Paul's Ukrainian Peace Corps Journal ll

5/16/16

“Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow.” 

(William Shakespeare - Romeo and Juliet)

Saying Goodbye

This will be my last blog as a Peace Corps volunteer here in Ukraine, as I finish up my tasks and wind down towards my departure from Ukraine back to the US on 5/19.  It is with a heavy heart that I conclude was has been a real adventure for the past year, and one of those "life experiences" that I will always cherish and remember.  I certainly have learned a bit of humility in my volunteer experience here.  In one of my blogs from a couple of years ago I used the phrase about one drop of water at a time  eventually fills the glass. I did my best to add a drop or two... 

Following a training for grantees in the office

Ukraine has such a rich (and sad) history, and yet has so much to offer from its people and culture, and has high hopes for the future.  It is the small things that I will remember and cherish - such as the laughs that Stacy, Yulia and I shared over trying to make Ukrainian (or Russian) text come together to make sense in English for a document or letter.  Or the satisfaction my friend Grigoriy and I had while playing a simple cradle song together on our flute and recorder for the appreciative English Club members.  Or watching the friendship and experience develop between Dmitry the local Rotary Club president and Vitaliy the head of one of partner organizations as they worked on an International grant proposal for homeless people in the Kirovograd region that is still pending.  Or the delicious sensation of tasting Andre's special shashlik at the holiday party and on Green Day picking up trash in a local park.  Or the sense of integration I would feel when people would stop me on the street and say how much they enjoyed the discussion at one of the English Clubs.  Or the sense of friendship that I and my Ukrainian friends shared at the goodbye parties, with many invitations to "come back soon".

English Club
English Clubs are frequently a source of social integration and satisfaction for Peace Corps volunteers, and I was no exception.  During the year we had many stimulating discussions on topics as varied as Tolerance, Favorite Book, Democratic principles, Abraham Lincoln and possible Life on Other Planets.  I was able to form friendships with a number of the members as well as the Windows on America staff that I will always remember.  One nice development was the volunteering of members themselves to be facilitators for the Club meetings - all in English!  As I said my goodbyes to the members I encouraged this effort to continue, which will help the group to be sustainable and foster leadership and language skills even further among the members.

English Club at Windows on America in Kirovograd Public Library

Activities of the NGOs
One of the educational advocacy activities of the 3 NGOs in the office (especially the Territory of Success NGO) is the  conducting of Flash Mobs that bring home an important point by small skits, passing out of educational flyers, offering free photos, petition signatures, and the display of large posters in public places such as in front of the City Council building, at the town center, etc.  A previous topic before the elections was the topic "Don't Sell Your Vote for Buckwheat!".  The most recent one was in the idea of "Change Your Life - Say No to Violence" (against women).

Projects with my Counterpart and office staff
Although we didn't get awarded any large grants during my placement, working with the staff has produced several useful results.  My counterpart Liudmyla was planning on going to an international conference in Sweden for the NGO MAMA86, and asked me to help with translating into English a long, technical water purity study report done recently in Ukraine. Water purity and accessible drinking water is a huge problem in Ukraine. With the help of Yulia, the PR manager for the office NGOs, we were able to do a pretty decent job.  My counterpart then used the English document at the conference, and it was favorably received.  It helped develop the language skills of Yulia, assisted Liudmyla in doing an important presentation, and displayed a team effort in the office.
  

Paul and counterpart Liudmyla

MAMA86 Water Purity Study

Another side project was working with Stacy on an application for funding for a new NGO in a small town near Kirovograd.  She was the actual writer and I provided technical and language support, some "American" ideas - and the application was approved!  I believe the skills of the office staff were improved with this effort, not to mention the start up funding for the NGO which is really appreciated.

Fellow Colleagues!

School Presentation
I did a final discussion/presentation at the nearby Medical College that I had presented at several months ago.  This was a brand new class of students who will eventually be medical staff in the city and small villages around Kirovograd.  These classes are always interesting, and it is an opportunity to learn about each others cultures and share a few laughs as I use the wrong word in Russian or Ukrainian!  The college also received some English medical books from the Big Box ll (see photos).

World Wise Schools Project
As I have mentioned in previous blogs, one surprising development from my volunteer experience was the cultural exchange that we were able to do between an English class for persons learning English as a second language in New York and the members of our English Club here in Kirovograd.  Over a period of months, we exchanged emails and photos, and posed questions to each other. Our Club members in Kirovograd even read aloud a story "Girl from Kiev" (Rada Kalinka) from the English class in New York about a young Ukrainian girl struggling with social integration in America.  A great example of how to learn about each others' cultures! They will also receive this blog as my way of saying goodbye to their class.

New York class on English as a 2nd language, topics for discussion

New York class members

Humanitarian Aid
You are all familiar by now with the humanitarian aid that is being sent by Ukrainians in Colorado (part of the "diaspora") to needy groups in Ukraine, including wounded soldiers, poor and disabled persons, to children as well as people who are IDPs (internally displaced persons).  Although there have been some distribution problems, overall the first 2 "Big Boxes" have been very well received and much needed.  Some of the aid finally arrived here to Kirovograd, and I went out with a RPCV (Returned Peace Corps Volunteer), a journalist, and the director of one of our partner organizations "Heart of Mother" to help with the distribution of Pampers and stuffed animals to local disabled clients.  The director of the "Heart of Mother" organization returned several weeks later to share an award of appreciation to the Ukrainians of Colorado as well as some personal art work by one of the recipients.  I will deliver these to the Nadja, the Ukrainians of Colorado coordinator in Denver, when I return home.

Humanitarian aid arriving in Kirovograd

She also writes poetry!

Personal art work by Big Box ll recipient

In addition, two microscopes were received for a medical clinic in Ustinovka, and a bicycle and helmet went to the son of my former counterpart in Donetsk - who now lives in Kiev! Not only was the aid warmly received, but we now have 2 local persons (including Stacy from our office!) who have volunteered to be the contacts with the Ukrainians of Colorado for future aid shipments.  They will be able to communicate with the volunteers in Denver as to what pressing needs there may be in the Kirovograd region, helping to keep the effort sustainable and facilitate communication between the two groups .

Medical Director of Ustinovka clinic receiving two microscopes

Humanitarian Award of Appreciation to the Ukrainians of Colorado by "Heart of Mother"

Ilyas enjoying his bicycle!

Strategic Planning
One of the areas that PCVs with a community development emphasis are involved with is helping with strategic planning.  Although I was not involved with this as much as I thought that I would, I did participate in planning/training sessions during my last few weeks on my site.  It was interesting to try and help in this very important area for NGOs who are trying hard to become an even more important part of the development of civic society in Ukraine.

Discussions during Strategic Planning session

Working as a Team

Facilitator summarizing ideas

Having Fun

Being a volunteer isn't all work, work, work!  We also enjoy get togethers.  Before Easter my language tutor Yulia helped us do "pysanky" eggs, and also showed us how to make bliniy (small Ukrainian pancakes).  I also ahd a chance to have a shott day visit again to Uman and attend several inexpensive concerts here in Kirovograd.

Famous Georgian dance group performing in Kirovograd Philharmonia

  
Final Words
I can honestly say that I have enjoyed my Peace Corps experience.  Things frequently went in a different direction than what was planned - being flexible is essential.  It is hard and there are times of frustration and confusion.  However, I learned more about the warm heartedness of the Ukrainian people, and how fervently they hope for a better Ukraine. Many people here are poor and have experienced a decline in their standard of living over the past few years.  They worry about the flickering war in the east, ongoing corruption and the difficulty in developing civic society in Ukraine.  They also are determined to do it "their own way".  They speak Russian as well as Ukrainian and can be equally dedicated to their country regardless of their everyday language.  As much as they appreciate help from America (especially from Peace Corps) and other countries, they want to forge their own future, and use their own resources as much as possible.  I have learned more about patience (or at least the attempt to be patient!) and to think small.  I have been thankful for small successes and perhaps impacting a few people.  I have enjoyed Ukrainian food (with the possible exception of salo!), the wonderfully talented musicians in all cities, the museums - but most especially to have had the opportunity to work on a team in an setting where Ukrainians are trying to have an important input into the future of their country.

Enough said!  I do plan on coming back as a visitor, and to visit my friends.  

“Well, here at last, dear friends, on the shores of the Sea comes the end of our fellowship in Middle-earth. Go in peace! I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil.” 
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King

This blog reflects my personal views and is not meant to represent Peace Corps policy or views.