What's going on? Cannot write, am tired.
Had meeting with 11 members of the Blind community. After rewriting their grant 3 times because they kept changing their minds, I finally asked to meet with no-members too. We came up with them wanting a Center ... I gave them a list of things to ask for from community leaders and how to prepare for a meeting with them...that was last week.
Went into the schools to ask about teaching a business class. After meeting with the business staff, director and such, I taught 4 trial classes. One teacher seemed happy female, the male disappointed...He wanted 2 hours of lecturing and not facilitation. At the end he liked it, I think, but not his style of teaching. I should start next week with 2 classes during the week and they said they are getting together a group of serious kids for a business club I want to start.
Took my OA group 9 kids on a Trip to the harbor...Toured a cargo ship, fishing boat, old communist war ship, the harbor masters office. Kids totally dug it.
My 4 core girls are fighting...they have seperated...cannot figure out how they think. Greta, the most mature of the bunch in to odd one out. Something about credit for the projects and something about what happened in Eseke.
Outdoor Ambassador group of kids is growing..Now up to 12.
Arber project is moving along slowly. We are only as fast as those that are in charge of the money....they are a month behind schedule
Beti mom came to visit only to have Beti's new computer and old computer stolen
Leslie and her mom are in Italy.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
A few things
Updates from last entry...My new workout partner...A Bust...he doesn't do mornings....He was also a connection to teaching in a Village... A bust....he does not have any contact with the Director of the school.
The communty project...on hold because one of the groups was not ready for the next step...so we all have to wait...
The Department of Agriculture Faire/Party went well....It was a fair involving the bee farmers. Having seeing the 'Bee Movie" just last week it was fun.
The other day, Bethany had 2 English Couch surfers Bob and Sean. I took them on a visit to the Lezhe Castle. We climbed the wall and walked around inside for a few hours. Following our adventure, we then met up with Bethany, Leslie and went bar hopping. After 5-6 beers, closing down the bar,we all staggered home.
As of today, the internet still does not work at the office, therefore I am here at the lab.
Helped Toma with downloading pictures to a Disk.
The communty project...on hold because one of the groups was not ready for the next step...so we all have to wait...
The Department of Agriculture Faire/Party went well....It was a fair involving the bee farmers. Having seeing the 'Bee Movie" just last week it was fun.
The other day, Bethany had 2 English Couch surfers Bob and Sean. I took them on a visit to the Lezhe Castle. We climbed the wall and walked around inside for a few hours. Following our adventure, we then met up with Bethany, Leslie and went bar hopping. After 5-6 beers, closing down the bar,we all staggered home.
As of today, the internet still does not work at the office, therefore I am here at the lab.
Helped Toma with downloading pictures to a Disk.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Went Camping.
I am sure you are wondering how the camping trip to Erseke went. I took along 4 girls and 2 boys from Lezhe. It was about a 10 hour journey involving a commuter bus, city bus, minivan, and another commuter bus. We left at 6:00 am and arrived at 4:00pm...
While I told my girls they were going to be split up, when we got there, there were many tears. I tried my best to help, but then I had to run away to try to find the Manual for 16 year old girls...having not found one, I then recruited female assistance. They could not stop the flow of tears, and finally our camp director....broke the rules for them...while it saved them from going home, it also somewhat prevented them from the emotional growth a trip like that often offers. Our one girl that was solo, while cried, called her big sister who called me twice... the camper later thanked me and said I was correct in splitting them up. She had a blast and did a lot of growing up during the trip, the other 3 just had fun.
In all we had 50 kids from around Albania went on this 4 day trip. For many it was their first time away from home. Lots of tears at first, lots of fun the rest of the time. Camping, canoeing, lessons, archery, eating, free time, and yes, lots of new couples. My girls played frisbee, and got their hands dirty for the first time in their lives...kinda cool. One of my boys was picked up by his dad, he had family issues at home and had to leave the first night...and the other .... became a couple and loved showing off his leadership skills and athleticism.
Most of those same kids are also working on the Lezhe community project sponsored by World Vision, Arber of Big Brother, and the Peace Corps. Our Lezhe Group involves the making of a video about our castle and translating some of the information on the castle into other languages besides Albanian. We are hoping to get $1035.00 for the activity. There are 14 other youth projects around northern Albania hoping to get money from this grant/program but we think we have a pretty good chance.
Writing the Grant for the Blind was almost finished and then they changed their mind again. A great organization...function okay as is...but they little idea or ability to think beyond...just give us money.
Life at the Department of Agriculture is at a very low simmer. The one guy in town who is responsible for "OUR" internet...is on vacation. So our work stops until he gets back...we just sit all day and have coffee. I arrive at the office at 8:00 say hello, ask the silly question as to if we have internet, then leave the office and come to the computer lab and go drink coffee all day.
One of my coffees has resulted in a potential teaching gig in one of the villages outside of Lezhe. He also may be a workout partner in the gym..he wants to go, but as the culture dictates...if someone is by themselves...people talk and say that something is wrong with them. If I go, he will not be by himself..
One of the business I have been trying to help, the copy center, actually followed through with 3 suggestions I gave...While not even worthy of a suggestion in the States, in Albania it was a major breakthrough...something very few business try...His Dad, a communist raised person, hated the idea...and when I asked him how he like having hours postsed or prices on product, he left the room.
Neser, I will go to a re-union of Leslies camp...one she help organize for the communities poorest kids, and Saturday will be a party with the Department of Agriculture.
Stephanie Dorning visited us yesterday.
While I told my girls they were going to be split up, when we got there, there were many tears. I tried my best to help, but then I had to run away to try to find the Manual for 16 year old girls...having not found one, I then recruited female assistance. They could not stop the flow of tears, and finally our camp director....broke the rules for them...while it saved them from going home, it also somewhat prevented them from the emotional growth a trip like that often offers. Our one girl that was solo, while cried, called her big sister who called me twice... the camper later thanked me and said I was correct in splitting them up. She had a blast and did a lot of growing up during the trip, the other 3 just had fun.
In all we had 50 kids from around Albania went on this 4 day trip. For many it was their first time away from home. Lots of tears at first, lots of fun the rest of the time. Camping, canoeing, lessons, archery, eating, free time, and yes, lots of new couples. My girls played frisbee, and got their hands dirty for the first time in their lives...kinda cool. One of my boys was picked up by his dad, he had family issues at home and had to leave the first night...and the other .... became a couple and loved showing off his leadership skills and athleticism.
Most of those same kids are also working on the Lezhe community project sponsored by World Vision, Arber of Big Brother, and the Peace Corps. Our Lezhe Group involves the making of a video about our castle and translating some of the information on the castle into other languages besides Albanian. We are hoping to get $1035.00 for the activity. There are 14 other youth projects around northern Albania hoping to get money from this grant/program but we think we have a pretty good chance.
Writing the Grant for the Blind was almost finished and then they changed their mind again. A great organization...function okay as is...but they little idea or ability to think beyond...just give us money.
Life at the Department of Agriculture is at a very low simmer. The one guy in town who is responsible for "OUR" internet...is on vacation. So our work stops until he gets back...we just sit all day and have coffee. I arrive at the office at 8:00 say hello, ask the silly question as to if we have internet, then leave the office and come to the computer lab and go drink coffee all day.
One of my coffees has resulted in a potential teaching gig in one of the villages outside of Lezhe. He also may be a workout partner in the gym..he wants to go, but as the culture dictates...if someone is by themselves...people talk and say that something is wrong with them. If I go, he will not be by himself..
One of the business I have been trying to help, the copy center, actually followed through with 3 suggestions I gave...While not even worthy of a suggestion in the States, in Albania it was a major breakthrough...something very few business try...His Dad, a communist raised person, hated the idea...and when I asked him how he like having hours postsed or prices on product, he left the room.
Neser, I will go to a re-union of Leslies camp...one she help organize for the communities poorest kids, and Saturday will be a party with the Department of Agriculture.
Stephanie Dorning visited us yesterday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)