'Tis the season...

...to help me raise money!!
We are looking for help in funding our second Girls L.E.A.D. (Leadership, Empowerment thru Active Decision-Making)camp, to be held in early February. My fellow PC volunteers Kate, Suzie, Sherry, and I developed this camp last year and put on our first one last June. (You can go to June's blog postings to read more about it and see some pictures). It was a huge success and a very valuable 4-day camp for the girls at my center and Kate's. This time around we are going to include girls from another volunteer's site as well. The population we are working with are girls that come from homes where they were raped or sexually abused, off the streets, or were referred to us due to human trafficking or involuntary prostitution. These are girls that need our help.

I know money is tight this time of year; if you can only donate $5, that's great! It's easy to do, just follow these steps:

Instructions for the link:
Click on the link, then go to the Asia link. You will see Philippines "Girls LEAD Camp". Our name is under Kate's, so go to C. Hickey. Click on the link and you can read the project summary and there is a link to donate to our project.

Click here for the PCPP website link...

Thanks in advance for your consideration to help with this project. Maraming, maraming Salamat Po!!
Maligayang Pasko!

Typhoon Lando at Sherry's Farm

After Thanksgiving in Sagada, Kate, Pat, Dave, and I headed to Sherry's organic farm in La Trinidad to help her build a mud oven. Our timing was a little off, as Typhoon Lando hit just as we arrived. Camping in a signal 2 typhoon....I don't necessarily recommend it. Needless to say, we were unable to construct a mud oven outside during a typhoon, so we hunkered down with our wet clothes, wood, food, and made the best of it. Sherry is an environmental volunteer and the story of the farm she works on is really special. It goes like this:
ENCA Farm has been in the Acop and Cosalan Family for three generations. It is named after Enrique and Carmen Cosalan, the second generation to operate the farm after they inherited it from their parents. They spent most of their lives tilling their farm, growing fruits, vegetables and raising animals to feed and educate their 11 children about the importance of sustainable organic farming and the history of the Ibaloi Culture.
Today the farm is experiencing rejuvenation after many years of environmental destruction due to the Santo Nino Mines and illegal logging practices. The vision for the farm is to create a space where indigenous Ibaloi Organic Farming practices are being preserved and taught throughout the community. This space will be used as a key educational venue for teaching the importance of sustainable farming, land preservation and environmental education. It will also provide a wonderful retreat for those visitors coming from the larger cities and allow them to experience the peace and serenity that comes from spending time in beautiful, natural places.
Anyone can volunteer and work at the farm through the WWOOF website: www.wwoof.org

Thanksgiving in Sagada 07

Ay, nako! 6 months na lang!

How is it already December??! Unbelievable. Even more so is the realization that I am done with peace corps in exactly six months...I have no idea what happened to the past two years. But here we are, entering the final stretch. I'm excited but a little anxious...what if I don't finish all my projects? What if it turns out that nothing I've done is sustainable? What if I get home and realize that I have regrets about things I should have done differently here? December here is pretty much a wash...everything takes a backseat to Christmas festivities (same thing happens during Holy Week). So we'll see how much actually gets done before January. I have been developing our sexuality awareness curriculum, we are continuing our play therapy sessions in the newly completed resource room, and life skills education also continues. Kate, Sherry, Suzie and I are also doing another Girls' LEAD camp in early February. My parents come on the 21st, which will be here before we know it! Lots to look forward to. Last week 55 of us headed up north to the magical town of Sagada for the annual Peace Corps Thanksgiving celebration. I am still recovering...

Matt's Visit

my walk to work: a photo journal

walang kasama

When you sign up for Peace Corps, they go all out to prepare you. You are in training for months. You learn the language, you go on cultural "outings", you meet the important members of your community. They tell you to get used to being stared at, that you should expect to field overly-personal questions, to remember to take your malaria pills and sleep under your mosquito net. They tell you that most people get sick at some point with one of the many parasites that lurk in the water and food. They tell you its a roller coaster, that you will have good days and bad, and that you should just roll with it. They tell you that things move at a much slower pace, and that you need to adjust to their speed. They warn you to stay far away from Mindanao and other certain "black areas", as they are unsafe due to Islamic radicals. They tell you how important it is to stay hydrated, especially in the summer months. They tell you that 27 months will, in fact, go by quickly. They never once mention how lonely you will get.
That's what i am going through right now. Everything has fallen into place except for this one area. It's incredible how lonely you can feel even when you are surrounded by people. That's the thing - the people I'm surrounded by are not people I feel deeply connected to. I mean sure, we have our daily mundane exchanges about the rain, the heat, that fact that I'm walking to work, whether I have taken my breakfast yet, etc. but its not like a connection you have with close friends or family. It's not as fulfilling as the friends you can communicate with through a knowing glance, a facial expression, an inside joke, a sarcastic comment. It's not that I don't want that with a local...I very much do, and I very much tried, but it just didn't happen. You cant force a connection. You get someone or you don't. And I am exhausted. Is it too early to throw in the towel? Maybe. I beat myself up because I feel like I should be making more of an effort in this department. But like I said, I am tired of trying and getting nowhere. I have several peace corps friends who I do have this kind of connection with, and I value these friendships more than I could possibly express. My American friends here have kept me (somewhat) sane.
I have always enjoyed my solitude...in small doses. But here, its like a lifetime worth of being all by your lonesome, rolled into a two-year span. Its a bit much. Independence is not something that's encouraged or valued in this culture. So everyone thinks i am a freak. The fact that i live alone ("walang kasama")is so crazy to them..."but aren't you scared? aren't you lonely?" Because no filipino would EVER choose to live alone. Young adults get married and continue to live with their parents, without even considering that they might like some newlywed "alone time". Families do everything together. They would never go anywhere alone, even if its just to the market, let alone all the way to MANILA(gasp)walang kasama. I think they look at me with pity when they see me walking all over town by myself. I am tired of trying to explain how in the states, its perfectly normal to do everyday activities walang kasama. Just as I don't understand wanting to sleep all snuggled together on the floor with my family like sardines as a woman in my 30's, they don't understand the enjoyment I find in coming home to a relaxing, quiet, empty apartment, reading a book, doing some yoga, and going to sleep.
So I'm trying to figure out if this is what cultural exchange is supposed to be. They see how I live, they understand (i think) that being independent is part of my American culture, but it doesn't mean they want to be like that. Just as i see how they eat rice 3 times a day, burn their garbage, and have codependent relationships doesnt mean i want to. Is that a true exchange? I could probably live here for 20 more years and still not know.

Haven Pampanga 26th year Anniv. Party

back to work

It's good to be back. While being home in the States was fantastic, I've realized that my work here is not yet finished. This Friday is our annual anniversary party at Haven. This is the biggest event of the year. No budget? No problem! Filipinos are extremely resourceful. New paint, new curtains, new landscaping...I'm not sure where the money is coming from for these projects aimed at impressing our guests (donors, local government officials, etc), but they are pulling out all the stops. I don't ask. Because if I know that what little money DSWD has is being put towards superficial aesthetics and not rehabilitation programs for our girls, I'll lose my mind. This is the trick, I've discovered. There are things I can and can't change here, and it is a frustrating and exhausting waste of energy to focus on things that will not change. Parties and fiestas are a big part of Filipino culture. Being the practical westerner that i am, the money spent on these events seems a frivolous waste. But not to them. So I will sit back, enjoy the party, and concentrate my efforts elsewhere.

You've got to be kidding

Really, really?? Inmates at Cebu prison remake Thriller...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hMnk7lh9M3o

Home and Back Again...

Ahhh....the States. Land of hot showers, flush toilets, few rats, and even fewer roaches. I love this place. Being home was like being at a ritzy, all-inclusive resort: Any food or drink I might crave is just a short ride in an air-conditioned car to a local store, the beds feel like clouds, and everyone is happy to see you. Does life get any better than this?? Of course, we all know the downside to such utter bliss; it is only this good because I've become accustomed to living without comforts that are considered quite basic by American standards. So now I am back here again, my home away from home. It has been a rough transition. I got a little too used to good microbrews, everyone telling you how great you are for what you are doing, being able to hug my parents every morning, Trader Joe's, lounging in front of the big tv with my dogs, jogging in clean air. I was continually surprised at the amount of bitching I heard at home, most of it about the war, our administration's decisions, etc.... I just wanted to grab people and shake them, "THIS IS THE BEST PLACE EVER!!!!" But that's relativity for you. You don't know how good you have it until you don't have it for a couple years. So I've got 10 months left. I wonder how long I will be able to maintain my blissful state when I move home next year. The human psyche is ill-equipped to sustain any level of heightened emotion for too long. But miracles do happen...especially if you're living in the United States of America.

HAPPY 4th!!!!!!

Even happier, i will be on American soil in just a few short days. The countdown is on...
Here are some shots from last weekend at the Hickey's, celebrating the 4th with PC friends...

frontbutt - ?

reyna. she's a sagittaurius...

pat stickey

with kate, reyna, and pat in our bahay kubo

relaxing at the lake

4th of july feast with kate, reyna, and abby

Bali

Bali is a tremendously magical, spiritual island. Unfortunately, millions of tourists are also aware of this, so it is difficult to appreciate in its true state. Everywhere you go is crawling with people wandering aimlessly with their cameras and Lonely Planet books (myself included), trying not to get hit by the oncoming traffic, as it flows in the opposite direction there. But i have to admit, it was a refreshing change to not be stared at for being the only white person for miles. Bali is home to the majority of Indonesia's small Hindu community (unlike the rest of Indonesia, which is largely Muslim). Religion seems to dominate everyday customs... Twice a day, the locals can be seen in their beautiful sarongs and sashes, carrying bamboo trays of flowers, spices, incense, and small food items to present to the gods and evil spirits. There are temples every few hundred meters, and anyone is allowed to enter (unless you are a menstruating woman). The temples are exquisitely intricate. I am utterly envious of the passion for life, art, and tradition that the Balinese people possess. Just as exciting and adventurous as it is to travel and see a new country are the people you meet. Backpackers, travelers, anyone who is visiting a place out of their element has a lust for life that makes them an instant friend. I met plenty of people like this, and they were so great that i had to extend my trip by a few days...

So, here I am, back in the good old Philippines. Thank god i am going home to the States in a week. Otherwise, id be suffering from a severe case of post-vacation blues...

PNVSCA Article

http://www.pnvsca.neda.gov.ph/features.html#HAVEN%20SENT

Scroll down to article "Haven Sent"

total eclipse of the fart

check out this video some of my PCV friends made. absolutely hilarious...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM9feghIpvQ

girls LEAD - tapos na!

For months Suzie, Kate and I have been preparing for our four-day camp that went down June 1-4 without a hitch. We are so proud of the girls. We had 10 participants from my center and 10 from Kate's center. Sherry also came down from Baguio to help. The idea for L.E.A.D. (Leadership, Empowerment through Active Decision-making) was born back in October at a DSWD/P.C. conference. We got a grant from USEC and some local donors to sponsor, and focused on building self-esteem and leadership skills. We did yoga every morning, taught them ridiculous ice-breakers that they loved, and had them practice facilitating workshops as part of the "echo" component (they will replicate these workshops when they go back to their respective centers). It was such a success that we are already talking about when and where to hold the next one. the past four days reminded us all of why we joined Peace Corps in the first place. This really can be the most overwhelmingly rewarding experience.