Hey Everyone,
I'm so sorry I haven't updated my blog since January but I'll try to update you as much as I can as to what has happened since my last update. I've been on Weno since July 3 for a meeting I attended yesterday. It was a meeting to discuss issues PCVs have with PC policy amongst other things. One representative in the M74 and M75 groups (my group) from each of FSM's 4 states and Palau came to Weno for the meeting. I represented the Chuuk M75s at the meeting and I brought up every issue me and my fellow M75s in Chuuk wanted me to bring up. I just hope most of our concerns get recognized by the PC Micro staff and they make the changes we requested. I was glad to see the M75s from the other islands in the FSM and Palau.
My school's graduation was on June 26. My PCV friend John came and our PC Program Assistant Imauo came was well. I was very proud of my students, especially the ones who delivered speeches including the one I wrote. I did a little activity called B1 that the students learned from a movie. It involves clapping and chanting. Both the audience and the students loved it.
This summer I will teach a summer school class to the 7th graders starting tomorrow (I haven't made the lesson plans yet). They will be learning math and English only since those are the subjects they struggle the most in. I'll be working with another teacher during the English class and will do fun reading, writing and speaking activities, hopefully outside if I can. The class runs only two weeks and I've missed 2 days so far, since I've been on Weno. I'm leaving soon to go back to Fefan, my island, so I can prepare for tomorrow. Other summer plans I have involve possibly teaching an English class to adluts and drop out students and asssiting my 7th graders with building book cabinets for all the books I've gotten from some of you (thanks so much). I also would like to go scuba diving in the Chuuk Lagoon and make a trip out to the Mortlocks (outer islands) with another lagoon PCV to visit Alex, who serves on the island of Satawan.
I am doing well and staying healthy. I feel like I am integrating more and more into my community with each passing day. I enjoy walking around my community and talking to people. They like to joke around with me but also have serious conversations with me as well. I feel that people in my community are comfortable with me and I am comfortable with them.
Sorry to cut this short but I've got to make my way to the dock to meet my "uncle" so I can go back with him to Fefen. I promise to write another post real soon since I've be comming into Weno more often now that it's summer.
Take care,
Ben
Monday, July 6, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Life in the Lagoon
Hello Eveyone. I'm so sorry that I haven't been able to update this blog until now. My island doesn't have electricity and I haven't had many oppotunities to come to Weno. Thanks to those of you who have written me. I am always happy anytime I hear from family and friends.
I have been on Fefen, my assigned island, for a little over two months now and a lot has happened. I am teaching 5th through 8th grade English at UFO Elementary School. UFO stands for the three villages that make up the community I live in (Ununo, Foggen and Onogoch). I live and work in Ununo. Fefen is the 4th largest island in Chuuk and is located in the Chuuk Lagoon (which is composed of several islands inside a huge reef). Outside of the lagoon are the outer islands. Fefen is a little bit more primitive than Weno, the capital. Fefan doesn't have any cars, restaurants, hotels or anything you would find in a city. I has one road and people walk everywhere they go. Fefen is an agriculture island so most people grow their own food (such as breadfruit, taro (a local root vegetable), pinapple, cucumber, banana, coconut and more. My host father is a fisherman and a farmer. Neither he or my host mother earns money so I buy everything that me and my family needs.
The women here wear local skirts and t-shirts and dresses to work and to church. Men wear shorts and t-shirts at home and pants and a short sleeve colared shirt to work. Their are several customs here. My favorite custom is sharing. People share everything here. Everywhere I walk, people invite me into their homes to eat with them and drink coffee. Usually we don't see that in the States. Everyone in UFO is Catholic and attends the catholic church in UFO every Sunday.
So far, I can say that I've been bitten by a dog (dogs are not pets here), eaten dog, gone spear fishing and line fishing, climbed a coconut tree, danced the cha-cha on New Years Eve and eaten turtle and turkey tail.
I'll try to give you all an idea about what I do on a typical day. At 6 a.m. I wake up and take a bucket shower. I eat breakfast (usually rice) at 7:00 a.m. and go to school between 7:30 and 8 a.m. School starts at 8:15 a.m. with my 5th grade homeroom class. I teach until 12:15 p.m., eat lunch and co-teach a special class to the 8th graders at 1 p.m. After that, I write my lesson plans for the next day and grade papers. After work, I like to take a walk through the village and play with the kids on the road. Around 5 p.m. I like to walk to the dock to watch the sunset. I am involved with the youth here and I attend their meetings every Sunday. I've helped them raise money for their activities and have provided them with advice. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, I have Chuukese tutoring at 4 p.m. with a man who teaches English and math at the local high school. He's tutored PCVs before and he's been very helpful.
My house is great. It's concrete and is on a hill overlooking the road and school. I have two rooms (one to sleep in and one to store my stuff in). In my free time, I read, practice my Chuukese, go swimming, fishing, playing with the kids and taking pictures (by the way, I sent my real dad my disks from the digital camera so I hope he will send those to you soon).
Well, I have to go meet my host dad at the market so we can go back to Fefen. I hope this entry has give you more of idea about my life here. Despite the many challenges, I am glad that I am here and serving in the Peace Corps. I know I will learn and grow more than I can imagine during the two years I am here. Take care everyone and let me know how the presidential inaguration went.
I have been on Fefen, my assigned island, for a little over two months now and a lot has happened. I am teaching 5th through 8th grade English at UFO Elementary School. UFO stands for the three villages that make up the community I live in (Ununo, Foggen and Onogoch). I live and work in Ununo. Fefen is the 4th largest island in Chuuk and is located in the Chuuk Lagoon (which is composed of several islands inside a huge reef). Outside of the lagoon are the outer islands. Fefen is a little bit more primitive than Weno, the capital. Fefan doesn't have any cars, restaurants, hotels or anything you would find in a city. I has one road and people walk everywhere they go. Fefen is an agriculture island so most people grow their own food (such as breadfruit, taro (a local root vegetable), pinapple, cucumber, banana, coconut and more. My host father is a fisherman and a farmer. Neither he or my host mother earns money so I buy everything that me and my family needs.
The women here wear local skirts and t-shirts and dresses to work and to church. Men wear shorts and t-shirts at home and pants and a short sleeve colared shirt to work. Their are several customs here. My favorite custom is sharing. People share everything here. Everywhere I walk, people invite me into their homes to eat with them and drink coffee. Usually we don't see that in the States. Everyone in UFO is Catholic and attends the catholic church in UFO every Sunday.
So far, I can say that I've been bitten by a dog (dogs are not pets here), eaten dog, gone spear fishing and line fishing, climbed a coconut tree, danced the cha-cha on New Years Eve and eaten turtle and turkey tail.
I'll try to give you all an idea about what I do on a typical day. At 6 a.m. I wake up and take a bucket shower. I eat breakfast (usually rice) at 7:00 a.m. and go to school between 7:30 and 8 a.m. School starts at 8:15 a.m. with my 5th grade homeroom class. I teach until 12:15 p.m., eat lunch and co-teach a special class to the 8th graders at 1 p.m. After that, I write my lesson plans for the next day and grade papers. After work, I like to take a walk through the village and play with the kids on the road. Around 5 p.m. I like to walk to the dock to watch the sunset. I am involved with the youth here and I attend their meetings every Sunday. I've helped them raise money for their activities and have provided them with advice. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, I have Chuukese tutoring at 4 p.m. with a man who teaches English and math at the local high school. He's tutored PCVs before and he's been very helpful.
My house is great. It's concrete and is on a hill overlooking the road and school. I have two rooms (one to sleep in and one to store my stuff in). In my free time, I read, practice my Chuukese, go swimming, fishing, playing with the kids and taking pictures (by the way, I sent my real dad my disks from the digital camera so I hope he will send those to you soon).
Well, I have to go meet my host dad at the market so we can go back to Fefen. I hope this entry has give you more of idea about my life here. Despite the many challenges, I am glad that I am here and serving in the Peace Corps. I know I will learn and grow more than I can imagine during the two years I am here. Take care everyone and let me know how the presidential inaguration went.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Officially a PCV
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.
Ben Gruver, PCT
PO Box 39
Weno, Chuuk FM
96942
That's it for now. I hope everyone is well.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)