters will be a tremendous source of strength and encouragement. Some of y’all have sent me things to mail to her – books, CD’s, etc. Please feel free to do so…mailing things can get very expensive…I send little packages every week so adding something from a friend is no big deal. (695 Saint Regis Lane, Alpharetta GA 30022). If you’ve forgotten, Erin’s address is:
Erin Levin, PCV
Bureau du Corps de la Paix
BP 12091
Poste Zoom Ankorondrano
Antananarivo 101
MADAGASCAR
Please date your letters – no telling when/if she’ll get them. Please, please include your return address on the inside of the letter, too, because the outside may not be readable by the time she receives your letters. Be sure to write "Par Avion" on the outside of the front of the envelope. Thank you!!!
Y’all take care! I hope to be writing again soon.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Lava, lava mizara (Long, long share - Lots to share!)
Oh my goodness, y’all, there’s so much to share! I received a letter yesterday, a 2:38 A.M. phone call today and another letter today…I’m ALL smiles!!! I will try not to repeat much from the last blog because Erin mentions a lot in the letters that she shared in last week’s phone call. I’ll quote her as much as I can so this will seem like it’s from Erin. Here goes…
Remember, Erin is in a village by herself near where all the others are living and where training is, so she described the walk she takes a couple of times a day. [She walks home for lunch and returns to training.] " …so I hike down a steep hill in the morning with the cows and chickens and school kids and then balance across the bamboo bridges through the rice patties to then go up a large muddy hill and finally meet the other PCTs and staff at class. [PCT – Peace Corps Trainees] We have class M-F 8-5 and Sat. 8-12. We wake up with the roosters at 4:30 A.M. and take a bucket bath…outside and then fix breakfast and coco brusse clean our floors with a coconut. [I think “coco brusse” is the Malagasy term for the way she’s cleaning the floor.] After class, we help fix dinner, I hang out with my siblings [and I can’t figure out what she’s writing next]. It is only light from 5-5 because it’s freezing cold and still winter. The wind is very harsh but it’s okay because it is unbelievably beautiful and simple here – you would love it!” [Well, I think I’d love it a lot better with toilets!] [She mentions something about some of the things the Peace Corps has provided – a first aid kit, etc. and something about her family hanging up a piñata for her and she wrote "that cracks me up”.] “The language is hard but because I am forced to learn it, I think I will be fine! Oh, one of my baby brothers’s peed on me today which has been the running joke all day. And get this, anytime after dark (5 P.M.) that I have to use the bathroom, I have to use my po (bedside pee pan) which I clean out every morning. It really all starts to come naturally believe it or not. [Now y’all, she did mention either in the next letter or in our phone conversation that she has worked hard to teach her “host” family some health protocol. One thing being that they find a place not too close by to take care of their business…and not on her! This should help the little brother situation!] [She goes on to talk about how much she loves the training staff – most Malagasy – and how thrilled they are when the PCV’s catch on.] “Oh, the other funny thing which has happened is when we finished dinner last night (we eat on the floor in a big circle), they kept yelling ‘brusse’ and motioning to my teeth. One of my sisters walked me to my bag and made me take out my toothbrush. They motioned for me to brush my teeth in front of them (they had never seen it before) and then all began spitting out the window so I would know where to spit. It was pretty funny! They are so cute!”
The next letter shares a lot of what I shared with y’all in the previous blog about her family. She does add more –
“They have a saying here in Malagasy which means ‘we share one cricket’ – we share even the smallest thing – it’s true…”
Then Erin tells about her typical day which is similar to what I’ve just written with one important change…Jeb, if you are reading this, you will appreciate this change!
“My family wakes up at dawn by our rooster and the sun – around 4:30 A.M. They let me rest in the room until 5:30…” [And then she goes on about the bucket bath, the cold mornings, the warm afternoons, etc.] “My house is at the very top of the cliff – it is such beautiful land! Rice patties everywhere – cows everywhere. There are brown, black and the really pretty spotted cows too. The kids are the best part! They are so curious about us and they teach us Malagasy while we teach them English. They sing beautiful songs all the time! There are very pretty wild roses and marigolds that color the green and red land with pink and yellow everywhere! The kids do not have toys – they go to school and work the fields and animals and play with us and each other. It is very simple and lovely. There are ducks, roosters, chameleons, bees, mosquitoes, chickens, cats and wild dogs everywhere.” [Erin continues about the training which was mentioned in the first letter.] [She talks about sleeping on the floor, eating on the floor, etc. and goes on to say-] “I will definitely not be or feel clean until I get back home. No matter how much [I can’t read the word] water or sweeping I do, I am still filthy! We wash our clothes in the rice patty stream on dirty rocks and since my family is one of the largest and most poor, we dry our clothes out in the dirty grass. I love my family so much but it will also be nice to live on my own and try to do things in a more clean way. Thank you for always being so clean, Mommy :-) The Peace Corp who help train us are really happy with how I have handled the situation with my huge family who do not clean. I have begun to teach them to not let the cats eat food off our plates or crawl on us while we eat. I also finally (after 5 days of trying) have convinced by family that we must wash our hands with soap and clean water before eating. I hope that helps keep both them and me healthy. They pee everywhere and I am trying to get them to start using the kabone. [That’s using an area away from where they live to take care of that kind of business.] As simple and common sense as these actions seem, they are huge issues and huge accomplishments for me already. My purpose for being here is always smack in my face which helps me to deal with the frustrations of a language barrier and no comforts. The food is actually delicious! We have rice three times a day but it’s always different. They mix it with carrots, beans, peas, spinach, tomatoes, peanuts or eggs.” [Then she goes on a little more about food and about how long it’s taken her to write this letter. She mentions a few other things and concludes with how great everyone is…and me, too – how sweet!]
When she called, Erin was on the field trip I had mentioned. She sounded great! She went on and on about how VERY much the letters she has received means to her. She wants to know what y’all are doing; she wants to know what’s going on in your lives and in the news. Please, please y’all – keep those letters coming. She did ask for y’all to send CD’s. Music is a huge help when she’s feeling homesick. She’s going to need our support even MORE when she goes to her location in about 6-7 more weeks. She’s going to be so isolated there…the ONLY non-villager of the 4000 people. Please let me know if there’s anything I can to do for y’all to make it easier to keep those letters coming. A HUGE THANK YOU to each of y’all for encouraging Erin!!!
That’s it until the next letter and/or phone call. I’d love for y’all to share whatever y’all are hearing from Erin…if y’all want, I’ll add it to this blog - just e-amil me. Until next time, y’all take care of yourselves!!!
Remember, Erin is in a village by herself near where all the others are living and where training is, so she described the walk she takes a couple of times a day. [She walks home for lunch and returns to training.] " …so I hike down a steep hill in the morning with the cows and chickens and school kids and then balance across the bamboo bridges through the rice patties to then go up a large muddy hill and finally meet the other PCTs and staff at class. [PCT – Peace Corps Trainees] We have class M-F 8-5 and Sat. 8-12. We wake up with the roosters at 4:30 A.M. and take a bucket bath…outside and then fix breakfast and coco brusse clean our floors with a coconut. [I think “coco brusse” is the Malagasy term for the way she’s cleaning the floor.] After class, we help fix dinner, I hang out with my siblings [and I can’t figure out what she’s writing next]. It is only light from 5-5 because it’s freezing cold and still winter. The wind is very harsh but it’s okay because it is unbelievably beautiful and simple here – you would love it!” [Well, I think I’d love it a lot better with toilets!] [She mentions something about some of the things the Peace Corps has provided – a first aid kit, etc. and something about her family hanging up a piñata for her and she wrote "that cracks me up”.] “The language is hard but because I am forced to learn it, I think I will be fine! Oh, one of my baby brothers’s peed on me today which has been the running joke all day. And get this, anytime after dark (5 P.M.) that I have to use the bathroom, I have to use my po (bedside pee pan) which I clean out every morning. It really all starts to come naturally believe it or not. [Now y’all, she did mention either in the next letter or in our phone conversation that she has worked hard to teach her “host” family some health protocol. One thing being that they find a place not too close by to take care of their business…and not on her! This should help the little brother situation!] [She goes on to talk about how much she loves the training staff – most Malagasy – and how thrilled they are when the PCV’s catch on.] “Oh, the other funny thing which has happened is when we finished dinner last night (we eat on the floor in a big circle), they kept yelling ‘brusse’ and motioning to my teeth. One of my sisters walked me to my bag and made me take out my toothbrush. They motioned for me to brush my teeth in front of them (they had never seen it before) and then all began spitting out the window so I would know where to spit. It was pretty funny! They are so cute!”
The next letter shares a lot of what I shared with y’all in the previous blog about her family. She does add more –
“They have a saying here in Malagasy which means ‘we share one cricket’ – we share even the smallest thing – it’s true…”
Then Erin tells about her typical day which is similar to what I’ve just written with one important change…Jeb, if you are reading this, you will appreciate this change!
“My family wakes up at dawn by our rooster and the sun – around 4:30 A.M. They let me rest in the room until 5:30…” [And then she goes on about the bucket bath, the cold mornings, the warm afternoons, etc.] “My house is at the very top of the cliff – it is such beautiful land! Rice patties everywhere – cows everywhere. There are brown, black and the really pretty spotted cows too. The kids are the best part! They are so curious about us and they teach us Malagasy while we teach them English. They sing beautiful songs all the time! There are very pretty wild roses and marigolds that color the green and red land with pink and yellow everywhere! The kids do not have toys – they go to school and work the fields and animals and play with us and each other. It is very simple and lovely. There are ducks, roosters, chameleons, bees, mosquitoes, chickens, cats and wild dogs everywhere.” [Erin continues about the training which was mentioned in the first letter.] [She talks about sleeping on the floor, eating on the floor, etc. and goes on to say-] “I will definitely not be or feel clean until I get back home. No matter how much [I can’t read the word] water or sweeping I do, I am still filthy! We wash our clothes in the rice patty stream on dirty rocks and since my family is one of the largest and most poor, we dry our clothes out in the dirty grass. I love my family so much but it will also be nice to live on my own and try to do things in a more clean way. Thank you for always being so clean, Mommy :-) The Peace Corp who help train us are really happy with how I have handled the situation with my huge family who do not clean. I have begun to teach them to not let the cats eat food off our plates or crawl on us while we eat. I also finally (after 5 days of trying) have convinced by family that we must wash our hands with soap and clean water before eating. I hope that helps keep both them and me healthy. They pee everywhere and I am trying to get them to start using the kabone. [That’s using an area away from where they live to take care of that kind of business.] As simple and common sense as these actions seem, they are huge issues and huge accomplishments for me already. My purpose for being here is always smack in my face which helps me to deal with the frustrations of a language barrier and no comforts. The food is actually delicious! We have rice three times a day but it’s always different. They mix it with carrots, beans, peas, spinach, tomatoes, peanuts or eggs.” [Then she goes on a little more about food and about how long it’s taken her to write this letter. She mentions a few other things and concludes with how great everyone is…and me, too – how sweet!]
When she called, Erin was on the field trip I had mentioned. She sounded great! She went on and on about how VERY much the letters she has received means to her. She wants to know what y’all are doing; she wants to know what’s going on in your lives and in the news. Please, please y’all – keep those letters coming. She did ask for y’all to send CD’s. Music is a huge help when she’s feeling homesick. She’s going to need our support even MORE when she goes to her location in about 6-7 more weeks. She’s going to be so isolated there…the ONLY non-villager of the 4000 people. Please let me know if there’s anything I can to do for y’all to make it easier to keep those letters coming. A HUGE THANK YOU to each of y’all for encouraging Erin!!!
That’s it until the next letter and/or phone call. I’d love for y’all to share whatever y’all are hearing from Erin…if y’all want, I’ll add it to this blog - just e-amil me. Until next time, y’all take care of yourselves!!!
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Lehibe mizara (Big share) Word choice is limited!
Hey, y'all! It's taken me a day to calm down enough to write...read on...
The Peace Corps assigned a specific time with two phone numbers for someone(s) to call each Peace Corps volunteer. HOORAY! I got to call Erin this morning at 8:30 (4:30 P.M. Malagasy time). Y’all, there’s so MUCH to share!
Erin sounded great! As usual, she loves and misses us. She’s feeling fine despite a little cold. (All the PCV’s have a little cold.)
Erin went to Madagascar with no expectations…the Peace Corps strongly suggested to have no expectations. What Erin is so pleasantly amazed by is the people and their dealing with poverty. These people live in poverty far below the poverty found in the US…far beyond anything we can imagine! Yet, these people are happy – happy to love, happy to share, happy to live – what they value is each other! (For all their lives, I’ve told Erin and Eric [her brother] that “happiness is wanting what you have, not having what you want”. These people live this every day – happy to have one another.)
Erin loves her “host” family! Here’s what she knows about the family with whom she lives: (I hope you find the humor in this…)
Her “Mom” is about 58 yrs. old and is a widow.
Her 33 yrs. old “sister” has 3 children living in the home – 2 daughters (15 and 11) and a son (6).
Her 16 yrs. old “sister” speaks a tiny bit of English and is Erin’s new best friend!
Her 26 yrs. old “brother” and his 22 yrs. old wife live in the home with their 2 yrs. old and 4 yrs. old. (These two are Erin’s favorite children; however, she “hasn’t figured out if they are male or female”!!!)
Erin also has not figured out who all the other 6 people in the home are though she knows her “Mom” has 8 children.
Erin is the only PCV in her village. The other 18 PCV’s live in a nearby village with smaller families. Their village is about 10-25 minutes walk away. They are all together at the training center for most of the day. Erin’s village is at a higher elevation and she says the sunsets and the starry sky are among her favorites. They eat rice 3 times a day. (Yuck!) The evenings are cold – around 50 degrees (O.K., Yankees that is cold by southern standards!) and the days warm up to the mid-80’s. (As we have just finished our summer, they are now ending their winter.) The daily living is simple and laid back. Erin has grown accustomed to the dawn to dusk life, no electricity, no water (and all that entails) and day to day living.
One of the strangest things the PCV’s have been adapting to is the reality that they are SUCH a novelty. They are about the only source of entertainment. Remember, the children have no toys, no T.V.’s, no CD players or Ipods, etc. Actually, the adults have none of the things we use all the time – phones, computer, etc. The people want to be near the PCV’s – even just to observe. Erin sat down to write a letter and she realized that her family had encircled her and watched her writing. Wherever she goes, they go – they watch, they wait – they’re curious!
Now, for the future…
When Erin’s training is completed (around Dec.5), she’s going to be placed in a village that has never had a PCV. She will be setting up the program for which she has been trained rather than stepping into an established program. This is very exciting and challenging! She’s going to be farther away than the others. She had been prepared for the PCV’s to meet once every three months at the Peace Corps House in the capital, Antananarivo (Tana for short). Instead, she’ll get to go to their meetings only 3 times during the entire 2 years. Her placement is called a “fly site”. There’s a mountain range to the north of Tana that is not passable by anything but an airplane, so she will fly from Tana to Diego and will catch a bus (or something) to get to her village. This area is in between the mountains and the coast and should be very beautiful (I hope). This area is quite different from the rest of Madagascar since it is isolated due to the impassable mountains. The language is not Malagasy so Erin is now learning Sakalava-north. She has been given her own instructor since she’s the only one learning it. Franka, Erin’s instructor, teaches her about the culture, too. The people are more “African” rather than the African/Asia Pacific blend of most of the Malagasy people. Their culture differs, too, though Erin had no explanation as to how, yet. She said that Franka is “so cute”. Erin will be the only westerner there. The village has about 4000 people. Erin will live behind the community health center – her job – with no electricity, no water/plumbing, no cell phone service, no computer access, etc. Luckily, she will have to go to Diego – likely, once a month, so she’ll go to the Peace Corps House there – HOORAY!
When I get her December (new) address, I will share it with y’all. Please keep writing those letters to Erin – they mean so much to her!!!
Erin is being flown to her placement in 3 weeks so she can write a paper/report for the Peace Corps – something about explaining the needs. (Something like that – my notes were getting messy by this time.) Then she returns to her “host” family to complete training.
The Peace Corps is taking all the PCV’s on a field trip next week. They are going to see the lemurs.
I’m hoping that I may hear from Erin when she’s on her field trip next week and maybe when she goes on her site trip in 3 weeks. If so, I’ll do this blogging thing again. (I'll keep using Malagasy titles until I find Sakalava-north...I haven't been able to find it yet...any suggestions...)
I think I’ve covered just about everything. Y’all, please keep writing letters to Erin. She received some from y’all and she cherishes them! (I love the e-mails some have sent and I copy them to pass on to Erin. Thank you!) Also, please keep Erin in your prayers. Y’all take care!
P.S. Erin, “how wonderful life is with you in the world!” I love you and I’m so proud of you!
The Peace Corps assigned a specific time with two phone numbers for someone(s) to call each Peace Corps volunteer. HOORAY! I got to call Erin this morning at 8:30 (4:30 P.M. Malagasy time). Y’all, there’s so MUCH to share!
Erin sounded great! As usual, she loves and misses us. She’s feeling fine despite a little cold. (All the PCV’s have a little cold.)
Erin went to Madagascar with no expectations…the Peace Corps strongly suggested to have no expectations. What Erin is so pleasantly amazed by is the people and their dealing with poverty. These people live in poverty far below the poverty found in the US…far beyond anything we can imagine! Yet, these people are happy – happy to love, happy to share, happy to live – what they value is each other! (For all their lives, I’ve told Erin and Eric [her brother] that “happiness is wanting what you have, not having what you want”. These people live this every day – happy to have one another.)
Erin loves her “host” family! Here’s what she knows about the family with whom she lives: (I hope you find the humor in this…)
Her “Mom” is about 58 yrs. old and is a widow.
Her 33 yrs. old “sister” has 3 children living in the home – 2 daughters (15 and 11) and a son (6).
Her 16 yrs. old “sister” speaks a tiny bit of English and is Erin’s new best friend!
Her 26 yrs. old “brother” and his 22 yrs. old wife live in the home with their 2 yrs. old and 4 yrs. old. (These two are Erin’s favorite children; however, she “hasn’t figured out if they are male or female”!!!)
Erin also has not figured out who all the other 6 people in the home are though she knows her “Mom” has 8 children.
Erin is the only PCV in her village. The other 18 PCV’s live in a nearby village with smaller families. Their village is about 10-25 minutes walk away. They are all together at the training center for most of the day. Erin’s village is at a higher elevation and she says the sunsets and the starry sky are among her favorites. They eat rice 3 times a day. (Yuck!) The evenings are cold – around 50 degrees (O.K., Yankees that is cold by southern standards!) and the days warm up to the mid-80’s. (As we have just finished our summer, they are now ending their winter.) The daily living is simple and laid back. Erin has grown accustomed to the dawn to dusk life, no electricity, no water (and all that entails) and day to day living.
One of the strangest things the PCV’s have been adapting to is the reality that they are SUCH a novelty. They are about the only source of entertainment. Remember, the children have no toys, no T.V.’s, no CD players or Ipods, etc. Actually, the adults have none of the things we use all the time – phones, computer, etc. The people want to be near the PCV’s – even just to observe. Erin sat down to write a letter and she realized that her family had encircled her and watched her writing. Wherever she goes, they go – they watch, they wait – they’re curious!
Now, for the future…
When Erin’s training is completed (around Dec.5), she’s going to be placed in a village that has never had a PCV. She will be setting up the program for which she has been trained rather than stepping into an established program. This is very exciting and challenging! She’s going to be farther away than the others. She had been prepared for the PCV’s to meet once every three months at the Peace Corps House in the capital, Antananarivo (Tana for short). Instead, she’ll get to go to their meetings only 3 times during the entire 2 years. Her placement is called a “fly site”. There’s a mountain range to the north of Tana that is not passable by anything but an airplane, so she will fly from Tana to Diego and will catch a bus (or something) to get to her village. This area is in between the mountains and the coast and should be very beautiful (I hope). This area is quite different from the rest of Madagascar since it is isolated due to the impassable mountains. The language is not Malagasy so Erin is now learning Sakalava-north. She has been given her own instructor since she’s the only one learning it. Franka, Erin’s instructor, teaches her about the culture, too. The people are more “African” rather than the African/Asia Pacific blend of most of the Malagasy people. Their culture differs, too, though Erin had no explanation as to how, yet. She said that Franka is “so cute”. Erin will be the only westerner there. The village has about 4000 people. Erin will live behind the community health center – her job – with no electricity, no water/plumbing, no cell phone service, no computer access, etc. Luckily, she will have to go to Diego – likely, once a month, so she’ll go to the Peace Corps House there – HOORAY!
When I get her December (new) address, I will share it with y’all. Please keep writing those letters to Erin – they mean so much to her!!!
Erin is being flown to her placement in 3 weeks so she can write a paper/report for the Peace Corps – something about explaining the needs. (Something like that – my notes were getting messy by this time.) Then she returns to her “host” family to complete training.
The Peace Corps is taking all the PCV’s on a field trip next week. They are going to see the lemurs.
I’m hoping that I may hear from Erin when she’s on her field trip next week and maybe when she goes on her site trip in 3 weeks. If so, I’ll do this blogging thing again. (I'll keep using Malagasy titles until I find Sakalava-north...I haven't been able to find it yet...any suggestions...)
I think I’ve covered just about everything. Y’all, please keep writing letters to Erin. She received some from y’all and she cherishes them! (I love the e-mails some have sent and I copy them to pass on to Erin. Thank you!) Also, please keep Erin in your prayers. Y’all take care!
P.S. Erin, “how wonderful life is with you in the world!” I love you and I’m so proud of you!
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Lehibe mitsiky(ing) fo (Big smiling heart)!!!
Oh my goodness!!! What an unexpected, incredible surprise! At 12:11 P.M. Atlanta time (8:11 P.M. Malagasy time) Erin called. Luckily, with years and years of "Erin sound-bytes", I am accustomed to her quick calls. However, I do think she'd have a long, detailed conversation if her phone didn't quit working after just a moment or two.
In a whispering voice (her "host" family was sleeping), she said "I love and miss you so much!" and y'all know she's extending her love and missing to y'all, too. (Those folks must go to sleep very early! I guess with no electricity, there's not a lot to do after dark. And if you're thinking that a nice fire in the middle of the village with everyone sitting around singing would be fun, I think their religious beliefs mention something about not being out after dark, so there goes that idea.)
Erin has been there for about 10 days and no one has come to bring any mail or to pick up any letters she has written. She mentioned how she is so very much looking forward to receiving mail - so y'all please write. Some of y'all have sent sweet e-mails to me and with your permission, I print them and include them in my letters to her.
She said that half of the time her experience is "heavenly" and you can figure out what the other half is like. She sounded really good. Then the connection was lost. A moment later, the phone rang again and Erin said, "I woke up my family - I've got to go - I love and miss you so much!" That's our little Erin!
I tend to end with something about how I probably won't be adding to this blog for a while and then - HOORAY! - there's a call. Since I'm a little superstitious -"stupidsitiouos" according to my children - once again, I may not be adding to this blog until Dec. 5ish. Until that next thrilling call...y'all take care and please keep Erin in your thoughts and prayers.
Sharing Erin's love,
One happy mommy!
In a whispering voice (her "host" family was sleeping), she said "I love and miss you so much!" and y'all know she's extending her love and missing to y'all, too. (Those folks must go to sleep very early! I guess with no electricity, there's not a lot to do after dark. And if you're thinking that a nice fire in the middle of the village with everyone sitting around singing would be fun, I think their religious beliefs mention something about not being out after dark, so there goes that idea.)
Erin has been there for about 10 days and no one has come to bring any mail or to pick up any letters she has written. She mentioned how she is so very much looking forward to receiving mail - so y'all please write. Some of y'all have sent sweet e-mails to me and with your permission, I print them and include them in my letters to her.
She said that half of the time her experience is "heavenly" and you can figure out what the other half is like. She sounded really good. Then the connection was lost. A moment later, the phone rang again and Erin said, "I woke up my family - I've got to go - I love and miss you so much!" That's our little Erin!
I tend to end with something about how I probably won't be adding to this blog for a while and then - HOORAY! - there's a call. Since I'm a little superstitious -"stupidsitiouos" according to my children - once again, I may not be adding to this blog until Dec. 5ish. Until that next thrilling call...y'all take care and please keep Erin in your thoughts and prayers.
Sharing Erin's love,
One happy mommy!
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Faly! Faly! Minitra (Happy! Happy! Minute)
Wow! What a THRILL today...and it'll probably have to last until December 5. Erin must have been back on top of that mountain at 10:19 A.M. our time (6:19 P.M. Malagasy time). We spoke for less than a minute when her battery stopped completely. She said, "I love and miss you so much!" (I'm sure that goes to all of y'all, too!) When I asked how she is doing, she answered, "I'm happy, but this is very, very hard!" Then, she said, "I love and miss you!" and that ended our conversation. I'm thinking that she should be able to call, maybe to e-mail, on December 5 because that's when she goes to her swearing in ceremony. It makes sense to me that it would take place in Tana (Antananarivo, the capital). Something to look forward to!!!
I hope y'all are doing well! Remember, please, to keep Erin in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you! Y'all take care and I hope I get to write again, soon!
I hope y'all are doing well! Remember, please, to keep Erin in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you! Y'all take care and I hope I get to write again, soon!
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