Human Trafficking Workshop

View from Workshop

Two weeks ago, myself and two other members from Women Against Rape (WAR) went to a two day workshop on Human Trafficking.  The workshop was extremely interesting, frustrating, and made me grateful for the services that are available in the States for individuals who are being trafficked.

Receiving my book and award

At the workshop there were individuals from Immigration, Gender Affairs, nurses from health centers and the hospital, as well as other non-government agencies.  I learned a lot about the services the other agencies provide and who to contact if I recognize an individual may be trafficked.

The workshop group

The Ladies of WAR

Individuals are trafficked to Antigua mostly from the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.  They are trafficked to usually dance at a strip club or work as a sex worker.  Sometimes the individuals (both males and females) know the exceptions they will need to meet when they get to Antigua.  Other times, they are told they will make a lot of money and only have to dance.  Then when they get to Antigua, they realize they are actually in great debt with the individual who brought them down, their passport is taken away (limiting movement) and they will have to perform sex work.  It is an endless cycle.

I left the workshop with a great wealth of information a long with many questions I must sort out with in my self.  I have found myself in this position many times since I have been working with sex workers. 

61 Days in Antigua!

So... I missed the one month mark by a day! Whoops!  Here is a list of items totally 61 that I have done since being in Antigua! :)

5 Outreach events to sex workers
5 Sex Workers receiving ESL classes
5 Letters Written

5 New Friends

5 Islands Represented in those New Friends

5 Different Beaches

4 Members on the outreach team 

4 Bars which outreach takes place

3 Peace Corps Response Volunteers who swore-in with me 
3 Newspaper Articles regarding guidelines for lyrical changes
2 ESL classes with Spanish-Speaking Sex Workers
1 Opening Parade for Carnival
1 Carnival Jouvert 
1 Chair which offers millions of moments of breathing
1 Outreach Event Creating Awareness around eliminating violence against women and girls
1 Grant Budget Updated
1 Grant Summary
1 East Coast Tour
1 Meeting focused on Lyric Guidelines
1 Meeting to regarding doing therapy in the Prison
1 Workshop regarding Human Trafficking
1 Mango Fest 
1 Tropical Storm 
1 Newspaper Article about the Outreach Event
1 Intervention with a victim of Domestic Violence 
1 Amazing Experience 

Kind Hearts!

Granted I have only been alive for about 26 and half years but I have lived a full 26 years with many experiences and have met many individuals a long the way. One of the lessons I have learned is individuals have all different ways of showing they care and are concerned for you.  Some are more direct while others are through simple gestures of kindness but it is shown one way or another.

Today, I was brought to teary eyes as I first witnessed the simple gestures of the individuals in my life. There is a storm coming through the island (no need to worry!).  Tropical Storm Issac will hopefully behave himself and Mother Nature will take care of her sweet islands.  Anyways, what brought me to tears were the individuals who continue to check in on me today.  From about 10A I have had simple text asking "All's Well?" with a few follow-up e-mails asking me how my street was doing. I told my landlord's son how helpful he was and he simply answer, "Well I am always here!" I have had outreach volunteers who I work with call me to make sure I was safe and had my little items.  The same volunteer told me she would call me when the storm hit to make sure I am OK! I know I can go hang out with my landlord's sons and their friends if I do not want to be by myself or run up the road to my friend's house.  

What brought tears to my eyes was the overwhelming concern and support I received from individuals who I did not think I had that kind of relationship with.  Tears came to my eyes because I was on their "list" of individuals to check-in with.  I am blessed and grateful for these individuals in my life and for moments of feeling supported and cared for even in a new home. 

Never forget how important it may make an individual feel by offering a simple gesture of kindness their way or calling to say Hello and Check-In! 

Carnival

For the last two weeks or so, I have been experiencing Carnival.  Most islands in the Eastern Caribbean celebrate Carnival during different times of the year and in different ways.  Since Antigua has a larger population they are able to have more events leading up to the actually 2 days of Carnival.  There are various competitions including, Pageants, Calypso concerts, Soca artist competing, children parades, and Steel Pan competition.  Needless to say, I have been falling asleep to the sound of music and people for the last weeks and that makes my soul smile. 

I was excited to find out I was coming to Antigua at the start of Carnival time.  There is an amazing positive vibe and energy that fill the streets.  It a way for individuals to come together, celebrate the island they call home, and express themselves in a artful manner (Music, Floats, Dancing).  People come down from all parts of the island to experience Carnival.  There are vendors after vendors selling local foods, snacks, and little toys for the children. 

Also, there is an opening parade just for children.  I went down there to watch it on an extremely hot day and enjoyed myself.  It was a day strictly for children.  To allow them to show off their skills in cheerleading and dance. A day for them to dress in their Carnival Costumes and parade around the streets of the Capital.  A day for them to have their few minutes of fame on the big carnival stage, and a day all about them.  It was refreshing to be there for that event! 

Sweet Moments

I was at the Doctor's office waiting to meet someone in regards to my worksite.  As I was waiting a Mom went in to see her doctor and left her 3 year old to wait in the waiting room for her.  This is very common, generally speaking Antiguans have a mindset of "A village raises a child."  Even without Mom being there, he was safe and Mom would found out if he mis-behaviored while she was gone.

Anyways, he was just sitting there with a worried look on his face.  I had my kindle with me and invited him to play UNO with me.  It was just the sweetest thing as we were playing, learning colors and learning numbers.  I do not work with kiddos this time around and I truly do miss it and appreciate moments like this.  He was so proud of himself and told his Mom what he played the minute she came out of the doctors office. 

Today, I am grateful for sweet moments with sweet boys, having my waiting time pass quicker, and my love for UNO. 

The Caribbean

When I told people I was going to be a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Caribbean, I get the look of: "You are going to be on a beach all day" and "What a beautiful place you will live in!" Yes, just like everyone else, I have weekends and I chose to spend them on a beach. There is another side of the Caribbean most individual do not realize unless they have lived or traveled throughout the islands.  This video shows both sides of the Caribbean and was made by an amazing organization called Hands Across the Sea.

I hope you enjoy the VIDEO 

Women Against Rape

I have been working now for a about two weeks and have thoroughly been thrilled by my experience thus far.  My supervisor and myself share similar passions in advocating for women rights and against gender violence.  We found ourselves in thoughtful dialogues around issues that effect women.  Most importantly she is well respected in the community, advocates in the best interest of individuals, and cares deeply for the individuals she works with.  Worth wild events and actions will take place in the next five months. 

Below is a list of some of the activities I will be working on:

·      Develop a training manual

·      Develop an organizational Manual for day to day operations

·      Develop a template for a Strategic Plan

·      Outreach programs/workshops with the victims of sex assault, sex workers, and community organizations

·      Upgraded current date base system

·      Research funding and grant opportunities

·      Train proposal writing

Currently I am working on the Organizational Manual which I am hoping to complete by the end of the month. Once that is completed I will move onto the Strategic Plan.  Outreach programs with sex workers are on going. We do an outreach activity once a week to a various bars.  Additional, there is plans in the works to do an outreach activity in town on the 25th of each month to raise awareness regarding sexual assault, safe sex practices, and organizations in the community.

 At the moment, Women Against Rape and various other agencies are working to put together a policy which would create guidelines for musical artist in the lyrics they chose.  A song this carnival season created a controversy because the lyrics are suggesting violent acts against women.  Because of that song, it has sparked conversation among agencies.  It will be a long and tiring journey to put together the policy but a journey that must happen.  

That is what I am looking to do and what I have done.  I realize there will be various other activities that will come my way and opportunities I will embrace. 

Live Life

“Do not burn yourselves out. Be as I am — a reluctant enthusiast… a part-time crusader, a half-hearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourselves and your lives for pleasure and adventure. It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it’s still here. So get out there and hunt and fish and mess around with your friends, ramble out yonder and explore the forests, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air, sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, the lovely, mysterious, and awesome space. Enjoy yourselves, keep your brain in your head and your head firmly attached to the body, the body active and alive, and I promise you this much; I promise you this one sweet victory over our enemies, over those desk-bound men and women with their hearts in a safe deposit box, and their eyes hypnotized by desk calculators. I promise you this; You will outlive the bastards."

- E. Abbey

My friend Ali who is a always a response volunteer posted this on her blog! I had to share  because I find it extremely moving and simply.  I am in the helping field and will always be in the helping field.  I have struggled with the above greatly in my past and now attempt to make a strong effort to enjoy the world around me. There are many social traits Antigua has that do not fit my personal belief system.  Even with that unbalance I am still able to enjoy the beautiful views, the sweet children, the freshness of life, and the company I meet.  We are all working and fighting for a cause, personal or social.  Let us not forget what is around us, lets us not lose ourselves while we are going through the journey of life. 

Apartment

Pictures are on the Fridge.... I am Home!

The other day I moved next door to my new apartment.  It is quaint and cute, perfect for me. There are 'Michelle-ism' in each room, it makes it feel like mine!  My landlord lives below me which works out great. The best part of my apartment is the amazing balcony I have that stretches for the whole side of my apartment.  The view is not the greatest, it is just the road but I love that from my bedroom I can walk to it where my chair awakes me. It is quite lovely. 


I love that I can open all my windows and doors each morning to feel the breeze flow through my apartment. I love waking up to the beaming sunshine, cool breeze, chatter on the road, and the music from the cars passing by.  I have some pictures on my fridge so I can see my lovies each day.  Life is good.  


Work is going well, actually excellent.  More to come next week about work!