Last Bell

Once again, another month has gone by in the blink of an eye. Eight days from now is the year anniversary from the date I waved goodbye to my family at the gate of the Baton Rouge airport and departed for my life abroad. I’ve said this countless times before on my blog, but in some ways it has flown by, and other times life here has dragged by like the last drop of cane syrup dripping out of the jar. Regardless, it is hard to believe that I am fifty percent of the way through. At times I feel frustrated because I would like to have more tangible results to show for my time here, but I understand that this is a process and I am pleased with the work I have been fortunate enough to take part in. I’m looking forward to this next year, and am anticipating great things. The most notable difference is that I have a lot better knowledge of how things get done here, not to mention I actually understand the majority of what people say to me now.

Today was Last Bell across Moldova, which commemorates the last day of school for the summer. All the kids were in their Sunday best, and the graduating classes all adorned pageant style sashes. For many of the teachers in PC, this means they went to school, listened to speeches, watched concerts, and even had to get up and say a word or two. I’m sure they are just as glad as the students that school is out for the summer. I didn’t get a chance to make the Last Bell ceremony at my village school, most notably because I didn’t know that it was going on until afterwards. I guess that’s what you get when you avoid the school like the plague. I truly admire the dedication and persistence that teachers have, because I know if I were an English or Health teacher here I would have dreaded everyday.

Works seems to be at an interesting place right now. One of my partners is going to America for the summer, and it just so happens this is the partner that is a really a shaker and a mover here, which will slightly stall most of our plans. We are trying to establish a Small Project Fund for local NGO’s through our District Council, and it would be really nice to have him here to have help with the writing of the project. If all goes to plan, this is my defining service project, and I am eager to see the social welfare benefits that could come from this. I know I’m not being very clear right now so let me explain. We have multiple NGOs, nongovernmental organizations, that are setup to serve the public and not for private interests that range in expertise from HIV/AIDS to business development. We are trying to setup a program where we would be the donors for project ideas they want to implement in the community. This will be a big job, with a big financial commitment, and hopefully I would be able to see it commence by the time I leave.

With the responsibility of living on my own, comes the responsibility of making myself food three times a day, from scratch. I know I’m not hungry now, but give me forty-five minutes and my stomach will be a rumblin’, so for now, la revedere and a happy Memorial Day to everyone.