ab Chasing Kate: August 2005

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Pre-Service Training Address

Like I said, I am going to try to convert to snail mail so I don't have to spend hours in the internet cafe so here is my temporary address for my 3- month training period. It takes about 4-6 weeks for me to receive my mail so start writing and sending those letters ASAP!! My address is:

Kyrgyz Republic
722140 Kant City
Mailbox #23
97 Lenina Street, RUPS
Katie Persavich


Here are some helpful instructions that I received from another volunteer:

If you want to send packages, wrap the boxes in a brown paper bag and tie a string around it if the post office will let you. Use lots of tape and include a detailed inventory list on the inside. Typed address labels help as well. Unfortunately, the Kant post office is notorious for messing around with packages. Mostly only small things go missing, like gum and candy. Be especially careful with padded or Manila envelopes-- they are particularly easy to get into. Postal workers also have a tendency to open up letters and switch around the content. For example, one volunteer received a photo of another volunteer's parents. All post offices are not like this. Its just that at Kant, they've been getting volunteer packages for a few years and already know the kinds of things we like in them. I have also heard to address envelopes and packages in red ink and to put bible scriptures on the outside because they are superstitious about stealing things that may be considered religious.

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Broken record...

Lately, my automated responses have been getting to me. Where are you going? When do you leave? How long will you be there? What will you be doing? Why are you doing this? I spout out the same information person to person, day to day and it's easy hear yourself saying things without really listening to what you're saying.

I've began to really question my intentions as a volunteer in the past few weeks. Am I being too ethnocentric? Isn't this too culturally imperialisic? Who am I really doing this for? And I wish those were easy questions to answer. I'm not trying to impose my values, customs, or beliefs on anyone and I am teaching English because the Kyrgyzstan government officials realize the importance of education and learning one of the most universal languages in the world. (Plus, they originally wanted me to teach physics, but I could barely pass physics let alone try to teach it in another language). And I would be lying if I said I wasn't doing part of this for me.

But I am also doing this because I love working with children, learning about other cultures and teaching others about mine. I am doing this because I want to make a difference in someone else's life. I am doing this because I know it's going to be a challenge and I want to see how far I can test my boundaries. I am doing this because I know I can.

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Catch me if you can...

I'm writing this as a universal way to keep family and friends posted about my latest adventures. I'm officially joining Peace Corps and am leaving for Kyrgyzstan on September 14, 2005. I'm stoked/anxious/nervous to leave and the reality sets in a little more each day. I've been trying to appreciate all the things I'm leaving and have been eating ice cream a few times a week because I doubt they'll have it in whatever small village I end up in.