Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Thanksgiving Peace Corps Style
I know this post is a little late, but I found it necessary to share with everyone our pictures from the volunteer Thanksgiving. We celebrated a day late, as we don't receive American holidays off and our schedules were booked full. But Friday turned out to be perfect timing. We also got the opportunity to participate in goal #3 of the Peace Corps, in sharing American culture with our host country. Our local friends and counterparts were invited to the event and I have to say this is one of my favorite holidays to share with the Grenadian locals. Check out the pictures....
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Early Childhood Intervention Program
A couple months ago we started a new term of the Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECIP), which a few Peace Corps Volunteers serve at monthly. The program was started by some concerned significant others of St. George's University faculty, one of which was a previous serving Peace Corps Volunteer. They identified a need for a support program for Grenadian children with special needs who haven't yet reached school age. Children with a wide variety of special needs, from down syndrome to autism and all in between.
From 9-11:30am on the third Saturday of the month, we gather at a daycare in Grand Anse and conduct a one-on-one play therapy session with these children. What is so incredible is not only the small steps of progress we see in the children, but the smiles we see on the faces of their parents, who get just a couple hours to themselves while their children are tended to in a healthy environment. For some parents, this is the only break they receive for the month, and we all know working with special needs is a full time job times some.
For the two or so hours we work with these children, we focus on the basic skills needed for children to function successfully, things like fine motor skills, language skills, and gross motor skills. Each child is paired with a volunteer who knows the abilities of the child and the milestones we are trying to reach. Its amazing how much effort, discipline and patience it takes for not only the children to stay focused, but also the volunteers. Small successes is what keeps up coming back every month, and these children truly are incredible.
From 9-11:30am on the third Saturday of the month, we gather at a daycare in Grand Anse and conduct a one-on-one play therapy session with these children. What is so incredible is not only the small steps of progress we see in the children, but the smiles we see on the faces of their parents, who get just a couple hours to themselves while their children are tended to in a healthy environment. For some parents, this is the only break they receive for the month, and we all know working with special needs is a full time job times some.
For the two or so hours we work with these children, we focus on the basic skills needed for children to function successfully, things like fine motor skills, language skills, and gross motor skills. Each child is paired with a volunteer who knows the abilities of the child and the milestones we are trying to reach. Its amazing how much effort, discipline and patience it takes for not only the children to stay focused, but also the volunteers. Small successes is what keeps up coming back every month, and these children truly are incredible.
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| Katie and Steph working on simple directives with Jumorie and Jayden |
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| Steph working on balance with Jayden |
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| Katie and Jumorie working on balance. See him making eye contact? That's a form of communication for nonverbal children. |
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| Kaleb, who stole my heart. This poor child is young for the program, but its necessary he is there because we are told he sits in a crib all day long at his current day care. |
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| Lendell working on simple directive during snack time. |
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| Leslie-Ann is a sweetheart. I told her to smile, this is what I got... |
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| Christine and Alexei working on fine motor skills during painting. |
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| Errin's music room is one of the childrens favorite. |
Grenada's First Freeze Flash Mob
I apologize for the influx of blog postings today, but I found some time and realized I had a lot to update my followers on, so here it goes!
First, the organization I work for, Grenada National Organization of Women, as well as many other island NGO's came together back in September and organized the World AIDS Day Committee. This is the second year for the committee and we learned valuable lessons from the dysfunction of last year, helping to make this years committee much more proactive and committed.
The WAD committee organized a series of events for the 16 Days of Activism to protest violence against women (Nov.25-Dec.10), as well as events on World AIDS Day (Dec.1st). We have been extremely busy organizing over 7 events for the month and I think we are doing a great job executing so far. Our first event was last week, the first ever Freeze Flash Mob to hit Grenada and man was it a hit!
Check out the video for yourself:
We organized local affiliates and community members to meet at the Esplanade mall on a Friday afternoon at 5pm. Outside the mall is a hot spot for secondary students and college aged kids to mingle and relax on a Friday afternoon, so the crowd was definitely present, and them BAM! people started freezing, and stood there for 7 minutes total. Each person represented a myth related to HIV, whether it was you cant get HIV from mosquitoes, to using protection and even a first aid demonstration. Overall it went phenomenal and I was extremely pleased.
We have two more flash mobs planned for the month, both of which will be dancing flash mobs and I'm excited to see people pull these off as well. Good things happening in Grenada folks!
First, the organization I work for, Grenada National Organization of Women, as well as many other island NGO's came together back in September and organized the World AIDS Day Committee. This is the second year for the committee and we learned valuable lessons from the dysfunction of last year, helping to make this years committee much more proactive and committed.
The WAD committee organized a series of events for the 16 Days of Activism to protest violence against women (Nov.25-Dec.10), as well as events on World AIDS Day (Dec.1st). We have been extremely busy organizing over 7 events for the month and I think we are doing a great job executing so far. Our first event was last week, the first ever Freeze Flash Mob to hit Grenada and man was it a hit!
Check out the video for yourself:
We organized local affiliates and community members to meet at the Esplanade mall on a Friday afternoon at 5pm. Outside the mall is a hot spot for secondary students and college aged kids to mingle and relax on a Friday afternoon, so the crowd was definitely present, and them BAM! people started freezing, and stood there for 7 minutes total. Each person represented a myth related to HIV, whether it was you cant get HIV from mosquitoes, to using protection and even a first aid demonstration. Overall it went phenomenal and I was extremely pleased.
We have two more flash mobs planned for the month, both of which will be dancing flash mobs and I'm excited to see people pull these off as well. Good things happening in Grenada folks!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to my dear Americans. Sadly, I'm in the office preparing for a two day workshop that begins next week, but I'm thinking of all of you today. I wish I could be home with my family, sharing a meal and remembering past holidays.
The Peace Corps will be celebrating our Thanksgiving tomorrow, as its more convenient with all of our crazy busy schedules. I'm of course in charge of the green bean casserole, because I LOVEEEEEEEE green bean casserole. I shall make one for myself and one for the others. haha.
Have a great day people!
The Peace Corps will be celebrating our Thanksgiving tomorrow, as its more convenient with all of our crazy busy schedules. I'm of course in charge of the green bean casserole, because I LOVEEEEEEEE green bean casserole. I shall make one for myself and one for the others. haha.
Have a great day people!
Friday, November 11, 2011
My Dear Friend...
Janet,
It's been three years since I have seen that shit-eating grin of yours and I miss it everyday. It was Halloween night, in Deana's moms yard where we had our last times together. Drinking, camping and enduring the rain. Remember my duck suit? You made jokes about it all night. I know you were jealous you didn't have your own.
Your spirit still lives on through your friends to this day. You told us to live our lives to the fullest, and remembering what you taught us is something I work for everyday. Ali and I can't ever get together and not talk about our crazy nights in Pittsburg. Riding the little child's car around Kareem's house. You walking into the house wearing a mini skirt, we wont ever let you live that down by the way. And how could I forget intramural basketball, where our team was determined to win. And we almost did, until you got mad at some big post player and punched her cold out. You proved your point, and we never returned to intramural basketball.
Pal, what I miss most about our friendship is the unspoken lessons you taught me. When you were deployed, you always made it a point to send me smart ass emails and honest updates on what was happening. I enjoyed and appreciated those emails, so now in my service I make sure to email my good friends and keep them updated. Your house on campus in Pitt, whose doors were always open to anyone and everyone showed me that diversity breeds understanding. Many of nights I can remember having parties at your house, taking shots on the counter and then getting into deep conversations about the world.
I know you are in a better place, one you much preferred than this world. I just want you to know we haven't forgotten about you and will always carry on that Janet "honesty" you shared with us all. I miss you every day pal and am so happy you now have the "Freedom to Roam".
Your Friend,
Mack
It's been three years since I have seen that shit-eating grin of yours and I miss it everyday. It was Halloween night, in Deana's moms yard where we had our last times together. Drinking, camping and enduring the rain. Remember my duck suit? You made jokes about it all night. I know you were jealous you didn't have your own.
Your spirit still lives on through your friends to this day. You told us to live our lives to the fullest, and remembering what you taught us is something I work for everyday. Ali and I can't ever get together and not talk about our crazy nights in Pittsburg. Riding the little child's car around Kareem's house. You walking into the house wearing a mini skirt, we wont ever let you live that down by the way. And how could I forget intramural basketball, where our team was determined to win. And we almost did, until you got mad at some big post player and punched her cold out. You proved your point, and we never returned to intramural basketball.
Pal, what I miss most about our friendship is the unspoken lessons you taught me. When you were deployed, you always made it a point to send me smart ass emails and honest updates on what was happening. I enjoyed and appreciated those emails, so now in my service I make sure to email my good friends and keep them updated. Your house on campus in Pitt, whose doors were always open to anyone and everyone showed me that diversity breeds understanding. Many of nights I can remember having parties at your house, taking shots on the counter and then getting into deep conversations about the world.
I know you are in a better place, one you much preferred than this world. I just want you to know we haven't forgotten about you and will always carry on that Janet "honesty" you shared with us all. I miss you every day pal and am so happy you now have the "Freedom to Roam".
Your Friend,
Mack
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Death Of An Icon
As I wander through town going about my regular business, I can't help but stop and observe the black flags hung up on nearly every business. They show a country in mourning for a local celebrity, a cultural icon and a country leader who lead through the power of communication. He has truly left a legacy in Grenada through that deep, passionate, caring voice he projected on WeeFM each morning.
Anthony "Jericho" Greenidge, radio personality, passed away last week and left the country of Grenada in sadness and despair. I remember hearing Jericho's voice for the first time when I came to Grenada. He has a distinct voice, one made just for the radio. My first days in Grenada brought about feelings of culture shock, homesickness and excitement, but I can remember the first time I heard his voice on the radio. I was riding the bus system for the first time on my own, on my way to the first day of pre-service training. I was nervous, ecstatic and just wanted to get off on the right stop.
But then I heard Jericho, whose morning show always featured open air ways. On this particular morning the topic of conversation was dress code for tourists coming to visit the island. Unlike U.S. radio regulations, radio shows here let just about anyone call in and say just about anything. It's something I love and hate about the radio here. But this morning, Jericho was telling jokes about some of his observations of tourists, how they wear these weird looking hats, wander around town in bathing suits and always wear patterns. I felt uncomfortable on the bus as people were laughing hysterically at his jokes, realizing I was the only white person on the bus and they were talking about "my people". But in that moment of laughter, he reminded the public of something that will always stick with me:
I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to Jericho's family and friends, to his work colleagues and the general public, who all looked forward to waking up to his radio show. He was a leader of culture and will be forever missed. RIP "De Duke"
Anthony "Jericho" Greenidge, radio personality, passed away last week and left the country of Grenada in sadness and despair. I remember hearing Jericho's voice for the first time when I came to Grenada. He has a distinct voice, one made just for the radio. My first days in Grenada brought about feelings of culture shock, homesickness and excitement, but I can remember the first time I heard his voice on the radio. I was riding the bus system for the first time on my own, on my way to the first day of pre-service training. I was nervous, ecstatic and just wanted to get off on the right stop.
But then I heard Jericho, whose morning show always featured open air ways. On this particular morning the topic of conversation was dress code for tourists coming to visit the island. Unlike U.S. radio regulations, radio shows here let just about anyone call in and say just about anything. It's something I love and hate about the radio here. But this morning, Jericho was telling jokes about some of his observations of tourists, how they wear these weird looking hats, wander around town in bathing suits and always wear patterns. I felt uncomfortable on the bus as people were laughing hysterically at his jokes, realizing I was the only white person on the bus and they were talking about "my people". But in that moment of laughter, he reminded the public of something that will always stick with me:
"We are all the same people, regardless of race, gender or terrible choice in clothing."
I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to Jericho's family and friends, to his work colleagues and the general public, who all looked forward to waking up to his radio show. He was a leader of culture and will be forever missed. RIP "De Duke"
Monday, October 31, 2011
Happy Halloween!
Happy Halloween my little American ghosts and goblins. I hope everyone stays safe while trick-or-treating and make sure to stop by my mothers house and demand plenty candy. :)
Although Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, it isn't much celebrated in Grenada outside of the American medical university. I might try and find some candy corn though. :)
Although Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, it isn't much celebrated in Grenada outside of the American medical university. I might try and find some candy corn though. :)
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