6/18/13
Tests, Tests and More Tests!
Since my last entry, things have been proceeding at what seems like warp speed! At the end of our 10 week PST (Pre Service Training) we all had our language proficiency exam. I scored in the "middle", and wish that I could have done a bit better in learning Russian. Our cluster, all of us in our 60s, had a slower learning curve than some of our fellow "young whippersnappers"! I say this tongue in cheek as we are encouraged to proceed at our own speed and not compare ourselves to each other. In addition to the language test, we had final CD project reports, a Policy and Procedures test, Safety and Security test, Readiness to Serve report, among others. All in all, our group of 44 feel that we have been well prepared for our upcoming placement as PCVs (Peace Corps Volunteers), which is what we are here for.
Easter
Cultural Happenings
Our Technical Assistance Trainer Masha has been very helpful in connecting us to the various cultural events in Chernihiv that helps maintain our sanity as well as help with our cultural immersion. Many of us attended the May 8 victory Parade in downtown Chernihiv that included a huge parade of students, soldiers and citizens, along with a memorial ceremony honoring fallen veterans from WW II, or the "Great Patriotic War" as it is referred to here. I was able to speak briefly through an interpreter with one of the surviving veterans, and mentioned to him that my father was also a WW II veteran who served in the US Navy at Pearl Harbor. In recalling the horrors of battle, his one message was that he would "never want this to happen again".
We were also able to visit the History Museum twice with our friendly guide Artom and the War Museum in Chernihiv. We learned about the famine in Ukraine of 1932-33, the purges, as well as WW II when Ukraine suffered a the huge loss of life and damage to the entire country. The effects of these events are still widely felt today and remain a part of the Ukrainian psyche. It has only been since the 90s when Ukraine gained its freedom from the Soviet Union that some of the documentation of its own history have come to light.
Memorial to fallen soldiers in Afghanistan
A number of us also enjoyed a wonderful concert at the stadium in Chernihiv by Ukraine's most popular rock bad, Okean Elzy - they were fabulous!
Goodbyes
It was time to say goodbye to the host families and many friends that we have all made during our training in Chernihiv. For me it was especially difficult to say goodbye to my host mother Tatiana and the many friends that I have made from the English Club that I was active with at the Chernihiv Library during PST. It was heart warming to hear from members about how we would be missed. It was even more touching to see some of the members now speaking more openly and actually learning to speak English. I hope that we have planted a few seeds...
Host families
Swearing In
After 10 weeks of PST all 44 of us PSTs (soon to be PCVs) were bused to Kiev on 6/9/13. Together we met our Ukrainian counterparts and attended together the final 2 days of training on HIV/AIDS, Peace Corps grants as well as orientation to our sites. On Monday, 6/11/13, we had the official swearing in ceremony at the US Embassy, which included the US ambassador, Peace Corps Country Director, Ukrainian government officials, trainees, friends and host families. It was another time for tearful goodbyes among all of us who have become so close during our training, especially the 5 of us clustermates.
Another highlight was meeting my new Regional Manager, Oleg, who is very knowledgeable and has already been extremely supportive.
Country Director
Zack, one of the PCTs, started things off with a lovely rendition of the Ukrainian National Anthem on his trumpet. It was then my turn to play the United States National Anthem on my soprano recorder. Under the circumstances it felt like playing in Carnegie Hall! All of us swore our oath, and immediately after the ceremony started the next phase of our adventure, going to our sites. In my case, I went with a fellow PCV and our counterparts on our first train trip. We travelled 3rd class and had bunk arrangements for the 12 hour trip to Donetsk. All the PCVs noticed how much more "stuff" we were lugging along, which included a huge winter heater, medical kit and all of the myriad (that's Myriad with a capitol M!) paperwork that we have accumulated during PST. Upon arrival in Donetsk, I was transported to the teachers dormitory of the Donetsk State University. I have a lovely room with a small kitchen, bathroom and storage area, all of which has been recently remodeled - a pleasant surprise after a long train ride. The staff at the hostel have been extremely helpful in figuring things out in the building, calling the internet company when my computer goes gaga, and also practicing Russian a bit with me. I am learning the local marrshruka bus routes and have only gotten lost once!
My New Digs (Hostel for University Instructors)
Cultural (humorous) Moment
Part of the Peace Corps process that I mentioned in my previous blog involves cultural immersion. In this case one of the first events of site placement is a visit to the local militia (police) office. which I did with my counterpart Olena and an instructor on 6/13. We met the chief inspector who was very cordial and explained that he would have one of the local officers close to my dormitory contact me. Thinking that this would probably be weeks in the future, I returned to my apartment and blissfully practiced my recorders in the evening in the building conference room. As I was finishing my practice, I encountered one of the instructors standing with a militia officer by the entrance. The officer had a stern look and held a paper in his hand. I was paniced, thinking that someone in the building had registered a noise complaint about my playing (probably all those missed E flats!). My next thought was that he was about to issue me a ticket - definitely not a good way to start my Peace Corps placement!!! It turned out that this was the officer from the local militia office who had come by to introduce himself and give me his phone number - hence the paper in his hand. Needless to say, I breathed a huge sigh of relief!
My Job
At present my job is the proverbial "work in progress". I will be working with an NGO (non governmental organization) of sociologists. I am currently doing joint tutoring with one of the professors who wants to practice English, and I my Russian. I will be doing a presentation to the local teachers and have discussed developing an English Club, possible grant writing for a development center and cofacilitation in social work classes. For the moment I will be getting to know my environment, the local needs, and developing a rapport with the community - including drinking lots of chai tea!
New office partners and counterpart Olena (to my right)
P.S. My computer is very ill so my next blog may be delayed unless it can be cured. Stand by for future developments and keep those emails or comments coming!
This Blog is my view and is not meant to reflect Peace Corps views or policies
