Paul's Ukraine Peace Corps Journal: December 2015

Paul's Peace Corps Journal ll

12/25/15

Relaxation

Updates

Although I want to focus this blog on some things that I do to relax and recharge, first I want to review a few things that I've been doing since my last blog. In regards to the grant proposal for the homeless shelters, the proposal was sent by the Rotary Club but still requires some writing, so it is not yet ready to be posted on the International Rotary site. I'll keep you posted on how it progresses.

I have started a new project, helping to translate into English a Ukrainian booklet by our NGO MAMA86, on a recent study of water purity in the Kirovograd area - which is a huge issue here. I work closely with our staff journalist Yulia as we discuss back and forth between her understanding of the meaning of sentences in Ukrainian, what Yandex or Google translate suggest and my own understanding of English. When completed Liudmyla is hoping that this document can be used by English readers, perhaps even with future trainings or funding sources for related projects. It is a very interesting project!

Also, one of the grant proposals that we had hoped would get approval - a training effort for women in the Kirovograd area to do civic involvement on the issue of water purity, did not make the final cut for consideration for funding. On the other hand, the 3 NGOs that I work with have been as busy as beavers in doing flash mobs, training for persons displaced from the East on small business development, presentations on all sorts of issues in local schools, etc. One of the recent events that they did during the runup to local elections was a flash mob in front of the city council building. The event encouraged passersby to consider their children's (as well as their own) future, and "not to sell their vote for grechka". In other words if someone running for office gives you a bag of cereal grains, don't vote for that person - the issues at hand are far more important than the small gift. The staff of the NGOs had a small skit demonstrating the issue, and passersby were encouraged to have a "selfie" photo taken holding a bright sign about not selling their vote.

Vitaliy and Liudmyla

Staff posing as accepting
bribes

Skit by city council building

"I will not sell my vote!"

Big Box ll

The second box of humanitarian aid is in route on a shipbound for Odessa and should arrive in port in about 3 weeks. This shipment is in a 10 x 40 foot container - so it is twice as big as the previous shipment that arrived a number of months ago. There is an assortment of medical supplies, clothing, stuffed animals and other things needed. Various NGOs and organizations will pick up the items from the port when it arrives, including some of the items for the Kirovograd area. we will hopefully have some more information and photos to share at my next blog. This is all being organized and carried out by Ukrainians (diaspora) in the Denver and surrounding area, including fundraisers to help pay for the shipping and other costs. Some notices and letters from Ukrainians here have appeared in their online newsletter back in the Colorado.

English Club

The English Club that I help to facilitate at the Library continues to thrive. Actually, the library offers 3 English Clubs each week (usually sponsored by one of us PCVs), a movie night and a grammar club night - all to encourage persons trying to improve their English skills, and provide an avenue for cross cultural exchange. Topics range from Tolerance to Music to Organic Foods, to Lincoln and the Civil War, to Friendship, to the Possibility of Alien Life, to American folk dancing (including dancing!) and everything in between. At times the discussions can become quite lively! PCVs generally find the English Clubs to be a very good place to form friendships, exchange ideas, and enjoy some cross cultural humor! The attendance was increasing after the summer vacations, and generally runs between 20-50 persons in attendance, including all age groups. Since the focus is more on speaking and conversation and not on grammar, it is less demanding than an official "class" in English, and gives people of all levels an opportunity to speak. We do have some brief pronunciation exercises at some Club meetings on practicing the "v" and "th" sounds which are difficult for Ukrainian and Russian speakers. The members also frequently break up into small groups or couples to help each other with understanding. The Ukrainian members recently sang "Happy Birthday" to several of us PCVs and gave us presents from the members, which was heartwarming. The PCVs also have a close working with the library staff of the "Windows on America" section of the library, which is great!

World Wise Program

I recently started participating in the World Wise Program which matches a teacher in America with a PCV. The teacher that I have been matched with is in New York, and she teaches English to recent immigrants, persons applying for citizenship, from a variety of languages and cultures. We have only had a couple of communications so far, but their students came up with a list of 5 questions for me about Ukraine, my experiences, etc. I answered their questions and have sent them 5 of my own questions. We will be exploring the idea of possible Skype sessions between their students and the members of the English Club, as an example, I'll keep you posted about how this develops over time.

Relaxation

I did get a chance to go on a trip to the Czech Republic and Austria recently, and wanted to share a few photos. Many of you know that I am a fan of Josef Haydn, my favorite composer, and got a chance to do one of the things on my "Bucket List" - to visit Esterhazy Palace outside of Vienna, where he was court composer in residence for so many years. It was great! First Prague: