Wow. Less than six months to go, and already I am a bit nostalgic for
this country and my experience here without even leaving yet. I think it is
because my good friend and fellow volunteer in my site finishes and leaves for
the states next week. Now I will be really alone here, in terms of volunteers.
I ride the guagua into the capitol and look out over the mountains and trees
and feel as if it is my last time enjoying the view. I think I am more sad than
my friend is, as this whole experience is tiring and sometimes just needs to
end – she is happy to be leaving. I, for now, am trying to enjoy it all,
because October is just around the corner, and I will be even more sad then.
March brought a new project to my attention – a women’s group in a
nearby campo. Initially, when I first got to the DR, I wanted to work with women, and now I have my
chance. It is not that much easier than working with kids, to be honest, as
they can be even rowdier than the kids. No joke. I am working with a wonderful
lady from Nueva Yol, that wants to
empower and train women to market crafts in country and abroad. Jewelry is our
business, and their name is Nuevo Amancer
or New Awakenings. First workshop went prettly smooth, considering that we were
baking in the community center (check out the sweat stains in the pictures –
gross). Second workshop was like working in a zoo. Word got out about the
jewelry workshop and even more women and kids showed up. I was translating the
whole way and my brain got so tangled and confused that I wanted to flag down
the next car driving down for a bola back into town. Instead I sucked it up and
tried to have patiences for the LOUD women asking (or yelling, by American
standards) for my attention. Did I mention I didnt have time to eat and was
starving? Combine hunger, heat, and about 35 people in a small space trying to use a dremel,
varnish, paints, and translating that made a 3 hour or so workshop seem like an
eternity. Plus trying to keep a watchful eye on our materials and belongings.
In the end, the women made a few good pieces using natural seeds from a tree
called Javilla. Unfortuneately we
told those that had pieces with fresh varnish not to put them in bags and
istead put them on posterboard for us to take back with us to try to sell on
the internet and in the states. With so much going on, and my (non)loud voice,
the message didn’t get out. By the time got home, we went through the jewelry
only to find their pieces stuck to the plastic bags, full of dirt, and just
plain damaged. We sat on the floor by candlelight and found all of our hard
work, messy and useless. Not all was lost though, as there were a few pieces
that were salvaged and sold. The lady went back to the states, but I have
continued monitoring and trying to organize the group. From a room full of
women and kids, to about 4-5 women that are trying to make it a personal
business. I was expecting this; past experience has shown me that interest is always there in the beginning, and only the die-hards continue. Most just wanted to see what the americanas had brought. Personally, I enjoy working with small groups
better, as there is not as much BS to go around. I have been meeting with them
the last few weeks to drill holes in the pieces and to go over logistics. I
don’t want to be fully responsible for the group, but want them to take the
initiative so that they continue for themselves, but I guess only time will
tell as to the direction of Nuevo
Amancer. Last week I turned over the money that a few of them had earned,
and it gave them motivation to continue. They are learning to make jewelry out
of coconut, and seeds, and I stress to them each time that they should use
pieces that are found in nature as that is more unique and economical in terms
of supplies, but of course, they are drawn to the flashy and colorful beads that
are so popularly tacky in this culture. One of the women gave me a pair that
she had made, and I was so excited to receive them. When I had seen what they
had been making on their own, I wanted to buy them all. I can’t help it. I like
to shop, especially when I know who the artisan is and the trouble they have
gone through to make that piece, makes it even more special to me. While I work
on the production side, my friend is working on the marketing side through
shops and the internet.
I believe she has even made a connection with a tourist shop on the east
coast that is interested in selling wooden boats that one of the local artisans
make here. While she was here, I brought her (as I have brought all of my
guests) to his home so that he can show what he has made and sells. She bought
a few pieces and is now trying to market them on her side. I will be excited to
see what comes of it, and hopefully my artisan and her can connect and he can
count on a more steady income.
I am still struggling with my environmental youth group, and for the
most part, attendance is about 5. Last week we organized a beach cleanup and
only about 15 people showed up. Better than nothing, I guess. In about 2.5
hours we only cleaned about two blocks worth of the beach. Thankfully it was
not too hot out, and we collected about 20 large trash bags worth. Everything
from tires, shoes, shirts, hats, backpacks, glass and paper stuff littered the
beach. It was a lot of work, but fun at the same time. I will be happy if it
means that a few less people will be prone to littering, especially after they
got stuck picking up other peoples trash. One of the guys told me that he
doesn’t litter (a very popular and common habit) anymore after he started
coming to the meetings, and at least I am happy for that. Small steps, is what
I have learned. Everything starts small and then rolls onto to bigger and better
things.
