How to Measure Success

I am a social worker and I am a Peace Corps Volunteer.  At times, these two career choices are extremely difficult to 'measure success.'  For many of my projects, I cannot always measure the outcomes or know if the training I gave a group of individuals made a difference down the road. Of course, a pre and post test will be given which usually measures level of education not change in behavior.  I do not have spread sheets that show improvement of individuals or numbers showing how much profit my company has made.  

Rather, I must look at success in another fashion.  In the fashion of awareness, education, and follow-up.  Success for me is not solely about numbers but rather the intensity of the impact I can make on a group of individuals.  Success for me is measured by implementing new and creative ideals to talk about sensitive topics of sexual assault, sexual health care, domestic violence, LGBT concerns, and daily struggles people face that would not be talked about around the dinner table.  Success for me is about the lives I touch by listening to their hardship and holding onto their pain even if it is just for a moment.  Success is when I see one of my clients who I have worked with and they are now living a productive life free of violence, addictions, and now contains some sort of stability. 

I know I will have a successful future that will be above and beyond any expectations I may have.  Even without concrete numbers for every activity, I know I will look back on my life and realize I have made an impact.  I will realize my life is better for the careers I have had Also, the individuals I am working with are better off because of the support, tools, and encouragement I gave them. Some days, when I am feeling like I am not impacting individuals, more numbers to measure success would be nice.  I am in the helping and people professions and sometimes numbers just cannot be developed! 

Orange Day!

On the 25^th of September, the Orange Day committee put there on their second ‘Orange Day’ activity.  A reminder, Orange Day is the 25^th of every month and is used to raise awareness of the elimination of violence against women and girls. Orange Day was started by the United Nations.

The Orange Day event, which took place in September made history in Antigua and I am extremely proud to be part of it and on the planning team! Similar to last month, we hit the streets passing out information about sexual assault, gender violence and number to call if you or a friend find themselves in a violent situation.  What made history was, half way there our event, we jumped into the streets and conducted a Flash Mob. For those of you who are unaware, the basic definition of a Flash Mob, is when a group of individuals begin to do a dance in the middle of a public place without informing anywhere it will happen.  We jumped in the middle of the street and did the Cha Cha Slide. 

It was an amazing experience.  We were a small group of individuals but we sent a very clear message and the group and a blast.  We stopped both car and foot traffic as individuals watched what these ladies where doing in their Orange.  We made the cover of the daily newspaper and two internet newspapers wrote articles about the event.  It was a fun and unqiue way to bring awareness to the topic of gender-based violence. 

I am grateful to be part of a hardworking and passioniate team.  I cannot wait to see the creative ideals we will come up with for next mo

120 Days

I have been in Antigua for a 120 Days now! Here are events that add up to 120! :)

17 Sex Workers have received ESL classes

10 Letters Written

9 Outreach events to sex workers

6 Different Beaches

6 Blogs Entries

5 New Friends

5 Islands Represented in those New Friends

5 Bars which outreach takes place

5 ESL classes with Spanish-Speaking Women

4 Members on the outreach team 

4 Visitors

4 Newspaper Article about the Outreach Event

3 Peace Corps Response Volunteers who swore-in with me 

3 Newspaper Articles regarding guidelines for lyrical changes

3 Volleyball Practices

3 Day Long  Regional Training on HIV and Sexual Violence

2 Orange Events to bring awareness around the elimination of gender-based violence

2 Movies Watched at Cinema

1 Flash Mob

1 Front Page Cover Story

1 New Friend Left 

1 PCRV who I share my High/Low each day

1 'Volunteer Work Form' Completed

1 Picture of myself on the internet website for the Orange Day Event

1 New Stamp in my Passport

1 Walking Partner

1 Peace Corps Volunteer Closed her Service

1 Sleep Over with my Nephew

1 Meeting with Antigua Planned Parenthood Association

1 Grant Written

1 Zip Lining Experience

1 Opening Parade for Carnival

1 Carnival Jouvert 

1 Chair which offers millions of moments of breathing

1 Grant Budget Updated

1 Grant Summary Updated

1 Meeting with the Men I will be doing Life Skill Training with in the prison

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 Intervention with a victim of Domestic Violence 

1 Amazing Experience 

Picturesque Moments

-A Disclaimer: These views reflect my personal views and NOT the views of the Peace Corps-

On September 6th, my friend come over because he stressed out about a report he had to do for his career so he texted me and asked what was on the Stove.  A common questions people ask in the Caribbean because traditionally there is usually something on the stove to eat.  Lucky for him I actually cooked that evening.  Anyways, he came over, ate a little food, and chat for while.  As we were flipping through the channels we came across the Democratic National Convention. We were watching some of it while watching other things and then President Obama came on to give his speak.  At that moment, my friend had called a Taxi Driver to come and pick him up.  He now wanted to stay and watch the speak, so I told him to invite the Taxi driver over (My friend knows him well) and we will all watch the speak then he can head home.

There is this 'Picturesque' moment I will never forget.  Myself, my friend who is originally from Trinidad, and the Taxi Driver who is from Dominica are all sitting on the edge of the couch, sipping our hot chocolate and totally engulfed in the speak.  That moment, three different people, from three different worlds, that grown up in three different generations, were all just focused on the TV.  It was a sweet moment.  My favorite, after the speak, the Taxi Driver who appears to be in his 60s, "Ask, my friend are there, I cannot seem to find them!" I replay with a, "You will not find your friends!" He says, "My friends, the Clinton!" :)

Thank You President Obama for bring us together, squeezing us on a couch, and allowing us to share our experiences and views about what you were saying! 

Orange Day!

Myself and Sweet Angela who is a
Spanish-Speaking Advocate

The  25th of Each Month will be National Orange Day! The United Nations decided the color Orange will represent the elimination of violence against women and girls.  September 25th, be sure to wear something Orange and join the fight in ending violence against women and girls!

The Group of Volunteers

The 25th of October, my agency and about 5 other agencies came together to put together an awareness event.  There was around 25 volunteers walking the streets of St. Johns (the capital) passing out information about signs of abuse, numbers to call if you find yourself in an abusive situation, and information about sexual assault.  It was a true success and I am proud of each individual who took time out on their Saturday to join us.  In my eyes, education is the first step to make any change! 

 The Observer, which is the only daily newspaper on island did an article about the event.  You can check it out HERE

Remember 9/11

I was enjoying a beach Lime this weekend with some friends of mine.  We were just hanging out in the water chatting about non-sense.  I do not know how the topic came up but one of the guys brought up September 11th. Let me tell you, all of the individuals I was talking with are from Barbados and living in Antigua.  Then we all shared where we were during the time when the planes had crashed and the memories for all of us were so vivid.

It was a unique experience and reminded me that September 11th did not only effect Americans but other individuals throughout the world.  These three individuals experienced September 11th just like I did, even thought they were in a different country.  It reminds me how life is not about living in a vacuum but rather each experience can effect a large amount of individuals throughout the world. Large events (sports, politics, natural disasters) effect people even if they were not directly impacted by it.  

Remember 9/11 - Thank A Solider, A Fire Fighter, A Nurse, A Police Officer, A Red Cross Worker - Be Grateful 

The World I Live in is Colorful :)