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! 

It is Official!

Myself, Alli, Brekke, Linda

I am now officially a Peace Corps Response Volunteer (PCRV). Those three other amazing individuals will be doing great work on two different islands.  This time around was a little different.  Our training was a day and half compared to 2 months and there are higher expectations that we as PCRV will take this experience and run with it.  I am also extremely honored to Swear-In as a volunteer.  There is sense of honor, obligation, and pride I feel knowing I am about to step into this new country and make an impact.  The impact may be small or maybe large but it will be an impact none the less. 


 I have not yet met my counterpart but will be doing that on Monday.  I have not moved into my apartment yet and currently staying in a temp apartment for the next few days.  When I am officially moved in and settled, there will be pictures.  


Until next time...

Living in the Present

I previously mentioned when I tell individuals I am going to the Peace Corps, the follow-up question is usually, "What are you going to do when you get back?" I understand it is a very natural question but the question bothers me slightly.


I was having a conversation with a close friend of mine about this whole topic.  The topic of living so much in the future that we forget what is happening in the present.  The idea of not being present because individuals want more, hope for something different, or want to find happiness instead of looking at what they have at the present time.  


For me, it would be unfair for the individuals I am serving in the Peace Corps to be so far in my own head and my next steps that I cannot even realize what is happening around me.  It would not be beneficial for me or my growth if I do not take in every minute, every moment, every experience (good or bad), and every lesson.  To do my best work for those 6 months, to make the most change I must be present and be completely in the situation. 


Most of us live in such a fast pace society that we forget how a simple smile to a stranger can change their day, how important it is to actually talk to friends and family instead of texting, e-mails, etc, and the power of a taking time to enjoy the little wonders all around us. The moments of little wonders will not come back, little ones grow, memories are sometimes forgotten, and moments are lost. Yes, I do understand that we must be concerned with our future but it should not take over ours lives to the point of not realizing the marvelous life we are living at that moment.


For the next 6 months I will make this promise not only to my myself but to the individuals I will work with in Antigua and my friends and family in the States.

I will live in the present, staying in the now. I will stay focused on the task at hand, the goals I have set with my agency, and the personal goals I want to achieve.  I will continue to look up and marvel at the star filled sky, I will watch the sun set, I will find the sea when I need a minute, I will take time to sit on a bench and share a story.  I will laugh whenever possible, share a cup of coffee, hug a child, listen to a victim, and continue to stand up for what I believe in.  When the time comes a couples months before I leave, I will take moments out of my day to research, apply, and hopefully interview for careers.  

I will live in the present and found joyful beauty in every day!

Time is on My Side?

One of my favorite things to do in general is sit on cozy furniture, catch up on life, chic-chat about old memories, and talk about the future.  Lucky for me I have some amazing friends who enjoy to do the same thing.  


The other day I was chatting with my great friend Deven.  Deven and I lived down the street from each other and use to walk to each other houses and see how far the cordless phone would work.  I was over at her house sitting on cozy furniture talking about what my next plans were (a topic which is offered talked about!) for me. I was discussing with her about where I was going to live and my career path I will take when I come back from the Peace Corps.  There are a few questions up in the air that just cannot have answers until my time to return becomes closers.  She just looked at me and said, "Well, Time is on Your Side!"


What a statement.  When is time really on an individuals side.  Generally speaking people spend there days racing against the clock, wishing there was another hour or two in the day, or regretting they did not spend time with friends or family.  For the first time that I can recall, time is on my side.  


For 6 months, as I am working in the Caribbean, I have time to think, research, and make decisions for what I want to do in my near future. There is no rush to make this decision because I have an obligation to complete a service before I can move on.  Once again, the sky is my limit.  The location of where I will plant my feet and start my career is unclear even though I have a few ideas. Once again, I have the time to network, brainstorm, and found that perfect fit.  The perfect fit of career, location, and every in between.


I am grateful to have this time, to move at my own pace, to have one more amazing experience, and the many lessons I will learn before I enter the career world. 

Women Against Rape

In 13 days I will begin my next Peace Corps adventure.  I will head to St. Lucia for a few days of training then make my way to Antigua where I will be working with an agency called Women Against Rape.  

Antigua

An island in the Eastern Caribbean, Leeward Island: About 200 miles away from Dominica
Area: 108 square miles
Capital: St. John 
Population: 80,000 
Economy: Tourism, Medical Schools, And Growing Hotel Business
Language: English, Creole, and Spanish
Random Fact: Antigua was one of the very first nations to legalize, licence and regulate online gaming


I am excited to give you a more personalized background of Antigua when I finally reach there and learn more about the island I will be calling home for the next 6 months.

Women Against Rape (WAR)

Mission Statement: Promoting inclusive Health Parity and Victim Justice through advocacy, education and direct service to vulnerable groups/MARPS irrespective of age, sex, gender, or sexual orientation.

I know very little about WAR but thrilled to be working with them.  WAR and I have a shared passion for women, families, legal advocacy, and educating the public about healthy relationships and sexual assault.  From the minimal description of what I will be doing while at WAR, I will be able to work in all the above areas.  


In addition, it is expected I accomplish the below:

• Create an organizational Manual for day to day operations
• Train the President on the Manual
• A developed organizational template for a Strategic Plan 
• Train a number of persons in grant writing
• Update the data base
• Hold training sessions on sexual assault
• Hold Support Groups and counseling for girls who have been victims of sexual assault 
• Legal Advocacy and Legal Referrals to Victim

Again, I am thrilled to share more information about my projects with WAR and the important work WAR is doing in Antigua to support, advocate, and encourage women who have been victims of sexual assault.