Monday, May 30, 2011

Departure from Minnesota: T-minus 9 days

With my departure date approaching a little too quickly -- though other days, not nearly quick enough, due to the crummy Minnesota weather we've been having lately! -- it's come to my attention that I have A LOT to do yet.  I'm sure I'll get motivated sometime in the next few days to actually pack my suitcases... clean my room which has been a disaster since I moved home in December... and, most importantly, organize the stuff I'm not gonna use for the next 2 years in tightly sealed boxes so my siblings can't get to my precious belongings and be tempted to use and/or ruin my things while I'm gone.  But all of these things would be accomplished so much more efficiently, if I just continued to put them aside for a little longer and then attacked the situation hardcore a day or two before I leave, pulling an all-nighter, if necessary, to finish stuffing things into my suitcase before leaving for the airport early that Wednesday morning.

You see, I'm a polished and successful procrastinator, having been perfecting the art of doing things at the very last minute since about 7th grade.  In fact, some of my very best work has been done last minute: Example 1 - memorizing crazy math formulas the hour before the test WHILE in orchestra rehearsal; Example 2 - starting my beautiful 18-page creative story/character analysis/final paper for my Honors Great Books class at midnight and submitting it via email at 7:55am to meet the 8:00am deadline with perfect timing.  Besides, I'd much prefer to spend my last days in America visiting family and friends, relaxin' around a bonfire while making s'mores, and doing stereotypical American things, like lounging at the pool, having a Harry Potter movie marathon in an air-conditioned house, and eating super cheesy pizza and McDonald's fattening french fries. 

As I prepare for my departure, I've begun to take note of my "lasts" in America.  Last time wearing some of my favorite clothes and shoes that won't be making the trip with me, before packing them away or getting rid of them altogether.  Last time substitute teaching (for awhile, anyways) and it couldn't have ended on a higher or more perfect note -- I subbed for music and got to teach the elementary kids my favorite songs and then belt out Justin Bieber and High School Musical songs with the junior high kids!  And even last "American" meals, which have consisted of bacon cheeseburgers, chocolate ice cream, fresh asparagus from Mom's garden, Canadian bacon & pineapple pizza, watermelon, and a lots of other stuff, mostly junk I shouldn't be eating but have been craving lately, knowing that I might not get some of this greasy, over-processed, excessively-sugared food for awhile. 

This past week has also brought me wonderful last times with many of my friends.  In a jam-packed car, we went to the movie theater at 10 at night to see "Hangover 2" and laughed a lot...at the movie cuz it was, well, funny, as well as at the fact that the majority of the audience was comprised of high school kids (which made me feel reallllly old).  But these weren't just any kids.  They were students.  Who I taught.  Who, somehow, knew me.  Even though I wasn't in "teacher" clothes.  Awwwwwkward.  Especially when they all stared at me as I walked in.  And when some of the girls came up to me and said, "Hey, Miss Hauth!  I didn't know you liked movies!" (jeesh, why wouldn't I like movies?!?).  And even more so when some of the tough guy athletes gave me that head jerk/nod/bob thing that they do to each other as they strut through the school hallways.  Good thing the school year's over and I'll soon be an ocean away, otherwise I'm sure this next school year would allow me to hear and/or be blackmailed with plenty of "Miss Hauth!  Remember the time we saw Hangover 2 together?" comments.  I'm gonna miss all those kids...

In addition, I also had the opportunity to spend a day with each of my best friends: Erin Kodet (and her husband Andrew), Mya Herscher (and her hubby Dan), and Sarah Jensen (no husband to claim ownership over yet, and now she has to wait until I get back in 2 years to get married...).  I had a lot of fun with each of them, although it was simultaneously bittersweet, knowing that it was our last time hanging out and having deep conversations in person, for a long time.  A lot of hugs were exchanged, tons of good luck wishes, and even a few tears.  They all wrote me a message in the back of my photo album book (which you can view at the link found on the photo page of this blog), and I promised them I wouldn't read what they wrote until I was on the airplane to Africa and officially out of the United States.  It's really tempting to go right now and look at what they left me, but so far I've resisted the urge to peek!  And I'll have to ignore that temptation for several more days yet.  Eleven, to be exact.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

And So The Adventure Begins: A "Few" Minor Details

If you're reading this, there's a good chance you already know where I am, what I'm doing, etc. etc., blah blah blah.  However, some of you might not.  Don't worry, there's no need to feel bad that you're unaware of my adventure: there are plenty of reasons (as well as excuses!) for this.


First of all, this may be due to the fact that you're simply behind on the times and need to catch up with your current events.  Well actually, now that I think about it, it seems that keeping up with worldly events was what caused my exciting announcement to be overshadowed in the first place.  Pshh, Osama bin Laden's death more important than me?  I think not... Also, a shout out of gratitude to President Obama for his Presidential addresses that ever so conveniently interrupted my favorite TV shows.  And for the excitement of American-dealt justice that bubbled from my elementary students the next day...which, naturally, generated non-stop questions of curiosity and discussions so mature and thoughtful, you would've thunk adults were in the room...not 8-year-olds.  And so, thank you, Mr. President, for causing me to throw my K-5 lesson plans out the window, after spending hours specially preparing them.  (Fortunately, my hard work didn't go completely to waste as the lessons were able to be used a few days later -- although by then state testing of math, reading, etc., had started, and so not all the grades got to come to my class...or stay the whole time...but that's another rant/blog entirely...)


Perhaps you vaguely knew of my plans, but then forgot.  Just blame that on the premature Alzheimer's symptoms kicking in.  But don't use the memory loss excuse too much.  They lock people up for that, you know!  Speaking of Alzheimer's, if you ever want to be entertained, ask me about the time I worked the graveyard shift in my local nursing home's Alzheimer's Unit, and thought I was going to die...aka be murdered by an old man who could barely walk, even with the aide of his walker.  It makes for a good story now, but at the time, it was the scariest moment (well, hours, actually) of my life.


Or maybe, you're one of those mistrusting parents who didn't believe your typically-imaginative Kindergartner when he saw me in the grocery store, and, after he finally gets over the shock of seeing a teacher shop for food (by which he consequently realizes that teachers are real people -- that we, too, eat food and go shopping and are friends with individuals older than, oh, age 12 -- and that, contrary to popular belief among most lil' tikes, teachers do NOT live and/or sleep at school), tugged at your shirt, and shouted, "Look!  There's the lady who's our substitute who's going to Africa to ride an elephant for TWO years!"  "Johnny, we don't point at people...or make-up stories.  You mean to say she read you a story about African elephants, right?" 


But, there's also the possibility that you don't actually know me and thus haven't the slightest idea who I am -- you just happened to randomly stumble across this beautiful blog of art, and within seconds, probably thought to yourself, "Wow! This girl looks pretty awesome. Tell me more!"  Well actually, I hope that's exactly what you're thinking, even if you do know me!  And so, without further ado, I present the email-slash-FacebookNote I sent to family and friends a few weeks ago to inform them about my decision to volunteer with the U.S. Peace Corps.


P.S. Thank you, technology, for your convenient ability to copy/paste.  Also, for the record, I'd like to clarify that I am NOT lazy.  But that email/FBnote was soooooo long and thoroughly written with tons of good info, it's only natural to re-use it and give it a place of honor by being part of my first post on my first-ever blog. Plus, it'll take up a lot of space, creating the allusion that I've taken the time to compose many words, just for you, my reader.



Dear friends and family,

Bonjour! As some of you may know, I have been discerning participation in the United States Peace Corps, a government-sponsored, 27-month volunteer program.   The Peace Corps places individuals who have obtained a college degree in countries throughout the world to provide support and aide to their health care, education, agriculture, and economic development.

This has been a very long process.  (Beware: this is also a VERY long letter.  Read at your own discretion.  Maybe grab some popcorn or a drink or two.) Although I had casually thought about volunteering as an option for post-student-teaching all throughout college, I first seriously began to consider it and research various volunteer and/or teaching abroad programs last summer.  I submitted my initial application to the Peace Corps earlier this fall, followed by more paperwork, an interview, medical, dental, and eye exams, tons of shots, and even more never-ending paperwork.   And of course, knowing my luck, I’ve had my share of problems along the way, such as getting stabbed 3 painful times… in each arm… just to have blood drawn for lab work in order to make sure I don’t have any obscure diseases.  And to think, the nurse thought I had “such nice, big veins!”  Apparently not, judging by the huge bruises I ended up acquiring on both arms.

Earlier this winter I was nominated for a position in South America that would begin in May and entailed developing agricultural practices and sustainable farming.  I dusted off my college Spanish book and started brushing up on my Spanish-speaking skills, so that I would be able to say more than “hola” (hi) and “Donde es el bano?” (Where is the bathroom?).  Having been to Peru for 3 weeks last year, January 2010, I was pretty excited…until I got a phone call a few weeks ago explaining that someone else had been offered this position, and he accepted.   Yet another block in the road.  You see, naturally, as a teacher, I would like to complete my volunteer service and return home sometime in the summer, so that I have the option of teaching and/or going to grad school that fall.  That means I would need to begin my service in May (or earlier), in order to get back a little over 2 years later at the end of July or so.   With the month of May only a few days away, obviously I’m not going anywhere soon … I stressed my concern over timing to the Peace Corps, and they said, “Don’t worry.  We have a position we’d like to consider you for that’s much better suited to your background and the education you acquired in college… It begins early June… How would you like to go to AFRICA!?!”

Much to my surprise, a few days later the UPS delivered an over-night shipment from the Peace Corps.  I had received a big box – literally a box – of information and handbooks detailing the assignment I had been invited to and now had 7 days to accept or decline.  Reading through everything was simultaneously exhilarating and terrifying, but after a lot of thought and phone calls to friends, I did accept the Peace Corp’s invitation!  Crazy?  Yup.  Scary?  Definitely.  Awesome? Totally! 

Here’s the lowdown on my assignment:
1. Country – Burkina Faso (A little country in central Northwestern Africa about the size of Colorado; north of Ghana, south of Mali and the Sahara Desert…kinda near Libya, but not really, so don’t freak out…)
2. Program – Secondary Education, Math teacher (I’ll be teaching Math to junior high and/or high school students in a small town or large village, as well as providing professional development training and curriculum design to Burkinabe teachers.  Additionally, I’ll work with HIV/AIDS prevention, girls’ empowerment and women’s rights, and other community outreach programs.)
3. Dates: June 6, 2011 – August 20, 2013 (This includes 2 days of orientation in the U.S. before flying to Burkina for about 3 months of intense pre-service training, followed by approximately 2 years of service in my designated village.)
4. Language(s) – French. (Schooling and business activities are conducted in French, which is spoken throughout a large portion of Africa.  Do I know French?  Nope…but I’m learning, thanks to Rosetta Stone!  I’ll also be learning/attempting to speak the local language(s) of my village.)
5. Running water, electricity, etc. – probably not.  (In bigger cities, it’s more common, but most rural villages are still without these “luxuries.”)
6. Religion – 50% Muslim, 30% Christian, and a mixture of traditional/indigenous practices

I do not know specific details about exactly where I will be in Burkina – that information is determined during our pre-service training, based on our skills and personal needs.  Much of my training will be focused on understanding the culture, as well as language development, so we can communicate effectively.  Trying to learn as much French as possible in this next month is a daunting task, especially specific terminology for teaching math (I’m a long ways from being that advanced yet – I’m still figuring out how to say “I’m sorry, I don’t understand”….), but for most my students, French will be a second or third language for them as well.  Which could be good, i.e. they might be sympathetic towards me….or very, VERY bad, i.e. they might not understand anything I say.  Gosh, math is hard enough for most kids when it’s taught in their primary language… I can’t imagine trying to learn it in a secondary language…from a teacher who’s even less comfortable with the language than the students are and pronounces just about everything completely wrong!

Burkina is one of the poorest countries in the world; average life expectancy is 48.9 years old.  Over 50% of its population is under age 15 – thus there are TONS of kids, but not nearly enough teachers (especially in math and science fields) to give them a decent education that allows them to break out of the poverty cycle.  Classroom sizes range from 50-150 students, and while most rooms have a blackboard and chalk, that’s about it.  There probably won’t even be textbooks and other resources we take for granted in America, so students will primarily learn by listening to lectures, taking notes, and memorizing information.  The education system in Burkina has been improving, but even so, only about 66% of kids currently attend primary school, 30% attend our equivalent of junior high, 10% finish high school, and maybe 2% go on to college or university studies.  Often, the majority of students are boys, as parents can’t afford to send all their children to school and girls need to take care of the house and/or get married.  Furthermore, it’s not uncommon for kids to walk/bike 10-12 miles to school in the morning and then back home again at the end of the day. 

Being placed in a school setting has many positives, including: a fairly structured schedule and overall program goal, other adults and teachers (both from Burkina and the U.S.) to partner with and share ideas, and immediate interaction with a community that will look out for me.  Current volunteers in Burkina advise, “You’ll instantly have at least 300 friends – your students plus their parents – and they’ll all want to invite you over for meals and walk with you wherever you go.”  Speaking of walking, I’ll be doing a lot of that.  I am not allowed to own or drive a vehicle -- not that there are a lot of cars around anyways! -- but I will be given a bicycle (and, of course, a helmet!).

Depending where I am placed, I may have access to phones or Internet.  Some current volunteers actually have cellphones in Burkina and use their laptops frequently, but others only have access to these technologies when they travel to a big city, and thus rely chiefly on postal mail.  That being said, you are all more than welcome to send me letters, pictures, packages filled with junk food and other non-perishable treats...  I plan to keep a journal, take lots of pictures and/or videos, and will hopefully blog every now and then.  Furthermore, I have already established participation in a pen-pal program sponsored by the Peace Corps that covers the cost of postage for me to write monthly letters to each school/educator in America I’ve chosen to communicate with, and provides them with educational resources to use in their classrooms.  Conveniently, most of the teachers I’ll be corresponding with through this program also happen to be some of my best friends!  :)

For those of you who are curious (or rather, like my parents, worried) about the financial aspects of my adventure, here’s a summary of the benefits provided by the Peace Corps:
1. Transportation to my site is arranged (there and back), but anything extra (i.e. a vacation to a nearby country, a night of fun in the city, or a trip home, unless it’s an emergency) is out of my own pocket.  And plane tickets to Africa are expennnnnsive!! So don’t plan on me coming home too often…if at all…unless you want to pay for my ticket! But, on the other hand, you can certainly come visit me! (When else would you ever have a reason to go to Africa and actually have someone to show you around and make sure you don’t get lost!?!)
2. Housing is provided, along with a living stipend for food and other expenses that will allow me to live “modestly” in my community.  Though often, I will still be far better off than the majority of local people.
3. The Peace Corps covers health and life insurance during my service, as well as all basic health supplies, i.e. vitamins, sunscreen, etc.  If I so choose, I will need to pay for property insurance on my own, though the Peace Corps sponsors an affordable company used by the U.S. for all government personnel who travel and/or live abroad.
4. I accumulate 2 paid vacation days a month, which can be saved up and used at a later date.
5. Naturally, I am exempt from income taxes, since I really won’t have any income.
6. At the completion of my 27 months of service, I will receive a readjustment allowance of about $6000 to do with as I wish – take a trip (to somewhere else in the world!), make a house payment, put in my savings account…
7. Post-service, I have the opportunity to attend grad school for reduced, or even free, tuition through the Fellows/USA program.  This would be ideal for me, as I could get my Master’s degree in Education and/or finish my Bachelor’s in Math.  Typically, Fellows/USA participants are placed in a paid internship or salaried job while they undergo their studies, such teaching at in inner-city school for $40,000+ year.  Right now, I’m very interested in pursuing this awesome opportunity following my Peace Corps service.         
             
Whew!  That’s a lot of info.  But for anyone who’s interested or has questions, I have TONS more I could say.  And just think, I haven’t even left the country yet!  I’d love to give you more details or answer your questions via email, phone 507.276.2215 or, my personal favorite, in person!  With my departure date only about a month away -- Wow! That’s coming up quickly! -- I’d love some quality time face-to-face.  Also, I’ll be sending out another letter in the next few weeks (I promise it will be significantly shorter!), listing my contact info for when I’m in Burkina Faso, along with specific departure times. 

I appreciate your support  -- please keep me in your thoughts as I prepare for my adventure to Africa! 

Merci!

Sincèrement, 
Elizabeth M. Hauth