Yesterday I was worn in as a Peace Corps Volunteer along with my fellow trainees. The Governor of Chuuk was supposed to come, but he sent someone from his administration instead. I gave a speech in Chuukese, but I was originally supposed to give it in English. Despite the many mispronunciations, I pulled it off. The PC training officer sworn us in (all gov't. workers are required to say an oath). I got to meet my new principal and host father. They both seem like friendly people. I decided to stay in Weno for one for day so I could buy some things and pack. Last night my and the other newly appointed PCVs and old PCVs celebrated in the presidential suite of the hotel which served as our training site. It was a lot of fun. The principal is coming to Weno today to take me to Fefan. I am very excited and nervous about going. I'm hoping I know enough Chuukese to communicate with my host family and community members. The next couple years will be quite an experience. I won't have Internet access on my island but since I'm close to Weno I can come in for a day to use the computer at the PC office. I am required to be at my site for the first 3 months so don't bother checking this blog for awhile. Please write me letters at my Weno address:
Ben Gruver, PCT
PO Box 39
Weno, Chuuk FM
96942
That's it for now. I hope everyone is well.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
PST II in Chuuk
Ron Anim!
I am in Chuuk and have just finished the first day of my second week of Pre-Service Training II. PST II has been good. We've been having intense Chuukese language and cultural training. I'm learning the language with a fellow trainee who's going to be serving in the lagoon with me but on a different island. The other trainee in our group is learning Mortlockeese since he'll be in the Mortlocks on an outer island. My host family here in Weno has been great. My host father is a police chief and my host mother also works for the police department so I fell very protected. I have a 10 year-old brother, a 15 year-old sister and an 18-year-old brother who is attending the College of Micronesia in Paliker, Pohnpei's capital. They've been feeding me very well. My host mother wants to get fat to which I told her is impossible. I got to try turtle this weekend. It was served in a plastic tub and every part was still in tacked. The meat was stringy and very tough, very similar to dog meat from what I hear, but it tasted like steak. I've been eating rice everyday and ramen noodles for breakfast every morning. Also this weekend, I made a map for my village for an assignment. My cousin drove me around our community and pointed out stores and important buildings that I took note of. Yesterday, he helped me draw it on a piece of flipchart paper and labeled all the buildings. On Saturday, I got my first haircut since I've been in the FSM. My brother and I went to a salon that was in a grocery store. I guess it was the Chuukese version of a mall. It took 2 hours for the barber to cut both our hair but it was an opportunity for me to practice patience, since that's an importance skill I'll need during my 2 years of service. My hair is now shorter than I picture it being but it helps keep me cool in the heat. I've met all of the current volunteers in Chuuk except for one. They seem very approachable and knowledgeable about being productive PCVs. One Micro 73 volunteer left Chuuk today to go back to the states. He said goodbye to us today. Elizabeth, our training director, came by our training site and said hi to us and talked to us about the schedule for the rest of training. She said me and the other trainee assigned to the lagoon, will shadow a volunteer for a day and a night during the middle of training. We will be able to shadow him in his classes and learn about the projects he is currently working on. Chuuk is pretty much what I pictured it. The roads are full of pot holes and puddles, the electricity goes off regularly and the people are friendly. The weather is hot but not as humid as it was in Pohnpei. For fun, I go out on the boat, hang out with my brother, sister and cousins and practice my Chuukese. I am enjoying myself here so far. Chuuk is less developed than the other states and it is in desperate need of native English speaking teachers. I got a cell phone that uses calling cards and give me your number is you want me to call you. I hope you all are well and enjoying the coll autumn weather. I won't have internet access in Fefan so the only times I'll be able to update this blog will be during my trips to Weno. I hope to update this blog at least one more time during my training.
Take Care,
Ben
I am in Chuuk and have just finished the first day of my second week of Pre-Service Training II. PST II has been good. We've been having intense Chuukese language and cultural training. I'm learning the language with a fellow trainee who's going to be serving in the lagoon with me but on a different island. The other trainee in our group is learning Mortlockeese since he'll be in the Mortlocks on an outer island. My host family here in Weno has been great. My host father is a police chief and my host mother also works for the police department so I fell very protected. I have a 10 year-old brother, a 15 year-old sister and an 18-year-old brother who is attending the College of Micronesia in Paliker, Pohnpei's capital. They've been feeding me very well. My host mother wants to get fat to which I told her is impossible. I got to try turtle this weekend. It was served in a plastic tub and every part was still in tacked. The meat was stringy and very tough, very similar to dog meat from what I hear, but it tasted like steak. I've been eating rice everyday and ramen noodles for breakfast every morning. Also this weekend, I made a map for my village for an assignment. My cousin drove me around our community and pointed out stores and important buildings that I took note of. Yesterday, he helped me draw it on a piece of flipchart paper and labeled all the buildings. On Saturday, I got my first haircut since I've been in the FSM. My brother and I went to a salon that was in a grocery store. I guess it was the Chuukese version of a mall. It took 2 hours for the barber to cut both our hair but it was an opportunity for me to practice patience, since that's an importance skill I'll need during my 2 years of service. My hair is now shorter than I picture it being but it helps keep me cool in the heat. I've met all of the current volunteers in Chuuk except for one. They seem very approachable and knowledgeable about being productive PCVs. One Micro 73 volunteer left Chuuk today to go back to the states. He said goodbye to us today. Elizabeth, our training director, came by our training site and said hi to us and talked to us about the schedule for the rest of training. She said me and the other trainee assigned to the lagoon, will shadow a volunteer for a day and a night during the middle of training. We will be able to shadow him in his classes and learn about the projects he is currently working on. Chuuk is pretty much what I pictured it. The roads are full of pot holes and puddles, the electricity goes off regularly and the people are friendly. The weather is hot but not as humid as it was in Pohnpei. For fun, I go out on the boat, hang out with my brother, sister and cousins and practice my Chuukese. I am enjoying myself here so far. Chuuk is less developed than the other states and it is in desperate need of native English speaking teachers. I got a cell phone that uses calling cards and give me your number is you want me to call you. I hope you all are well and enjoying the coll autumn weather. I won't have internet access in Fefan so the only times I'll be able to update this blog will be during my trips to Weno. I hope to update this blog at least one more time during my training.
Take Care,
Ben
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Life in Micronesia So Far
Hello Everyone,
For the past 2 weeks, I have been staying with a host family in a municipality called Madolenhmw, which is know for Nan Modol ruins and Kepirohi Falls. The family I'm living with is really great. My father speaks pretty good English and my mom speaks a little. My sisters can understand English a little bit and can't speak much. I have my own room in the house where my host father grew up. I've learned to cope with the lizards and the cockroaches that scurry around my room at night.
A normal day for me has been waking up at 6 a.m., taking a bucket shower, eating breakfast, training from 8:30-5, dinner and sleep. I get tired here very easily. It could be the heat and the vast amount of information I absorb each day.
I have one more week in Madolenhmw and then I'll go to my assigned island state of Chuuk for Phase II of training on Saturday. For the next two years, you can send all mail to this address:
Chuuk Field Office
P.O. Box 39
Weno, Chuuk FM 96942
This past weekend I attended a funeral which is not like funerals in the States. Only women were allowed to weep in a room where the body was. The men stayed out. Throughout the morning, men were bringing in live pigs and yams. I got to watch the men kill the pigs by stabbing them several times in the chest. I won't release any more details because it was pretty gruesome. I hung out with other PCTs during the morning and then saw my host brother and went with him to see our family. I met my host mom's oldest brother who is the speaker for the FSM legislature.
That night, we went to my host mom's sister's house where we drank Sakau and made our way to see some the Mercedes dancers. They are a group of nuns from Pohpei who spent the weekend in Madolenhmw to have fun and see their friends. They did a lot of shaking. It was very entertaining.
Last Thursday I found out my assignment. I am going to be serving on the main island of Fefan in the FSM state of Chuuk, which is know for its shipwreck diving sites. I am flying there Saturday and will move in with a new host family during my 6 weeks and language and cultural training. During my service, I will be working at an elementary school teaching 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade English with other teachers. I will be working with a counterpart and will be sharing resources and ideas with him.
Right now I am in Kolonia, the city where I spent my first 2 days. I have the morning free today but I will be in a meeting from 1-3 in the PC Office. Tomorrow I will have water safety which will be fun. I'll get to go on a boat and doing a little snorkeling. Half of the trainees are doing it today. I'll get to do more water safety when I get to Chuuk as well.
That's all I can think of to write at the moment. If any of you have specific questions you would like to ask, send me an email and I'll be happy to send you an answer. Hope all is well with you all.
Kasilel,
Ben
For the past 2 weeks, I have been staying with a host family in a municipality called Madolenhmw, which is know for Nan Modol ruins and Kepirohi Falls. The family I'm living with is really great. My father speaks pretty good English and my mom speaks a little. My sisters can understand English a little bit and can't speak much. I have my own room in the house where my host father grew up. I've learned to cope with the lizards and the cockroaches that scurry around my room at night.
A normal day for me has been waking up at 6 a.m., taking a bucket shower, eating breakfast, training from 8:30-5, dinner and sleep. I get tired here very easily. It could be the heat and the vast amount of information I absorb each day.
I have one more week in Madolenhmw and then I'll go to my assigned island state of Chuuk for Phase II of training on Saturday. For the next two years, you can send all mail to this address:
Chuuk Field Office
P.O. Box 39
Weno, Chuuk FM 96942
This past weekend I attended a funeral which is not like funerals in the States. Only women were allowed to weep in a room where the body was. The men stayed out. Throughout the morning, men were bringing in live pigs and yams. I got to watch the men kill the pigs by stabbing them several times in the chest. I won't release any more details because it was pretty gruesome. I hung out with other PCTs during the morning and then saw my host brother and went with him to see our family. I met my host mom's oldest brother who is the speaker for the FSM legislature.
That night, we went to my host mom's sister's house where we drank Sakau and made our way to see some the Mercedes dancers. They are a group of nuns from Pohpei who spent the weekend in Madolenhmw to have fun and see their friends. They did a lot of shaking. It was very entertaining.
Last Thursday I found out my assignment. I am going to be serving on the main island of Fefan in the FSM state of Chuuk, which is know for its shipwreck diving sites. I am flying there Saturday and will move in with a new host family during my 6 weeks and language and cultural training. During my service, I will be working at an elementary school teaching 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade English with other teachers. I will be working with a counterpart and will be sharing resources and ideas with him.
Right now I am in Kolonia, the city where I spent my first 2 days. I have the morning free today but I will be in a meeting from 1-3 in the PC Office. Tomorrow I will have water safety which will be fun. I'll get to go on a boat and doing a little snorkeling. Half of the trainees are doing it today. I'll get to do more water safety when I get to Chuuk as well.
That's all I can think of to write at the moment. If any of you have specific questions you would like to ask, send me an email and I'll be happy to send you an answer. Hope all is well with you all.
Kasilel,
Ben
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Arrival in Pohnpei
Kasaleliah!
After being on a plane for 15-20 hours, I arrived in Kolonia, Pohnpei, Micronesia with the rest of the PCTs yesterday at 2:30 Pacific time. We were greeted by the language coordinator and the programming and training officer. When I stepped off the plane, it wasn't as hot as I thought it was going to be but it was still very warm. Children and adults stared at us and were only a few yards from the plane. We put our stuff in a PC truck and went to the hotel on a bus. Current Peace Corps Volunteers and PC stuff greeted us at the hotel. We were warmed greeted with local food and coconut milk in the coconut shell. Between our arrival and dinner, we had interviews. Yesterday I had an interview with the training officer which has pretty laidback. She asked me about myself, and whether I would mind being stationed on an outer island. I said I would be us to going to an outer island instead of a main island because I thing it'll be more rewarding. Today is Sunday here and I am writing in a building next to the hotel. Early this morning I had a medical interview where I got three shots and gave the medical officer my medical questionaire. Afterwards I went to a Wal Mart knockoff named "Wall (with 2 Ls) Mart" where I got some envelopes and some snacks. This afternoon I have a host family session with the training coordinator. I start training tomorrow and will be moved in with a host family. I'm a little nervous but I positive that it will go well. I will be staying with them in a rural community in Pohnpei for three weeks before I will be moved to another host family on the main island state for six weeks. During part 2 of training, I will be moved to the main island of my assigned island state. I will be staying for another host family there and will have language and cultural training. After training, I will be most likely be placed on an outer island in my assignment state, whether it be Kosrae, Yap, Pohnpei or Chuuck. The food is great here. Last night we had sashimi, chicken, coleslaw, tarro, rice, spagehtti and other good stuff. It is very beautiful here. There are many palm and banna trees and the water is bluish gree. Mountains surround the ocean and the buildings and coated with beautiful bright colors. I'm enjoying my time here so far. Well, that's it for now. This will be my last post for a while. Please mail my your addresses so I can write you letters.
-Ben
After being on a plane for 15-20 hours, I arrived in Kolonia, Pohnpei, Micronesia with the rest of the PCTs yesterday at 2:30 Pacific time. We were greeted by the language coordinator and the programming and training officer. When I stepped off the plane, it wasn't as hot as I thought it was going to be but it was still very warm. Children and adults stared at us and were only a few yards from the plane. We put our stuff in a PC truck and went to the hotel on a bus. Current Peace Corps Volunteers and PC stuff greeted us at the hotel. We were warmed greeted with local food and coconut milk in the coconut shell. Between our arrival and dinner, we had interviews. Yesterday I had an interview with the training officer which has pretty laidback. She asked me about myself, and whether I would mind being stationed on an outer island. I said I would be us to going to an outer island instead of a main island because I thing it'll be more rewarding. Today is Sunday here and I am writing in a building next to the hotel. Early this morning I had a medical interview where I got three shots and gave the medical officer my medical questionaire. Afterwards I went to a Wal Mart knockoff named "Wall (with 2 Ls) Mart" where I got some envelopes and some snacks. This afternoon I have a host family session with the training coordinator. I start training tomorrow and will be moved in with a host family. I'm a little nervous but I positive that it will go well. I will be staying with them in a rural community in Pohnpei for three weeks before I will be moved to another host family on the main island state for six weeks. During part 2 of training, I will be moved to the main island of my assigned island state. I will be staying for another host family there and will have language and cultural training. After training, I will be most likely be placed on an outer island in my assignment state, whether it be Kosrae, Yap, Pohnpei or Chuuck. The food is great here. Last night we had sashimi, chicken, coleslaw, tarro, rice, spagehtti and other good stuff. It is very beautiful here. There are many palm and banna trees and the water is bluish gree. Mountains surround the ocean and the buildings and coated with beautiful bright colors. I'm enjoying my time here so far. Well, that's it for now. This will be my last post for a while. Please mail my your addresses so I can write you letters.
-Ben
Monday, September 1, 2008
Last Week Home
This week will be my last week home before I board a plane and leave for a 2 day orientation in LA and Micronesia afterwards. On Sunday I said goodbye to family and friends at my going away party. Thanks to those of you who came out and helped to send me off right. I will miss you all.
What am I doing now until I leave? Well, my mom and I are supposed to take a short trip to Ocean City where we'll stay at our neighbor's condo. I'll probably do a little kayaking and reading up on some important Peace Corps materials. I still have to pack all my stuff which I hope will be a simple ordeal now that I know what I'm bringing.
I'm leaving BWI Monday evening. Anyone who wants to send me off one last time is welcome to so just let me know if you're interested. That's it for me, at least until I get to Micronesia. Take care.
What am I doing now until I leave? Well, my mom and I are supposed to take a short trip to Ocean City where we'll stay at our neighbor's condo. I'll probably do a little kayaking and reading up on some important Peace Corps materials. I still have to pack all my stuff which I hope will be a simple ordeal now that I know what I'm bringing.
I'm leaving BWI Monday evening. Anyone who wants to send me off one last time is welcome to so just let me know if you're interested. That's it for me, at least until I get to Micronesia. Take care.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Getting Started
After many months of procrastination, I am finally starting this blog so all of you can read about my experiences in the Peace Corps. For those of you who don't know, I am leaving Maryland in 9 days to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Federated States of Micronesia ( I'll post a map of it later). There I'll be teaching English as a second language and doing community development work. I've spent months, even years, preparing for this journey and now that it's about to happen, I'm am extremely excited and relieved. I'm happy to say I'm pretty prepared and ready to go. I've bought everything I need and started to pack today with some help from a friend of my mom's who happened to serve 4 years as a PCV in the Ivory Coast of Africa. She helped me decide what to pack and what to leave behind (my goal is to limit my luggage to a backpacker's backpack and a daypack). A few days ago I ordered my plan ticket to my staging (orientation) event in LA. I just have to review my PC manual and some info I'm required to read before training. Starting September 13, my address for the first 2 months is this:
Ben Gruver, PCT
Peace Corps/Micronesia
PO Box 9
Kolonia, Pohnpei
FSM 96941
I am not sure what my internet situation will be like, so plan on writing me letters for now. I will update you when I find out more information. Bye for now.
Ben Gruver, PCT
Peace Corps/Micronesia
PO Box 9
Kolonia, Pohnpei
FSM 96941
I am not sure what my internet situation will be like, so plan on writing me letters for now. I will update you when I find out more information. Bye for now.
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