Serious Ting Volume 23 Issue 1

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SERIOUS TING

US PEACE CORPS EASTERN CARIBBEAN NOVEMBER 2011 – APRIL 2012 VOLUME 23, ISSUE 1

The cover art, photos on this page, and inset image, as well as several stunning shots used in this issue are used with the permission of Edson Reece. Known by his alias Tequila Ross, he is a Vincentian photographer specializing in journalistic and nature photography. His use of light and color bring about captivating images which depict the beauty of everyday life in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Feature Articles The 25 Most Remarkable Teens in St. Kitts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

by Connie Howard

Youth Matters Fixed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

by Camille Aragon

Life Skills Development Through Dramatic Arts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

by Melinda Blaise

Editorial Board Editor in Chief Camille Aragon, EC82 SVG

Design Editor

!"#$%&'()*+$,-../$,*01*&. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

by David Genovesi

The Vincentian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals . . . . . . . 15

by Kiersten Anderson

Country Sweet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

by Andrew Davis

From the Heart: The Resistance Heartbeat Drummers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

by Chad LaRoche

Christopher Nelson, EC82 SKN

The St. George’s Archaeology Camp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Island Representatives

Ain’t No Carnival Without Calypso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Crystal Bernal, EC81 GND

What Good’s A Library?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Melinda Blaise, EC82 ANB Heather Dollins, EC82 SVG

by Jon Hanna

by Kennedy Pemberton

by Tom Wieland

Human Rights: A Dish Best Served Whole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

by Christine Bagnall

Sara Jean Faison, EC83 SLU

Volunteer Interest

David Genovesi, EC83 DOM Connie Howard, EC82 SKN

A Volunteer’s Primer to SharePoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Copy Editors

Safety & Security Report: An Interview with Simone Skinner. . . . . . . . . . . 28

Heather Dollins, EC82 SVG

PC/EC Peer Support Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Sara Jean Faison, EC83 SLU Connie Howard, EC82 SKN

by Sara Jean Faison

by Heather Dollins

by Dr. Jeremy Larson

Mid-Service Training EC82 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

by Connie Howard

Rachel Johns, EC83 SLU

VAC Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Aimee Schattner, PCRV SKN

PCRV Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

by Stephen Chaisson

by Katie Powell

Departments This magazine is printed by:

Star Publishing Co. of St. Lucia Rodney Bay Industrial Estate Massade, Gros Islet St. Lucia, West Indies Tel: 758/450­7827 Fax: 758/450­8690 Email: nikki.s@stluciastar.com

Editor’s Note. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Origins of Serious Ting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Welcome EC84 Trainees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Farewell Departing PCVs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Heart and Soul: Creative Writing & Visual Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Serious Ting is a unique publication by and for the Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean community, including Peace Corps Volunteers, Peace Corps staff, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and host­country nationals. It began in Grenada in 1990 as a stapled quarterly newsletter, and has since expanded to its present state. Publication is intended on a semiannual basis. Serious Ting is dedicated to publishing submissions that are productive in nature, enhancing communication !"#$"%& #$'& (')*'& +,-./& *,001%"#23& -'.-'/'%#"%4& #$'& 5"6'-/"#2& ,7& '8.'-"'%*'/3& )%5& -'9'*#"%4& )& /."-"#& ,7& *-')#"6"#2:& & ;#& relies on the contributions of Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean Volunteers, staff and host­country nationals. If you have submissions, suggestions or ideas to improve Serious Ting, please contact the editorial board at seriousting@gmail.com.

Articles in this magazine are not intended to express the opinions of the Serious Ting editorial board, the U.S. Peace Corps, or the government of the United States of America.

EDITOR’S NOTE Camille Aragon, EC82 St. Vincent !"#$%&'#()"*+,%+-."-.)&/.)"&#"%0."

0.$-%)"$#/"&#"%0.")'+,"'1"&%)"2.'2,.3 – Mahatma Gandhi

D

uring a morning art session at my primary school site, I asked the kindergarten class to draw a picture of something they love. One boy in particular caught my eye, and I watched him closely as he drew. What I found interesting about that moment wasn’t the image he was creating, or the crayons he was using, or even how he spelled his name on the construction paper. As he was making a picture of his family, he was also playing a set of air drums and bobbing his head like he was dancing to the beat of a tune only he could hear. He was connected to and fully engaged in the creative process and he was present, alive and happy.

As an observer, I have learned that the results that emerge when people are given the opportunity to freely express themselves can be unequivocally inspiring, and powerful beyond !"#$%&"'()$(#*(#&+,$+-(.(/*01(+2#+(+2"(+&%"(3"#%+4(,*(5&"#+,*6(#(10&/(07(#&+(,$(*0+(,*(+2"(8*#9( product itself, but in the process and journey explored in getting there. And as a Peace Corps Volunteer, I have come to understand that our creative endeavors during our service can take root and thrive only when our work is done in collaboration with those around us.

It is in this spirit of creativity and collaboration that this issue of Serious Ting was born.

The publication you are reading is the product of combined efforts from many individuals throughout our Eastern Caribbean post; contributors include Peace Corps Volunteers, staff and Host Country Nationals. This issue offers practical resources for PCVs, with tips on using SharePoint (“A Volunteer’s Primer,” page 24) and a refresher course on safety and security practices (“An Interview with Simone Skinner,” page 28). Our feature articles serve to highlight the achievements, accomplishments and personal stories of Volunteers (“From the Heart,” page 18) and Host Country Nationals alike (“The 25 Most Remarkable Teens in St. Kitts,” page 4).

The magazine also serves as a canvas for personal expression, with works by PCVs and HCNs displayed in the Creative and Visual Arts section.

Now in its third decade, Serious Ting has evolved from its inception as “a newsletter by Volunteers, for Volunteers, about Volunteers,” (“Origins of Serious Ting,” page 3) to a 40­page full color publication that celebrates the unique multicultural community that is interwoven throughout our West Indian island posts. The magazine has become a valuable keepsake of memories and is a humble offering of gratitude to all who take part in our journey. I hope you enjoy this issue of Serious Ting(#*:($""(&";"5+":(1,+2,*(,+(+2"(2"#&+(#*:($0%9(07(+2"(<"#5"(=0&>$( in the Eastern Caribbean.

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Departments

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Jonathan Hanna

Connie Howard Island Representative !"#$%&%'()%*+((,%-./%012+,

H

istoric. Truly inspiring. The best experience in my political life. A turning point for the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. These are some of the ways Members of Parliament described the special sitting of the National Assembly for The 25 Most Remarkable Teens in St. Kitts program.

The 25 Most Remarkable Teens in St. Kitts Program was created as a way to focus on the posi­ tive activities of the many teens who make up the youth population in the Federation rather than the negative behavior of a few. It is a program that rec­ ognizes the efforts and accomplishments of teen­ agers in non­traditional categories, such as Youth Activism, Entrepreneurship, Civic Involvement and the Performing Arts.

A similar program was !"#$%&'$"()*+,)%&'%$-,%.'&$,)% States in 2004. Since its in­ ception, it has proven to be a best practices program and is credited with lowering rates of risk taking and anti­social behaviors among the youth population. The program has $/(%#0,+&!+%1(23#4%%$(%+-2'1,% the adult perspective that young people are problems to 5,%!6,)%"2$-,"%$-2'%723*253,% community resources, and to promote positive peer pres­

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sure within the youth commu­ nity. The 25 Most Remarkable Teens in St. Kitts program is a collaborative effort of the Minis­ try of Youth Empowerment and $-,%.9C9%<,2+,%D("0#9 E("%$-,%!"#$%>,2"%(B%$-,%0"(­ gram, all youths living in St. Kitts between the ages of 12 and 19 were eligible to be nominated for the awards. Nominations were sought from school prin­ cipals, counselors, church lead­ ers, congregants, community activists and the general pub­ lic. Based on the incredible island wide response to outreach efforts ­ more than 100 nominations /,",% ",+,&7,)% =% $-,% 8&'&#$">% &#% ",2)>% $(% ,602')% the program in 2012 to include youth from Nev­ is. All nominees were subject to interviews with members of the youth department staff. Final se­ lections were based on evaluation in a number of areas including leadership, accomplishments, re­ sponsibility and character.

Many of the honorees also gave credit to their respective nominators for being a champion and inspiration in their lives, helping them make posi­ tive choices and providing support and tools as they worked to overcome personal challenges.

Dylan Dias, recipient in the category of Courage to ?7,"+(;,4% <,"#('23% @,+&#&('A% #$2$,#% (B% '(;&',,% Deputy Principal Debbie Isaac, “She was my moti­ 72$&('9%%C-,%-,30,)%;,%!')%$-,%+(*"21,%$(%+-2'1,9%% I didn’t want to be ‘Rage’ anymore. I wanted to live a life that matters, and 8#9% :#22+#% -,30,)% ;,% !')% that life.”

The November 23, 2011 presentation of teens in Fed­ ,"23% <2"3&2;,'$% /2#% 2% !"#$= time occurrence in the Fed­ eration, and the resulting Left: Deputy Prime Minister the Honorable Sam Condor presents award to Glenston Patrick for Commitment to Personal Excellence Right: Members of St. Kitts/Nevis Federal Parliament and Remarkable Teen Honorees

Feature Articles

demonstration of bipartisan government support was not only a groundbreaking accomplishment, !"#$%&'($%)$*+#,%(,-.)%,/$'#*0$#(1%,-'$#2*$0(&.#.­ cal and public support. In his statement to the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly, Minister of Youth Empowerment, the Honorable Glenn Phil­ &.03$*+0&%.)*-3$452*,*$%,*$)($6()*#%,/$%1%,-'$%#­ tached to the accolade, no scholarships or prom­ ises of employment, but rather the simple honor and recognition of the Government Ministers and Parliamentary Representatives, which we are 7()8.)7*-$1.&&$9*)*,%#*$()9(.)9$'.9).:7%)7*$%)-$ success for the program, its broader effect on the nation and its long term sustainability.” At the conclusion of his introductory remarks, Phillip '#%#*-$2.'$.)#*)#.()$;(,$#2*$0,(9,%6<$4=*7(9).>.)9$ that the future of our country’s success depends on the healthy development and well being of our youth, the Ministry of Youth Empowerment plans to make the 25 Most Remarkable Teens program the premier annual youth recognition program in the Federation.”

Members from both the Government and Op­ position, and a standing­room­only crowd of friends and family, nominators and school ad­ 6.).'#,%#(,'3$&.'#*)*-$%##*)#.8*&/$%'$#2*$0,(:&*'$(;$ each recipient were read. Trophies were then pre­ sented to each honoree by the Minister of Parlia­ ment representing the constituency in which the recipient lived.

Audience members applauded the truly re­ markable accomplishments of each honoree throughout the reading of the stories and anec­ dotes illustrating the strength of character of these young people to triumph over personal adversity,

to push the limits of achievement with commit­ ment and determination, and to demonstrate both rational and emotional intelligence and creative *+0,*''.()$#2,("92$6"'.73$-,%6%3$1,.#.)9$%)-$-*­ sign. ?(&&(1.)9$ #2*$ (;:7.%&$ 0,*'*)#%#.()'$ .)$ @%,&.%­ ment, the Ministry of Youth Empowerment hosted a reception in the corridor outside the National As­ sembly. Here, students, parents, nominators and 9(8*,)6*)#$(;:7.%&'$2%-$#2*$(00(,#").#/$#($'2%,*$ #2*.,$#2("92#'$()$#2*$*8*).)9A'$*8*)#'$.)$%$,*&%+*-$ social atmosphere. “I’ve never been so proud to be a parent,” said Ms. Richards when asked about her son Sheldon’s recognition in the category of Lead­ ership. Ministers too, were full of tributes for the award presentation. Prime Minister the Honor­ %!&*$B,C$B*)>.&$B("9&%'3$,*D*7#.)9$()$#2*$*8*).)93$ said, “This is an accolade I feel very, very proud of in our nation today, and I am inspired by the stories of the young people here tonight.” He also recognized and congratulated the other 75 nomi­ nees who were not selected to receive this year’s award.

An all day workshop for the 25 honorees was held in early February, wherein participants shared .)$-.'7"''.()'$*+0&(,.)9$&*%-*,'2.0$-*8*&(06*)#3$ attitudes and aspirations, sense of purpose, moti­ 8%#.()3$.60(,#%)7*$(;$,*'.&.*)7*3$'*&;E*;:7%7/$%)-$ the function of volunteerism as a social and global responsibility. These young people have become leaders among their peers, youth role models and voices for youth issues and program outreach.

To read the amazing stories of these Remarkable Teens, visit http://connieinthepc.blogspot.com

youth matters !"#$ Camille Aragon Editor in Chief !"#$%&%'()%*+,-.,(%/,0%(1.%23.,/0+,.4

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n January 2011, 12­year­old Chrislon Fraser took to the stage in front of a packed dining room at the Rehobot Restaurant in Keartons, St. !"#$%#&'()"&*(+($+,-.($/#01%#&(2&3"1%.(&*%(,+#45( young musician wearing wire­rimmed glasses made his way to the keyboard set against the glow of a string of purple lights. Throughout his me­ lodic rendition of “Forever Young” the audience gleamed with amazement at the indisputable tal­ ent standing before them.

Chrislon’s performance was part of Pieces of Peace, a PCV organized event designed to pro­ vide a forum for Vincentians to showcase their creative talents. In the audience that evening was Vonnie Roudette, director of the Art and Design program at St. Vincent and the Grenadines Com­ munity College. Meeting Chrislon after the show, she told him how she wished her son could have witnessed his incredible performance.

Around St. Vincent, Vonnie is widely known +2( 67+&&+08( 79--5:;( *%3( 2/#( "2( 7+3,/#( </9­ dette, former frontman of the internationally rec­ /=#">%1( ?/#1/#@A+2%1( A+#1( 7+&&+08'( B+-/92( for the song “Big City Life,” the band’s music is often heard being played in the same mini­buses, streets and nightclubs that Marlon frequented during his formative years as a youth in St. Vin­ cent. In 2011 Marlon launched his solo career C"&*(&*%(+,A9-(7+&&%3(B"8%1'(D*%(29$$%22(/E(*"2(

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#%C%2&(F3/G%$&(*+2(2F3%+1(H9"$4,5;(*"2(032&(2"#=,%( “New Age” is making its mark in the U.K. and has reached number one in three European countries.

He is arguably St. Vincent’s biggest international celebrity.

Marlon returns to his hometown regularly, often engaging in community outreach, speak­ ing with and hoping to inspire youth around the island to follow their dreams. Last year he col­ laborated with Volunteers on a video to promote a youth summer camp, in which he discussed overcoming challenges he faced growing up in St. Vincent.

“I was in the struggle with a lot of the youths I came up with,” said the 28­year­old recording +3&"2&;(I-5(2/#=2(+,C+52($+-%(E3/-(&*%(2&3%%&(+#1( the yard.” As the setting sun cast a warm glow of light on the picturesque La Soufriere volcano behind him, Marlon revealed the formula for his success. “The reassuring fact about achieving your goals is that it really is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration, and that has always given me a lot of hope.”

This video, with its message of dedication and perseverance, reached the eyes of another rising Vincentian youngster, Everton Creese. A stu­ dent of the drums since 2010, Everton, 12 years old, has shown great promise with his intuitive 3*5&*-(+#1(&+,%#&("#($3%+&"#=(2&%+15.(J9"1(A%+&2'( He found a connection to the singer­songwriter’s message and subsequently discovered inspiration in his music.

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During a recent visit to St. Vincent, Marlon met up with Chrislon and Everton for a very spe­ !"#$%&'!$()"*&%"+,&-*"&.%#/0(,%1")%!#-&&-%"+%2()"!3% Seated in a booth at a busy café in Kingstown, the two Vincentian youth were curious to know about his mother’s reaction when he decided to pursue 2()"!4%,1&%5&+&)")%06%7#,,#8'4%#+9%.1#,%50&)%"+,0% creating a hit tune.

Chrislon Fraser: What made you decide to make music your career?

Marlon Roudette: It’s funny because I don’t think I thought that I could make a living from music, so I actually studied something else. But, when music is in your blood and in your !"!#$%&'('#)*+,'*#'-+.!'"/01'2/0'./+3#'4$566"')57$'5'8)/*8$1'' It’s probably after I got signed that I thought maybe I could make this work as a career.

CF: Was your mom okay with you being a musician?

MR:'('#)*+,'!)$'95!'9/44*$.'9)$+'!)$'-4!#')$54.'('95!':/­ ing into music because maybe she’d heard all the stories of the negative side of the music business. She heard my -4!#' .$%/' 9)$+' (' 85%$')/%$'/+$';)4*!#%5!'9)$+'('95!'

17 or 18 and I played her three or four tracks. And she said, <2/0')57$'5':*=#1'>)*!'*!'9)5#'"/0'+$$.'#/'./1?'>)5#'95!'566' the encouragement that I needed, so I went back and kept recording.

CF: @)5#'95!'"/04'-4!#':*:'5+.'9)$4$A MR: B"'-4!#':*:'95!'5#'#)$'C4#!';60D'*+'@$!#'E/+./+&'=/4' about 100 people, and I was very, very nervous. I still get nervous before every show. Do you get nervous before you play?

CF: No, I’ve been on stage doing things like songs and F/$%!'=/4';)4*!#%5!'!)/9!'!*+8$'('95!'#)4$$'"$54!'/6.1' MR:'2/034$'5'D457$':0"1 Everton Creese: What encouraged you to choose B5##5-G'5!'"/04'+5%$A MR:' (' :/#' #)$' +5%$' B5##5-G' =4/%' #)$' 65#$' H*!#$4' I5#4*8*5' Douglas, who was the headmistress at the St. Joseph’s ;/+7$+#'B544*5J05&'9)*8)'95!'%"'!$8/+.54"'!8)//61'H)$' rescued my education because I was maybe on a negative F5#)'D$=/4$'!)$'#//,'%$'*+#/'B544*5J051'H/'!)$'0!$.'#/'!5"' *#'566'#)$'#*%$&'<I4/D6$%'!/67$.&'%5##5K-G1?'L0#'('56!/'D$6*$7$' you need a positive name for a band, if you’re making posi­ tive music.

EC: How do you write your music? Do you write the words 5+.'6"4*8!'-4!#'/4'./'"/0'!#54#'9*#)'#)$'D$5#!A MR:'>)$4$'54$'566'.*==$4$+#'95"!1'<L*:';*#"'E*=$?'('94/#$'5#' home on my guitar. I had the verse and the bridge when I left my house and on the way to the studio I came up with the chorus while I was on the train. By the time I got to the stu­ .*/&'(')5.'#)$'9)/6$'!/+:1'L0#'<M$9'C:$?'95!'94*##$+'8/%­ pletely differently. It was written with a piano and someone was playing the melody for me, and I came up with the lyrics.

I don’t think you should think that there’s only one way. It’s however inspiration strikes you. Amazing music has been

written by people who are poor, people who are rich, people 9)/'94/#$'#/'#)$'D$5#'-4!#&'D"'F$/F6$'9)/'8/06.+3#'!*+:'N CF: By people who couldn’t hear.

MR:' OG58#6"1' P$5=' F$/F6$&' D6*+.' F$/F6$1' >)$4$3!' +/' 406$' book.

As the interview came to an end, Marlon shared some profound insights with the gifted young 7#,,#8'&-)% #/0(,% 1#+9$"+5% $"6&% "+% ,1&% ):0,$"51,% and continued success.

“You’ve got to stay humble. The minute you ,1"+;% <0(% 9&)&-*&% #% 1",% )0+54% 0-% ),#-,% &':&!,"+5% success, you’ve got nothing.” He emphasized to Chrislon and Everton the importance of being honest and working hard, and pointed out the blessings that come from having been raised in St. Vincent. “Being from the Caribbean makes you unique, and people want to hear your story.”

After thanks and handshakes, Everton and Chrislon walked to the bus terminal each hold­ ing on to a copy of Marlon’s new album. Two aspiring youth with dreams to reach for, and a rising star pointing them in the right direction… =-0/$&2%)0$*&94%#3;3#3%7#,,#>8'3% For more about Marlon’s music, visit www.marlonroudette.com

7

Owen S. Jackson, Drama Coordinator

Melinda Blaise Island Representative !"#$%&%'()*+,-%-(.%/-01,.-

LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT...

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Owen Jackson: “I have fun with them and I’d like to think that they are having a good time while they are learning. That’s a big part of why we are here.” >+$-5%),%".-%4),$"*04"&2-%1)*:%)<%".-%7*)0(?%50*­ &,7%".-%.)F&5+6%$-+$),%&,%HIJJ%(+*"&4&(+,"$%(0"%")­ 7-".-*%+%<0FF%F-,7".%$4*&("%")04.&,7%),%".-'-$%)<% *-5-'("&),?% 4.+,7-% +,5% <)*7&2-,-$$8% B.-% &,­ '+"-$% .+5% ".-% 5&$"&,4"% .),)*%)<% (0""&,7% ),% ".-% (*)504"&),% <)*% 3)".% ".-&*% (--*$% +,5% ".-% 7-,-*+F% (03F&4% &,% +,% )(-,% <)*0'% M% ,)"%+,%-+$6%<-+"%")%+44)'(F&$.8%O)1­ -2-*?% ".-% &,'+"-$% 1-*-% $)% 4)''&""-5% ")%(0""&,7%),%".-&*%(&-4-%".+"%".-6%-2-,% '-"%)0"$&5-%)<%$4.-50F-5%'--"&,7%5+6$% ")% *-.-+*$-% +,5% -5&"% ".-% (F+6% M% +,)".­ -*% $.&,&,7% -;+'(F-% )<% 0,&"6% +,5% "-+'% 1)*:%<)$"-*-5%+$%+%*-$0F"%)<%".&$%(*)/-4"8% B.-% (*)504"&),% 1+$% 1-FF% *-4-&2-5% +,5% ".-% &,'+"-$% F-<"% <--F&,7% (*)05% +,5% +4­

PCV Melinda with Jamal, Stage Manager/HMP Inmate

...THROUGH DRAMATIC ARTS 9

CENTER WHERE ADOLESCENTS # % # !"#$ LEARN TO LOVE AND SERVE + * ) ( % ' & David Genovesi

C

ALLS Center is a holistic two­year training program for at­risk adolescents. The aim of the program is to address the developmental needs of the trainees while transforming them into well­rounded responsible individuals empowered to lead success­ ful lives. This transformation takes place through the acquisition of new skills, a solid work ethic and an advanced interest in entrepreneurship and service – hence the acronym, Center where Adolescents Learn to Love and Serve. CALLS offers a second chance for disadvantaged youth who have made mistakes and want to change their life situation. Many dedicated PCVs have worked with this institution in various ca­ pacities throughout the years, including current PCVs Menke Gray, Mary Steinke and David Genovesi.

Mrs. Olivia Douglas has been involved with the CALLS Center for the past 17 years and has been the tireless and generous Director for the last nine years. !"#$% &'()*+#% ,+#% -+./% +% #0)1023+14% +1.% 5'#0406/% impact on countless young lives in Dominica and it 0#%.0723(*4%4'%21.%+18'1/%'1%4,/%0#*+1.%9,'%.'/#1:4% know and respect her for her many contributions to the Center and the community. I chatted with Mrs. &'()*+#%'1/%+74/"1''1%01%,/"%'723/%4'%;/44/"%(1./"­ stand the things that motivate her, the current status of CALLS, and what she sees in the future of the or­ ganization.

TING What’s the story of how CALLS was founded?

Olivia Douglas: CALLS was founded by the Sisters of St. Jo­ seph of Cluny. Sister Regina Lieber from Trinidad was then the principal of St. John’s School in Portsmouth. While there, she saw that many young persons, 15 years of age and over, were wandering around the streets looking for a boat to take them nowhere. She didn’t hesitate to recruit Sister Reiner, who was in­ volved in a youth program in Trinidad called Service Volunteered for All (SERVOL).

10

Island Representative !"#$%&%'()*+*,-

SERVOL was founded in the late 70’s after a serious uprising in Trinidad where violent youth were vandalizing and even commit­ ting murder. From inquiring in the ghetto in that country, Sister Reiner realized that young people felt no one was interested in them, no one was taking them seriously, and that they had no part in decision­making. SERVOL worked to address these is­ sues and even won the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts.

CALLS was modeled after SERVOL and was founded in 1994 to deal with the youth problem in Dominica, especially youth involved in illicit drugs, teenage pregnancy and anger issues.

Sister Reiner quickly convinced several retired members of the community to be part of the initiative. Mrs. Andre became the Adolescent Development Coordinator and is still with CALLS. Initially, I helped on a volunteer basis teaching Health, Health Care and Nursing at a very basic level along side many other volunteers willing to donate their time to this worthy cause. There are now former graduates of CALLS serving as staff members.

Sister Reiner served as Director for eight years before retiring and returning to Trinidad. I was then asked if I would be willing to take over the program and serve as Director. As a nurse by profession, I was engaged at the time in a Community Mental Health program sponsored by the government of Dominica and volunteering at CALLS, but I accepted the offer an became the Director of CALLS in February of 2002.

TING How great is the need for an institution like CALLS in Dominican society today?

OD: It is greatly needed, not only in Portsmouth, but it should be in the Carib Territory and in Grand Bay; and if possible, it should be over the entire island. With the Universal Secondary Education, many students are not academically prepared and the schools are not equipped for manual training such as electric­ ity, computer, woodworking, trades kinds of skills. However, I feel we are doing very well here.

The program is at 100 percent capacity. We have graduated over !""#$%&'())*#+%,-#./0012#3,4#5'66#7(8#9%&84&$)*#)-:6,;)8#&$# Ross University, the airport, the service industry, and many are working abroad in St. Martin, Guadaloupe, and Antigua ­ and even in the United States pursuing nursing degrees.

TING !"#$%&"#'()*#*+",(-"&.&/&$'0#$(#1-2#1-3-4&3/#3&2#5(*#

TING What are the limitations and the strengths of the

program?

OD:'G-#$,4'H.)#'/""($'+#"'-/I'1/+/*"4',!"/'J)+%-1"(',),.#$4'.#'K&+­ cilitators” would be a better word. The strengths are that CALLS offers trainees the opportunity to experience attitudinal change at all levels: socially, spiritually and educationally.

TING Speaking of funding, how is CALLS funded?

OD:'G.#',!"'1#$,'L>'0"+#$'@7AAB'9+$'&)/("('./%0':0'(./+,-./$' from benefactors, then the government came in with $15,000 +//)+%%04':),'+&,"#'+/'+)$,"#-,0'6"+$)#"',!+,'15)#"'9"/,'(.9/' to $10,000. Presently, the government is very supportive and government funding has risen to $20,000 but it takes $16,000 6./,!%0' ,.' C""2' ,!"' 2#.5#+6' +M.+,4' $.' ,!-$' +%./"' -$' /.,' +("­ quate. Additionally we get support from the Christian Brothers in the U.S. and Canada, the Presentation Sisters in Canada, and some from the Region and other local benefactors. Nationally, there are too many people to name everyone at this moment, but it is still not enough to attract the teachers and facilitators I would like to see.

TING CALLS also offers other services in addition to Trainee education, such as the Day Care Service.

Was this there from the start?

OD: The Day Care Service came along two years after the found­ ing of CALLS in 1996. This is an important aspect of the Program in more ways than one. It pays its workers, and the staff is quali­ 1"('+/(',#+-/"(':0'BNOPQA3'@+#-/5'&.#',!"'*.66)/-,0'*!-%(#"/' is an important aspect of CALLS service. We also accept young mothers in the training program and allow them to leave their children in day care while they attend classes. Presently we have four adolescent girls with babies in the day care facility. This is sometimes very challenging because these babies are without &+,!"#$'+/('9"'/""(',.'1/(':"/"&+*,.#$'&.#',!"63'

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them?

OD: Yes, once the young lady is trained, she can then further !"#$"%&'"()*+,-./+%%0'+/('1/+/*-+%%0'$)22.#,'!"#'*!-%(3 TING What role has the Peace Corps played in CALLS over the years?

OD: PCVs have played a great part in CALLS. Primarily, they have provided much needed personnel in many different capaci­ ,-"$4'"$2"*-+%%0'-/',!"'1#$,'"-5!,'.#'/-/"'0"+#$'.&',!"'2#.5#+63''7&­ ter that, we didn’t get any more PCVs because the Peace Corps 2.%-*0'-$',.',"+*!'0.)',.'1$!8'-/'.,!"#'9.#($',.':)-%('*+2+*-,0'+/(' sustainability.

Because we are a training center the people we are dealing with have a turnover. So those trainees who get help and learn things, such as carpentry, move on, and there is a new set of trainees who learn from them. The tremendous help that we have had from PCVs is the knowledge they bring, their fresh approach to ,"+*!-/5'+/('";"/',!"-#'!"%2'-/',!"'1/+/*-/54':"*+)$"',!"0'!+;"' :""/'+:%"',.'9#-,"'2#.<"*,'5#+/,$',!+,'9"#"':"/"1*-+%',.',!"'&)/(­ ing of CALLS. TING Do you have any idea of the percentage of CALLS 6*32)3$+"#7%(#1-2#7(*89 OD:'=>?'.&'@7AAB'5#+()+,"$'1/('9.#C'+&,"#'5#+()+,-./3'7$'D' $+-(4'6+/0'!+;"'1%%"('-62.#,+/,'2.$-,-./$'-/'.)#'$.*-",03 TING :*";#<()6/3"0#'()#%3=+#.++-#")4%#3-#&->)+-$&3/# and integral part of CALLS since its inception, do you have a vision for the organization after you leave?

Yes I do. I would really like to see the program expand. There +#"'6+/0'6.#"'+(.%"$*"/,$'9!.'*.)%(':"/"1,3'E"'+#"'+:%"',.' accept 25 new trainees each year. The graduates are then able to enter society and I would like to see CALLS accept 30 to 40 new trainees and also include more skills in the future, like auto 6"*!+/-*$' +/(' "/5-/"' #"2+-#4' +/(' /.9' ,!+,' 9"' !+;"' +' 1$!-/5' complex here in Portsmouth, for that industry too. We are waiting for a reconstruction plan that was submitted to various depart­ 6"/,$'.&',!"'5.;"#/6"/,'+$C-/5'&.#'+'$-5/-1*+/,'"F2+/$-./3'

EC84 Trainees Arrive Dominica Scarlette Briones Pamela Chiang Maria George Emily Hays Carrie Katz Denver Sicay Shervin Stoney St. Lucia Stella Clingmon Lauren Hammond Robert Hietker Tobias Mastrocola Maria Sebastian Melissa Torres Adam Wohlman

Grenada Sonja Horne Samantha Leonard Shruti Patel Leanne Pomeroy Megan Short Cara Walden Joshua Weber St. Vincent Joseph Barnes Courtney Crowder Ryan Eder Noelle Knight Jessica Sances Vicky Vail Ariel White

11

FAREWELL DEPARTING PCVs lo de Origen

Hometown / Ville Natale / Pueb

Class / Classe / Clase

Surname / Nom / Apellidos

WEBB CITY, MO

USA

EC81

NEW YORK, NY

USA

EC81 Code / Code / Codigo

Hometown / Ville Natale / Pueblo de Origen

Code / Code / Codigo

Class / Classe / Clase

AL-SHIBIB

Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

Surname / Nom / Apellidos

LUMA

GARST

DOMINICA

Service Island / L’île de Service / Isla de Servicio

mbres Given Names / Prénoms / No

Primary Assignment / Tâche Primaire / Tarea Primaria

MACKENZIE e / Isla de Servicio Service Island / L’île de Servic GRENADAnt / Tâche Primaire / Tarea Primaria ignme ry Ass Prima WOMEN GRENADA NAT’L ORG OF

KALINGO COUNCIL

LOGY rabajo Anterior B.A. PSYCHO nt / T Previous Job / Travail Précéde KS YMCA OF PITTSBURGH,

F

s Posteriores

Class / Classe / Clase

EC81

Code / Code / Codigo

USA

United States Peace Corps

DEVELOPMENT WORKER IN IRAQ

United States Peace Corps

RK IN NON-PROFITS TRAVEL, WO Advice / Conseil / Consejo others’ Be yourself and appreciate differences.

Authority / Autorité / Autoridad

Plans After Service / Projets / Planes Posteriores

Authority / Autorité / Autoridad

Plane Plans After Service / Projets /

F

B.A. POLITICAL SCIENCE, J.D. Previous Job / Travail Précédent / Trabajo Anterior ASSOCIATE, REED SMITH LLP

Sex / Sexe / Sexo

ción

Education / Education / Educa

Sex / Sexe / Sexo

Education / Education / Educación

Advice / Conseil / Consejo

Make the most of it, because it goes by in the blink of an eye.

Hometown / Ville Natale / Pueblo de Origen

BETHESDA, MD

Surname / Nom / Apellidos

SHELDON

Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

ALEX

Service Island / L’île de Service / Isla de Servicio

DOMINICA

Primary Assignment / Tâche Primaire / Tarea Primaria

GRAND BAY YOUTH CENTRE

Education / Education / Educación

Sex / Sexe / Sexo

B.A. PSYCHOLOGY AND RELIGION

F

Previous Job / Travail Précédent / Trabajo Anterior

Authority / Autorité / Autoridad

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

United States Peace Corps

Plans After Service / Projets / Planes Posteriores

CONTINUE TO BE AWESOME

Advice / Conseil / Consejo

...take time out to fall in love with the island again – see a waterfall, enjoy the beaches, drink some coconut water...

Code / Code / Codigo

Class / Classe / Clase

USA

EC81

/ Pueblo de Origen

Hometown / Ville Natale

AUSTIN, TX Class / Classe / Clase

EC81

ellidos

Surname / Nom / Ap

WALCH / Prénoms / Nombres Given Names ervicio SUSAN Service / Isla de S

Code / Code / Codigo

USA

Hometown / Ville Natale / Pueblo de Origen

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Surname / Nom / Apellidos

UNDERWOOD Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres DANA

Service Island / L’île de

ST. LUCIAment / Tâche Primaire / Tarea Primaria Primary Assign N Sex / Sexe / Sexo BETES ASSOCIATIO ST. LUCIA DIA / Educación F ) Education / Education SS RE toridad OG (IN PR Authority / Autorité / Au S DEGREE r MASTER/ Tra dent / Trabajo Anterio States récé vail P ited Un Previous Job ION ISS UTH COMM Peace Corps TEXAS YO teriores rojets / Planes Pos Plans After Service / P RY VETERANS ITA MIL H WIT RK WO nsejo Advice / Conseil / Co erver; I learned so Become a skilled obs and listening and not much by watching something. rushing in and doing Class / Classe / Clase

Service Island / L’île de Service / Isla de Ser

vicio

DOMINICA

Primary Assignment / Tâche Primaire / Tarea P

rimaria

ROSEAU CHILD FUND

Education / Education / Educación

Sex / Sexe / Sexo

B.A. SOCIOLOGY

Previous Job / Travail Précédent / Trabajo A

nterior

AT-RISK YOUTH COUNSELOR

Plans After Service / Projets / Planes Poste

TRAVEL, WORK, SCHOOL

Advice / Conseil / Consejo

riores

F

Authority / Autorité / Autoridad

United States Peace Corps

“Booooy, well yeah, dat can move!”

– Dominican quote Code / Code / Codigo

EC81

Hometown / Ville Natale / Pueblo de Origen

USA

STRATFORD, NJ

Surname / Nom / Apellidos

HANNA

Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

JONATHAN

Service Island / L’île de Service / Isla de Servicio

GRENADA

Primary Assignment / Tâche Primaire / Tarea Primaria

ST. GEORGE’S METHODIST SCHOOL Education / Education / Educación

B.A. ANTHROPOLOGY

Previous Job / Travail Précédent / Trabajo Anterior

MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Plans After Service / Projets / Planes Posteriores

TRAVEL SOUTH AMERICA

Sex / Sexe / Sexo

M

Authority / Autorité / Autoridad

United States Peace Corps

Advice / Conseil / Consejo

12

Find an initial project where you can really prove yourself to the community.

Departments

Class / Classe / Clase

Code / Code / Codigo

EC81

Given Names / Prénoms / No

mbres

HIGHLAND, CA

USA

EC81

lo de Origen

DELANCO, NJ

MORANO

Hometown / Ville Natale / Pueblo de Origen

Code / Code / Codigo

Class / Classe / Clase

Hometown / Ville Natale / Pueb

USA

Surname / Nom / Apellidos

STEPHANIE Service Island / L’île de Servic e / Isla de Servicio GRENADA

Surname / Nom / Apellidos

MOFFATT

Primary Assignment / Tâche Pr

imaire / Tare

ST. GEORGE’S ANGLICA a Primaria N SCHOOL ción B.F.A. INDUSTRIAL DESIGN Previous Job / Travail Précéde nt / Trabajo SPECIAL ED TEACHER Anterior

Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

CHRISTOPHER

Education / Education / Educa

Service Island / L’île de Service / Isla de Servicio

DOMINICA

Primary Assignment / Tâche Primaire / Tarea Primaria

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

s Post

TRAVEL SOUTH AMERIC eriores A

M

B.A. HISTORY, B.A. POLISCI Previous Job / Travail Précédent / Trabajo Anterior STUDENT AT UC SAN DIEGO

Advice / Conseil / Consejo

Authority / Autorité / Autoridad

Just say yes.

United States Peace Corps

Plans After Service / Projets / Planes Posteriores

GRADUATE SCHOOL

F

United States Peace Corps

Plans After Service / Projets / Plane

Sex / Sexe / Sexo

Education / Education / Educación

Sex / Sexe / Sexo Authority / Autorité / Autoridad

Advice / Conseil / Consejo

“...run with perseverance the race that is set before [you]”– Heb. 12:1

Class / Classe / Clase

EC81

Code / Code / Codigo

Hometown / Ville Natale / Pueblo de Origen

USA

WORCESTER, MA

Surname / Nom / Apellidos

WATTS

Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

JILL

Service Island / L’île de Service / Isla de Servicio

Class / Classe / Clase

Code / Code / Codigo

EC81

Hometown / Ville Natale / Pueblo de Origen

USA

HOUSTON, TX

Surname / Nom / Apellidos

ST. LUCIA

Primary Assignment / Tâche Primaire / Tarea Primaria

PIAYE COMBINED SCHOOL

Education / Education / Educación

JACKSON

Sex / Sexe / Sexo

M.A. VISUAL ARTS

Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

F

Previous Job / Travail Précédent / Trabajo Anterior

ALETA

GERIATRIC PSYCH THERAPIST

Service Island / L’île de Service / Isla de Ser

United States Peace Corps

Plans After Service / Projets / Planes Posteriores

vicio

ST. LUCIA

Authority / Autorité / Autoridad

PAINTING, WRITING, ACTIVISM

Primary Assignment / Tâche Primaire / Tarea P

Advice / Conseil / Consejo

rimaria

SOUFRIERE REGIONAL DEV FOUND Education / Education / Educación B.S. MARKETING, J.D. Previous Job / Travail Précédent / Trabajo A nterior JUVENILE COURT CLERK

...Recognize that things that seem alien to you came about as a response to causes you may not be aware of.

Sex / Sexe / Sexo

F

Authority / Autorité / Autoridad

United States Peace Corps

Plans After Service / Projets / Planes Poste

riores

FIVEFOLD MINISTRY PLAN

Advice / Conseil / Consejo

Code / Code / Codigo

Class / Classe / Clase

!!!"#$%&'$()*+%),-().#/()+*)%(0#,&+1.-&2.3) go slow but deliberate, work on your weaknesses, build on your strengths...

USA

EC81

ellidos

Surname / Nom / Ap

STEINKE / Prénoms / Nombres Given Names

MARY

Class / Classe / Clase

Code / Code / Codigo

rimaria DOMINICA âche Primaire / Tarea P Primary Assignment / T CONDARY SCHOOL C.A.L.L.S. SE ión / Educac Education / Education ARTS rabajo Anterior OR OFrécé BACHEL/ Tra dent / T vail P Previous Job MANITY teriores HU R FO HABITATrvice lanes Pos s / P / Projet Plans After Se D BE MARY! AN H, UG LIVE, LAseil / Consejo Advice / Con -()6&%($,&+1)+*)7+8%) 45+)$+1'6(1,07)&1), reau Tho D. H. – s!” dream

COVINA, CA

Surname / Nom / Apellidos

ABU-TAYEH

Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

SAMIEH

vicio

Service Island / L’île de Service / Isla de Ser

DOMINICA

rimaria Primary Assignment / Tâche Primaire / Tarea P

DUBLANC COMMUNITY Education / Education / Educación B.A. POLITICAL SCIENCE

Sex / Sexe / Sexo

F

Authority / Autorité / Autoridad

nterior Previous Job / Travail Précédent / Trabajo A

ervicio

Service / Isla de S

Service Island / L’île de

Hometown / Ville Natale / Pueblo de Origen

USA

EC81

/ Pueblo de Origen

Hometown / Ville Natale

GS, CO COLORADO SPRIN

Sex / Sexe / Sexo

F

toridad

Authority / Autorité / Au

United States Peace Corps

United States Peace Corps

PROGRAM AFTER SCHOOLts / Plan es Posteriores Plans After Service / Proje ED TEACHING IAL SPEC IN M.A.

Class / Classe / Clase

Advice / Conseil / Consejo

EC81

Be open, allow yourself to grow, and is remember your Peace Corps service YOURS. Enjoy it!

Code / Code / Codigo

Hometown / Ville Natale / Pueblo de Origen

USA

PHOENIX, AZ

Surname / Nom / Apellidos

KILGORE

Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

ERRIN

Service Island / L’île de Service / Isla de Servicio

GRENADA

Primary Assignment / Tâche Primaire / Tarea Primaria

ST. JOHNS ANGLICAN SCHOOL

Education / Education / Educación

Sex / Sexe / Sexo

B.A. MUSIC THERAPY

F

Previous Job / Travail Précédent / Trabajo Anterior

Authority / Autorité / Autoridad

GIANT STEPS DAY SCHOOL

United States Peace Corps

Plans After Service / Projets / Planes Posteriores

WHO KNOWS?

Advice / Conseil / Consejo

Embrace it.

Class / Classe / Clase

Code / Code / Codigo

lo de Origen

Hometown / Ville Natale / Pueb

USA

EC81

DETROIT, MI

Surname / Nom / Apellidos

MORGAN Class / Classe / Clase

Code / Code / Codigo

EC81

USA

Hometown / Ville Natale / Pueblo de Origen

WASHINGTON, D.C.

AIKEN

ción

LOGY rabajo Anterior B.S. PSYCHO nt / T Previous Job / Travail Précéde CANDY GIFFORDS ICE CREAM AND eriores

AUDREY

Service Island / L’île de Service / Isla de Servicio

NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ELDERLY Education / Education / Educación

B.A. ENGLISH LITERATURE

ervicio

e / Isla de S Service Island / L’île de Servic

Education / Education / Educa

Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

Primary Assignment / Tâche Primaire / Tarea Primaria

AMIRH

DOMINICA nt / Tâche Primaire / Tarea Primaria Primary Assignme BIG BROTHERS & SISTERS

Surname / Nom / Apellidos

ST. LUCIA

mbres

Given Names / Prénoms / No

s Post

Plane Plans After Service / Projets /

Sex / Sexe / Sexo

F

Authority / Autorité / Autoridad

United States Peace Corps

Sex / Sexe / Sexo

F

Authority / Autorité / Autoridad

United States Peace Corps

LAW SCHOOL Advice / Conseil / Consejo during your Enjoy the small successes things that service; those will be the bad days. keep you going on really

Advice / Conseil / Consejo

Take one day at a time.

Background Photo © Amirh Morgan. Used with permission.

13

Hometown / Ville Natale / Pueblo de Origen

Code / Code / Codigo

Class / Classe / Clase

SANDUSKY, OH

USA

EC81

Class / Classe / Clase

Surname / Nom / Apellidos

KATIE

LONGIN

Service Island / L’île de Servic

rimaria

e / Isla de Servicio

BEL AIR HOME

DOMINICA Primary Assignment / Tâche Pr imaire / Tare GRAND FOND VILLAGE a Primaria COUNCIL Education / Education / Educa ción B.A. POLISCI, B.A. COM&RH ETORIC Previous Job / Travail Précéde nt / Trabajo Anterior SNR MARIAN WALSH’S OFF ICE Plans After Service / Projets / Planes Post DO MY DUTY AND A LITT eriores LE MORE Advice / Conseil / Consejo Live every day of your life.

Sex / Sexe / Sexo

Education / Education / Educación

F

ATION M.A. SPECIAL EDUC nterior Previous Job / Travail Précédent / Trabajo A CITY YORK NEW IN HER TEAC

Authority / Autorité / Autoridad

United States Peace Corps

riores Plans After Service / Projets / Planes Poste

EXPLORE MOREjo OF THE WORLD Advice / Conseil / Conse Be happy, be useful, have fun!

Code / Code / Codigo

mbres

BRIAN

Primary Assignment / Tâche Primaire / Tarea P

EC81

lo de Origen

MARBLEHEAD, MA

Given Names / Prénoms / No

vicio

Service Island / L’île de Service / Isla de Ser

GRENADA

Hometown / Ville Natale / Pueb

USA

Surname / Nom / Apellidos

Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

Class / Classe / Clase

Code / Code / Codigo

EC81

MORAN

Sex / Sexe / Sexo

M

Authority / Autorité / Autoridad

United States Peace Corps

Hometown / Ville Natale / Pueblo de Origen

USA

SONOMA, CA

Surname / Nom / Apellidos

KUK

Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

THOMAS

Service Island / L’île de Service / Isla de Servicio

ST. LUCIA

Primary Assignment / Tâche Primaire / Tarea Primaria

BELLE VUE FARMERS COOP

Education / Education / Educación

Sex / Sexe / Sexo

M.A. NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT

M

Previous Job / Travail Précédent / Trabajo Anterior

Authority / Autorité / Autoridad

NONPROFIT CEO

United States Peace Corps

Plans After Service / Projets / Planes Posteriores

NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT

Advice / Conseil / Consejo

Never underestimate the threat of mosquitoes.

Code / Code / Codigo

Class / Classe / Clase

Class / Classe / Clase

Code / Code / Codigo

EC81

USA

ellidos

Surname / Nom / Ap

SEATTLE, WA

ZAMORA / Prénoms / Nombres Given Names JACQUELEEN Isla de Servicio

Surname / Nom / Apellidos

Service /

Service Island / L’île de

LUCE

Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

A ea Primaria GRENADmen t / Tâche Primaire / Tar Primary Assign GE LLE CO D AL ON CD MA

MARCUS DEAN rvice / Isla de Servicio Service Island / L’île de Se

nterior

Previous Job / Travail Précédent / Trabajo A

DUCK CAPTAIN ts / Planes Posteriores Plans After Service / Proje REALITY TELEVISION

F

Education / Education

rimaria Primary Assignment / Tâche Primaire / Tarea P

MARIGOT DISTRICT HOSPITAL Education / Education / Educación B.A. SOCIOLOGY, M.A. TEACHING

Sex / Sexe / Sexo

/ Educación

DOMINICA

Sex / Sexe / Sexo

M

Authority / Autorité / Autoridad

United States Peace Corps

Being a PCV is a lot like being in a parade: be sure to smile and wave.

Class / Classe / Clase

EC81

Code / Code / Codigo

toridad

Authority / Autorité / Au

ATION dent / Trabajo Anterior M.S. EDUC récé Previous Job / Travail P ACHER lanes Posteriores SPED TErvice s / P rojet / P er Se Plans Aft LIME WITH MY CATS TRAVEL,seil nsejo / Co Con ce / Advi especially when Smile and breathe, things get tough.

Advice / Conseil / Consejo

United States Peace Corps

Hometown / Ville Natale / Pueblo de Origen

USA

SONOMA, CA

Surname / Nom / Apellidos

Class / Classe / Clase

Code / Code / Codigo

EC81

USA

Surname / Nom / Apellidos

CHAPMAN RASHAWNA

Hometown / Ville Natale / Pueb

lo de Origen

SAN DIEGO, CA

KUK

Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

LISA

Service Island / L’île de Service / Isla de Servicio

ST. LUCIA

Given Names / Prénoms / No

mbres

Primary Assignment / Tâche Primaire / Tarea Primaria

MBE, LITERACY AND LIBRARIES

Service Island / L’île de Servic

e / Isla de S

ervicio DOMINICA imaire / Tare CHILDREN’S FEDERATIO a Primaria N NGO Education / Education / Educa ción B.A. INT’L DEVELOPMENT Previous Job / Travail Précéde nt / Trabajo YEARBOOK EDITOR AT Anterior PLNU Plans After Service / Projets / Planes Posteriores MASTERS IN INT’L DEVELO PMENT Advice / Conseil / Consejo !"#$%&'$($)*#+",-./"0##& 1-23 678.9./:#28;#38#;1"#59:#:8< 4#5-//# them to go, but it keeps life #",6"=;# interesting.

Education / Education / Educación

Sex / Sexe / Sexo

B.S., COLORADO STATE

Primary Assignment / Tâche Pr

Code / Code / Codigo

EC81

USA

F

Previous Job / Travail Précédent / Trabajo Anterior

Authority / Autorité / Autoridad

BUSINESS OWNER

Sex / Sexe / Sexo

F

Authority / Autorité / Autoridad

United States Peace Corps

United States Peace Corps

Plans After Service / Projets / Planes Posteriores

FIND A JOB

Advice / Conseil / Consejo

Wear comfortable shoes and bring multiple umbrellas.

Class / Classe / Clase

EC81

Code / Code / Codigo

USA

Surname / Nom / Apellidos

Class / Classe / Clase

TARRYTOWN, NY

USA

EC81

Hometown / Ville Natale / Pueblo de Origen

/ Pueblo de Origen

Hometown / Ville Natale

Hometown / Ville Natale / Pueblo de Origen

ANAHEIM, CA

Surname / Nom / Apellidos

BERNAL

Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

CRYSTAL MARIE

Service Island / L’île de Service / Isla de Servicio

GRENADA

Primary Assignment / Tâche Primaire / Tarea Primaria

KIDO FOUNDATION

Education / Education / Educación

B.A. POLISCI / INT’L RELATIONS Previous Job / Travail Précédent / Trabajo Anterior

HELPED AT-RISK YOUTH

Plans After Service / Projets / Planes Posteriores

TRAVEL SOUTH AMERICA

Sex / Sexe / Sexo

F

Authority / Autorité / Autoridad

United States Peace Corps

Hometown / Ville Natale / Pueb

lo de Origen

LANGHORNE, PA

DOMBACH

Given Names / Prénoms / No

AMANDA

mbres

Service Island / L’île de Servic

e / Isla de Servicio

GRENADA Primary Assignment / Tâche Pr imaire / Tare CORINTH GOVT. PRIMAR a Primaria Y SCHOOL Education / Education / Educa ción B.A. SOCIAL WORK Previous Job / Travail Précéde nt / Trabajo CHILD WELFARE SOCIAL Anterior WORKER Plans After Service / Projets / Planes Posteriores GRAD SCHOOL Advice / Conseil / Consejo Free up yuhself!

Sex / Sexe / Sexo

F

Authority / Autorité / Autoridad

United States Peace Corps

Advice / Conseil / Consejo

It’s going to go by quick – so step out of your comfort zone, learn the names of :8<7#2"-31.874>#4"/?@7"+"=;#"A"7:#B9:0

14

Background Photo © Amirh Morgan. Used with permission.

Departments

THE

Vincentian Society Prevention Cruelty Animals

W

FOR THE

hen I was little, I knew the following things to be true: Velcro shoes were amazing and saved time in the morning for Ninja Turtles and toast, ice cream birthday cake was a given and I loved and felt connected to animals more than most kids. Growing up an only child, my siblings were hamsters, dogs, cats and horses, and it felt natural to channel Dr. Dolittle most days after homework. Before I knew biology was not my strongest skill, I was convinced that my path was to be a primatologist, taking over where Dian Fos­ sey left off – deep in the forests of Rwanda, living with and studying mountain gorillas. Attributing human­like qualities to my companion animals, I became certain from a young age that “the least I can do is speak for those who cannot speak for themselves” (Jane Goodall), and practice empathy as much as possible.

Fast forward to today. Around one year into my service on this lush, volcanic, mango­dripping island, I am happy to report that I have found my calling as a Peace Corps Volunteer. A group of Vin­ !"#$%&#'(&#)(*(%#%$%&$")(&(#+#,-.+/$(+.0&#%1&$%+#( called the Vincentian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (VSPCA). For anyone read­ ing this on neighboring islands, perhaps you have noticed the challenges of overpopulation leading to unwanted and wandering street animals, the need for education in regards to non­human ani­ mal welfare, care and basic needs, or a seeming indifference to the conditions in which our animal companions live. Quite frankly, I would not be able to survive with my sanity in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for 27 months without trying my hardest to improve the situation while I am here, and to work towards ensuring that these efforts are sustained beyond my term of service in SVG. VSPCA now has over 150 members, a growing and active social media campaign, and two very successful fundraisers under its belt. Additionally, thanks to the support of the Pegasus Foundation

Feature Articles

OF

TO

and Humane Society International, we have re­ !"#$23(."!"%4")($5+('%0#%/!&#$(0.&#$(&5&.)'($+(&'­ sist in launching our humane education and com­ munity outreach program.

Set to commence in April 2012, this program and curriculum are currently being mapped out and created by members of the VSPCA leader­ ship team. Our burgeoning organization has al­ ready been invited to present to various schools and youth groups on the island, as well as in the Grenadines. Students have been receptive to the content and curious about how they can one day become veterinarians, a concept we are trying to encourage. It is this mentality of local leadership and ownership that can help to ensure the sustain­ &6%2%$3(+7($8"(/.'$(&#)(+#23(&#%9&2(5"27&."(+.0&#%­ zation in SVG. In addition to educational outreach, VSPCA is highly focused on spaying and neutering pets. It is imperative to not simply advocate for the opera­ $%+#':(6;$($+(!2"&.23("<-2&%#($8"(6"#"/$'(&#)(!+'$'( in order to begin to control the street animal pop­ ulation with the hopes of eventually eliminating unwanted and diseased animals through preven­ tion. No one, human or animal, can choose what life they are born into, but all deserve a life of free­ dom, love and joy.

Besides a mobile clinic, our long­term goals in­ clude a comprehensive and holistic rehabilitation site equipped with a clinic, staff, shelter, quaran­ tine and adoption areas, and a peaceful home for those in need. It’s a dream, right? But to so many, VSPCA was a dream; something worthy of pur­ suing, something desperately needed, but over­ whelming and daunting to begin. But we have be­ gun, and the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Kiersten Anderson Special Contributor !"#$%&%'()%*+,-.,(%/,0%(1.%23.,/0+,.4

15

Andrew Davis Special Contributor !"#$%&%'()%*+((,%-./%012+,

T

here is something remarkable and altogether awe­inspiring about living in the village of Saddlers, deep within the countryside of St. Kitts.

There’s an intrinsic beauty about the waves of !"#$%&'( )*"$( +$,-.( '/*'( &*0"'( '/$( /0,,.0-$.( 0"( broad strokes. On an exceptionally clear day, you can easily see four different islands rising !&(123%('/$(0"+"0'$(4*'"$..(31('/$(/32053"6(7"( a rainy day, you can look up towards the peak of Mt. Liamuiga and see faint streams of white waterfalls gushing down towards the sea. On multiple occasions, I literally have to remind myself to breathe as I’m walking to catch a bus because the blueness of the ocean simply takes my breath away.

I take the bus often because I work in Basse­ terre, the capital, and when people say “town,” there’s only one option they are talking about.

St. Kitts is not very big, but I live almost as far away from town as you possibly can on this is­ land, and the sheer dichotomy between town and country could not be any more obvious. In town every­ thing is doused in concrete, which makes the buildings and roads radiate heat. This heat seems to have no place else to go besides my armpits and back, because by 9:30 every morning those places are drenched in sweat. During tourist season, there might be as many as three

cruise ships in port, which means I get clumped in with over 5,000 other White people wander­ ing around town. Apparently we are all look­ ing for taxis, too. Needless to say, I am relieved when the day is done and I can catch a bus home to my beautiful countryside.

I faced a dilemma early on in my service that I felt needed rectifying as soon as possible. With work in town and home in the countryside, my co­workers were not my neighbors, which meant I knew only a handful of people in my village. I needed to plug myself into the social pipeline, for I was not going to spend quiet weeknights and weekends by myself playing Parcheesi with my imaginary friends. I needed to meet friends, and the sooner the better. So, what was I going to do?

I took a little inventory of what I had going for me at the time. First off, I was the only American living in my village. This might seem obvious, but there are a handful of medical schools and a veterinary school on island, which means there are a lot of students clustered in different plac­ es. It seems the default status of a young person from America is automatically set to “student,” however, since students don’t generally set up

Andrew might find himself here some days, in the Circus at Historic Downtown Basseterre

16

Feature Articles

shop in Saddlers, I could easily present myself as someone who wants to integrate and immerse myself in the local culture. !"#$ %#&'$ '(()$ *$ +',),-#.$ /01$ 23$ .#1,4#$ 5(4$ 6(,%6$ (%$ 4+%1$ 0%.$ )(%6$ /0)718$ *$ 96+4#.$ '"0'$ to literally be seen throughout my community would encourage others to be open around me. I couldn’t just work all day in town and then come home in the evenings and shut myself inside my tiny apartment. I would go on walks, both through my village and up into the hills at the base of Mt. Liamuiga, constantly asking farmers about the direction the dusty cane roads would take me in. I would also go running on the main road through several villages and greet people as I jogged by. After a few miles my “good af­ ternoons” would start to sound pretty distorted between gasps for breaths. And on more than one occasion, cars full of teenagers followed alongside me laughing at my strange custom of running in the heat for fun – but I suppose that just goes to show how similar teenagers are ev­ erywhere. !"#$)01'$20:(4$'(()$*$+',),-#.$'(/04.1$2##'­ ing people may be a bit more controversial '"0%$'"#$941'$'/(;$<+'$,'$=0%>'$<#$,6%(4#.8$*$02$ a man, and being a man in this culture affects (%#>1$0<,),'3$'($1(=,0),-#$,%$2(4#$'"0%$(%#$/038$ Certainly, as with every place, there are ar­

Andrew gives some drawing tips to a student at Saddlers Secondary School. eas of town you shouldn’t go, but I never wor­ ried about walking around the common places of my village after the sun went down. I knew I wouldn’t be subjected to any catcalls or hisses. *$0)1($4#0),-#.$#04)3$(%$'"0'$,'$/01$0==#?'0<)#$'($ visit a rum shop, have a few beers by myself, and start chatting up anybody who happened to be ?0'4(%,-,%6$'"#$102#$?)0=#8$@%5(4'+%0'#)3;$,'$,1$ not as socially acceptable for a woman to do the same thing, and I have made quite a few good friends just by showing up to a local shop on a slow Saturday afternoon.

It has always been a little hectic to live on one side of the island and work all the way in '(/%;$ <+'$ '"#$ <#%#9'1$ "0A#$ <##%$ 2(4#$ '"0%$ *$ can count. I get the experience of working in the bustling town, but can come home to a quiet, close­knit community. I visit villages where even locals might not go for months at a time because they are so far in the country. And even still, I get people who come up to me and say they see me running on the road. When my friends in town want to know where I live, and I tell them, their reaction is usually the same: “Whaa?? That far, man!” But there is no way I would want to live in any other village except for my own.

“... I am relieved when the day is done and I can catch a bus home to my beautiful countryside.”

17

Chad LaRoche '5.-+/6%"7,(3+89(73 !"#$%&%'()%*+,-.,(%/,0%(1.%23.,/0+,.4

I

t’s another Thursday evening in St. Vincent. I make my way down the street from my house, take a seat on the curb in front of the local play­ !"#$%&'()$*"($+*!,$-./$,0&$-*1!'!*/$2!#0,$.-$,0&$3!#$ white van to round the corner and pick me up. I hear the sound of an approaching engine, see my friend Mwata behind the wheel, and jump aboard to head out to drum practice.

I feel very fortunate to have become a part of this group known as the Resistance Heartbeat Drummers. It started one night during my sec­ ond week of living with my host family. From my room I heard the distant sounds of African drums and gravitated towards the rhythm. The group was playing just up the street, and during a break in their performance, I asked how I could get in­ volved. I was invited to join a Thursday night ses­ sion, and from that point on I was in.

Members of the group have been musically active since the 1970s when they were involved in

the prominent and social­ ly conscious drumming groups, DRAGS (Dy­ namic Rhythm and Arts Group in Solidarity) and Naked Roots. The Resis­ tance Heartbeat Drum­ mers group only formed last year, but have already evolved to consist of a very diverse set of people: musicians, artists, cul­ tural and social activists, Rastafarians, an Evan­ gelist preacher, farmers, skilled workers, and a Peace Corps Volunteer, all banded together to spread the message of love, peace, and social commentary.

As the name suggests, the group resists all negative forces. In many of our songs we utilize the “heartbeat,” a simple and traditional African rhythm, to accompany various chants, poetry and Reggae dubs. Other rhythms include Calypso, Shango, Reggae, and Garifuna. Performances include playing at cultural festivals, the Peace Corps 50th Anniversary Celebration, intermis­ sion at a Vincentian fashion show amid glamor­ ous models and blaring techno, and three differ­ ent villages during St. Vincent’s Nine Mornings Celebration (nine mornings of performances and activities starting at 4:00 AM and leading up to Christmas Day).

My most memorable moment was during a 4&/-./1*"5&$ *,$ *$ 21*''$ %20!"#$ 6!''*#&$ 7".+"$ *2$ 8'*/&$9*''&:;$$<&$+&/&"=,$".,!%&($,0*,$,0&$1./"­ ing’s activities were cancelled, as the wind and rain from the previous day had mashed up the stage, but the owner of the bar said we were wel­ come to come in and play anyway using an un­ %"!20&($4./,!."$.-$,0&$3*/;$$<&$2&,$>4$.>/$5!/5'&$

fr m the heart THE RESISTANCE HEARTBEAT DRUMMERS

18

Feature Articles

and jammed away, strictly drums. A couple of lo­ !"#$ %&'()*"+$ *",($ -'(.)$ /"0$ .+$ -1$ &(($ /'"-$ "##$ the commotion was about, and before you knew .-2$-'($3455$"6*6$".)$/"&$%##(,$/.-'$-'($71/()89#$ smell of Strong Rum and shouts of approval. The longer we played, the more the distinct rhythms of our drums locked into each other. At one point I closed my eyes in the darkness, only to open them sometime later to see the room and its in­ habitants illuminated by the rising sun – one of those surreal and magical Peace Corps moments.

As the Resistance Heartbeat Drummers move into the future, we have many goals, including school visits to spread the love of drums and the importance of cultural preservation to the youth. In addition, we hope to be involved with other drumming groups in what has become a relatively new movement here on St. Vincent: the “Full Moon Drum Circle”– a concept that brings

-1:(-'()$,)9*&2$,"+!(2$&.+:.+:2$#.*;12$;1+$%)(&2$ and arts, literally into a circle.

A Vincentian­American and founding mem­ ber of the Resistance Heartbeat Drummers, An­ thony Bacchus, injected new life into the region’s Afro­Caribbean drumming scene. A resident of Florida, Anthony became a close friend of mine during his six­month return to St. Vincent where he tirelessly worked to unify the drummers of St. Vincent under every full moon. He continues to push by recruiting regional and international drummers for future drum circles. With his de­ parture to Florida, his energy and enthusiasm remains among group members and has helped propel us into the New Year.

It is my sheer delight to have met with and learned from such a culturally rich group of peo­ ple, and to have shared my passion for drumming in return.

“Eh, White man!”

I turn my head and see the toothless smile of a vagrant beckoning my attention across the street. Still not comfortable, after two years of being called White Man, I force a weak smile and give a perfunctory wave.

“Hey, dat’s your wire?”

He shoots back.

“What?” I say. “I don’t un­ derstand.” I’m thinking this guy must be one of those crazy, rambling vagrants that I should’ve ignored

t. George’ S e s Th

ARCHAEOLOGY CAMP

Jonathan Hanna Special Contributor !"#$%&%'()*+,+

A

nd so it was that a vagrant subtlely informed me of the popularity of my summer program last year. The community this man wanders in is located on the main road to my school. It’s an impoverished, working­class neighborhood where rum­shop patrons !"#$ %!&'!"()$ !**+!'$ ,"(,-,#!(,"&$ !($ .')($ &/!"0+1$ )+0­ ond glance, too, actually. But many people sit outside to escape their crowded board houses and enjoy the after­ noon breeze. The kids from my school yell “Mr. Jon!” as they run through crumbling streets with old, bro­ ken toys in tow. As you might imagine, teaching these kids computers (my primary assignment) has exposed them to worlds they never knew existed. I feel incred­ ibly grateful for the chance to not only understand this place better, but to make such an impact. Last summer, however, I was able to venture even further.

I left the States in February 2010 thinking I was done with archaeology. It was my focus in college (B.A. in Anthropology) and in a job afterward, but a steady 0!'++'$2,(3$4+"+.()$)++-+#$/,5+$!$6!'!2!7$#'+!-8$9:,"­ ing the Peace Corps, I thought, bottled that dream for a much later time. Thus, I initially downplayed my back­ ground at worksites in Grenada, instead highlighting past volunteering efforts and IT skills. In fact, I focused on everything BUT the one thing I was most experi­ enced in. As it turned out, I almost missed a huge op­ portunity.

Last May, after a spontaneous conversation about summer camps with a friend (local historian Michael Jessamy), the idea of a small program that used ar­ chaeology as a hands­on vehicle for kids to get inter­ ested in science and history began to crystallize. Three months later, Jessamy and I had successfully piloted

20

right off the bat. Did he say wire or wife? Whatever, just keep walking.

“The wire... down by the river.”

I stop and turn around, laughing, “Oh!” My face lights up as I realize what he’s talking about. “The sifter? From my archaeology project? Yes, that’s mine.

We’re coming back just now, man. Keep an eye on that for me.”

“Yea, okay boss. Dem kids, man, ha­ha.” He chuckles a bit, waving his hand.

the St. George’s Archaeology Camp. Every morning for four weeks, a dozen kids from around St. Georges came to my classroom at the Methodist School to learn about !'03!+:/:&7;$)0,+"(,.0$-+(3:#;$!"#$(3+$3,)(:'7$:6$<'+­ nada. With the assistance of my wife, Stephanie, a local friend, Sameem Rahaman, and support from friends back home, we bought a ton of equipment and ran a smooth operation that even attracted local media atten­ tion. We had a scavenger hunt at the National Museum, toured archaeological sites around the island, and ex­ cavated three areas of Queens Park, including a real Ar­ awak site along the St. Johns River. Surprisingly, all of these excavations turned up prehistoric artifacts ­ even the preliminary “fake” pits I had prepared! (It appears that the entire area was heavily populated by Arawaks from at least 0­600AD, Saladoid times.)

This summer, we’re planning to continue the pro­ gram with an expanded scope that proactively engages local community members (what’s called “community archaeology”). The roughly 20 participants will be se­ lected from both the surrounding community as well as secondary schools around St. Georges. Participants 2,//$ 4+$ (!=&3($ 0:'+$ )5,//)$ ,"$ )0,+"(,.0$ !"!/7),)$ !"#$ !'­ chaeological methods, as well as how the information (3+7$0://+0($.()$,"(:$/!'&+'$*!((+'")$!"#$(3+:',+)$!4:=($ the region. Basically, we hope participants will emerge from this program with a strong, well­rounded foun­ #!(,:"$,"$)0,+"(,.0$(3:=&3($!"#$!"$!0(,%+$!**'+0,!(,:"$ of local heritage sites. It is our belief that through this 5,"#$ :6$ !2!'+"+));$ (3+$ 2,#+'$ 0:--=",(7$ 2,//$ 4+"+.($ and these sites will be sustainably protected. The U.S. embassy is poised to support major costs, including new equipment and transportation, but I have a feeling that the sifters I stashed last summer will still be at the site when we get there. If not, I’m sure my friend, the vagrant, will have made good use of them.

For more info and pictures, visit our GoogleSite https://sites.google.com/site/grenadaarch/

Feature Articles

AIN’T NO WITHOUT

CARNIVAL

CALYPSO

his year I gained an exciting new perspective on the St. Kitts T and Nevis National Carnival after I was asked to serve on the Calypso Subcommittee by recently appointed Calypso Chair­

man Mr. Sylvester Anthony. Having heard of past calypso con­ troversies, I was quite shocked when approached by Sylvester, and I took the opportunity to vent my concerns before agreeing to work as part of his team. National Carnival 2011 ­ 2012 involved lots of planning, meetings, crazy working hours, and plenty of challenges to overcome, but rest assured that the calypso made it enjoyable. Now I often begin chuckling to myself when I hear familiar melodies on the local radio, in full anticipation of the witty social commentary that is about to ensue.

From what I see, calypso in St. Kitts and Nevis is a very pop­ ular art form where anyone can express views about any issue regardless of how comical, unpopular or controversial. In fact, during my time serving as a committee member, I often heard the remark, “Calypso ain’t calypso if it ain’t got in controversy.”

Thus, with an open mind, I opted to guide myself by the principle of enjoying every calypso song and leaving it to the judges to let the best man or woman win.

This year there were some 71 calypsonians registered for St. Kitts and Nevis National Carnival, and what a show it was!

Calypso fans were treated to the slow and seductive styling of King Rock­A­Fella who was crowned King of the Tents with his tune and now very popular catch phrase, “Stay In Your Lane.”

And then later, fans were tutored by none other than Big Lice, the 2nd runner up Senior Calypso Monarch, as his song “Ain’t So Calypso Go” instructed that calypso can never be muzzled, as it is the poor man’s protest. This year the ladies were also well represented by the likes of Queen Anastasia, who was crowned Female Calypso Monarch for the second year running with her powerful and emotionally compelling renditions dubbed “I Love Calypso” and “Ah Feel It.” Similarly, this year’s showing by fe­ males in the Junior Calypso Monarch sent a clear message that calypso is in capable hands. As such, 17­year­old Singing Solution (nicknamed Pumpkin) won the Junior Monarch by

Kennedy Pemberton Special Contributor !"#$%$&'($)*''+$,-.$#/0*+

pleading to youth about the pitfalls of their reckless behavior with her piece entitled “Candle In The Wind.”

Senior Calypso Monarch 2011­2012 made history this year with its prompt start at 8:00 p.m. sharp, so if you were even 10 !"#$%&'( )*%&( +,$( !"''&-( %.&( /0'%( 1&2( 3$#4.&'( ,1( 2.*%( 2*'( *( spectacular clash. With eight contenders, two rounds and 16 ca­ lypso songs to be performed, the crowd was wowed with theatri­ cal presentations, pyrotechnic displays and a range of props that demonstrated ingenuity and mad genius. But there could only be one winner! To the pleasure of some and displeasure of others, %.&($#-&1&*%&-(5"#6(5,#0"'(%,,7(%.&(40,2#(1,0(*(/1%.(%"!&(*1%&0( returning from a calypso hiatus. In round one, King Konris pos­ tulated on the division and need for unity in the Caribbean, syn­ onymizing our countries to “Oil And Water,” while in round two he addressed the political division that is rampant in his homeland, reinforcing the need for our people’s vision to be nothing less than “20/20.” Senior Calypso Monarch could easily be deemed a Battle Royale as scores of calypso lovers turned out to see &"6.%(.&*8+90,))&0(4,#%&#-&0'(/6.%(1,0(%.&(%"%)&(,1(:,#*04.(*#-(%.&( whopping prize of a brand new car.

Calypso on my tiny twin­island federation has clearly found a place in our hearts and minds. This year I am proud to have been able to lend my support in organizing these competitions. ;.&%.&0("%(2*'(*%%&#-"#6(4*)+3',(%&#%'<(&)"!"#*%",#'<('&!"9/#*)'( ,0(%.&(/#*)('.,2-,2#'<(*(8*0"&%+(,1()+0"4'(2&0&(3&##&-<(!&),-"&'( arranged and a plethora of vibrant personalities came forward to put on the performances of their lives. I will never forget songs like “Mmmhmm,” “VAT is Killing We,” “One More Hole,” “Writ­ ing on the Wall,” “Superman,” “Tek Dat,” “Ghetto State of Mind,” “Who In Charge,” and “What More Do You Want.” Rest assured, calypso is alive and well in St. Kitts and Nevis, and Na­ tional Carnival 2012­2013 will yield another op­ portunity for calypso to reign as king during our carnival celebrations.

Senior Calypso Monarch Contestants

K! King Rock-A-Fella K" King Konris Q# Queen Anastasia

Photos © ErvinWelsh.com Used with permission.

21

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Hi All, Decades ago, in another life, as a summer camp counselor, I taught a class entitled “What good’s a pier?” I worked at Wye Institute near Queenstown, Maryland, and the campers were late elementary school­aged children, both local and from New York state. We had a blast checking out the many things you !"#$%#&$'($&($(#$"#&$")(*#&$"$+,-)$()$&(!.$(#$'/-$0"'-)1$2($#(0$3$"4$,#5(65-&$ 0,'/$'/-$6,7)")8$-99()'$"'$3),:/'(0#$;),4")8$2!/((6$"#&$3$:--$.,&:$/"5,#<$'/-$:"4-$ -=!,'-4-#'$%#&,#<$(*'$0/"'$<((&$,:$,#$"$6,7)")81$3$/"5-$"''"!/-&$"$7*#!/$(9$ +,!'*)-:>$0/,!/$0,66$+)(7"768$'-66$'/-$:'()8$7-''-)$'/"#$0()&:1$?(0-5-)>$3$0,66$"6:($ pass on a few of my experiences. @/-$6,7)")8$)((4$0":$&*:'8$"#&$*#*:-&$0/-#$3$%):'$<('$'/-)-1$3$.#(0$9()$:*)-$ that it wasn’t used last year when I worked in the computer room downstairs. I A*&<-$,'$/":$#('$7--#$*:-&$"'$6-":'$:,#!-$BCCD>$+-)/"+:$0/-#$'/-$+)-5,(*:$;-"!-$ Corps Volunteer was here. The Head Teacher, Mrs. Bodie, took down the curtains "#&$0":/-&$'/-4$7-9()-$)-+6"!,#<$'/-41$3$)-4(5-&$'/-$!")+-':$"#&$7)*:/-&$ '/-4$(99$!")-9*668$7-9()-$+*'',#<$'/-4$7"!.$&(0#1$@/-$7((.:$")-$<)(*+-&$5-)8$ )(*</68$78$"<-$"#&$<)"&->$7*'$'/-)-$,:$5-)8$6,''6-$()<"#,E"',(#$,#$'/-,)$+6"!-4-#'1$ @/,:$&(-:#F'$:--4$'($7('/-)$'/-$.,&:G$"'$%):'>$4(:'$:--4-&$'($<)"5,'"'-$'($'/-$ more youthful books, especially the “Berenstain Bears” and other picture books, 7*'$(5-)$"$+-),(&$(9$',4-$'/"'$/":$!/"#<-&1$3$+)(7"768$#--&$'($:-'$*+$"$',4-$0,'/$ the teachers when I can get each class in here for a discussion of books, their !")->$"#&$!/-!.,#<H(*'$+)(!-&*)-:1$2(4-$(9$'/-$'-"!/-):$")-$+(.,#<$'/-,)$/-"&:$ ,#$'/-$0,#&(0$'($:--$0/($,:$'/-)-$"#&$0/"'$,:$/"++-#,#<$I$(#-$()$'0($/"5-$:-#'$ '/-,)$!6"::-:$*+$'($4-$0/-#$'/-8$/"5-$/"&$'($6-"5-$'($<($'($4--',#<:$()$9*#-)"6:$ (permissible by Ministry policy).

3$:/")-$'/-$6,7)")8$)((4$0,'/$J):1$K"':(#>$"$5-)8$#,!-$:!/((6$!(*#:-6()1$ Fortunately, she is there Monday and Wednesday, and I am there Tuesday and Thursday. I don’t know for sure whether the room is open when I am not there, but 3$'/,#.$,'$,:1$L#-$&"8$0/-#$3$")),5-&$"'$:!/((6$6"'->$":$3$0"6.-&$*+$'($'/-$6,7)")8>$"$ swelling crowd of kids followed and led me up to it. They waited patiently while I

Feature Articles

unlocked the door. Can you imagine how any businessperson would feel with anxious customers waiting to be let in? Another day, a student asked me for a dictionary, and when I showed her where the word she was looking for was, she picked up the book !"#$%!&$'"$!$()!'*$+,%&$-.!/"0$&)*1,0)$'&2$3".$.4."'"05$6$"..#.#$!"$!&-!%$&1$%)17$ %18.$91:%$7).*.$&).'*$'%-!"#$7!%5$!"#$&).:$%;."&$&).$*.%&$1<$&).$&'8.$+,%&$01'"0$14.*$ the map identifying places and talking about them. =18.&'8.%$6$!8$!%>.#$9:$!$0*1,;$1<$%&,#."&%$&1$*.!#$&1$&).82$6$*.-'%)$&).$ 1;;1*&,"'&:5$9,&$6$#1"?&$;,%)$'&2$6$&*:$&1$9.$!"'8!&.#$9,&$"1&$14.*;17.*'"02$6&$'%$%1$"'(.$ to see the expectation on their faces as I progress through a story. I know of a Rotary Club back home that has members reading to elementary school classes, and I can %..$&).$*.7!*#$&).:$8,%&$0.&$<*18$'&2$@).$9.%&$&)'"05$&)1,0)5$'%$7)."$6$)!4.$*.!#$ a story to a single student and then ask them to read that story to the next student.

Most pick up the effort and carry it forward. You can’t beat that.

I will say that boys appear to be more prone to loud talking and playing around in the library than the girls, though not always. Many times when there are a lot of 0'*-%$'"$&).$*1185$&).$91:%$7'--$"1&$(18.$'"2$6$)!4.$;1%&.#$&71$%'8;-.$*,-.%$1"$&).$ chalkboard in the room: 1. After taking a book, please put it back when you are /"'%).#A$B2$C1$)'&&'"0D$$=18.1".$.-%.$!##.#$&71$81*.$*,-.%E$F2$G.$H,'.&A$I2$J%>$ 9.<1*.$:1,$().(>$1,&$!$911>2$C1&)'"0$7!%$%!'#$!91,&$*.814'"0$%)1.%$7)."$&).:$ ."&.*5$9,&$&).:$#1A$&).*.$'%$,%,!--:$H,'&.$!$;'-.$1<$%)1.%$'"$&).$."&*!"(.$7!:2$C1&)'"0$ 7!%$%!'#$!91,&$-:'"0$1"$&).$K11*5$*.!#'"0$'"#'4'#,!--:$1*$'"$!$0*1,;5$9,&$&).:$#12 I am not a strict enforcer of the rules, as it is their culture to share much and talk -1,#-:2$6$7!"&$&).8$&1$."+1:$*.!#'"0$'"$!":$<!%)'1"2$L)."$6$19%.*4.$!$8!+1*$'"<*!(&'1"$ 1<$&).$*,-.%5$6$*.H,.%&$&).$%&,#."&$&1$-.!4.5$&.--'"0$&).8$&).:$8!:$*.M."&.*$!<&.*$!$<.7$ 8'",&.%2$N1%&$7!'&$!*1,"#$1,&%'#.$&).$#11*$,"&'-$6$!--17$&).8$9!(>$'"2$6$/"#$&)'%$4.*:$ '"&*'0,'"02$O!4.$!":$1<$:1,$)!#$%'8'-!*$.P;.*'."(.%Q 6"$!$(11;.*!&'4.$.<<1*&$7'&)$8!&()'"0$<,"#%$<*18$91&)$8:$R1&!*:$S-,9$9!(>$)18.$ '"$=!-'%9,*:5$N!*:-!"#5$Thttp://www.rotarysalisbury.org) and the Hands Across the =.!$0*1,;$Thttp://www.handsacrossthesea.net, founders Harriet & Tom Linskey) 14.*$UVV$&'&-.%$7.*.$#1"!&.#$&)'%$;!%&$C14.89.*A$7.$)!4.$#1,9-.#$&).$",89.*$1<$ 911>%$'"$&).$-'9*!*:2$N!":$1<$&).$".7$=()1-!%&'($911>%$!*.$%('."(.$1*'."&.#5$!"#$ 8!":$1<$&).$/(&'1"$911>%$!*.$.P(.--."&$<1*$'8;*14'"0$-'&.*!(:2$@).$>'#%$.P('&.#-:$%)!*.$ &).82$=18.$1<$&).$81*.$)'0)-:$#.8!"#.#$911>%5$.202$&).$O!""!)$N1"&!"!$1".%5$6$ >..;$'"$8:$#.%>$#*!7.*5$!--17'"0$%.4.*!-$%&,#."&%$&1$911>8!*>$7).*.$&).:$!*.$!"#$ read during break time or lunch.

6&$)!%$1"-:$&!>."$!$%)1*&$&'8.$W$&).:$)!4.$!((1881#!&.#$8:$#.%'*.$<1*$!$<!'*-:$ H,'.&5$4.*:$;,*;1%.<,-$*.!#'"0$*118$.P;.*'."(.2$6$!8$-11>'"0$<1*7!*#$&1$!$011#$ %()11-$:.!*$7'&)$-1&%$1<$*.!#'"0$!"#$)1;.<,--:$!"$'8;*14.8."&$'"$-'&.*!(:$T!"#$!$-1&$ more). Any help or suggestions you all would like to share would be appreciated.

O1;.$!--$'%$7.--$9!(>$&).*.2$@!$<*18$=&2$X'&&%$Y$C.4'%5 Tom

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Tom Wieland Special Contributor !"#$%&%'()%*+((,%-./%012+,

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23

1

MAKE LOCAL HUMAN RIGHTS: ALLIES

A Dish Best Served Whole Christine Bagnall

Photo © Tequila Ross. Used with permission.

D

ecember 10th, 2011 was International Human Rights Day. It marked the 63rd anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ad­ opted by the United Nations General Assembly.

To commemorate this day and raise awareness in !"#$%&"!$'()$"*+,-$).&"!/0$1$2)(*345$!((6$2,)!$.-$ a march through town. As I was walking with sev­ eral other members of my organization, I couldn’t help but wonder if we were really all marching for (-#$*-.%#3$7,*/#0$()$.'$8#$",3$#,7"$.-$(*)$"#,3/$ deemed a particular cause or causes more worthy than all the rest.

Human rights should not be thought of as a buf­ fet line where you can pick and choose which rights 5(*$8(*43$4.6#$!($%&"!$'()9$$:,!"#)0$"*+,-$).&"!/$./$ an all­inclusive, multi­course dinner to which ev­ eryone is invited. Obviously, each organization has a particular focus (the entrée, if you will) in which they specialize, but when we’re collaborating in the name of human rights, it should be just that: a col­ laborative alliance. There is no room for à la carte items, no space for dressing on the side, and the +#-*$./$2).;$%;#9$$

Special Contributor !"#$%&%'()*+,+

Photo © Tequila Ross. Used with permission.

Although the realization that this group was perhaps split between competing alliances was .-.!.,445$ 3./"#,)!#-.-&0$ 1$ !).#3$ !($ %-3$ "(2#$ .-$ !"#$ simple fact that people from many different back­ grounds, organizations and beliefs had come to­ &#!"#)$ .-$ "(-()$ ('$ !"./$ .-!#)-,!.(-,4$ %&"!9$ $ <"./$ event in and of itself was a huge step in the right 3.)#7!.(-9$ =7!.>./!/$ ",>#$ ?##-$ %&"!.-&$ '()$ "*+,-$ rights for decades, and there will likely be many more decades before we see equal rights for all hu­ man beings. As Peace Corps Volunteers, we have ,$*-.@*#$(22()!*-.!5$!($-(!$(-45$%&"!$'()$"*+,-$ rights in a new country and a new culture, but also !($%&"!$'()$+,-5$('$!"#$/,+#$).&"!/$!",!$,)#$#,/.45$ taken for granted in the United States.

In the name of safety and integration, PCVs are asked to give up many freedoms, luxuries, and per­ haps even major elements of our character or cul­ ture that we freely express in America. We agree to abide by the Core Expectations including “local and national laws” as well as the vague, yet far more inclusive and challenging expectation “to exercise judgment and personal responsibility to protect your health, safety and well­being and that of oth­ ers” (i.e. what is acceptable at the Human Rights March in Las Vegas will probably land you a ticket home from the Eastern Caribbean). Herein lies the challenge of straddling two cultures. How do we balance who we are and what we believe in?

That is, how do we tone 3(8-$(*)$A,.)$,-3$(!"­ erwise uncensored pas­ /.(-0$8".4#$/!.44$%&"!.-&$ for what we believe is universally right?

2 USE TACT

4

EXPAND THE BUFFET LINE ANALOGY

As much as we would often love to change at­ titudes and beliefs, this is not our primary fo­ cus. Planting seeds of tolerance through hon­ est discussions will, in Make Local Allies. What organizations in time, breed acceptance. your community have a human rights component?

If you don’t already work for one, how can you get Expand the Buffet Line Analogy. involved? What events and activities are they in­ Human rights are not a buffet line, but this does volved in? Seek out locals with the same initiatives, !(4$/(4$+0-$.+5$6+0$&!($7#$-.#$1+,-$0,#%0*$'($&+*­ (+-$1#!($-.!-$5#$5+(<-$#(&+0(-#"$-.+,#$5.+$/"1*6$ *!7+"!-'()$5'-.$-.#12$8#1#17#"$-.!-$5#$!"#$/).-­ believe otherwise. For many people, certain human ing for universal rights, but on a local platform; rights are like the avoided vegetable or mystery without local allies there are no sustainable efforts. meat that we strategically skip over when loading up our dinner plates. They either don’t know what Use Tact. Unless you have built relationships it is, don’t like the taste or simply don’t think it !(4$ ,9#(-$ !$ ,')('/&!(-$ !1+0(-$ +%$ -'1#$ +7,#":'()$ should be eaten with everything else on their plate. and learning about the local culture and its views =%$ 5#$ &+19!"#$ -.',$ -+$ +0"$ /).-$ %+"$ .01!($ "').-,;$ on human rights, you’re not going to get very far in 5#$ (##4$ -+$ 7#$ 1'(4%0*$ +%$ &+(>'&-'()$ -!,-#,$ !(4$ your efforts. What is tactful in America could very views, but also patient enough to continue having well be offensive and inappropriate in the Eastern conversations, while educating and raising aware­ Caribbean and other parts of the world. You’re try­ ness. After all, our taste buds are always evolving ing to gain allies, not enemies, so do your research! and scientists claim that it can take up to 10 differ­ In addition to basic cultural differences, you will ent introductions before someone acquires a taste also encounter nuances of how human rights are for a new food. If one approach is not working, mix 4#/(#4;$&+110('&!-#4$!(4$#(%+"&#42$ it up, get creative and keep trying!

Fighting for human rights has never been easy Seek Tolerance Versus Acceptance.

This point is particularly useful for the more sensi­ +"$,'19*#;$!(4$/).-'()$%+"$.01!($"').-,$'($!$&0*­ tive or even culturally taboo rights that fall under ture very different from our own adds even further our human rights umbrella. Start with tolerance. challenges. But if we weren’t up for the challenge, We hope that acceptance will follow, but above all 5#$5+0*4(<-$7#$.#"#?/).-'()$%+"$9#!&#;$%+"$#@0!*­ we’re looking for basic respect of human rights and '-6$!(4$%+"$/(#$4'('()$70%%#-$*'(#,2 our dialogue should echo this notion. U.S. Secre­ tary of State Hillary Clinton recently delivered a poignant speech in regards to international human rights, summed up with the following remarks: “Universal human rights include freedom of expression and freedom of belief, even if our words or beliefs denigrate the humanity of oth­ ers. Yet, while we are each free to be­ lieve whatever we choose, we cannot do whatever we choose, not in a world where we protect the human rights of all.”

3

SEEK TOLERANCE VS. ACCEPTANCE

Photo © Tequila Ross. Used with permission.

First and foremost, observe. Sit back, bite your tongue (hard if necessary), and learn the local cul­ ture, the norms, what’s already being done, what laws currently exist and what the biggest obstacles !"#$%!&'()$*+&!*,$'($-.#$/).-$%+"$.01!($"').-,2$3(4$ when you’re ready to act, I suggest the following bits of advice:

25

V OLUNTEER’S A PRIMER TO D

o you ever wish you had a vacation request form while at your worksite? Or information on cool Sara Jean Faison and interesting things to do on your island? What Island Representative about Volunteer­created materials for lesson plans !"#$%&%'()%*+,-. and project outlines? And we could all use more in­ formation on funding; did you know Peace Corps has an “app” for that? SharePoint is the Peace Corps’ online resource for all of these needs and more. It’s far too often that Peace Corps Volunteers are put into situations where they are forced to reinvent something that previous Volunteers have long put in place. These unlucky individuals end up doing the same lesson plans and putting large amounts of time and energy into a project that they could have found online, if only he or she had known to look for it.

It’s been my experience that most Volunteers either don’t know how to use SharePoint, or else don’t see the value in using it. Many of us access SharePoint only when we sign into the computer at the Vol­ unteer lounge; for those of us who have our own computers, odds are that we never look at SharePoint !"#$%%&'$&()*$&+,&-./"+&%,0$+(/"1&/"&+($&,234$5&&6"&#/1(+&,2&+(/%&!"2,.+!")+$&()7/+8&6&)0&1,/"1&+,&+)9$&)##& you Volunteers on a tour of the features avail­ able at SharePoint, in the hopes that you will come to rely on it more frequently – it’s there to help! :($& 3.%+& +(/"1& '$& "$$;& +,& 9",'& )7,!+& SharePoint is how to get there. Entering https://lc.peacecorps.gov into the URL bar at the top of your internet browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) will take you to the site’s security gate (Figure 1). You might see a screen telling you that it’s not recommended for you to access this site. Press “Continue” anyway – despite your browser’s security triggers, you are not in any danger. You will then need to input your #,1/"&/"2,.0)+/,"8&)%&1/*$"&7<&+(/%&2,.0!#)=&-4*#4>3.%+/"/+/)##)%+")0$5&&?,.&$@)0-#$8&ABC&D,("&E0/+(& would sign in with the username pcvlc­jsmith.

Additionally, you will need the password you %$+&!-&'/+(&AB&6:&A.,2$%%/,")#&E$)"&D,$&;!.­ ing PST. Can’t remember it? Be sure to give F.5&D,$&)&4)##&)+&+($&E+5&G!4/)&,234$&2,.&)%%/%­ tance.

Now that we are at the homepage, there are a few important things to note: Ever won­ ;$.&'($.$&H.5&D$.$0<&/%&1,/"1&+,&7$I&J/%&+.)*$#& schedule is right here! (Figure 2) Addition­ ally, each island has its own board, easy to get to by tabs.

26

Volunteer Interest

The post at St. Vincent and the Grenadines, for example, uploads all sorts of useful information on its board, like a calendar that includes holi­ days and birthdays (Figure 3).

But arguably the most valuable resource currently on SharePoint is the collection of past projects that PCVs have developed, often im­ plemented themselves, and then submitted to SharePoint. To reach this veritable gold mine !"#$%&'()#*!!+#',#,-&#($%&#.'/#!0#,-&#12!3&4#,'.)# and click on “Shared Documents ­ Peace Corps.” This takes you to an amazing folder (Figure 4) that has all sorts of information on topics like funding, life skills training, agricultural development, athletics, education and literacy. It also contains, in a folder called “PC Forms,” '**# !"# ,-&# !"56$'*# 7&'6&# 8!/9(# /&:;&(,# forms, like leave requests, reimburse­ ment forms, etc.

Let’s explore one of the Island Post’s tabs more thoroughly now. You’ll notice that on St. Lucia’s board, they have an ongoing initiative to archive past PCVs’ projects. Current Lucian Volunteers are getting in contact with as many RPCVs '(#,-&<#6'0#,!#50%#!;,#'.!;,#,-&#9/!=&6,(# they worked on while they were on­island; the descriptions are then being entered into a searchable da­ tabase on SharePoint. To access this database, click on the St. Lucia tab, then on the left hand side click where it says “St. Lucia Shared Docu­ ments.” Then you will see “St. Lucia PC Project List,” and click on that link as well. This will take you to the searchable database entryway (Figure 5).

Naturally, current Volunteers are also encouraged to submit their projects.

The hope is that current and future Vol­ unteers will be able to learn from what past Volunteers have accomplished and build upon these good works, rather than starting all over again as each new class of Volunteers begins service. To add a new project, simply click where it says “New,” under the page heading. This transports you to a very straightforward form (Figure 6)#>$,-#%','5&*%(#"!/#(&?&/'*# different aspects of the new project.

I hope that with the help of this brief prim­ er, Volunteers will feel more comfortable in us­ ing this important online resource. SharePoint is something that PC has been using for a while now; however, it is not being used to its fullest potential. The more we use it, the more we can discover all it is able to do, and the better we can communicate ideas to Volunteers now and in the future.

27

SAFETY & SECURITY REPORT An Interview with

Simone Skinner

A

s Peace Corps Volunteers, we know that there are inherent safety and security risks to serv­ ing abroad, and until we are able to achieve world peace and friendship through our service as Vol­ unteers, being a PCV will always pose threats.

From the moment we are invited to serve in a particular country, detailed information about po­ tential challenges are provided to us from a variety of sources. As prospective Volunteers, we can then use that knowledge to make an informed decision about whether or not Peace Corps is right for us.

Once in­country, we receive cross­cultural train­ ing, language training, and health and safety in­ struction that is designed to raise awareness of our new environment. We are also given information to help build our capacity to effectively deal with the obstacles that we may face. Peace Corps does an excellent job of giving us the tools we need to adopt a safe and appropriate lifestyle. Our Safety and Security Coordinator, Simone Skinner, said it best: “In the end PC/EC can give you all the op­ tions in the world, but ultimately your safety is in your hands.” We know there are risks in service and Peace Corps does its best to mitigate those risks, but we as Volunteers need to do our part too.

Peace Corps in­country staff are responsible for assessing and approving the communities where Volunteers will live and work, but then it is up to the Volunteer to build and maintain relation­ ships within those communities that will hope­ fully provide safety and comfort for the duration of the PCV’s service. The ‘Safety’ section on the Peace Corps website (www.peacecorps.gov) states that “Mature behavior and the exercise of sound judgment will enhance personal safety,” but this certainly doesn’t guarantee it. Inevitably, there will be varying degrees of unwanted attention and

28

Heather Dollins Island Representative !"#$%&%'()%*+,-.,(%/,0%(1.%23.,/0+,.4

harassment, thefts, burglaries, and incidents of physical and sexual assaults. In the following in­ terview, Simone Skinner shares her insights on Safety and Security policies and discusses how Peace Corps Volunteers, and anyone in the EC, can help to ensure their own personal safety.

TING What improvements have you observed in re­

gards to Peace Corps Safety & Security policies in the last three years?

Simone Skinner:! "#! $%&! '()$! $%*&&! +&(*),! $%&! -.! /012&! 30!

4(0&$+!5!4&26*7$+!%()!*&('78&9!$%&!#&&9!03*!)$(#9(*978($73#!7#! $&*:)!30!$*(7#7#;!(:3#;!$%&!<3)$)!=3*'9=79&>!!?&!%(@&!2*&­ ($&9!(!)&*7&)!30!<3'727&)!(#9!;679&'7#&)!9&)7;#&9!$3!&#)6*&! $%($!36*!*&)<3#)&!$3!2*7:&)!7)!@72$7:!2&#$&*&9>!?&!%(@&!(')3!

2*&($&9!$%&!A679&'7#&)!03*!B&)<3#97#;!$3!B(<&!(#9!4&C6('!

D))(6'$,!7#)$7$6$&9!-.E)!.3::7$:&#$!$3!4&C6('!D))(6'$!F72­ $7:),!(#9!2*&($&9!$%&!/012&!30!$%&!F72$7:!D9@32($&>!/#&!30! $%&!'($&)$!:39&')!$%($!$%&!/012&!30!4(0&$+!(#9!4&26*7$+!%()! <6$!36$!7)!BDGDBH!

RECOGNIZE the dangers around you.

ASSESS your options.

DECIDE which options are best for you.

ACT when the timing is right.

REASSESS as the situation changes.

I%7)!:&(#)!$%($!7#!&@&*+!)7$6($73#!$6*#!+36*!BDGDB!3#J!!I%&! /012&!30!$%&!F72$7:!D9@32($&!7)!7#!<'(2&!$3!(2$!()!(!'7(7)3#!

K&$=&&#! -&(2&! .3*<)! L&(9M6(*$&*),! $%&! F3'6#$&&*E)! <3)$,! (#9!$%&!F3'6#$&&*>!I%&!N()$&*#!.(*7KK&(#E)!F72$7:!D9@32($&!

23#$(2$!<&*)3#!7)!O&''7&!A*&&#!(#9!%&*!*3'&!)<&2712(''+!7)!$3!

9&('! =7$%! 2()&)! 30! *(<&! (#9! )&C6('! ())(6'$,! $3! &#)6*&! $%($! $%&!F3'6#$&&*E)!@372&!7)!%&(*9,!K6$!(')3!$3!&C<'(7#!$%&!<3)$E)! *($73#('&! K&%7#9! @(*736)! 9&27)73#)>! L&*! 23#$(2$! #6:K&*! 7)!

PQRQS!TUQVWXUY>

Volunteer Interest

TING In response to what types of incidents were those improvements put in place?

SS: !"#$%&'()*#&#+,-$.(#$+),$/%+0#1$,)$.+2$-'#3%43$,2'#$)5$ %+3%1#+,6$78,$%+-,#.1$.$(#3)9+%,%)+$,".,$-8'')(,$-#(*%3#-$.+1$ ,(.%+%+9$+##1#1$,)$7#$%&'()*#1:$;)-,$)5$,"#$%+%,%.,%*#-$-,.(,#1$ %+$/.,#$<==>$?"#+$,"#$@543#$)5$A.5#,2$.+1$A#38(%,2$.--8&#1$ (#-')+-%7%/%,2$5)($*%)/#+,$3(%&#:

TING What is your take on the current state of PC S&S policies with regards to PCVs receptiveness to policies, and room for improvement?

SS: B,$%-$&2$7#/%#5$,".,$CDE-$%+$9#+#(./$.(#$*#(2$(#3#',%*#$,)$ .1"#(%+9$,)$,"#$')/%3%#-$'8,$5)(,"$72$CD$.+1$,"#$')-,:$!"#(#$ ?%//$./?.2-$7#$,")-#$'#(-)+-$?")$?%//$4+1$.+$%--8#$?%,"$,"%-$ ')/%32$ )($ ,".,$ 5)($ ?".,#*#($ (#.-)+:$ F)?#*#(6$ #*#+$ .&)+9$ ,"#-#$ 5#?6$ &)-,$ ".*#$ .$ 9))1$ 3.-#$ 7#"%+1$ ,"#%($ .(98&#+,:$ !"#$1%5438/,$'.(,$%-$".*%+9$,"#&$-##$,"#$(#.-)+%+9$5()&$)8($ *.+,.9#$')%+,:$$

TING What changes in safety &

security have you noticed in the EC host countries, including rates of local violence, violence towards PCVs, etc.?

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

TING What action will PC/EC take to adapt to these changes?

SS: @+#$ .3,%)+$ ,".,$ CDNOD$ ".-$ ,.0#+$ -)$ 5.($ %-$ ,)$ %--8#$ CDE-$ 1))(-,)'$ ./.(&-:$ !"%-$ ?%//$ .//)?$ CDE-$ ,)$ 7#$ ./#(,#1$ ,)$,"#$.,,#&',#1$#+,#(%+9$)5$,"#$'()'#(,2:$!"#-#$#P,(.$3)8­ '/#$ )5$ -#3)+1-$ 3.+$ 9%*#$ ,"#$ CDE$ .+$ )'')(,8+%,2$ ,)$ 9.,"#($ ,"#%($,")89",-6$-#.(3"$5)($,"#%($'")+#6$?"%-,/#$,)$3.//$5)($"#/'6$ -3(#.&6$)($,)$(8+$.+1$/)30$,"#%($7#1())&$1))($,)$3(#.,#$.+$ .11%,%)+./$7.((%#(:$

G+),"#($ .3,%)+$ ,".,$ ?#$ ,))0$ ?.-$ ,)$ '%/),$.$'()9(.&$)5$CDE-$())&%+9$,)­ 9#,"#(:$ !"%-$ ?.-$ -,.(,#1$ %+$ )8($ ,?)$ &)-,$%+3%1#+,$'()+#$%-/.+1-6$A,:$E%+­ 3#+,$.+1$A,:$Q83%.:$!"%-$%-$.$/%*%+9$.(­ SS: G3()--$,"#$D.(%77#.+6$3(%&#$".-$ (.+9#&#+,$,".,$%-$+),$#+3)8(.9#1$72$ %+3(#.-#1$ H8%,#$ .$ 7%,$ )*#($ ,"#$ /.-,$ CD$ &.%+/2$ 7#3.8-#$ %,$ ".-$ -")?+$ ,)$ 3)8'/#$)5$2#.(-6$18#$,)$,"#$'))($#3)­ (#183#$ CDE-M$ %+,#9(.,%)+$ ?%,"%+$ ,"#$ +)&%3$ ,%&#-$ 38((#+,/2$ .55#3,%+9$ &)-,$ 3)&&8+%,2:$ B,$ %-$ &83"$ '(#5#((#1$ 5)($ )5$ ,"#$ ?)(/1:$ !"%-$ ".-$ .+$ .8,)&.,%3$ CDE-$,)$/%*#$?%,"$.$")-,$5.&%/2$-)$,".,$ ,(%30/#I1)?+$ #55#3,$ %+$ ,"#$ D.(%77#.+:$ %+,#9(.,%)+$ 3.+$ 3)+,%+8#$ .5,#($ ?)(0­ B,$ 1%(#3,/2$ .55#3,-$ ,"#$ 8+#&'/)2&#+,$ %+9$ ")8(-:$ F)?#*#(6$ ?#$ ".*#$ -%+3#$ (.,#-$ )5$ ,"#$ ')'8/.,%)+$ .+1$ ?%,"$ 5#?$ )'#+#1$,"%-$'()9(.&$8'$,)$,"#$?%1#($ J)7-$&)+#2$%-$-3.(3#6$/%5#-,2/#-$.(#$J8-,$.-$1#&.+1%+96$.+1$ CDE$7)12$-)$,".,$.//$&.2$'.(,.0#6$R:::S$,"%+0%+9$,".,$%5$())&­ .-$.$(#-8/,$'#(-)+-$7#3)&#$1#-'#(.,#:$!"%-$%-$*#(2$3/#.($%+$ %+9$?%,"$-)&#)+#$#/-#$3.+$&.0#$2)8$5##/$-.5#(6$2)8$?%//$,"#+$ ,"#$"%9"$+8&7#(-$)5$'()'#(,2$3(%&#$*-:$3(%&#$.9.%+-,$'#(-)+-$ 8/,%&.,#/2$-#(*#$&)(#$'()183,%*#/2$.+1$9#,$&)(#$)8,$)5$,"%-$ ,".,$.(#$(#')(,#1$.++8.//2:$$ 9(#.,$#P'#(%#+3#:

“In the end, PC/EC can give you all the options in the world, but ultimately your safety is in your hands.”

PC S&S Coordinator Simone Skinner helps PCVs like SVG VAC Stephen Chaisson and SVG Island Rep Heather Dollins keep their RADAR on.

29

PC/EC Peer Support Network Jeremy Larson, MD Special Contributor !"#$%&%'()%*+,-.

I

Photo © Tequila Ross. Used with permission.

am pleased to introduce the Peer Support Network to Peace Corps Volunteers in the East­ ern Caribbean. As of December 2011, the network is up and running. About two­thirds of Peace !"#$%&$"%'%&(#")*+&',-&."#/+&,(0-&(*&"1234(/&5--#& Support Network. Although each post is unique 4*& 4'%& 3,(//-*6-%7& (//& 8"/)*'--#%& 1(3-& %46*423(*'& stressors during his or her term of service. The Peer Support Network provides an added dimen­ sion to help Volunteers navigate those challenges.

In St. Lucia, peer supporters participated in a two­day conference in late November 2011. Dur­ ing this conference, participants shared ideas on what the Peer Support Network should look like, practiced listening skills, explored limitations the network should have, and collaborated on how to support PCVs as much as possible. Although the network may evolve over time as we learn more about the needs of PCVs, this article shares a few ideas on how the Peer Support Network will work.

30

What the Peer Support Network Can Offer A group of dedicated Volunteers available to PCVs to listen, process and coach through an array of challenges.

Face­to­face time. If a Volunteer wishes to meet with the peer supporter, PC will reimburse travel expenses for each to a central location (as though you were traveling for a medical appointment).

Peer supporters will collaborate with PC training staff to enhance future PST / IST / MST sessions.

An alternative to other PC resources for a Volunteer expe­ !"#$%"$&'(")*%+,-.'"$'%/0"$&'1"-2'34!"/+5'5"-+4-"/$56 Support in a crisis. Peer supporters may be called upon to assist PC staff in the case of crisis situations (bereave­ ment, victimization, etc).

Above all else, Privacy. Peer supporters agree that con­ 3#!54-"/$5'1"-2'7/,+$-##!5'"$'-2"5'%/$-#8-'4!#'%/$*(#$-"4,' and will not be part of the Peace Corps gossip mill. Con­ versations are not to be shared with PC staff (including me, Kevin, Elizabeth, or APCDs) or other Volunteers.

What the Peer Support Network CANNOT Offer Counseling. Although some supporters are counselors by experience in the US, they do not serve this role in the EC. Supporters are good listeners and will help PCVs process stress; they will not serve as a psychoanalyst.

24/7 availability. Peer supporters are performing this role in addition to usual Volunteer duties. Please work with the supporter to come up with a mutually agreeable time to talk on the phone or a get­together in person.

Easy solutions. The supporter role is not a role to be used -/'*8'0!/9,#:5'1"-2'%/+$-#!04!-5'/!'!#,4-"/$5;'/!'-/'0!/3"(#' right or wrong answers. The supporter role will more likely help explore issues/options and help the Volunteer reach a positive outcome.

Replacement for PC medical or psychiatric care in an emergency. Supporters are well versed in situations that must be shared with PC staff. Supporters cannot become involved if a Volunteer is in danger of harming himself or herself (suicidal ideation), seriously harming someone else (thoughts of killing someone), or in danger of being harmed by another (abusive relationship, stalking). In any of these instances, Peer Network Supporters will seek as­ sistance from PC staff, including myself.

The EC Peer Support Network Melinda Blaise, EC82 ANB Kimson Bryant, EC82 SKN Mackenzie Garst, EC81 GRN Jessica Greathouse, EC83 SVG Marcus Dean Luce, EC81 DOM Katie Randall, EC83 GRN Noah Rios, EC83 SVG Stephanie Rouch, EC83 GRN Arianne Smith, EC83 DOM Tom Soderberg, EC82 SKN Sarah Templeton, EC83 SLU Toni Urban, EC83 SLU

Mid­Service Training EC82 Connie Howard Island Representative !"#$%&%'()%*+((,%-./%012+,

M

id Service Training (MST) for EC82 was held November 15­18 at the Ocean Terrace Inn on the beautiful island of St. Kitts. MST is an op­ portunity for Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) to re­ view the successes and challenges of Peace Corps service while taking on training, adding new skills, and receiving support. It is also an opportunity for PCVs to reconnect with one another and to share their combined experiences.

The three­day training started with island presentations, a chance for PCVs to present their collective work relating to the project agenda of !"#$%& '(#)$*)& $'+,-./& 0!/& 1$!!'& 23+4-!##%'& '",%#.& their successes with a fashion show representing focus areas of activities including healthy living, life skills, HIV/AIDS, entrepreneurship, culture, youth recognition, and technology. While emcees read brief overviews of the activities, PCVs mod­ eled costumes created to represent the topic be­ ing emphasized. The highlight of the show was a costume worn by PCV Andrew Davis denoting the importance of safe sex practices: Bare­chested, Andrew wore a red sash akin to the AIDS red rib­ bon and red wristbands signifying the “Got it? Get it!” condom­use campaign, in addition to packets of condoms sewn to the out­ side of his shorts.

Antiguan PCVs produced a PowerPoint presentation demonstrating how their cur­ rent projects align with Peace Corps goals for the region.

An effective part of the pre­ sentation was a map of Anti­ gua showing the communities where programs and activi­ ties of the six PCVs on post have had an impact. The map went far to illustrate the im­ pressive island­wide reach of this group.

Volunteer Interest

Going last, the PCVs from St. Vincent present­ ed on the various roles that Volunteers play during their service, such as Mentor, Change Agent, Proj­ ect Co­Planner, Co­Facilitator, and Co­Trainer.

5,)"&23+4-!##%&$++4'!%,!#.&,&'(#)$*)&%3+#&!"#6&",.& assumed during their service by giving an over­ view of how projects and activities in St. Vincent contributed to the framework of each role.

Wednesday was a day of individual presenta­ tions. During this segment of training, each PCV offered a project activity, idea, tool, or resource that they had found especially useful during their service. The presentations provided insight and perspective into best practices, and helped serve to refocus and re­energize the enthusiasm of EC82 Volunteers. Later that afternoon, each PCV par­ ticipated in one of two technical tracks: either How to Teach Basic Computer Skills or Teaching Reading Comprehension.

On Thursday morning, it was Safety and Secu­ rity Training with a new segment on sexual abuse awareness. PC Safety and Security Coordinator Simone Skinner facilitated an interactive session that incorporated updated processes and tech­ niques relating to sexual abuse, including com­ plaint procedures for Volunteers, sexual abuse awareness and risk reduction strategies, and by­ stander intervention. See pg. 28 for more details.

MST ended with a “World Café” session, an activity that embraces conversational leadership as a tool for communication. During this session, PCVs were given the opportunity to discuss in '7,++&8%34('&!"#&'$8-$*),-)#&39&!"#$%&:3%;<&!"#$%& thoughts on EC82’s contributions to the legacy of Peace Corps in the Eastern =,%$>>#,-<& ,'& :#++& ,'& %#?#)­ tions on the collaborative ef­ forts of PCVs in the EC. The results of these small group conversations were later shared, validating the larger picture of how we are all liv­ ing the Peace Corps goals of promoting peace and friend­ ship around the world.

PCV Andrew Davis showing what HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention is all about.

31

VAC Corner Stephen Chaisson

Special Contributor !"#$%&%'()%*+,-.,(%/,0%(1.%23.,/0+,.4

O

n November 14, 2011, members of the Volunteer Advisory Council (VAC) gathered in St. Kitts for their biannual meeting. Scheduled on the eve of the EC82 Mid­Service Training, the meeting provided not only the unique opportunity to work administratively on Peace Corps issues, but also to interact with PCVs from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Kitts and Nevis. Members of the newly elected VAC committee include: Katie Randall (Chairper­ son, GND EC83), Stephen Chaisson (Secretary, SVG EC82), Kimson Bryant (SKN EC82), Sara Faison (SLU EC83), Jen Davis (ANB EC82), and Wilmina Taghap (DOM EC83).

At the meeting, VAC members discussed both !""#$"% &'% (&)*$% &+,% -.)$% "/$0!10% !""#$"% )$(&'$,% to individual islands. Institutional­wide issues included: feminine hygiene products being pro­ vided by Peace Corps, status for an increase in the Volunteer Living Allowance, and feedback about Volunteer placement. According to PCMO Jer­ emy Larson, Peace Corps policy states that it does not provide feminine hygiene products or vita­ min supplements except for a daily multi­vitamin to all PCVs. Regarding the Volunteer Living Al­ lowance, Peace Corps requires an 85% response to the survey from PCVs at each regional post to consider a change in the Volunteer Living Allow­ ance. Because the Eastern Caribbean post did not meet this requirement, Washington is contrac­ tually constrained from increasing the living al­ lowance. Finally, VAC members shared feedback about matching skills to Volunteer placements with Country Director Kevin Carley and Deputy Director Elizabeth Neason. Carley and Neason )$-!+,$,%2.(#+'$$)"%.3%'4$%+$$,%'.%5$%6$7!5($%!+% placements and to consider the shared experience .3%892"%!+%1+,!+*%.+$:"%+!04$;%% <.-$% !"(&+,="/$0!10% !""#$"% !+0(#,$,>% ?!=@!% &00$""!5!(!'A%!+%8$&0$%9.)/"%.310$"B%0$((#(&)%0.-­

32

Photo © Tequila Ross. Used with permission.

munication, and EC84 welcoming ceremonies and celebrations. According to reports, there is wire­ ($""% C+'$)+$'% &00$""% !+% &((% 89% .310$"% D!'4% '4$% $7­ ception of Antigua, since this post will close in less than one year. Cellular communication pay plans across the individual islands seem to run the gam­ ut from weekly “top­ups” with Digicel or Lime, to family plans and Blackberry Messenger. Finally, the VAC committee is building upon previous work with a “Welcome” PowerPoint presentation 3.)% E9FG% &+,% .'4$)% !"(&+,="/$0!10% !+').,#0'!.+"% for the newest PCVs. Two important results from the November VAC meeting include: a new vacation policy for domestic travel within multi­island nations (Sister­Islands Policy) and a notice regarding the living allowance increase. According to the new sister­island policy, PCVs are allowed two week­ ends per year to travel to other islands within their country of service that will not be counted as va­ cation days. This change is a one­year experiment and will be reviewed again in 12 months. And lastly, PCVs will not be receiving a discretionary 10% monthly increase in the Volunteer Living Al­ lowance. According to Director of Management and Operations Bruce Wohlfeld, our proposal was turned down due to the results of the survey show­ ing instead support for a decrease. The possibility of an appeal was discussed; results along with next steps will continue to be managed and reported by Bruce. The next VAC meeting is scheduled to take place in May 2012.

Volunteer Interest

PCRV Corner Katie Powell

Special Contributor !"#$%&%'()%*+((,%-./%012+, Photo © Camille Aragon.

I

!"# $%&'(# )*+',# -./# 0# -)(&# &$# -$1+# 2(# $&.'1 countries and help “those people,” when mem­ bers of my own community suffer. Occasionally, 0!"# 3)45.&# $%%654)1,# )(,# *&4&&'1# &.1$45.# )# 1'­ *7$(*'8# 0!9'# ('9'1# :$$+',# )&# 2&# )*# 3.$$*2(5# $('# over the other. There are fantastic people who are pulled to domestic development work, and maybe 0!::#;$2(#&.'"#$('#,)/<#=4&#%$1#($->#0#%'':#,1)-(#)*# a member of an international community to trav­ el overseas and create a relationship and rapport with the people of developing nations. I want to .':7#%$*&'1#&.)&#"4&4):#&14*&#)(,#)%?(2&/<#0&!*#2"­ portant to represent our nation and improve the @2)*',#92'-*#&.)&#"',2)#3)(#3$(;41'< After spending 27 months as a Peace Corps A$:4(&''1# 2(# 141):# B)1)54)/># 0# -)*# $%%'1',# )# ;$@# )&#)(#2(&'1()&2$():#74@:23#.'):&.#($(671$?&<#C-$# years in the hustle and bustle of Washington, D.C., and I missed the world. Traveling a couple times a year was not enough; I felt so far removed 2(#DE#@'3)4*'#&.'#@'('?32)12'*#$%#&.'#-$1+#0#-)*# doing were thousands of miles and more than six degrees of Kevin Bacon away. Accepting this Response position in St. Kitts, I was very excited to get my hands dirty in grassroots development )5)2(<#F$-'9'1>#0#,2,(!&#&.2(+#)@$4&#)::#&.'#3.):­ lenges. Integrating into the community in Para­ 54)/# -)*(!&# ')*/># @4&# *2(3'# -'# .),# &$# :29'# -2&.# families and we worked in the same place we lived, &.'1'# -)*(!&# "43.# $%# )# 3.$23'<# G$*&# A$:4(&''1*# became members of their villages almost seam­ lessly. In St. Kitts, I found myself distracted by a thousand things. In such close proximity to other A$:4(&''1*#)(,#H"'123)(*>#0#,2,(!&#1':/#$(#:$3):*# like I did during my service in Paraguay. Because I also worked in the city and lived in the “country,” 0#,2,(!&#('3'**)12:/#.)9'#&$#2(&'1)3&#-2&.#I2&&2&2)(*#

New EC Response team, from left to right: Amy Hassett, Antigua; David Ames, Dominica; Janelle Matzdorf, St. Lucia; and PC AO Bruce Wohlfeld.

in my immediate surroundings. I came here long­ ing for that connection, but the motivation and inspiration that is a solid reminder of why I work 2(#&.2*#?':,#-)*(!&#2""',2)&':/#)77)1'(&<#0&#"25.&# have been due to my assignment, since I worked -2&.#5$9'1("'(&#$%?32):*>#$1#")/@'#"/#92*2$(#-)*# $%%<#=4&#&.'(>#3$""$(#&$#")(/#A$:4(&''1*!#'J7'­ riences worldwide, I found that one person whose palpable passion was contagious and saw a tiny light of hope and inspiration; a special individual who wants to help their community live better.

As I leave the Caribbean having learned a lot about how governments in small island nations function, a bit about Public Health, too much about "/#3$6-$1+'1!*#*'J#:2%'>#)(,#&.'#@)*23*#$%#.$-#&$# make friends with the unlikeliest of women, I feel good. I came through on every promise I made -.'(#0#?1*&#3)"'#.'1'#'J3'7&#5'&&2(5#)#&)(<#0#-1$&'# a communications strategy, saw the World AIDS Campaign through, and created a documentary on youth and sexual health. I cleaned up pretty well.

Like they tell you in PST, MST, and all other gatherings with an acronym, the Peace Corps ex­ perience is a roller coaster. So, we have to unpack :2%'!*# :2&&:'# -)1(2(5*<# K'# 4(:$),# &.'"># :)45.# )&# them, throw them in with the dirty laundry, give them a good wash, learn from mistakes and start over again.

!

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heart heart soul art &soul Jadese Pompey

Special Contributor ."/%&%012%3*+,4+1%-+5%164%784+-5*+49 Photo © Camille Aragon.

Peace

Photo © Amirh Morgan.

A,)8,#(/,%,#"/,%,#'&#16#()% H6#"%632+,#=%67#1,)%#6%#=)% E/,1#B#8)1#%,&"#)1.#2,#8)+7 A,)8,#(/,1#B#"/'1?#6=#16#/)%7 E/,1#B#/)0,#*,)8,#'1#7;#/,)%" 4/,%,#('++#2,#*,)8,#'1#7;#/67, E/,1#"/,%,#'&#*,)8,#'1#7;#/67, 4/,%,#('++#2,#*,)8,#'1#7;#&8/66+ I)?,#*,)8,#)1.#.6#16"#$5/" I)?,#*,)8,#)1.#.6#"/,#%'5/" I)?,#*,)8,#('"/#=)7'+; I)?,#*,)8,#)1.#2,#=%',1.+;

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Dana Underwood Special Contributor !"#$%&%'()*+*,-

34

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Photo © Camille Aragon.

Photo © Reiko Jones. Used with permission.

Sherimille’s Happiest Day Sheridon Creese Special Contributor !"#$%$&'($)*+,-+'$.+/$'0-$12-+./*+-3

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ANTIGUA

PCV Ina Howe (EC82, inset) and teacher at Villa Primary School Jessica Graham (not shown), lead the effort to redecorate and beautify the library that Howe helped to !"#$ %&'$ $()"$ *"+%#,-.+#,/0$ !#+1"$ 2+!$ #)"$ -0+3$ !#"&$ /4$ the project, whereupon the community came together to celebrate the libraryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opening and appreciate the studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hard work in preparing the murals that served to brighten up the space.