Pre-Departure
This website chronicles my experience of "the toughest job you'll ever love." Updates to the journal will be posted when possible thanks to the efforts of Loren Chassels.
January 2004
Even though I leave in just a short while, it still doesn't seem real. I've been planning everything for so long that it's almost hard to believe that it's almost time to actually begin my Peace Corps assignment
I've gotton so many generous well-wishes, presents, and offers for care packages. A top question I've been asked is what to put in care packages - "What will you need?" Tough question to answer because anything I can perceive of now that I'll need I'm trying to cram into the allotted space/weight. Which, by the way, is combined linear dimensions (length + width + height) of no more than 107 inches for checked baggage (larger pieces may not exceed 62 inches). Maximum weight allowance for checked baggage is 80 pounds total (max. for any one bag is 50 lbs). This all my sound like a lot to the average traveler, but taking into concideration that I'm leaving for two years - it's not so much. I plan on taking advantage of every inch and ounce. My carry-on is limited to 45 inches, but no weight limit is listed so I know it's going to weigh a ton.
I know right now that the weight restriction is going to be tougher than the size restriction. I packed up my large compression stuff sack with the recommended sheets, towels, and some of the clothing then loaded it into my expedition backpack. With only a quarter of the capacity filled, the backpack already weighed 30 lbs. I'll have to keep weighing as I go along.
Anyway, back to the care package issue. Once I'm in-country and at my site of assignment, I'll make sure to update my online journal with a list of ideas. The weather will be hot and the mail could take a while, so nothing too perishable. I love Luna bars, and one of my favorite flavors doesn't have coating on it so it won't get all melty - Toasted Nuts 'n' Cranberry. I'd also love to get photos to see what friends and family have been up to. Maybe some nice environmental/nature magazines or books and the occassional novel would be good. Other than that, I'll have to see what the local shortages/needs are and what I start craving or missing the most.
So many people have asked me to describe what I'll be doing, and the best that I can do is refer them to my Volunteer Assignment Description (which I included on my website). There are so many possible activities that I just can't sum it up without knowing more specifics about where I'll be stationed. I should get to find out where I'll be after the first few weeks of training. It sounds like training will start outside of Manila somewhere. Then we transfer to another site and live with host families for the bulk of the training time. I'll also live with a host family when I first go to my site of assignment - I think they said for 2-3 months. I'm not expecting electricity or plumbing, but wouldn't be too broken up about it if I did end up having either or both of these. I'm bringing a solar battery charger so I can still use my flashlight, headlamp, micro-cassette recorder, alarm clock, etc without going through a ton of batteries.
To come up with the items of clothing on the packing list, I spent a lot of time at the Goodwill store. Otherwise, in January it's almost impossible to find lightweight summer clothing in the department stores. I had to shop for almost everything I need because my summer clothes are all too dark, too fragile, or don't go with enough other things. With such a limit wardrobe along with me, I want to make sure that almost everything I have goes with almost anything else.
I'm trying to make the rounds contacting everyone for the last time before I depart, but it's been hard to keep up. I'm hoping to have internet access every month or so to keep in contact by email. But since so much of the information I'll have to share will be in the online journal, my emails may just be a quick hello and some random information. Even though I may be too swamped to respond well to messages and letters, I'll still love every bit of contact from family and friends.
I guess that's about it for now. I'm looking forward to beginning this adventure and at the same time can't believe it's really time to begin. It probably won't sink in for real until training is over and it's time to transfer to my assignment site. Training is about the length of any of my other trips. When I'm packing up to move, it will probably strike me that I'm not headed home. Hopefully my location will feel somewhat like home for the two years that I'm there though.
I hope some people will take me up on my invitation to "come sleep on my mat on the dirt floor in my palm frond hut." Accommodations are guaranteed to actually be better than that. Although, I am hoping for a nipa hut.
Staging and Initial Orientation
Tuesday, 02 February 2004
On 28 Jan 04, staging began in San Francisco. It was basically two days of expressing our aspirations and fears. It was interesting meeting everyone in Peace Corps - Philippines group 263. Then of course the struggle began to try to remember everyone's names. There are 41 people in our "class," all involved in either environmental positions or youth/business development. Anyway, besides introductions, it seemed like the point of staging was just to make sure that everyone really wanted to get on the plane. A common conclusion to a talk or answer to a question was "you'll learn more about that later." Which I'm sure we will. It seems like they will be very thorough when it comes time to delve into details.
After a long set of flights beginning on 30 Jan, we arrived in Manila on the 31st and are now 13 hours ahead of East Coast time.
For the initial orientation, we are staying at the Lakeview Resort Hotel, 60 km south of Manila, for 4 days. For our first Filipino sunset, we rode in jeepneys to the University of the Philippines, Los Baños (UPLB). I got to see Mt. Makiling, which I had done a research paper on in one of my classes last semester. We've met the Peace Corps - Philippines staff and have gotten some more info during several sessions (and some more "we'll tell you later"). In the Peace Corps Philippines Volunteer Handbook that we recently received, there is a nice synopsis of the CCIBA project that I'll be a part of. Of course it still encompasses all the possibilities, so no specifics yet about what I'll be doing.
From the Peace Corps Philippines Handbook:
The Community-Based Conservation of Important Biodiversity Areas (CCIBA) enables a wide terrestrial coverage and focuses on two goals: environmental education for in and out of school youth and promotion of pro-conservation livelihood.
A component of CCIBA, the Protected Area Community Education project assigns Volunteers with environmental NGOs, municipal governments and national government agencies like the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to promote pro-conservation, livelihood development, youth development and environmental awareness in the barangays near biodiversity areas. Volunteers are linked with high schools in these barangays where they facilitate environmental education in science clubs and help organize school-based environmental events and projects. Project efforts in promoting environmental awareness and environmentally responsible behavior in the biodiversity areas is aimed at minimizing degraded activities of resident populations.
I do know quite a bit about my actual assignment because we had little 10 minute interviews with our APCD (Associate Peace Corps Director, i.e. the guy in charge of the CCIBA project - Joe) yesterday. I had to be talked into taking the assignment he had slotted for me because I had (have) some real misgivings about it. The first angle he used to describe the proposed assignment was heavy on GIS. I didn't come all this way and introduce all this turmoil in my life to find myself back behind a computer again doing GIS (in the jungle this time). I was looking forward to a very grassroots, low-tech assignment. I'm not here for a résumé builder (though I know it will be a great one).
When Joe saw how serious I was about not liking what I had heard so far about the job, he put a different spin on it. He read through the objectives this time downplaying the computer skills and pointed out the other activities - which I have to admit sound great and like what I eventually want to do - conservation planning from the ground up. That sounds exciting. The main emphasis seems to be site evaluation and determining placement of protected areas. I'd also be facilitating visits to protected areas in other locations (for comparisons and advice I'd presume). That part, however, was unclear about the extent that I'd actually be making these visits. It seems like I would get to travel around more than most assignments I've heard about though.
The other convincing factors that made me say I'd take it are as follow. I want to help out where I'm needed, and no one else is qualified. Plus Joe made it sound like I'd be crazy not to take it so he obviously believes that it is a really good opportunity. Then there's the allure of working for/with a large NGO. Joe wouldn't say which one, but he did say "something like WWF" (World Wildlife Fund/Worldwide Fund for Nature) a couple of times. He said volunteers ask to be placed with this particular NGO all the time and there either isn't an opportunity or they aren't qualified. Seeing as how I'd like to eventually work for a large international environmental organization, this could be a good foot in the door. Finally, I'll make the best of whatever the assignment is no matter what.
I'm sure that I'll feel like a real jerk once I realize what an incredible opportunity it is. At any rate, I'll find out on Wednesday afternoon what the assignment is. Until then, I'll just have to hold tight.
What I know now about the actual site is "big mountain, bif ocean." It's 4 hours away from an urban center, but in a "very rural" area. And it's not on a small island :( . But big mountain, ocean, and rural all sound really good. And I'm counting on a beach between that ocean and mountain. The length of traning has been extended from the two months listed on my assignment description. It sounds like this is to allow for a one week site visit and intro to host agency prior to the close of pre-service training.
Today we went to PNVSCA, the Embassy, and the Peace Corps Philippines offices. PNVSCA is the Philippines National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency. It's a "government institution mandated to promote and coordinate volunteer programs and services in the Philippines...PNVSCA acts as clearinghouse for all organized volunteer service matters in the country. It formulates policies and guidelines, coordinates and implements the national volunteer program in support of the development goals and objectives of government." As such, PNVSCA oversees the Peace Corps Philippines activities, site placements, etc.
Saturday, 07 February 2004
Wednesday afternoon we found out our site assignments. I'm going to be working with Conservation International in Southern Palawan. I've never heard of Conservation International before, at least that I can remember. But a couple of people here have and say that they are supposed to be really good. From what I can tell from the literature I received, their philosophy to their approach to conservation is great. By working with them I'll be able to see first-hand how well this translates into action. Conservation International (CI)'s "mission is to conserve the Earth's living heritage, our global diversity, and to demonstrate that human societies can live harmoniously with nature." They are a "field-based, non-profit organization that protects the Earth's biologically richest ecosystems."
Even if my job description (which I still haven't received yet -- none of the CCIBA Volunteers have -- so I'm glad that Joe had at least read it to me in the interview) focuses heavily on something I'd rather not do, within the organization I should be able to get involved in some really great activities.
As for my job location -- even the Filipinos ooh and ahh when they hear that I get to go to Palawan. It is supposed to be one of the best places to go in the Philippines. One brochure that I have refers to Palawan as the country's "final environmental frontier" characterized by "pristine beaches lined with mangroves, extensive coral reefs, clear rivers, countless streams, and mountain forests."
Yes, I'm beginning to feel dumb about hesitating to take my assignment.
Thursday we flew from Manila to Tagbilaran on the island of Bohol where we will remain for the bulk of our training (aside from our one week site visit). We had a Homestay Briefing what afternoon because on Sunday we will begin living with our respective host families.
On Thursday evening we had a Welcome Program with the Mayor and other important guests. A children's choir from Bohol performed as part of the program. They have won international music festivals and everyone could see why -- they were amazing. The Pre-Service Training (PST) staff also performed a couple of numbers, including the national dance -- the bamboo dance. Two long bamboo poles are tapped on the ground and then together as dancers tap their feet between the poles and next to them and then cross back and forth on either side of the poles. Fascinating to watch the Filipinos do it, and funny to watch the Americans try it. All of the Trainees also performed a couple of numbers including "Oh! Philippines," a version of Oh! Susanna with lyrics rewritten to express our experiences and apprehensions thus far.
Friday we evaluated Initial Orientation and then had a day full of overviews. We also had an hour and a half to learn "Survival Cebuano," the language spoken on Bohol. This supposedly prepared us to communicate basic information with our host families, jeepney drivers, etc. All that most of us got out of it was the ability to say good morning, noon, afternoon, and evening. For anything else, out comes the notebook to read what we're supposed to say. Several people will be learning Cebuano as their target language so the "Survial Cebuano" lesson will give them a little head start. I am one of the six people who will be learning Tagalog as our target language. We are at an advantage because that's spoken throughout the Philippines. T.V. shows, news broadcasts, and radio announcements that aren't in English will be in Tagalog so we can start getting a feel for the language. Language lessons and other training areas start in earnest on Monday.
Today (Saturday) we had Water Safety, which was literally a day at the beach. We went to Panglao beach and first rotated between three activities: water rescues, getting in and out of different sized boats on the water, and free time (isn't life tough?). Then there were some team building exercises. After lunch it was more free time. A heavy rainstorm came through, but passed rather quickly. We were already wet from the ocean, so it really didn't bother anyone too much. Now we're back at Dumadag Farm where we're staying until tomorrow and where training is located.
Another downpour just started so I'm going to make a run for better cover. Tonight many of us are going out to listen to some live music, so that should be fun.
Sunday, 08 February 2004
Today is Sunduan, or the start of our homestay. There was definitely some nervousness circulating amongst the trainees as we packed up our belongings and prepared to depart to our new homes. I don't think that anyone feels that the "Survival Cebuano" lessons really prepared them to communicate with anyone. Plus there's the fear of making a cultural faux pas and not even knowing it. The main thing though is just the awkwardness of living in a complete stranger's house.
Things have gone fine so far though. My host family is very nice, speaks impeccible English, and has a gorgeous home. They've hosted a Peace Corps Trainee before so they know what it's like. And she was a vegetarian, so that makes things easier on me because they know what sort of things to prepare. I was urged to "go rest" after lunch -- an offer I gratefully accepted. It was nice to have some private time, and I desparately needed a nap.
Tomorrow training starts in earnest and we'll have our first lessons in our target language. The schedule also includes several more overviews (enough already!).
| ©2003-2005
Marla Chassels