Sunday, March 15th, 2015
Hello, My Faithful Readers:
I
have three photographs for your viewing pleasure.
The
first is me my host brother and sister on the occasion of my host sister’s 18th
birthday! The second is a photo of the
back garden. It is finally plowed and ready for planting. I dream about the
corn that will come this summer. The third photo is of me and my counter-part
teacher at a recent conference.
I may have mentioned this in an earlier
blog; maybe – but, all of this seems to be getting harder. I am so happy that
winter is ALMOST behind us; but, with the month of March one never can tell.
Maybe it has been the LONG winter (even thought it has not really been that
bad). I’ve had heat and even though the cold comes through the walls and
windows it has stayed between 60-65 degrees in my room. Of course I always have
layers of clothing on; but, way better than I thought. (these old houses just don’t have much if any
insulation). Maybe as the trees bloom and the flowers start to grow my mood
will lighten and things will seem better.
Everything here is just hard….nothing (or very little) seems easy. I think that adds to the weight that living here causes. I hear so often
from folks about the poverty that exists and how difficult that is. However,
what is even more difficult is the lack of opportunity. I think all of this is
hitting me hard as the dust has settled now (after almost 11 months that I have been here) and I
can see beyond the surface of life here.
I wanted to share something GREAT that happened in
school recently!
So, the GREAT experience happened in the 6th
Grade. Now, this classroom is usually out of control with talking, punching,
noises, walking around the room, etc., etc., etc. and I consistently watch the
time waiting for it to be over. However, I tried something different in the
hopes that it might make a difference. Now, I thought 6th graders
(and was told this also by the counter-part teacher) would be “beyond” liking
to get a sticker for completed work; however, I was so wrong. I had “sponge
bob” stickers and during book work I was walking around placing stickers in the
book of those that were completing the assignment. Well, the room went from
bedlam to one of noise, but the noise was different. The students were working
in their books and talking to each other about parts of the assignment they didn’t
understand. Many students were copying from one another (and I was not happy
about that); but the bottom line here was that they were working rather than
playing. Wow, you could have knocked me
over with a feather. As I walked around
checking the work, making corrections and placing “sponge bob” on their papers;
the students continued on in the book and were doing additional exercises. They
wanted me to see what they were doing! When the bell rang to change class the
students kept on working. It was a sight to behold. I imagine that “incentive”
is always a good motivator; and, I will continue to use this strategy in the
hopes that maybe my counter-part teacher, with the help of “sponge bob” and
other sticker friends can maybe coax another or different type of learning environment
in the room.
So, here is the flip size:
I did see something new for the first time in the 10th
grade; and that was, students were actually talking on the phone while class
was going on. The teachers did try her best to get the phones away; but, it’s a
lost cause. With so many students in the room as soon as the teacher turns her
back the phones come back out and the students continue doing what they were
originally doing; that is, talking on the phone, texting or playing video games
(even laughing and talking back to the teacher). The teachers operate like a policeman
a lot of the time and while she is patrolling for phones, etc., she is not
teaching. The older students look at me and then they ignore me. The
dis-respect is tangible. Usually the students are playing games on the phone
during class or texting; however, this was the first for me to see students
actually talking. The students are just so brazen to be so open about what they
know is not accepted. The majority of the time when I ask for the phone the
student looks at me and puts the phone on his/her pocket. There is not, if any,
respect afforded for the teacher in the class. One student was not only was
talking but she had her phone charging in the outlet so that her battery would
not run out. The student actually said something to the teacher (not sure what
it was, as it was in Georgian) as she was so upset to have to end her
conversation and take her phone charger out of the outlet so that the teacher
could plug in the audio visual device that was needed for class. I don’t know
what was said but I know it upset the teacher.
I was recently made aware of a “Moniker” that has
been attached to me. Now, I’ve heard the word before (Moniker) but I really
didn’t know what it meant. In any event, my “Moniker” or nick name, or
alternate identifier is “CLaw”. This is my first name
initial and the first three letters of my last name. Well, I cannot tell you
how much I like that “Moniker”. J - I realize that on some documents or lists
people are identified by the above reference; however, I never paid much
attention. When you read the letters it does not make much of an impact (at
least to me); however, when you hear it spoken – well, it is a completely
different story. I like it! Sometimes I
think I have way too much time on my hands…HA! Also, please disregard the fact
that it could also be identified as “claw” – yuck!
I spend a lot of time in the school closing doors.
Yes, you heard that correct. I spend a lot of time closing the front and back
doors to the school. I also close the door that leads out to the school yard. I
have had this conversation with myself over and over as to “Why don’t students
(and parents) close the door after they leave or enter the school?” The school has limited heat and yet with the
doors open (and sometimes the windows are also opened) the heat escapes to make
the school colder than it has to be. I watch as the adults watch me close the
door and then I turn away to return to the classroom only to find the door open
once again and the adults that were watching have disappeared. This baffles me
consistently throughout the day. I ask why and don’t receive any answers. This
is also true in the home of my host family. It REALLY has been cold to have the
front door closed. Most times the front door is wide open, just like in the
schools.
I was recently at the Aviabari Metro stop as I was
going to do a walking tour; however, as I realized it was 3-hour tour (sort of
like Gilligan) and I had my backpack filled with supplies and books – well, I
thought better than to lug that around for such a long period. I will schedule
the tour for another day when my backpack is lighter.
However, during my time above ground at the station
I noticed a woman sitting near the metro exit. Lots of people were coming up to
her table; but, I could not see what she was selling. She didn’t have the usual
fare on her table (candles, combs/brushes and other type items). So, I moved in
closer only to realize that she was selling cigarettes one at a time. There was
a pack of cigarettes open on the table and people came up and took one and lit
it. Now, this was something that was completely unexpected for me. I think it
was 30 Tetri for each cigarette. Not sure if there is a health law about
selling individual cigarettes?
Minor Unit:
1/100 = Tetri
1/100 = Tetri
As part of the walking tour, the below
location was on the agenda. I am sorry I missed it, but the tour guide will
give the tour again and I will go. I’ve listed some links below if you want to
obtain more information because that is all I can tell you at the moment. Also, on the agenda was a visit to a private
puppet theater of Gari Davtian. Still looking for the link; but absolutely I
just love puppet theater and will stake out a claim at some point to visit. I
am sure there were many other sights on the tour and cannot wait to connect
with the tour guide for future treks.
Also, I discovered a museum that chronicles the
Soviet Occupation of Georgia. I’ve not been, but it is on my list…..should be
interesting. Below is the link if you want to learn more.
I decided to cancel my trip to Baku, Azerbaijan. I
know I am so close and I already have a visa (which usually cost $160US for
30-days); however, making the trek just felt so blah, blah…I didn’t want to
invest the time and money. The plan was to go on or near St. Patrick’s Day.
This is the country I was originally supposed to go to serve in the PC; but,
the government cancelled their invitation to the PC so everyone who was
currently serving ended up coming home early. I count my blessings that all
that happened prior to my going in-country to Azerbaijan. Maybe that is in the
background as to why it just felt so blah, blah to go.
In any event, I am working on another plan to go to
Armenia over Easter break. The capital is Yerevan and I’ve listed a link to a
map picture of the city with Mount Ararat in the background. I am told it is a
very cosmopolitan city and there are LOTS of Peace Corps Volunteers serving
there. So, even though I will be going by myself, I can connect with friends
once I arrive. I will travel by marshrutka and I am working all that out now.
I am now bringing in the firewood from
the woodshed. Wow, what a kick that is. I don’t know why I’ve not done it
before; however, it just never occurred to me before now. So, out the door I go
back to the woodshed. I can carry maybe six or seven logs (depending on the
size) to bring into the house for use in the pechi. It is a balancing act as
the path to the woodshed is not paved. It is dirt, gravel and going out it
“uphill” and coming back is “downhill.” I feel really good when I do this and
the family is just amazed that I am doing this. Now, if I can get the courage I
will place a log on the fire…stay tuned!
I was recently asked by my Education
Program Manager to accompany her to visit three schools in the area. The
purpose was to determine whether or not to place an in-coming PCV in the school
starting in July 2015. I was really honored to be able to do this and it was a
revelation. Two of the schools that we went to had no heat. They had “pechi”
stoves; however, the school rooms were so big you would have needed maybe four
“pechi” stoves in order to adequately heat the room. The smoke from the “pechi”
was not so thick that you could cut it with a knife; however, there was lots of
smoke in the room (even though it was vented outside). The rooms were cold;
bone cold. I could see the sheer curtains blowing even though the windows were
closed. The bathrooms were outside; but they were as clean as you can possible
have an outhouse.
Both of these schools applied for a PCV.
We spoke to the Director and the English Teachers and at each school they were
so excited and so in need of having new ideas brought into the school. The
third school was different. The school had heat and was in very good shape. It
seems that this school did have a PCV a couple of years ago and they were
looking for a repeat. I felt that this school was light years ahead of the
first two and believed that resources being limited it would be best to
eliminate this third school and concentrate on schools that needed to catch up.
Of course, I don’t make these decisions; but, they asked for my comments and I
was honest about what I thought. We shall see how this resolves; but, it was an
eye opener for me. The school that I currently teach in is on a much higher
level so I get to newly appreciate what I have.
I am always amazed at how much un-used
land there is here in Georgia. When I take the marsh back and forth to Tbilisi;
80% (I bet) of the land that I see is unused/empty. Acres and Acres of rolling
hills as far as the eye can see appear as I travel the highway. The landscape
is very bleak at the moment; however, during spring and summer it is just beautiful.
I was finally able to begin my “Adult
English Club” here in Sagarejo. This is a project that I have been trying to
get off the ground since last year. First of all, I had no idea how to do this.
I have taught reading to adults; however, I had no idea how to teach English. I
spent a lot of time researching how to do this; as I didn’t want to spend a LOT
of time on grammar. I wanted to give the adults some functional English that
they could use in their daily lives. Finally, on March 10th the
first class was held and to my dismay no one showed up. Although I was sad
about that fact I was not surprised.
My counter-part English Teachers and I created
a poster (of sorts) and distributed it around the community (as it was to be
open to EVERYONE). We posted the flyers in store windows and gave copies to
other community organizations around Sagarejo. We had the poster translated
into both English and Georgian. I will continue to hold classes regardless if
anyone shows up as I think eventually some folks will arrive. If not, I will have to change the direction in
some way.
This is something that the community has
asked me to do since I arrive here back in July. When it was finally scheduled
the question that I was most asked was “Why am I doing this?” This surprised me
as this is what the community asked me to do. In addition, since your children
are learning English I think it would be helpful if they could speak English to
their parents or other adults. This seemed to make sense to me – maybe, the
adults are apprehensive. So, I will persist and let you know how things
progress.
So, one final note on the medical front
that I’d like to share. I’ve been told that due to my symptoms I probably have
a parasite. Yipee and are you kidding me? I’ve been struggling with this for
some time now; however, the symptoms got pretty bad so I finally went to see
the doctor. They did some testing and prescribed a strong antibiotic to kill
the bacteria. It will take a couple of days for it to kick-in; so, I’ll let you
know in the next blog how it all worked out. I have no idea where I picked it
up; other than, lots of other folks also have the dreaded bacteria. If this
antibiotic does not work, they will try another strong medication.
One the best parts of this was that I
got to spend a couple of days in Tbilisi at the hostel the PC uses for medical
patients. It is an OK hostel. It was not a very modern hostel, but clean and
close to the PC office. The shower was awesome. In two days I took four
showers. Sorry if all this is redundant; however, this is my life now. I
measure happiness with how many showers I can steal and how much “real” food
(by that I mean non-Georgian) I can get. I was not feeling so great so I spent
most of the time at the hostel; but, it was nice to be away from school and
from Sagarejo for a couple of days. One day I actually slept for 12-hours
straight. It felt great.
Ok, I think I will close for now more to
come in another blog.
My Best to you on this The Ides of
March!
Catherine Lawrence, G14
Peace Corps Volunteer/Georgia
The
contents of this blog are mine personally and do not reflect any position of
the U.S. Government or the Peace Corps.
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