Understanding the organization

Monday June 13, 2011

Today was a really wonderful opportunity to see where the theory meets the action and the operation of the organization. I have been working a lot with the theoretical foundations of the organization and I was really questioning and being very critical of some of the things that I was being told. However, based on something that came up during the team meeting and the way that the situation was handled and discussed I was able to understand much better that way that the team structure works, the value of each person as part of the organization, the understanding of the Christian identity, and how the organization perceives more of gender relations and identity.

We the Emory students went to the weekly team meeting at nine this morning in the back of the clinic. The meeting didn’t start on time because we were waiting on more people to show up even though we knew that a lot of people weren’t going to show up because of the transportation strike that is happening in the city right now. Last week it was the post office and now it is the transportation, there are roadblocks all over the city. It wasn’t bad for us because we live where we work essentially but other people couldn’t get it and it was a bear to get the professors that are visiting from Drexel from the airport this morning. On that note, there are professors visiting right now so Betsy, Lise, and I are sharing a room for the week which isn’t too bad except that I am not sleeping as well and I am on the top bunk. I also woke up this morning with swollen eyes because of allergies and a nasty bugbite on my right eye. I feel like all of this is just silly whining though and I really shouldn’t have any complaints compared to some of the things that the team members are facing.

Once we finally began this meeting this morning we started with singing a few songs from the songbook and reflecting on the songs as people continued to trickle in until we had roughly 20 people. Jose Miguel wasn’t there at first and everyone else seemed to do well taking initiative and starting the meeting and it gave everyone a chance to speak and for us to hear them say stuff when he is out of the room as well, as a way to confirm the things that we were hearing when he was around.

Eventually he did come in and others as well and when we were commenting on a song one of the team members started with what seemed like a normal comment but ended up telling us how their cousin was murdered this past weekend. It seems like his mother is very very ill and people aren’t even sure how to tell her. It also sounds like it was a hate crime and he was killed by one of his best friends for supposedly being homosexual. Everyone in the room was really shocked and it was obvious that everyone’s hearts really went out to this person.

After the person was finished telling their story Jose Miguel told her that if she needed to leave she was free to and to take as much time as she needed and take the whole week or whatever felt right to her. I don’t think it will even count as vacation or personal days but I am not entirely sure. Based on the team structure that exists it looks like everyone will know just where to pickup and how to work without the person being present. This person has a lot of responsibilities but does not have to delegate down to lower levels based on the way that the system is organized.

The responses from the team also showed how much they care about each person that is there and are willing to step in when they know that other people really need their help and I am sure they are only acting as they would want someone to act if they were in this kind of situation. In MAP Bolivia, it is recognized that people do have personal lives and have lives outside of the organization that cannot be separated and entirely and that people can’t just leave things at the door, either here or at their home. It was helpful to hear people further discuss how they felt that they really count as a part of the organization and that they can look to their co-workers to find support.

Further, it was fascinating to see a very serious issue surface in this way. I had been thinking a lot about how the organization perceived homosexuality and what their response would be to having a person on staff or just people in general in their programs. It was interesting to hear the denunciation of crimes and intolerance against people of different sexual orientations. They talked about how so many churches are rallying against people or how they will welcome people as long as they recognize their sins as soon as they come in. This was yet another moment where I thought about how nice it has been to know a church that is welcoming to people from many different walks of life and even accepts people into positions of leadership despite gender or sexual orientation. I wanted to pipe up and say wait, wait, do you guys know that Episcopalians now allow you to lead regardless of orientation or gender? It is so relieving to see a group that isn’t trying to put people in their boxes and label them as one thing or another and allows people to be as they are. I think it is critical to recognize that we may all have our own opinions or values but that it is not our place to be judging others, as long as it is not harming others. For my experience with MAP, it was helpful to see this part of their Christian identity exposed in such a way that encourages tolerance.

I know it is very early in the journey yet but I feel like I am learning so much. I am learning just as much about the organization and international development as I am about myself. I feel that my routine of yoga in the morning, breakfast outside, time with work and the school and then a quiet night at home has been really healthy and helpful. I have been to the city a couple of times, which has been really enjoyable but I think the quiet time up in the mountains has been even better. In peace.

The first week or so in Bolivia- MAP International

June 3, 2011

I can’t quite decide whether to keep my journal in English or Spanish or whether to handwrite it or type it but I figure for the sake of sharing it with the people I love most it will be more helpful to type it up.

I have just spent my first day in Cochabamba, Bolivia, where I will be for 78 days according to what I told the guy at customs, and I think it is right. I am totally exhausted and don’t think that I have had more than two hours of sleep since yesterday so I don’t know how long I will last. Today was a beautiful day and when I stepped of the plane in Cochabamba it hit me. I felt a rush of excitement and a relief for having finally arrived. It was a crisp morning and the sun was shining. Once I walked down the stairs and off of the plane I went to baggage claim with my companeras Betsy and Lise. It took a while to get our bags but was quite entertaining as the woman on the loud speaker announced flights with an incredible liturgical incantation. Luz Stella was waiting for us outside of the airport and it showed us to her old school colorful land cruiser that would be our ride home. We passed through crazy bustling streets but I didn’t pay much attention to the city because I was paying close attention to every word she said about MAP and their programs. By this point it was all Spanish so it required a good bit more attention than English. We made a quick stop at a roadside vendor for plantains and oranges and a few minutes later we were headed up the stone road to Chilimarca, hearing stories of the adobe houses and dirt roads that have now been destroyed as people have come in housing developments are occurring in the area. We passed by the library, health clinic, and school before reaching the adjoining lot where the guesthouses have been built. A dog greeted us at the gate and a few more followed as we were quickly oriented to the property and walked into our house to drop our bags before breakfast.

After a light breakfast of eggs and fruit with Luz Stella and the students from Eastern (not great Spanish speakers) we returned to our rooms for a quick powernap and then were back in action, learning about programs, visiting all of the MAP facilities and watching the children’s productions for teacher’s day. To honor their teachers they put on a couple of hours of beautiful dances for their teachers. From Kindergarten to high school the children performed various traditional dances and a few groups even threw in some modern reggaeton type dances. This was a true highlight of the day for me because I got to meet some of the children and get a good look into the day to day life of the kids and the energy that is behind the school. The children ran right up to me and hugged me and asked lots of questions, they are just adorable. Some were dressed in the most entertaining little outfits that mixed traditional clothes with more western styles. Spider Man was the only brand I recognized today, besides the harrah’s hat that a mother was wearing when she game to pick up her child. There are over 200 children at the school and they are responsible for their own education and are taught self-agency in a truly innovative Montessori type style. It is quite chaotic compared to traditional schools but I see how it could work well for children. I just don’t know that I could do it everyday. There are many things here that don’t seem quite as neat or tidy as I would have them but they are coming together and I am trying to just go with the flow. Things are relatively simple but far more here than most people in the community have. Hopefully photos will help illustrate my physical setting.

If I could wrap up the day in a sentence I would say that I ate, I met a lot of people, I listened, and I was super tired. On that note, I sleep.

**I am thankful for electric and running water, I am comfortable, I am tired, I miss Franklin a bit.

June 4, 2011

Today is Saturday, ie market day. This morning we woke up at seven and I tried to shower but the water was too cold for me to wash my hair so I decided to stick to washing the body for now. We later got the water problem resolved, I hope. I then went and drank some coca tea and had a piece of fruit before we went to the market with the whole group. We took a bus that was rented privately for our group but usually runs between the center of the city and here in Chilimarca. We spoke English much of the time because the group of students from Eastern University don’t speak much Spanish. Along with other students we were accompanied by Luz Stella and her daughters Navy and Marta.

As we entered the market we had two main missions. Our first was to try the typical breakfast of fried corn and a purple corn drink. The pastel tasted like a funnel cake with queso fresco inside of it whereas the drink was unlike anything I had ever had before. Served hot, it was like drinking water down sweet grits, but tasted much better than that sounds. We all sat in a group and ate the breakfast hot off of the press.

Our next mission was to buy things for the week ahead. There was a terrible accident yesterday involving the husband and the son of the cook at the MAP center. Therefore, the duties of preparing food have been handed off to Luz Stella for the next few days. We roamed the market and helped her to find all kinds of fresh produce, meats, cheese, and dried goods. Our only non-food purchase was the toilet paper. The market was rather calm and well organized which made the entire experience much more pleasant for me.

Upon our return around noon we began preparing for the barbecue. We cooked a ton of food and I was in charge of the potato salad, which I made like a good southern girl and others pitched in where they could. We grilled out under a tree and the MAP family and the students all shared the meal we had prepared together. The whole undertaking took a few hours and it was four o’clock before everything was said and done but overall really pleasant and enjoyable.

After cleanup the Emory group attempted to head to the library to use the internet but to no avail. Thus, it will be a while longer before I can update the world. After swinging for a while on the school playground we returned to our house for a while before our meeting with Jose Miguel and Luz Stella, and here I am, writing, a bit tired, and ready to just relax for a while.

**I am still thinking a great deal about Franklin, and about the relationship that we have. I think we can do this really, and I am coming to realize more each day how wonderful it is to be around him. I love the man, I really do. I think it will be important for me to continue on my adventures and keep doing all of these things that I find important, and I have faith that it will all work out for us, just as it should.

June 5, 2011-Sunday

Today has been a rather calm and peaceful day thus far. Betsy and I started our day with a little yoga and sun salutations in our dining room before showering and going to make tea (mate de coca) that we took to the open chapel as we watched the sun come up behind the mountains. We sat very peacefully listening to the birds chirp and watching little animals playing in the tall grasses beyond where we sat.

We next went to the school and found that the internet was open for us and used that for a bit before going down to the festival at the school. It was used as a type of fundraiser for the school and the were probably around a hundred people there or more. The children put on some dances similar to the ones they had done on Friday and there were also traditional bands and singers providing entertainment while everyone ate at the different food stations set up by parents from the school. I had the opportunity to try the sopa de mani, or peanut soup. It was different than I had expected and contained a lot more cream and even noodles which surprised me. I sat at the tables under the tent at my station but admittedly didn’t talk much or try to meet new people and instead focused on the entertainment and took a few photos. After eating I roamed around a bit to take photos and then went to sit in the shade near the MAP folks and the Americans. I enjoyed the company of a few of the school children and then went to play with them on the playground and had fun swinging and playing house.

Since then I have just had a quiet and relaxing afternoon reading outside in the sunshine and enjoying a day of rest.

June 6, 2011

I am having a really interesting time. For the most part I am glad that I am living in such a peaceful place and that I get to see the mountains all the time but I think it might get a little boring so I will surely be in need of some traveling. Today was really interesting at my first day of work and we had a meeting all morning long to learn about the team based system that they have here but it also involved a lot of praying and singing hymns and stuff which was a little strange but most everyone had really important things to say and seem to have a really dedication to the work that they are doing and care so much about the people that they help. This afternoon we had a long presentation on how the organization thinks about children and about teaching versus facilitating in the process of learning. Most things I tended to agree with but it was very very heavily theological and there were some points of contention for me or things that I wasn't really convinced about and felt like I was being preached to a little bit. They talk about the ability of children to discover things for themselves and explore but it seems like their explorations are still supposed to lead them to Jesus so I have a lot of questions to ask. Jose Miguel and Luz Stella seem to be very open to questions though which is great. Anyway, things overall are going really well and I am sure that this is going to be a good learning experience.

June 7, 2011

Overall I would say that, today has been a pretty good day. Lunch was a little oily because we ate at the school but I told them I was a vegetarian so I didn't have to eat the sardines and I got a deep fried egg instead. I am thinking about being a vegetarian while I am here and maybe eating a little bit every now and then but it looks like it is going to be a lot of chicken feet and whatnot if we are eating with the kids in the school so it might be much more pleasant to pass and get extra vegetables and some beans or an egg.

The school is really sweet and they are apparently doing some pretty radical things for here but it seems a lot like the school that I worked at back home, especially when I was with the kindergarten kids using a lot of manipulatives and hands on materials, and teaching a lot about how to be healthy including healthy foods, healthy habits like brushing your teeth, and healthy behavior. It is a little bit strange to me at times that they are talking so much about diversity and being open to so many different people and allowing children to discover their own spirituality but they still say the lord's prayer at lunch. On a really positive note, the kids are so cute that I can hardly stand it. They are really sweet and friendly, they come up to give hugs, talk, and tell me all about what they are learning. I haven't done much with the higher grades yet but the younger ones are rocking my world and appear to be really smart and know a lot. Today I did some observations from age 1 until grade three and they were all super sweet. Some classrooms are MUCH cleaner than others but it more of less functions well. I also spent a couple of hours in a presentation today that didn't really tell me that much that I hadn't already been told by the director but it was interesting to see how everyone is saying the same things essentially.

I am not exactly sure how it came to be or how this information was created but in many ways it seems like they all supporting the same ideas, theories, and methodologies and it seems to be really positive and helpful.

Everyone seems really invested in the work that they are doing here and they seem to care tremendously about the children that they are working with and working for.

I spent the afternoon writing some commentaries about the work that they are doing here and some of the materials that they have shared with us this far and had us read. It was nice to be able to sit at my house and do my work and then go out to the open chapel and enjoying reading for a bit in the sun. I am having a nice little break now until I have my first Quechua lesson at 6:30. I hope all goes well.

Yesterday was really beautiful and interesting as well because I was at the center for the abused kids and we didn't really see kids much but we talked a lot with lawyers and coordinators about all of the work that they are doing. It was also great because I felt really really comfortable for one of the first times and I got to spend a while with some other employees of MAP. Cube is a lot closer to the city center so we went down to the plaza and I got to walk the streets, feed the birds, try some chicha, and experience a lot more. We walked through some of the very small market stalls in the area where they sell a lot of books and jewelry and handicrafts. I even saw a couple of places where they do nose piercings but they weren’t using the right kind of needle so I will have to keep looking and have to make sure I feel comfortable with it. I spoke so much more Spanish and I think a lot of that was because I felt so comfortable and was able to relax.

Across from the plaza de 14 de Septiembre is the big old catholic church of the conquest and we went in to visit and it actually made me miss St.David's. I spoke to Julia who was showing us around and I told her how different and how beautiful that little church is at home. I have never been anywhere quite like it and if I ever live in the area any time soon I think that will be my church. I explained what the services are like, the size of the church, and the sense of community that I feel there. I also tried to explain how simple, kind, and sharing everyone is. I think it is in many ways the same type of story that I tell to people in the United States that seems just as unusual to them, that you leave church and have to take some vegetables, flowers, or garlic from the bench that Chad has filled with stuff from his garden. I tell them about the homemade bread and the soups and dinners that are really made with love with food from people’s gardens at home. Of course the list goes on with Michael’s songs, recognizable voices when we are singing, the sense of calm and peace that is in there, etc. but I usually don’t have time to explain all of the little things but I think I get the message across. Maybe it serves more as a way to get the message across to myself. I think this is appropriate space and time to reflect some on spiritual and religious issues given the setting that I am in, it only seems appropriate.

Now, back to Cochabamba. I also had a great Indian/Bolivian vegetarian lunch buffet that was full of delicious vegetables. It was a really great day and I can't wait to go back to that area and see more. I hope that I get to do some more work with CUBE and to know that part of Cochabamba better. A ver.

Today was also a really wonderful day and I went to one of the more rural areas called Molinos that isn't actually far from here at all but you can see a major difference in the town and also in the school and in the children. We went with a nurse from the clinic to do a checkup that they do every few months to check from mal or undernutrition. Most had a really good weight today but some were pretty short and there is one that we think might have Kwashiorkor. I spent my morning weighing, measuring, and giving vitamins to little kids. I tried to talk to the mothers that brought their children with them but it was really difficult with some because they didn't speak castellano (Spanish), they only spoke Quechua. I am learning, but there is only so much that I can do. The nurse spoke a lot in Quechua and that made everything run smoothly.(See facebook for more information) :-)

rounding out the first week

School is going really wonderfully. I am back to the same predicaments as I had before though… at school we lost power yesterday morning and they just got it back about 5 minutes ago. I didn't have water at my house this morning so that kind of throws out running. I am not feeling super hot but I think that may just be nerves and stuff. Other than that things are great here. It has been super windy and I am running out of warm clothes. I should have just brought a fall wardrobe but it is all good because it should warm up soon. I have been at school most of the time but outside of that I have had the chance to walk around town a little bit and explore. Today we get out of school early and I am going to hang around for a little while and then make the hour long hike home down the mountain, it is really pretty that way. Today my friends from Samford are going with me so that will be exciting. Things are going really well.

As for my family, it is a little bit different than most other peoples because it is pretty much rosa and I in the house and she never eats with me or anything which is weird and if she does she just turns on the tv so it is she and I in the kitchen watching tv for breakfast and dinner. The only thing I don't like is the juice that my mom gives me in the morning, it is like a bad version f sunny delight, yuck. Otherwise, lots of fruits, veggies, beans, meats, and of course rice. Anyway, her son is staying at the house but I have only seen him a couple times and he doesn't really say much. Good thing that I can entertain myself. When Francella gets back from visiting her grandfather I am sure she will keep me good company. I might look into staying up here at school for my last month though because it is sooooo beautiful up here. The house with dorms is really amazing and I think it would be really nice but I don't know if there is a price difference. And if there is I don't know if my scholarship will pay for it, I will have to check it out.

I am sitting outside by the pool right now and it is incredible, I will put more pictures up when I can.

I am sure there is more good stuff to tell you but I can't think of it right now, my brain hurts. I love you all sooooo much!!!

Feliz Ano Nuevo

Feliz Ano a todos!! Happy new year to all. Wow, what a great way to start my year. I had class yesterday and I really enjoyed it. It was kind of an easy day because it was the first day of classes and we had introductions and placement tests etcetera. Then we got into our classes after a coffee break and I was put in a class of two, myself and Jerri. Our teacher Amira is really great and I felt dumb like I had forgotten a lot of Spanish but it was fine. I will pick things up in a few days. The campus is absolutely amazing. It is just a bunch of little cabins up in the mountainside and the views are great.!!! There are so many flowers and trees and trails everywhere. The food is great there also. We get a coffee break in the morning with fruits and then a big lunch of Costa Rican goodness. It is going to be great. There are a bunch of people here from Samford University in Birmingham but they are only here for a month. I met one girl of the thirty in the group from Shelby and I was surprised how close that was to home and we were talking about some of the same people that we know. Believe it or not… I was amazed to find out that there is a girl from Franklin at my school!!! It is sooo crazy. We only went to school together for a year because she is younger than me and went to Trimont but it was amazing to learn that her family is there and that she lives on Iotla Church Road. Isn't that crazy? I am really starting to believe in the whole 6 degrees of seperation/small world thing these days. I was also on the plane with my school director but I thought that couldn't be him and I was just crazy because he would be on a plane from Charlotte, what are the chances? Anyway, there are a lot of fun people at the school but I am the only one here for three months. I have a few people to climb with and run with already which is exciting. So, soon enough the day was over and I was back down the mountain in town.

I came home and met Francella, the eight year old granddaughter or my host mom. She is really great and we all went to get ice cream together. The people here are so awesome and they remind me a lot of the Italians, especially the children. After helado we came back to the house and Francella and I hung out for a while and got to know each other. We played on my computer for a little while and listened to high school musical stuff and played on Barbie.com. It was really cool and I wouldn't have known about any of it without Tabitha. Soon Joe contacted me and told me that he and Andrea would be by soon to pick me up for New Year's. He was here about 8 and then we were off to his house. It is a really nice house where he lives with his Aunt, Uncle, and cousin in Alajuela. Beautiful place actually, I felt really comfortable there. I really got to try my hand at Spanish but that is what this is all about Sometimes when I get stuck Joe helps me out and explains things for me. Yea, so, we went to their house and then everyone got ready for the big fiesta with his Uncles side of the family. We dropped by the store to get some coke on our way. It was totally ridiculous because it was bigger than stores at home and there were so many American products. I am amazed at how many American goods there are and as I have now found out even American television. It is interesting. Things are a lot easier here.

After the store we pulled into this field behind a big stucco wall and there was a big pavilion for dancing and congregating. There were great Latin tunes playing and everyone was having a good time. Everything was really nice and there were great lights and decorations all over. Not to mention, the fantastic food. I have tried so many delicious things over the past few days that I really really love. Mama Rosa makes great food for me and Joes family fed me great food nonstop also. I have had tamales, picadillos, papas, carne asada and oh man I can't even tell you all the good stuff. To make a long story short we all talked, ate, and danced for a few hours until midnight and then we ran to the top of the field for fireworks after throwing confetti everywhere and all over each other. We watched fireworks in our yard and all over the city for about an hour. Then we went home and just relaxed for a while longer. Joe's family was nice enough to let me stay there and he was nice enough to let me sleep in his bed while he slept on the couch. Great family, great friends.

This morning I had fabulous coffee, just had to throw that in… sorry. We had a relaxing laid back morning and then this afternoon it was time for another family fiesta over at their other sons house. We were able to walk there from the house and it was again a great time of eating, drinking (just one) and dancing. The family was so inviting and so welcoming to me. They knew my English was rough but they did what they could to help me learn and practice and feel comfortable with them. I got to show them some silly American dances that they didn't know and they taught me some Latin moves. They are all very family oriented and it is fantastic. Again I love the children just like I did in Ghana, I also think it is because it is easy for me to talk to them.

Now I am back in my room working on my homework for tomorrow. I will probably go to bed soon because I am getting up really early to run with Anna. Thanks for all your love and support.

I just found out that my internet works, it don't know if it is supposed to or not but I am not complaining. Mama Rosa is downstairs fixing me dinner right now. My original family is going to be out of town or something so they changed me which is fine, it all works out. I don't have a pool but I do have a private bath and I have a pool at school so it's all good. It is my first night here and oh my god it is amazing. I am going to love this place so much. It is really beautiful and I think that I am going to be very happy and content living here. Mama Rosa is great. It is just us in the house but all is well with that. Paul and Joe are coming over soon to get me and I am really excited about that. I think things will be much easier having Joe around the area in case my brain starts hurting and I just need a break. Paul and Joe were just here visiting. It was great to see them and to speak english for a little bit. This has already been so much easier than Ghana. It is kind of strange though because there are a lot more American things like Pizza Hut, Denny's, and a Best Western. There is quite a bit of English also and many people are able to speak English. I am glad that I will only be speaking Spanish in the home. Our conversations have been basic and limited but I am sure that they will get better with time. I am sooooooo happy. Did I mention that I am happy to be here? I am in a real home with a lot of character. My mom is an older lady with grandchildren my age. She reminds me of my Nanny in a lot of ways because of the way she loves the kitchen and was putting food in front of me as soon as I walked in and many of our conversations have revolved around food so far. The house is still decorated to the hills in Christmas stuff, it looks just like an American home, well, one of those homes where they really really overdo stuff and have a few nativity scenes, candles, santas, placemats, you name it. I wonder what this house will look like when they are gone. So yea, I got to the airport, did the basic stuff, and walked out into the beautiful sunshine of a day. It is so georgeous. Aghhhhhhhhh. Stick a fork in me, I am done. So tomorrow I start school, I have been told that it is even more beautiful up the hill at school. I can't wait!!!
I love you guys soooooo much!!!!

Aburi