A few updates:
Work: I'm currently working on lesson plans to teach a intro to business/business simulation class at one of the high schools in town. I'm taking most of the lesson plans from a business simulation guide provided to us by Peace Corps, but changing some things to suit my needs. Kerby and I are starting up with english classes with the doctor again. I'm hoping to get that schedule all smoothed out. Con calma, of course. Also struggling a bit with the mayor to get the computer lab in a suitable room so we can start those classes again. A woman in town has recently asked for help with learning some kind of economic skill, so that should be interesting. Also, one of my students from the computer class is a computer teacher at the elementary school and would like me to stop by the school some day. And then there are the endless possibilites of community tourism work. So, nothing solid yet, but a lot of good work opportunities.
Kauri: got neutered last Wednesday. Poor little fella'. He's been moping around with a homemade cone around his neck. Last night, however, it seems he got his spunkiness back.
Misc: Update on my "books read in PC" list. Since last time, I've read: Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand; Leaving Home, various authors; Making Globalization Work, Joseph Stiglitz; Life & Times of Michael K., J.M. Coetze; Bluebeard, Kurt Vonnegut; Nine Stories, J.D. Salinger; Beneath the Wheel, Hermann Hesse; One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Ken Keasey; and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Hunter S. Thompson. Next on the list is The Living Wage, Pollin & Luce
If you'd like to help feed my reading addiction (I'm running out of books!), here are a few that I'd like to get my hands on:
Failed States- The abuse of Power and the Aassault on Democracy, Noam Chomsky
Reclaiming Development- An Alternative Economic Poliy Manual, Ilene Grabel
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism, Naomi Klein
The Savage Detectives, Roberto Bolana
Kite Runner, Khaled Hasseini
I am America (And so can you!), Stephen Colbert
And Then We Came to an End, (not sure of the author)
Well, that's all for now I suppose. Besos y abrazos!
Sarita
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
FYI
Quick update: I´m well, might start working with the schools soon. In light of recent news, thought I would share this little tidbit from Peace Corps:
Since Peace Corps’ inception in 1961, it has been the practice of the Peace Corps to keep Volunteers separate from any official duties pertaining to U.S. foreign policy, including the reality or the appearance of involvement in intelligence related activities. This practice has been re-affirmed consistently by each successive administration over the past 46 years.
Any connection between the Peace Corps and the intelligence community would seriously compromise the ability of the Peace Corps to develop and maintain the trust and confidence of the people in the host countries we serve.
Consistent with the policy of every administration since 1961, Director Ron Tschetter, himself a former Volunteer in India (1966-1968), has been very clear in re-affirming this long standing policy and, once again, stressing that Peace Corps Volunteers work on community service and nothing else.
Peace Corps policy against intelligence connections is based on the general authority of the Director of the Peace Corps, provided by section 5 (a) of the Peace Corps Act, to establish the terms and conditions of service of Volunteers, by the Foreign Service Act of 1980, and on long-standing agency policy prohibiting any connection between Peace Corps and intelligence activity first enunciated by Peace Corps Director Sargent Shriver in 1961.
Since the initial opening of the Peace Corps/Bolivia program in 1962, more than 2,500 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Bolivia. After a hiatus that began in 1971, the government formally requested that the Peace Corps return to Bolivia, and the Peace Corps resumed operations in 1990. Today, there are approximately 130 Volunteers working in Bolivia in the areas of health, agriculture, business development, education, and environmental projects. Where appropriate, the Peace Corps also integrates information technology into projects to expand technology access for Bolivian youth, farmers, entrepreneurs, and municipalities.
The safety and security of Peace Corps Volunteers remains our highest priority. Given the environments in which we work, the Peace Corps focuses on minimizing risk and maximizing security while also providing a meaningful experience for Volunteers and their host communities. The Peace Corps is celebrating a 46-year legacy of service at home and abroad. Currently there are more than 8,000 Volunteers abroad, a 37-year high for Volunteers in the field. Since 1961, more than 190,000 Volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 139 countries where Volunteers have served. Peace Corps Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.
Since Peace Corps’ inception in 1961, it has been the practice of the Peace Corps to keep Volunteers separate from any official duties pertaining to U.S. foreign policy, including the reality or the appearance of involvement in intelligence related activities. This practice has been re-affirmed consistently by each successive administration over the past 46 years.
Any connection between the Peace Corps and the intelligence community would seriously compromise the ability of the Peace Corps to develop and maintain the trust and confidence of the people in the host countries we serve.
Consistent with the policy of every administration since 1961, Director Ron Tschetter, himself a former Volunteer in India (1966-1968), has been very clear in re-affirming this long standing policy and, once again, stressing that Peace Corps Volunteers work on community service and nothing else.
Peace Corps policy against intelligence connections is based on the general authority of the Director of the Peace Corps, provided by section 5 (a) of the Peace Corps Act, to establish the terms and conditions of service of Volunteers, by the Foreign Service Act of 1980, and on long-standing agency policy prohibiting any connection between Peace Corps and intelligence activity first enunciated by Peace Corps Director Sargent Shriver in 1961.
Since the initial opening of the Peace Corps/Bolivia program in 1962, more than 2,500 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Bolivia. After a hiatus that began in 1971, the government formally requested that the Peace Corps return to Bolivia, and the Peace Corps resumed operations in 1990. Today, there are approximately 130 Volunteers working in Bolivia in the areas of health, agriculture, business development, education, and environmental projects. Where appropriate, the Peace Corps also integrates information technology into projects to expand technology access for Bolivian youth, farmers, entrepreneurs, and municipalities.
The safety and security of Peace Corps Volunteers remains our highest priority. Given the environments in which we work, the Peace Corps focuses on minimizing risk and maximizing security while also providing a meaningful experience for Volunteers and their host communities. The Peace Corps is celebrating a 46-year legacy of service at home and abroad. Currently there are more than 8,000 Volunteers abroad, a 37-year high for Volunteers in the field. Since 1961, more than 190,000 Volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 139 countries where Volunteers have served. Peace Corps Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Not much new to report. I was going to post Carnaval pictures, but my camera was stolen. So, that kinda sucks. Won't be getting a new one until, say, October because my insurance hasn't gone through yet. I've got my eye on some sweet ones though, so it'll be worth the wait!
In cheerier news, Kauri is growing like crazy! It's now apparent that she is in fact a he! Here is a picture showing him at a few weeks old and then at four months. He's even bigger now and when he stretches out he reaches paw-to-paw from my chin to mid-thigh. I'm not sure what the official measure on that would be, but he's big!
PS I'm trying my best to find work now so that I have something of substance to tell you all. In the meantime, if there's anything that you all want to know about life in Bolivia, leave a comment and I'm happy to report.
PPS I got the most amazing package from Jen a while back- THANK YOU! I've also been getting some great mail from everyone and I love it! Hang in there, your reply letters are on the way!
Besos y abrazos,
Sarita
In cheerier news, Kauri is growing like crazy! It's now apparent that she is in fact a he! Here is a picture showing him at a few weeks old and then at four months. He's even bigger now and when he stretches out he reaches paw-to-paw from my chin to mid-thigh. I'm not sure what the official measure on that would be, but he's big!
PS I'm trying my best to find work now so that I have something of substance to tell you all. In the meantime, if there's anything that you all want to know about life in Bolivia, leave a comment and I'm happy to report.
PPS I got the most amazing package from Jen a while back- THANK YOU! I've also been getting some great mail from everyone and I love it! Hang in there, your reply letters are on the way!
Besos y abrazos,
Sarita
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