Hello friends and family and anyone reading this.
I am sorry your weather may be turning cold but this is great news for me. Why, because you may not need some of your old summer clothes. Also, you may be doing some in between season changing of closet. So….
If you have clothes that:
* You don’t want
* Don’t fit anymore
* Think are ugly
* Think are tacky
* Are really old
* Are from your children who are now 28
* You are moving
* You just want to downsize
Or
* You want to help out a small poor school in a small town in Costa Rica
Please send your clothes to my post office box in Costa Rica.
Now I don’t want to take away from the needy of our states and I know there will be local coat drives for the winter. Also, to keep expenses down for you all I am not asking for your closet. If you could fill one small box, or more if you don’t mind the postage fee, with ANY TYPE of warm weather or rain clothing that would be great. Costa Ricans LOVE clothes from the states.
The school will be using the clothes to sell, very cheaply, and the money will then go to help buy much needed material for the school. Like tables, books, paper and art supplies. Very cheaply like a dollar or two so even the poorest family can buy them. They do clothing fundraisers about once a year and did them before I got here. It is part of their culture. With your help we can make it even better this year.
Please send your donation of any style of clothes to:
Victoria Leibman
Apartado 913-8OOO
Perez Zeledon, SanJose
San Isidro, 119O1
Postmarked by September 21st please.
Tank you bunches and tell everyone you know!
LOVE,
Victoria, the teachers at my school, and all 64 of my kiddies.
My town
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Thw view from the top. Literally. I climbed a big hill to get this photo.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Cultural Stuff
We just had a small party to celebrate the completion of the water tank. I love how Costa Rica functions. I get woken up at 6:45am to be informed that there is a meeting the same day at 2pm. I have to change my entire day around. It literally throws me into an all day jam packed schedule, which I like, just wasn’t expecting. I get to the meeting at 2 and of course it’s not a real meeting. It’s a party with Johnny Walker Red Label, boiled green bananas, yucca, salad, chicharron, and of course Coke. It’s not a party unless you have coke. We are celebrating the completion of the new water tank and the Vice President of the local water maintenance agency will be here soon with the guy who helped over see the builders. I love how small town groups work. Then, after two hours my mind starts drifting, as it often does at parties. I start to wonder… How on earth can the VP just take 3-4hours out of her work day to come hang out and eat with us, a small town group of 7 members? Does this happen in the states at all? I am not educated on business in the U.S, but I like that is happens here. It made me smile.
Then, I leave the “meeting” to go have “coffee” at an elderly couple’s house who I know very well. I show up 20 minutes late and have to leave within 15 minutes to get to English class. That just illustrates the type of day it is. I also had to call that morning to say I couldn’t make it at 3 but more like 5. Well, two things culturally interesting happen here. First, I don’t drink coffee and the entire population of my two towns knows this. However, it is there cultural duty, no matter where I go, to joke about this for a good 5-10 minutes. No lie. While we are joking about my disgust of coffee they are also calling me an ugly little girl. A normal person may get upset but I understand the culture and am very flattered. You see, only pretty girls get called ugly to their faces. Maybe it’s a way to knock them down a few notches. In case you don’t believe me the old grandpa reassured me as I was leaving that he was just joking. Now my favorite part about this is that it was their first time joking about me being “ugly.” It is also the first time they have seen me in two months, with make-up on, and much heavier. To them, heavier is healthier, and healthy is pretty. Now don’t think I got out of there without eating and drinking something, that would be rude.
Next I walk down to English. I get there on time but the woman’s group calls an emergency meeting. For 20 minutes (I was checking my watch) of class time mind you, we made five major decisions. I am very proud of the woman’s group and how they have been working to better educate themselves. So the decisions… The second class of the candle making course was postponed, as well as English class, for two weeks in order to make way for the 44 hour government certified small business course. I am going to have a busy two weeks. I was about to start my class when the president of the community group shows up and gives me an announcement to read and then directions for a meeting Friday night and what I need to say, insane. I was then able to start English class.
Finally class is over and I go to my rides house. Yes, I finally have a ride home. You know a town cares about you when they hold a meeting in one group to solicit another group to figure out the transportation of the volunteer. They don’t want me walking home alone on the highway at night. I am truly touched and grateful they are looking out for me. Also, this makes the family at home happy as well. I know it is the best thing for my safety and this is why I have not fought it. The truth is that is makes me feel a little uncomfortable. I like to arrive home safe and quick but who knows what these poor people are paying my chauffeur. I used to walk up the hill with my students. Now I feel silly to tell them, “You go ahead, I have a ride.” Also, I am missing some much needed exercise. Even though it is awkward and I miss out on conversation it is definitely for the best. It also brings me to the last cultural points of the day. One is small and cute and the other just so simple.
First, the man who drives me home never, ever, drives me home alone. His son’s take turns riding with him. That way, a married man is not seen alone with a woman who is not his wife. I also sit in the back to make it perfectly clear.
Second, culturally it is expected to start a conversation discussing the weather. Believe me, I tried to skip that step and I was greeted with silence. The old schoolers will hear nothing else.
Then, I leave the “meeting” to go have “coffee” at an elderly couple’s house who I know very well. I show up 20 minutes late and have to leave within 15 minutes to get to English class. That just illustrates the type of day it is. I also had to call that morning to say I couldn’t make it at 3 but more like 5. Well, two things culturally interesting happen here. First, I don’t drink coffee and the entire population of my two towns knows this. However, it is there cultural duty, no matter where I go, to joke about this for a good 5-10 minutes. No lie. While we are joking about my disgust of coffee they are also calling me an ugly little girl. A normal person may get upset but I understand the culture and am very flattered. You see, only pretty girls get called ugly to their faces. Maybe it’s a way to knock them down a few notches. In case you don’t believe me the old grandpa reassured me as I was leaving that he was just joking. Now my favorite part about this is that it was their first time joking about me being “ugly.” It is also the first time they have seen me in two months, with make-up on, and much heavier. To them, heavier is healthier, and healthy is pretty. Now don’t think I got out of there without eating and drinking something, that would be rude.
Next I walk down to English. I get there on time but the woman’s group calls an emergency meeting. For 20 minutes (I was checking my watch) of class time mind you, we made five major decisions. I am very proud of the woman’s group and how they have been working to better educate themselves. So the decisions… The second class of the candle making course was postponed, as well as English class, for two weeks in order to make way for the 44 hour government certified small business course. I am going to have a busy two weeks. I was about to start my class when the president of the community group shows up and gives me an announcement to read and then directions for a meeting Friday night and what I need to say, insane. I was then able to start English class.
Finally class is over and I go to my rides house. Yes, I finally have a ride home. You know a town cares about you when they hold a meeting in one group to solicit another group to figure out the transportation of the volunteer. They don’t want me walking home alone on the highway at night. I am truly touched and grateful they are looking out for me. Also, this makes the family at home happy as well. I know it is the best thing for my safety and this is why I have not fought it. The truth is that is makes me feel a little uncomfortable. I like to arrive home safe and quick but who knows what these poor people are paying my chauffeur. I used to walk up the hill with my students. Now I feel silly to tell them, “You go ahead, I have a ride.” Also, I am missing some much needed exercise. Even though it is awkward and I miss out on conversation it is definitely for the best. It also brings me to the last cultural points of the day. One is small and cute and the other just so simple.
First, the man who drives me home never, ever, drives me home alone. His son’s take turns riding with him. That way, a married man is not seen alone with a woman who is not his wife. I also sit in the back to make it perfectly clear.
Second, culturally it is expected to start a conversation discussing the weather. Believe me, I tried to skip that step and I was greeted with silence. The old schoolers will hear nothing else.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Out With the Old, In With the New
I am free!! I left the crazy lady behind and now live in peace. Don’t you think a Peace Corps Volunteer should live in peace? Living with a very difficult person hopefully has taught me a lot about myself and interacting with others that I will later be able to reflect upon. However, at this moment, all it has taught me is that for my own tranquility in life I cannot live with any more Costa Rican woman. Many female volunteers have issues with living with the Costa Rican women, not just me. Often times the daughters get jealous of their mothers relationship with the volunteer. Other women treat the volunteers like their child. Babying them and not allowing freedom. For me, I just lived with a crazy lady. I know I know, that doesn’t describe anything. But, at this point I do not need to speak negatively of her anymore. She is a good person at heart but I am still very happy to be out of there. So, now that I have moved out here are photos of what I left behind and photos of what I now have.
Also, my parents just came for a visit and laughed when they entered Dominical. Apparently, I am not describing life here very well so I will attempt my best to be literary and describe life here a little better. However, at this moment I am too lazy to try.
Also, my parents just came for a visit and laughed when they entered Dominical. Apparently, I am not describing life here very well so I will attempt my best to be literary and describe life here a little better. However, at this moment I am too lazy to try.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Money
I have just written my very first money proposals. In fact, I have just written three, two of which were in Spanish and were way tough. I was working with people who only have elementary school education and with my Spanish it was definitely difficult and an interesting experience.
Before I reflect I just want you to know that one of the proposals relies on donations from people in the US. I was hoping anyone reading this could ask their community relations department or have a small fundraiser. Now I know times are tough financially in the world so I am not expecting a lot. 5 bucks would be a great help. Also, I was hoping you could tell all your friends and family that may have businesses or something.
The project only needs about $2,000 more. We are building a water tank to help with the water shortages in the town during the summer months. The total cost is about $7,000 but some material is being donated and the town’s men will be doing all the construction.
TO DONATE: Check out the proposal at www.peacecorps.gov. Click the Donate Now section then search for projects under Costa Rica or my name and follow the instructions.
Thanks very much! Let me know if you have any questions.
Before I reflect I just want you to know that one of the proposals relies on donations from people in the US. I was hoping anyone reading this could ask their community relations department or have a small fundraiser. Now I know times are tough financially in the world so I am not expecting a lot. 5 bucks would be a great help. Also, I was hoping you could tell all your friends and family that may have businesses or something.
The project only needs about $2,000 more. We are building a water tank to help with the water shortages in the town during the summer months. The total cost is about $7,000 but some material is being donated and the town’s men will be doing all the construction.
TO DONATE: Check out the proposal at www.peacecorps.gov. Click the Donate Now section then search for projects under Costa Rica or my name and follow the instructions.
Thanks very much! Let me know if you have any questions.
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