I´ve been away from this blog for a season, but I can tell you that I´m stil here in the Dominican Republic. I wil now begin my third full year in country, an extension that will tke me to December of 2010. I will now work as a Regional Peace Corps Volunteer Leader, supporting volunteers, and a youth volunteer, continuing projects withing my site. While I was away, my youth decided to make it official. As a surprise they painted my house, complete with the Peace Corps logo!A New Year always points our attention to new priorities, opportunities, and perspectives. For our brothers and sisters across the border in Haiti, the new year has also begun with tragedy. As sad as it has been to see the images of destruction and grief in the aftermath of the earthquake, it has been heart-warming to see the international aid response. As the rescue effort pours in from all over the world and foremost from the Dominican Republic, it´s apparent that the most effective way to help will be to give to organizations that will aid in thes short and long-term development of the country. Sending a donation can really help. In my next entry, I hope to provide a short list of organizations who are supporting the recovery and reconstruction of Port-au-Prince and Haiti.
One cannot begin to talk about the hopes of renewal or restoration without realizing how Haiti is and has been throughout history. As so much international attention has been focused on Haiti and as efforts are being made worldwide to alleviate suffering, may this also be a time for awakening and renewal for us as well, to look more deeply into the systemic causes which replicated the impact of this catastrophic earthuake, to werstle with our hearts and stir up our minds and will and resources to make a change happen.
Here, in my site, our work in devleopment, to increase opportunities for youth and expand youth leadership, continues. Each month, I hope to tell you about two things that are happening in my community or with me. Some days, Imight wax philosophical. Other days, I may give you a funny or poignant story. I hope you like it. I´d love to hear and respond to your thoughts and questions. So, be sure to post some comments and questions, too!
To finish the library is first on the list for the new year. The library has been an ongoing project. Wé´ve received funds, donations, and support from about all of the national, community, and non-governmental organization sthat we can. We have promises of books even from the superintendent of schools and a local senator! Time energy and creative are also at the ready. As you can see, local youth have painted the ceiling in clouds! They hope to create murals on the inside and outside. They have an amazing idea to puta tree in the center beam of the library, full of animals and creatures!! We have been waiting for a while to buy and place bars on the windows, a necessary item to maintain the books and computers and ensure that they will be accesible t all. While trying to obtain the final items, we´ve almost approached the First Lady of the Dominican Republic! Now, I´m asking you to join in to make this an internationally supported library! Your support can help make this and other improvements possible.
With the kick-start of these funds, we hope to have the first library of its kind in the East, a public library within a school campus. In an area that has over 6,00 residents and only one internet cafe, where students never have an access to a book fro fun, this library could make a world of difference. Teachers are excited about incorporating more research into their lesson plans; community organization hope to create extracurricular reading clubs for young people and kids. And, of course my youth hope to become the the future librarians!!!
As we prepare for a home strech of construction, complete with an inauguration, I hope to enlist your support to make it possible. If you would like to contribute, check out this website: https://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.donors.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=517-347
As we prepare for a home strech of construction, complete with an inauguration, I hope to enlist your support to make it possible. If you would like to contribute, check out this website: https://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.donors.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=517-347
In addition to the library´s inauguration, where will you find "Luis" this year? Most likely, I will be all over the East of the country. But, I will start in the community where I have been all along, with the people and activities that I now call home. What has been one of them?
Volleyball. Yes, volleyball. No kneepads, thank God! But lots of bumps, sets, and spikes.I never thought that I would say this, but I love volleyball. It´s the impact of the girls´volleyball team, which has taken off in our community. Last year, we were able to participate in Sirve Con Fuerza, a national tournament, now brokeninto regional exchanges. It offers girls the chance to meet other girls, learn about nutrition and reproductive health, and increase self-esteem as they take to the court. Of course, there´s lots of teamwork building. And, it doesn´t hurt if your team wins a trophy or two!!
At 5PM everyday, volleyball has now takes over our local court. From these experiences, I´m looking for more youth exchanges and towards the next Sirver ConFuerza. These tournaments, games and practices offer a unique experience. Girls get the change to play in a country that has does not see many girls playing or local gils teams. Playing is rewarding and also fun!
In the next few months, I hope to invite you in to see and experience more of our lives here in the Dominican Republic and activities like the ones above. I can guarantee that it willonly get better. As the renewal efforts in Haiti continue to remind us, w really are not that far apart. Todos somos humanos con el mismo sangre. We are all human with the same blood, I´ve heard many Dominicans say. Join with me and let´s share stories in this space. Hasta la proxima! Nos vemos! 