Third Goal

While home on Christmas vacation from Grenada I had the opportunity to work on the third goal of the Peace Corps:

"To promote a better understanding of the host country on the part of Americans"

I participate in the World Wise Schools program through the Peace Corps, which gives me an opportunity to be paired up with a classroom in the U.S., sharing pen pal letters back and forth. Fortunately, one of my best friends from grade school, Ashleigh, offered to be pen pals with a classroom at my school and have been exchanging letters back and forth since September. I am lucky enough to get to hear about the process from both sides and it has been really enlightening to see them get excited about exchanging cultures with each other.

As I traveled back to the States I made an arrangement to surprise Ashleigh's 3rd grade class with their hand delivered letters all the way from Grenada. As I stepped into the classroom and Ashleigh introduced me the kids were filled with excitement to know I was actually real and not some foreign idea they had been writing to. It really made me smile to see how thrilled they were to see their letters and special goodies I had brought them.

I was given the chance to sit down with them and answer any and all questions they had about my journey, the children in Grenada and even what kind of foods I eat. It was so humbling to see them excited to learn about a new culture. I gave their class a Grenadian flag to hang in the room, showed them some Grenadian snacks that local kids eat and then gave them some Eastern Caribbean coins to take home. I think they were happy to get some things from Grenada and I was overjoyed to share the island with them.

Sharing cultures with young children is something I find especially important because it gives kids an opportunity for exposure to ideas they most likely wouldn't get the chance to in their lives. Teachers have such a great ability to teach kids through interactive activities, just like the World Wise Schools program. Initially when I became a PCV I thought "no way, I wont ever have time for that," but now looking back, the partnership with Mark Twain Elementary has been one of the most rewarding parts of my service.

Ms. Houdyshell handing out their letters

So excited to see his letter from his new friend

Her pen pal even drew a map of Grenada

Doing a little Tootsie Roll to get warmed up



Christmas in Missouri

HAPPY NEW YEAR to my dedicated followers! It has been some time since I posted, and for great reason, but I am back to the grind of Peace Corps life in Grenada now. I wanted to give you guys a short recap of my time home for the holidays.

I returned to Missouri on December 18th to my friends and family and a great sense of home that rushed through me the minute I felt the cold air. Getting a break from the daily life and struggles of Peace Corps is not something most volunteers get to experience, so I was very grateful for the opportunity for the much needed break from island living.

I spent most of my time reconnecting with friends, eating American food, drinking cold Coors Light ON TAP, enjoying my home with my family and dogs, celebrating Christmas and bringing in the New Year. I was quite worried that upon my return most of my friends would have moved on without me and I just wouldn't feel at home, but that wasn't the case at all, as my friends welcomed me back with open arms and hearts. It was a great feeling.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day traditions continued on as every year does, which made me jump with joy inside. I brought home traditional Grenadian rum, rum punch and sorrel. It was a big hit, in more ways than one. :) New Years Eve was spent at a local bar with friends I had missed dearly, and the memories continued on throughout the night. I needed that night big time, and it was all I had expected. Great friends always come through in the end.

Now it is back to Grenada, but not without some internal struggles of my own. I'm a country girl at heart, from a small community that keeps its people close, so leaving and coming has always been a great struggle for me. My heart is in Missouri, and always will be. These last couple days have been dedicated to refocusing my energy towards the new year in Grenada, getting myself mentally prepared for another year away from home, and brewing up new ideas for my work ventures. My friends and family have been of great support to me through this transition back to reality and I couldn't continue this journey without them.

I leave you with some pictures of my trip home and again....HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

My Goddaughter Allison

My puppy dog Jack

Sis, Momma and I

Sis, Whit, Ash and Charlie

Playing the dollar game at Christmas Eve festivities

One of the greatest feelings in the world.

Sis and Tipper

Four man wolf pack reunion.

Some things never change.

New Years Eve with good people.

My high school buddies. Love them!

SIDE NOTE: If any of the people following this blog (yes I know who you are) will be arriving with the new group of volunteers in February, please feel free to contact me through facebook or my email if you have ANY questions regarding Grenada. We are looking SO forward to having you guys on the island of spice!

Grenada Parang

Grenada parang music is one of the indicators of the Christmas season. No need for 'Oh Holy Night' and such when you can still have party music, just with Christmas theme. Alot of the songs are funny and conveniently always have a sexual meaning to them. This particular song is one of my favorites. Enjoy!

Tourism

http://grenadasugarandspice.blogspot.com/2010/12/tis-season-for-tourism.html

This link connects you to a fellow volunteers blog. They are a married couple (and my neighbors) and write really really good entries. This blog about tourism especially stuck out to me and Im suggesting it to my fellow readers.

Enjoy!

ONE WEEK!!!!!

I'm mentally preparing myself to jump on that plane and leave my new life behind for 20 days while I venture to my homeland. A wave of emotions hit me when I lay in bed at night thinking of whats to come; high school friends, fast food, good beer, family time, CHRISTMAS, American culture and cold weather. I cant even begin to fathom the excitement I will feel when I step off that plane onto American territory....my home.

I can do this....just one more week...

From this...

To this...

World AIDS Day

The Red Ribbon is the global symbol for solidarity with HIV-positive people and those living with AIDS.World AIDS Day, observed December 1 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. Since 1995, the President of the United States has made an official proclamation on World AIDS Day. Governments of other nations have followed suit and issued similar announcements.


AIDS has killed more than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007, and an estimated 33.2 million people worldwide live with HIV as of 2007, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. Despite recent, improved access to antiretroviral treatment and care in many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic claimed an estimated 2 million lives in 2007, of which about 270,000 were children.

The Caribbean has reached the ranks of having the second highest rates of HIV infections, second only to Africa. Social stigma and discrimination have kept people in Grenada and the region hiding in fear and refusing to get treatment and medications. The Ministry of Health recently made a step towards helping fight the stigma towards HIV/AIDS by decentralizing the clinics that hand out HIV medications. Originally, there were so called "AIDS clinics" in which people could go for their medications, but patients were ashamed and ridiculed by being seen going into the clinics. By decentralizing the clinics, patients are able to go to clinic that treat all sorts of ailments, so that no one knows what they are actually going to the clinic for. The rates of treatment for HIV/AIDS has increased after this practice went into affect.

On Wednesday, my organization, the Grenada National Organisation of Women decided to host a candlelight vigil in collaboration with HopePals, the HIV/AIDS network. We held a forum with some teenage boys on HIV/AIDS, STDs, etc, and then took to the streets with candles and songs, spreading the word of the pandemic hitting our region. It ended up being a great turnout for last minute planning. Below are some pictures from the event.

My counterpart and I

Forum on HIV/AIDS

Showing my support.

Lauren of HopePals, speaking to the teens on STD's

Candlelight vigil

Explaining to the boys the correct ways to use a condom.



World AIDS Day!

Did you know a child is orphaned by AIDS every 15 seconds. Millions of children are going it alone. Missing their childhood. Missing their mother. Missing their father. AIDS is devastating families around the globe. Children are missing your support. Unite for children. Unite against AIDS....HAPPY WORLD AIDS DAY!!!!!!!