Practical Research 1 Lesson 9 Scope and delimitation.pptx
Peace Corps Romania Quarterly Newsletter Spring 2012
1. Peace Corps Romania
Quarterly Newsletter
Issue 6, Spring 2012
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Letter from the Country Director 2
Volunteer Stories
Farewell to PCV Group 27 3
PCV Justin Setty Comes in 6th
at the Cluj Marathon 5
Good Projects Skype Session with Senator Isakson
Environmental Project: Trees for Peace
6
7
Volunteer Voices
Spring Forward PCRV Jennifer Brooks: Teaching
Independent Life Skills 8
Let’s Put On a Show! 12
Volunteer Interview
Peace Corps Volunteer Leader:
Andrew Matusick 15
2. Peace Corps Romania Office
Letter from the Country Director,
Sheila Crowley
Dragi Partners, Supporters and Peace Corps Community,
Spring, the season of rebirth and renewal has arrived bringing not
only the rains, and the flowers but many new exciting projects and a
busy work schedule for our Volunteers. From teaching independent
life skills, piloting non-formal educational activities, to planting trees
PCVs are making a difference in their communities and through their
partnerships they are inspiring more and more people to do the
same.
The people to people connection that Peace Corps Volunteers
promote in their everyday lives is at the core of volunteerism, they
give of themselves and strive to make a difference in the lives of
many. How do they do this? Through community empowerment,
skills exchange, collaboration and partnership. By listening and being
there for their friends, students and colleagues. By modeling the
essence of service that it is better to give than to receive and by
honoring Kennedy's vision that to achieve a world of peace you must
promote peace and friendship.
Across Romania, PCVs are teaching countless of hours in classrooms,
engaging in extra curricular activities and building relationships. I
admire their achievements and I am inspired daily by their
enthusiasm, optimism and desire to do more. In Peace Corps
Volunteers the spirit of civic responsibility lives on as each one of
them embraces the call to serve and one by one, hand by hand and
heart by heart, they leave their „world” a little better than when they
discovered it. This is something truly worth sharing.
So read and enjoy as we share and highlight the exciting things that
Peace Corps Volutneers are doing in their communities.
In Peace and Partnership,
Sheila
Director Sheila Crowley together with Page 2
PCV Kevin Denunzio
3. Volunteer Stories
Farewell to Group 27
“The biggest lesson I have
learned thus far is just up and
do it; try; go; do. Even if it
seems hard or long or
exhausting, new things, new
activities, new experiences
matter more here and teach
you more here than in any
other aspect of your life.”
Emily Franzen
“The most recent lesson I
have learned is relatively
simple: try everything at least
once. This is directed toward
the dinner table more than
anything else. Food is an
excellent way to experience a
culture. Metaphorically
It’s been almost 24 months since Peace exchange and a window opened to s p e a k i n g , ex p e r i e n c i n g
Corps Volunteer Group 27 came to understanding the world. You will soon a n o t h e r ’s f o o d i s l i ke
Romania with the task of sharing their be gone but will certainly never to be receiving nourishment from
knowledge and expertise with the forgotten for your hard work and their culture/heritage”
Romanian people. unending efforts to serve others. Marco Rufolo-Roger
Over the past 2 years, Peace Corps In your last moments as Peace Corps “In teaching, one must be
Volunteers in Group 27 have taught volunteers before your official split from
patient. Sometimes it takes
English to more than 27,000 young Romania you say goodbye to Peace
Romanians. Not only that, they have Corps, but not to your friends. Savor the
time and respectful
helped to educate thousands of time you have left in Romania and persistence, but finally,
Romanian English teachers. They have cherish both the goods and bad for they suddenly, even a half-
also worked in many communities have made you what you are today: attentive student can amaze
throughout Romania in environmental ambassadors of peace and friendship, you by what he or she has
projects, while others have worked in role models and catalysts for change. All picked up in your hours
small towns as community development the good work you have done is truly together”
advisors. inspiring! Kristi St. Amant
It was Shakespeare who wrote, "Parting So our message to you is to continue to “There is only so much
is such sweet sorrow", and so it is. Many try and make a difference. Give life
preparation for things you
schools and small communities all over nothing short of your best. Try your best
Romania will miss the help and guidance in everything in what you do and what
can take into account for until
you provided as Volunteers over the past you say. Trust your decisions for YOU can you actually arrive and settle
2 years. But the legacy you leave behind be anyone you want to be, you just have in at post, but now I can easily
goes beyond the knowledge of the to try! call Romania home.”
English language; it’s a two-way cultural Christopher Williamson
Page 3
4. Volunteer Stories
Group 27 Statistics
R
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In just 2 years, 32 Peace Corps Volunteers have V F J
R A
worked with: E
L E M
Y Y E
144 Organizations N A S
475 Service Providers (e.g: teachers, health care
educators, community leaders, peer educators) A
J N
26,463 Students O A J
C S U
E T L
L A I
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T L D
I Y
M T M
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A A I I
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A R J K
T A E
R Y P U Y
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S N A I E
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5. Volunteer Stories
PCV Justin Setty Comes in 6th place
in the Vodafone Cluj Marathon
PCV Justin Setty came in 6th place
in the 2012 Vodafone Cluj
Marathon. The second edition of
the marathon took place on April
22nd and it comprised 5 races:
Marathon (42.195 km); Half
Marathon (21.0975 km);
Marathon Relay (4x10,55km);
Popular Race (6 km) and Kids Race
(2 km). 91 male and 11 female
crossed the finish line at the end of
the race.
Justin started his 14 year distance
running career when he joined the
cross-country team in the 7th
grade. “Luckily this is a sport you
can continue your whole life and
the marathon is one of the steps
you come to after finishing college.
Three of my former teammates
and I completed our first marathon been a goal for Justin. “I happened made a few really good friends
in Ohio in 2008. I finished in 2 to sign-up for the Cluj Marathon here at site that I wouldn't have
hours and 59 minutes. I because it was at the right time for made if I hadn't decided to come
remember it as one of the most when I would be healthy enough. I back to running. I'm glad I had the
satisfying days of my life. When I was hoping to run faster than my opportunity to compete in Cluj
joined the Peace Corps, I found personal best of 2:59 by about 10 because it helped validate what I
myself putting running on the minutes but it was too lofty of a do. Placing well in this marathon
b a c k - b u r n e r. I p l a y e d goal. I maintained a pace at the helped my friends and students
football/soccer with my beginning that would eventually understand why I run. I'm
colleagues at site for over a year, tire me out and I hit the proverbial currently training again for a trail
which prevented me from running wall around the halfway point. m a ra t h o n i n t h e A p u s e n i
seriously due to a persistent knee When I crossed the line, I was mountains in July. Fortunately
injury. I eventually decided to stop surprised I finished 6th in 2:57 when I tell people now that I need
playing and focus on rehabilitating since I had slowed down so much to go run they understand exactly
my k n e e . A f te r a ye a r o f toward the end. what I mean.” Justin concluded.
rehabilitation and building knee
strength, I was ready to train for Being a distance runner in my Justin Setty is a 3rd year TEFL
my second marathon.” Justin said. town is lonely because this isn't a Volunteer currently serving in
sport that is well understood or Romania
Racing another marathon during well recognized by the general
his Peace Corps service had always public. On the other hand, I've
Photos by: Dalina Borcan
Page 5
6. Volunteer Stories
Skype Session with Senator Isakson
Last Thursday evening, May 24TH, four the students themselves. Topics that
hours after their normal classroom were discussed were decided upon by
hours had ended a group of twelve the students and included public
eighth grade students gathered service, government, ambitions, goal
together, along with their English setting, environmental health and
Professor, Lizeta Ducec, and Peace Corps economics. The experience afforded
Volunteer, Melissa Royer, for a very both parties the opportunity to
special event at Scoala cu Clasele I-VIII, communicate in English, exchange
Nr. Suceava. Dressed in their best, cultures and ideas about the world.
participants from class 8A, were “It was a joy to not only see our
afforded the opportunity to speak with students speak confidently in English
Senator Johnny Isakson, a to a widely respected politician, but
representative from the state of Georgia also to see their faces fill with joy and
in the Senate of the United States of optimism, and to see their minds hard
America. Using the internet program at work, analyzing the responses they
called Skype, Senator Isakson and the were given,” said Melissa after the
students were able to see each other meeting had taken place. Both groups
through a webcam and to speak with were extremely pleased with the
each other via microphones. success of the collaboration and hope
to continue collaboration efforts in
The Senator gave a short 2-3 minute the future.
introduction about himself and his work
as a Senator to begin the session. Melissa Royer is a 1st year TEFL
Afterwards, the Senator opened the Volunteer currently serving in
floor for Questions and Answers, led by Romania
Page 6
7. Volunteer Stories
Environmental Project: Trees for Peace
communities that have for years to come, the sense of
helped it prosper in accomplishment that the students will
Romania. “The idea and be continuously reminded of and the
the symbolism community’s capacity to conduct this
represented in the easily replicable project in the future. At
project were important the same time the project brings to light
but it would have been e nv i ro n m e n t a l i s s u e s , s u c h a s
logistically inefficient to deforestation and littering, that NGO’s
plant just one tree in well l i ke A s o c i a t i a M a i M u l t Ve r d e
o v e r 2 0 0 d i f fe r e n t continuously work to address“ PCVL
communities. For that Andy Matusick says.
purpose the project was
changed so as to keep The 10 Peace Corps Volunteers involved
the meaning of the in the project worked with their
project but to make it counterparts to organize small tree
more efficient given the resources planting projects in their communities.
When asked at the 2011 all-TEFL available.” said PCV Andy Matusick, the Using funds from a mini-grant provided
conference to think about projects that coordinator of the project. by the US Embassy they acquired the
could celebrate the 22 years of peace trees while other necessary materials
and friendship promoted by Peace Corps Peace Corps Romania has teamed up where either acquired with the funds or
in Romania, a group of Peace Corps with the United States Embassy, donated locally. In addition to gathering
Volunteers came up with the idea all necessary materials, the PCVs,
of planting one tree in each PCV together with their counterparts
host community. Trees have been selected volunteers from their
a long-time symbol of life and classes to plant the trees. MMV
growth and, as Peace Corps provided instruction on proper
Romania comes to a close, a tree planting techniques and
seemed to be an appropriate organization so as to educate not
symbol for the sustainable only the planners of the project
development that is central to the but also those students with
organization’s role around the shovels in hand on how to
world. Even though the agency’s properly develop and implement
work in Romania is coming to an this kind of project. Additionally,
end in 2013, the impact will seven of the 10 communities
continue to grow in those involved in the project worked
communities where volunteers with American Corners to
have served, with seeds planted organize a field trip for their
not only in the projects that students to visit the closest
volunteers have completed along-side Asociatia MaiMultVerde (MMV) and American Corner to their site. Transport
their Romanian counterparts, but also in local communities to plant 22 trees in 10 for the students was acquired locally and
their countless interactions with communities throughout Romania. The the PCV worked with a representative
Romanians. project’s aim is to promote volunteerism from the American Corner to develop an
at schools where Peace Corps volunteers educational program related to
Peace Corps placing one tree in each host are serving as English teachers. The volunteering for the environment. This
community would have not only students were directly involved in a not only gave the students a chance to
installed this symbol in a community that beautification of either their school or see a new place and learn about
has worked hand-in-hand with Peace other parts of their community. The available resources but also acted as a
Corps, but it would have also been Peace project’s sustainability will be evident in reflection of the volunteer activity that
Corps way of giving thanks to those the growth of the trees that will be seen they participated in.
Page 7
8. Volunteer Voices
PCRV Jennifer Brooks: Teaching Independent
Life Skills to the Blind
This series of spring visits took us to The hope was that through the
Targu Frumos, a small town in the provision of this facility and the trained
northern part of Romania, to visit teachers, students would be able to
Jennifer Brooks, a Peace Corps transition from an institutional setting
Response Volunteer (PCRV) currently and a dependent lifestyle to a life of
working at a highschool for children independence. ”Teaching basic life
with visual impairments. A former skills can easily improve a student's
Youth Development volunteer,
quality of life. It can allow them to be
Jennifer started working at Liceul
self sufficient and therefore be able to
Moldova back in 2007. Founded 45
attend to other needs such as
years ago, the school offers a
employment and giving back to their
harmonious education for visually
impaired children and youth, helping community” Jennifer adds.
them both to properly integrate into
society, as well as to be as Jennifer applied for a SPA grant and
autonomous as possible. with the money received, the idea of
the kitchen lab turned into reality. The
Soon after her arrival at site, Jennifer lab was equipped with all the
began looking at ways to implement appliances and tableware that one can
projects focusing on teaching find in an ordinary kitchen: gas stove,
students with visual impairments electric plate, microwave, plates,
daily living skills, such as teaching cutlery etc. During the first week, the
kitchen skills through a series of students were taught basic orientation
techniques specially tailored for the of the room and the appliances: where
blind. “Although Romania had made the fridge was located in relation to
great strides in transitioning into a the stove; exploration of shelves,
democratic society, there still remain drawer; exploration of the oven to
portions of the population that understand where the gas is lit and
continue to need assistance from where the flame is located,
civil society organizations, including manipulation of the items while the
children with visual impairments.” oven is cold so that it can be easily
Jennifer says. done when home. As students became
more and more familiar with the new
Acknowledging the need to integrate lab, they were then taught how to turn
teaching of independent life skills on the stove, how to cut, peel, and
into the curriculum for children with slice, how to measure and weigh
visual impairments, School Director liquids and dry ingredients and
Margareta Pristavu welcomed the properly boil fry and bake.
idea to create a kitchen lab furnished
with kitchen appliances for teaching Almost three years later, the students
life skills to visually impaired students. are now able to move around the
At the time, the school had no kitchen independently and perform a
equipped facilities to properly teach variety of tasks with minimal
the students these skills.
Continued on page 9...
Page 8
9. instruction in the areas of sexual
education, hygiene, and self-care. This
specialized instruction includes specific
or adapted equipment as well as
instruction in methods that have been
proven efficient for those with visual
impairments.
The creation of a special studio where
this equipment can be used as well as
where these, perhaps delicate,
discussions and lessons can take place
on a one-to-one or small group basis
was ideal. Together with her colleagues,
Jennifer applied again for a grant, this
time a VAST one.
With the money received from the
Peace Corps, a hygiene lab was created.
The studio consists of separate work
areas for boys and girls. Each area is
...Continued from page 8 equipped with a vanity style desk with a
sink, mirrors, magnifiers, shelving for
intimate items, adjustable mirrors
supervision. Due to the availability of teacher the need for his mother or which magnify, Braille and large print
the lab and proper instruction the sister to cut his finger nails as he had labeling, and special lighting which can
students now have the necessary life never learned due to fear of hurting be adjusted per student visual
skills to live independently and when himself. All of these events came to the preference.
they finish school, they will have a attention of one professor of the school
greater chance of becoming active, who, after seeing the success of the It is truly remarkable what the small
contributing members of society due to previous independent living skills group of professors at Scoala Moldova
the independence that they have activities began to set in motion and one PCV were able to do for these
acquired through these classes. alongside Association 'Respect students. Being the first school in the
Diversity' the idea of a hygiene studio. region committed to teaching these
In the spring of 2011, experts from skills, Scoala Moldova has the potential
various other European countries Typically, students with disabilities- to become a resource center for other
visited schools and organizations especially those with visual schools and organizations in the area
throughout Romania, including i m p a i r m e nt s - te n d to b e l e s s e i t h e r b y s h a r i n g t h e w r i tte n
Moldova School, to learn about the knowledgeable about their bodies and information, materials, or the actual
state of special education in Romania. sexuality. This lack of knowledge can be two labs. Moreover, the successes,
The visitors were impressed by the a direct result of their visual struggles, and results can be shared with
kitchen lab and the progress made by impairment: they do not have the other schools for the blind who can then
students but one of these visitors typical visual input that most children use the model as a starting point for
mentioned a school for the blind in their have (of bodies changing, of physical their own kitchen and hygiene studios.
own country also having a special place differences between boys/men and
for students to learn how to take care of girls/women), or it can stem from
themselves. cultural taboos or misinformation. For
example, parents can be reluctant to See page 10 for a one on one interview
Immediately following this, there were discuss these topics of sexuality and/or with Response Volunteer Jennifer
incidents between students that not know how to explain them to their Brooks.
resulted from lack of knowledge and blind child.
curiosity towards their sexuality. In that
same year, a ninth grade visually Due to a student's visual impairment,
impaired student expressed to his head he or she may need more specialized
Continued on page 10...
Page 9
10. ...Continued from page 12
PCRo: Many volunteers needs to be involved hands-on in
worry that they may not every step of the process in order to
have the correct skills to understand.
add value. Was this one
of your concerns when When I first arrived to the school, the
you started working in director gave me a tour throughout
Targu Frumos? the school. She mentioned wanting to
create a kitchen in one of the rooms
JB: Actually it wasn't- I and the idea caught on from there!
was very pleased with the
placement. It seemed, PCRo: Do you see a change in the
and has proved to be, a children's behavior since you first
perfect match. I have started working there? If so, what are
much to offer the some of the most obvious changes?
teachers and students
here and they are more JB: The look of triumph on their face
On the ocassion of our visit to Targu than willing to take advantage of my when they finally peel the potato that
Frumos, we asked Jen to tell us a few help- the only thing missing is enough they'd been fighting with for 20
words about her work as a Peace Corps time! :) minutes; the pride that shows when
Response Volunteer in Romania.
they eat their pizza that they made for
PCRo: What are some of the most themselves; the delight when they tell
PCRO: Tell us a little bit about yourself. common challenges children with me how they helped their mother
visual impairments face in Romania? cook dinner over the weekend by
JB: This is my fourth year in Romania, first cutting up a carrot for her…. These
as a PCV and now with PC Response. I JB: I believe the largest obstacle that new attitudes are priceless!
worked in the States as a teacher for the these children face is the mentality that
blind and have transferred that they are incapable and should be We knew that giving the children
knowledge to my work here in Romania. dependent on others. Many people, t h es e im p o r ta nt s k ills wo u ld
sadly, feel sorry for the 'poor blind child' empower them and therefore
PCRo: How did you become interested and therefore do everything for them or increase their confidence and self-
in working with children with visual expect less from them than they would esteem…. However, I never expected
impairments? from other children of the same age. to see a difference to the degree that
However, everyone, regardless of their we've witnessed in the children at
JB: I kind of just fell into this field and circumstances, needs to feel useful and 'Moldova' school.
ended up loving it; I read an article about to feel that they have something that
Orientation and Mobility Specialists they too can offer others. By providing They suddenly have the desire to try
(who teach methods and techniques for these children with life skills, we take a things for themselves in other areas of
a person without sight to travel safely step in that direction. We are telling the their lives; they want to be involved in
and as independently as possible around child, “Yes, you can” rather than, “No, even more activities; they hold higher
their home, school/work, community, don't”. expectations for themselves and for
and to use public transportation) I their peers which, in turn, almost
became fascinated, found out where I PCRo: Where did the idea of the forces us adults to hold higher
could study this field, and it all happened cooking class come from? expectations! Their self-esteem and
from there! I received a Master's degree confidence have increased more than
in Education for the Visually Impaired in JB: In the States, these activities are I could have imagined!
2007. part of the Curriculum for children who
are blind. Young children can learn PCRo: What are some other things
I absolutely adore working with these about day to day tasks simply by you would like to achieve while
children; I know that what I teach them watching others and copying their working at Scoala Moldova? Future
are practical skills that could change movements; however, a child who is
their lives for the better. blind cannot learn in this way. He or she
Continued on page 11...
Page 10
11. ...Continued from page 10
projects? JB: What lessons have I not learned the blind in Romania.
during my time here in Romania should
I believe that what we have achieved be the question! Our hope is to spread the
has exceeded, far beyond, my original I believe that the main lesson I have accomplishments from 'Moldova'
expectations. I am extremely impressed learned is patience and what patience school to the other seven schools for
with my colleagues who have worked really means: to be patient with myself- the blind throughout Romania. Some
very hard in changing their teaching using Romanian grammar correctly will work in this area has already been
methods, incorporating new teaching not happen overnight; to be patient done (I have completed teacher
activities, and advocating for these with change- it may not always occur trainings at a school for the blind in
lessons in order to give these kids a quickly and it takes time for it to take Bucuresti and the other schools have
chance at an independent life after hold permanently; finally, I have been attended a conference at 'Moldova'
graduating from 'Moldova' school. reminded to have patience with the school on Independent Living Skills
children in that they need repetition projects.) but there is plenty more to
Future hopes are to include Orientation and practice in order to learn these do. There are over 1000 children with
and Mobility into instruction by necessary life skills. visual impairments enrolled in schools
providing teacher trainings as well as to across Romania who need these same
continue to incorporate hygiene skills PCRo: What plans do you have for the skills, but are not yet being reached.
into the Independent Living Skills future, once you'll be completing your
activities. We are also working on PC Service? Jennifer Brooks can be reached at
outreach to other schools for the blind brooks.jennifer.l@gmail.com for
so that their children too can benefit JB: I would love to find a way to further information on her work with
from these activities. continue my work here in Romania with schools for the blind.
schools for the blind; I am hoping to find
PCRo: What sorts of things did you another international organization,
learn in Romania that you think will interested persons, or a local NGO that
prove valuable lessons in your career would like to get involved in this project
and life? and make a life-changing difference to
children in all of the special schools for
Page 11
12. Volunteer Voices
Let’s Put On a Show!!!
An Article by Kathleen Stocking
You know you're probably going to get fact, suggested to an overweight,
into trouble when you come up with a always tired, old-before-her-time,
great idea for a gala open house for a African American single mother of 10
thousand parents and five hundred small children that her offspring might
children in April during the aptly named enjoy making chocolate chip cookies
“Something Else Week” -- a great idea with her some afternoon after she'd
that you have loosely attributed to one come home from her double-shift as an
of your host country counterparts since LPN and before she made them supper.
everything must be initiated from the I lived in the African American
grass roots, as we had been told during community and as the story of this
training. But you figure this is going to be suggestion made the rounds in
alright since the Altfel Week is totally churches and corner grocery stores it
new for everyone, being something the was greeted with hoots of laughter and
Ministry of Education came up with just rambunctious knee-slapping. I could
this year, and since everyone has to only imagine that my fellow teachers in
come up with ideas the counterpart Romania, many of whom had taken on
seemed cool with it, it would look extra jobs in order to make up the
good on paper, and all the Ministry income they'd lost when their wages
expects is that educators “do had been cut 25% because of the 2008
something different”. economic crisis, felt much the same
way about the gala Open House during
That was back in December. I talked Altfel Week suggested by the too-
up the idea every chance I got but it earnest Peace Corps volunteer.
was pretty clear that my Romanian
language skills weren't up to the Not that it mattered. I had 500 students
challenge. As the time drew near for and they'd all been doing good work. I
the Altfel Week Open House it was had about two decent, displayable
looking more and more like I might pieces from each student, poems and
be the only one doing it. The cookies essays and short stories, 1,000 more or
and cakes from the mothers and less. I had asked the kids who finished
bunicas, the student writing which I'd first to illustrate their writing while they
tried to solicit from my five waited for their classmates to complete
counterparts, the student artwork the assignment. I had plenty of
from the two art teachers, just wasn't illustrated writing. But where was I
materializing. going to display it?
I could recall a time back in 1968 when I I was shown a dark, cluttered storage
was a Head Start teacher one summer room, up a cluttered staircase in a back
in Ann Arbor, all of us cute and sweet building, a room that would need a lot
little co-eds who'd been recommended of work before it could become a
by the University of Michigan Education display space: cleaning, painting, even
School, and one of my fellow teachers, lights. There was also my classroom but
the cutest and sweetest and littlest, in it was a tiny, hot, top floor, corner room
Continued on page 13...
Page 12
13. ...Continued from page 12
and the three flights of stairs – 67 steps – Easter vacation. Was there going to be deliberately doing the work in front of
were a daunting prospect. I would have anyone left? everyone – on the front steps of the
had to have started with big yellow school if it was sunny and inside in the
arrows at the front gate – and a student The week before the event, I learned the lobby if it was raining -- so that
standing by each arrow – to even get the Small Project Assistance (SPA) grant to parents might come out of curiosity, if
parents up there. There was only one host the Altfel Week Open House had nothing else. “Che facette?” people
choice. The Open House was going to been approved. My very first thought would ask. And I would say, “Oo La La!
have to take place in the front yard of the was that I should turn down the money. Altfel Open House!! Trey Aprillie.” I
school where parents coming to pick up But I hate to turn down money. I weighed always liked saying “aprillie” because
their children wouldn't be able to miss it. the pros and cons and ultimately it came it made me feel like Chaucer saying,
But how crazy and aggressive and way down to my Calvinist-banker-horse- “Wan that aprillie . . . than longen
too earnest and in-your-face was that? trader-rum-runner DNA. This is not the folke to goon on pilgrimages.” I was
Well, totally. visible DNA, the free spirit-poet-I know- longing to goon on a pilgrimage
you'll-still-love-me-in-the-morning- myself, a long one. This whole Altfell
II thought the smartest thing I could do anything-for-a-windmill-Don-Quixote- Open House thing was a big mistake.
would be to cancel the whole thing. join-the-Peace-Corps DNA; this was the It was going to be a horrible disaster. I
None of my counterparts were remotely hard-drive DNA that goes back before was going to do all this work, day after
interested. The students had never done Calvin to mastodons and before that to day, and when April 3 arrived I was
anything like this before and now, some swamp where I crawled onto the going to be sitting there alone, in the
whenever I mentioned it in class, which land. It was only a little money, $500 is a rain, with my crepe paper streamers.
was pretty often, the kids would look little money, but it was money. I felt I
down at their desks and finally someone would have to go through with it. I had generated the writing with my
would say, “I'm not going to be here that usual tricks: turning cartwheels and
week.” The student population of the For the next few days I spent hours somersaults on the lawn, chasing my
school, even the week before Atlfel putting student writing, photos and tail and emitting high-pitched yips of
Week, had thinned out alarmingly. illustrations in plastic protector sleeves, joy. Saying, “Bravo!” And, “Way to
Students were clearly leaving early for hours cutting crepe paper streamers, go!” And, “Good job!” And, “I love
Continued on page 14...
Page 13
14. important. I was saying they were
important. With that thought, I knew I
was going to string up their writing if it
was the last thing I ever did in my life.
The worst thing that could happen was
that I'd make an utter fool of myself and
that was nothing new. I was very good at
that. It was far and away my best talent.
My mind went back to a day a few weeks
earlier when I had been in my Margaret
Thatcher mode with a new set of
students. They were all looking at me in a
slightly shell-shocked way after I'd given
my Sermon from the Mount demanding
that in my classroom they participate
fully, be kind to each other, not bad-
mouth gypsies or anyone else, express
their thoughts and feelings, and not be
...Continued from page 13 tardy. “This is an American classroom,” I
said emphatically, “and we do things the
what you're doing.” And, “Wow! You're phrases of self-encouragement: there is American way.” This was utter nonsense
all doing such incredible work!” I no success without failure; stay calm and since I had no more idea about what an
learned long ago that all anyone needs carry on; there is work to be done in the American classroom might be than they
is a little encouragement and they'll do dark before the dawn; no guts, no glory; did. “And,” I clarified, “I'm not doing
great things. Children don't know they you have to stand for something or fall for things the American way because I'm
can't write novels. I'm really a cheer- everything. trying to change you, I'm doing things
leader not a teacher. But I did this all – the American way because it's the only
at least the cartwheels and somersaults But what did any of this stand for? I had a way I know.” This had never occurred to
– metaphorically, not physically. little time to think, sitting there sorting them and in fact, had never occurred to
kids' writing for hours, getting it ready for me until I heard myself saying it.
If this crazy Open House idea was ever presentation, pretty much like working in Substitute “my way” for “the American
going to happen, I was going to have to a Chinese laundry. I guess, in a nutshell, it way” and you'll have something closer to
get physical and go up a ladder and came down to democracy: all of this the truth. And, naturally, being an adult,
hang crepe paper. I was going to have to stood for democracy. You can't have a I was trying to change them which,
rake the litter out of the grass in the democracy without thoughts and naturally, being kids, they knew. In
front yard. Once I was young and feelings and that's what the kids' writing retrospect I think what I meant was that I
worked every conceivable job, from was all about. It hadn't happened expected them to have feelings, to have
picking strawberries to cleaning barns overnight. It had been a slow process. thoughts based on those feelings, and
t o h e f t i n g h e a v y t ray s w h i l e First there was no writing at all. “But I that I just couldn't help myself from
waitressing, but I haven't picked have no ideas, teacher.” Then there was expecting it.
strawberries since I was 12, haven't bad writing – take me out and shoot me
been up a ladder since I tore my ACL bad writing – produced by people whose They had done it. And the more they did
tendon in Thailand five years ago, only exposure to writing was essays on it the more they liked it. And the more
haven't done any serious raking for the furniture in the Royal Palace. Finally, they liked it the better than got at it. And
longer than that and have steered clear there were little glimmers, like the here was the proof of the pudding. It
of hefting and hauling for years. So, like daffodils in front of me trying to poke would be a kind of crime not to recognize
Madame DeFarge with her knitting their way through the frozen ground of their efforts.
during the French Revolution, I just kept the schoolyard. And, at last, real thoughts
sitting there doing what I could, and real feelings, from every kid. If I When I began to rake the yard, three
repeating in my mind little clichéd displayed their writing I was saying it was sturdy janitors showed up and did it for
Continued on page 15...
Page 14
15. “Scoala Altfel”
“Scoala Altfel” is a new
initiative by the Romanian
Ministry of Education
promoting non-formal
education.
For one week, schools are
given free hand to
i n c o r p o ra t e i n t o t h e i r
curriculum a series of
activities that go beyond the
national curriculum on
education. The initiative is
hoped to bring value to the
entire school community and
Continued from page 14... to harness competency,
me. When I began to weed the flower telling them we're going to display it cohesion, teamwork and last
beds, they came out with the proper tools at an Open House with crepe paper but not least put a smile on
and did this, too, a million times better streamers. I had coffee, tea, sugar students’ and teachers’ faces.
than I would have ever done it. Someone and hot water but no cookies. But
showed up with flats of pansies and these cookies miraculously appeared, The program was developed
were planted in the freshly tilled ground. too. as a tool for engaging both
When I asked for a ladder and began to
string up writing and crepe paper
students and teachers in
If it had rained, the whole thing
streamers, my students appeared out of might have been the disaster I'd i n t e re st i n g n o n - fo r m a l
nowhere and began to do that. been picturing in those first few activities that can enhance
days as I sat there sorting student the value of their talents,
Things were starting to look beautiful and writing. But the weather was extracurricular interests and
clean and shiny and fresh. There were perfect: not too hot, not too cold, competencies in a variety of
lines and lines of writing hung up like little sunny and glorious. Blue skies.
fields.
baby clothes. We ran out of places to hang Parents came. Lots of them. One
writing and had to set up tables in the hall. of my counterparts, the one who
The place looked like a hillbilly yardsale: had a daughter in one of my To promote best practices,
More inside!! The kids, by the day of the classes, had a husband who used the Ministry of Education has
Open House, had simply taken over not to be a journalist and he still had also launched a competition
only all the physical work but the contacts in the media and he called where it invites people to
selection of writing to display, the hanging them and reporters came from the vote on the 10 most
of the home-made banner, the welcome newspaper and the TV station. The
interesting activities
sign on the white board, basically kids were thrilled. It was worth it.
everything. At one point I said to one of So, yes, “Let's put on a show!!!” You organized between April 2-6,
the girls, “Thank you so much for doing all never know who will come. 2012. A list of all activities
of this. I never expected all of you to developed during the “Scoala
come every day and help.” She said, Altfel” week can be found on
somewhat non-plussed, “This is what we Kathleen Stocking is a 1st year TEFL the Ministry’s website:
like to do.” And I thought, slyly to myself, Volunteer currently serving in
next year I'll entice them to write by Romania.
www. scoalaaltfel.edu.ro
Page 15
16. Volunteer Interview
Peace Corps Volunteer Leader: Andrew Matusick
In this issue of our Newsletter we when I first considered doing Peace
asked Andy Matusick, Peace Corps Corps. These were my reasons for
Volunteer Leader to tell us about her filling out the online application.
experience as a volunteer in
Romania. PCRo:Many volunteers worry that
they may not have the correct skills
PCRo: Tell us a little bit about to add value. Was this one of your
yourself. concerns?
AM: Well, I’m 26 years old and I come AM: Yes, this was absolutely one of
from a medium sized family with 3 my concerns both before leaving for
brothers. I grew up in a small city Romania and then again when I was
named Corning located in a really leaving for site. I had no previous
nice region of New York. If you’ve TEFL experience and I didn’t really
heard of Ithaca, NY I’m close to study English at college. At the same
there. I stayed in the area for time I kept no secrets from Peace
U n i ve rs i t y atte n d i n g S U N Y Corps. They new about my previous
Cortland where I studied History teaching experience, they saw my
and a bit of Psychology. I’m a fan resume, they met me and they still
of both subjects. Other than that chose to send me here. Reminding
I grew up loving baseball, myself that Peace Corps believed
extreme sports and my most that I had the correct skills to add
recent passion is travel. value to a post helped me believe
the same.
PCRo: You’ve been a PCV in
Romania for 3 years now. What PCRo: You started as a TEFL
led you to pursue this unique volunteer and then applied for a
experience? PCVL position. What made you
want to extend your service?
AM: I think it was early in my
college years when I first heard AM: I had been at site for about a
about Peace Corps from a year and a half when I decided to
recruiter and when I arrived extend as a PCVL. At the time I knew
home that evening I did some I was ready for something else but I
more research. I’ve always didn’t yet want to leave Romania.
wanted to travel and see the My language was finally coming
world but I saw Peace Corps as an around and I was speaking daily in
opportunity to do more than just Romanian with people at my school
see. Learning the culture, who I had been speaking to in
speaking the local language, English just a few months earlier.
developing relationships and The PCVL position was a chance to
integrating into a community that I try out something new for a short
would eventually call my second period of time but continue to be
home were the things I imagined
Continued on page 17...
Page 16
17. volunteers that I’ve worked with
there.
PCRo: Take us through a typical day
of work at Mai Mult Verde.
AM: A typical day of work at MMV is
usually me in front of my computer
s e n d i n g o u t i nfo r m at i o n to
volunteers and responding to
emails. My colleagues at MMV are
always there to help me with
something that I don’t understand,
look over my emails before sending
them if I need and let me know if
there is something that I need to be
doing. If there is any down time at
the office I am usually researching
environmental issues and
environmental NGO’s in both
...Continued from page 16 Romania and the US so I can get a
better idea of what is going on in the
field.
involved with Peace Corps and the going at their sites and in their lives.
volunteer community. After I really enjoy hearing about what’s While a typical day at MMV is at my
working as a TEFL volunteer I had going on with volunteers because computer communicating with
begun learning about NGO’s and every situation is unique and each MMV’s rather large volunteer
development work. I thought that it volunteer has an interesting story to community, there are a lot of
would be a great experience to work tell. I was fortunate to have the atypical days at MMV. The atypical
first hand with an NGO to learn more chance to visit several volunteers in days are the days when I get to meet
about how these organizations the fall and see what life is like at new people, spend the day outside
function and gain some valuable their sites. The site visits were and take part in some good old-
professional skills in the process. It probably one of my favorite parts fashioned manual labor that I
really did seem like the best option about the position. missed so much when I was
for me at the time and I feel very teaching.
fortunate that I was given the At MaiMultVerde I coordinate
opportunity to work as a PCVL. volunteers. I chose to work for PCRo: So what makes Romania
MaiMultVerde because they have a different from the other countries
PCRo: As a PCVL what are your main lot of volunteer activities and I knew you have visited?
activities in Romania? that I would get the chance to meet
a lot of interesting people who AM: This is a really difficult question
AM: As a PCVL my main activities in believe that they can make a to answer because before coming to
Romania are split. I have my difference in their community. Romania I hadn’t really visited other
activities with the Peace Corps office MaiMultVerde does a lot of tree- countries. Now that I’ve been
and then I have my activities with planting activities and I have been traveling a bit over the past 3 years I
the NGO that I chose to work with, responsible for coordinating can probably make a comparison
Asociatia MaiMultVerde. volunteers and our team of but not without bias.
volunteer coordinators in those
Some of my Peace Corps activities activities. I also help to organize In my first vacation as a PCV I joined a
include summarizing feedback secondary activities for some of our few other volunteers on a New Years
forms, helping out with activities or most active volunteers. The position Eve trip to Belgrade. On our way
sessions at trainings, making the at MaiMultVerde is really putting my back into Romania the border guard
annual report, finding and sending Romanian language skills to the test. saw by looking at our passports that
useful information/resources to I have met some great people at the we were from the United States and
volunteers and chatting with organization and have developed
volunteers to see how things are some lasting friendships with the Continued on page 18...
Page 17
18. PCRo: What plans do you have for
the future, once you’ll be
completing your PC Service?
AM: I don’t really have any set plans
quite yet but eventually I would like
to get back into teaching. Being a
PCVL has given me some great
insight to the world of NGO’s and
development work but I miss being
in the classroom and I think that’s
really saying something. That
doesn’t mean that skills and
knowledge that I have gained as a
PCVL won’t prove useful in a career
as a teacher, if in fact that is where I
end up. I see a lot of ways in which
the things that I do now in
...Continued from page 17 Bucharest will be helpful in a future
teaching career, both on a resume
and in practice.
he greeted us in English. We smiled their own pace in a way.
back at him and responded in
Romanian. That was the point In the TEFL program you must do
when I first felt that Romania was your teaching hours but aside from
my home and I was glad to be back that it’s up to you and your
home. Maybe it was the smile on community what you do. The
his face or the unique exchange program gives the volunteer a lot of
that made me feel so good about opportunity to make their service
being back in Romania. It made me truly unique. At the same time it
realize that what sets Romania requires the volunteer to take a lot of
apart for me is the outright initiative. You don’t have the CD Founded in 2007,
friendliness and hospitality. I have looking over your shoulder all the MaiMultVerde is a non-profit,
met people in other places that time making sure that you’re doing non-political, non-
have been friendly and a good specific projects involving a certain governmental association
conversation or a fun night out amount of beneficiaries. The committed to protecting the
together will come of it. Only in experience has forced me to become environment.
Romania I’ve met people who after the kind of person that takes the
a short conversation are willing to initiative and strive to make positive
help you with anything you need. Mission
change. I think that this quality,
This quality was a bit shocking at learned in Peace Corps, will be one
first but because of it I have that proves valuable both in life and To build a new culture of
d eve l o p e d s o m e in cred ib le in my career. volunteer work for the
friendships. environment in Romania.
I hope to leave Romania more like a
PCRo: What sorts of things did you Romanian. The hospitality that I have Strategic Goal
learn here in Romania that you seen and experienced in Romania is
think will prove valuable lessons in something that I hope I’d like to To create an active community
your career and life? share wherever I end up. It is very of volunteers that will make
important to me to walk away from
AM: There are so many things that sustainable changes for the
this experience having picked up at
I can take from this experience that least this quality from the many
environment in Romania.
will prove valuable in career and Romanians that have helped me
life. Peace Corps is designed to along the way. www.maimultverde.ro
allow the volunteers to work at
Page 18
19. Peace Corps Romania
Quarterly Newsletter
is published by:
US Peace Corps
Phone: [40] 21. 312. 12. 89
Fax: [40] 21. 312. 30. 04
Website: www.peacecorps.ro
Editor: Diana Toda
Design&Layout: Diana Toda
Front Cover Photo: Manuela Lapadat
Contributors:
Sheila Crowley
Justin Setty
Melissa Royer
Kathleen Stocking
Andrew Matusick
Jennifer Brooks
Editorial Policy
Articles published in the newsletter
represent only a snapshot of Peace
Corps Romania’s volunteer activities.
For further information about Peace
Corps Romania please contact the
editor or visit Peace Corps Romania’s
website at www.peacecorps.ro
Editorial Submission
We welcome letters, unsolicited
articles or photographs. Queries
should be sent to the editor at
dtoda@peacecorps.gov