MAGUDE'S FAMILY PARK

As I finish up my Peace Corps 2nd year assignments, and am in my last weeks of service, the most fulfilling project is also concluding. The Magude Family Park! From start to finish, it has taken approximately 11 months, overcame a few barriers, and has resulted in what community buy- in is all about.  The personal commitment of the people who shared making this possible was an important key element.

A quick overview of the background in doing this park:

A workshop by Peace Corps on extra funding that could be available for projects.  This was attended by the volunteer and a counterpart from the community.  This time emphasized how important the maintenance of a project is after the volunteer leaves, therefore unceasing investment.

Here we formed a Design Team, introduced the idea of rehabilitating the dilapidated Children’s park built 100 years ago by the Portuguese in the center of the village.  The idea grew into converting it to family park, where there would be facilities for educational workshops on proactive health practices (there was also no place that the whole family can go past time together).  We then divided into sections and wrote a $5,000 grant to Peace Corps.

Now we are in December- six long months later; we received the money, interviewed contractors, and fine tuned the blueprint. Just as we were about to sign contracts, I get called to immediately appear at the village’s administration office and speak to the Honorable Mayor (that is quite a formal event here). A bit curious I walk over to be told that the village has other plans for the park area.  The mayor who is very smart, didn’t even pause to get me to start to protest nor whine, and tells me that they re allotting the project a virgin area right next to the old park. Months later I learned that the Director of the Infrastructure Department, who I had been meeting with for months, went and proposed the idea all by himself.  If it wasn’t for Alfredo Joao, this project would have been closed.

Now all seems good, but there is a difference in rehabilitating and started from scratch, we now had figure out how the money was going to build a new park; something to attract the mothers, fathers, and children, and meet the standards of the grant.  Challenge starts, time is moving, the exchange rate is decreasing, and inflation is causing construction material to increase daily.  The solution came from finding two new contractors, Elias and Velasco, whom are village natives.  They agreed to do what was needed to result in a family park.  Their personal dedication, pride, and honor to the community resulted in a place that is actually more beautiful then what we hoped for.

Magude Family Park had its grand opening on June 1^st, 2017, on Magude Day and International Day of the Child.

The Hospital Director calls it “a dream that came true”. Congratulations Magude!

Armando's Scholarship

This morning Father Rey and I took off to go and inform Armando’s family of the scholarship the church is offering to the Agronomy High School next year. Armando and I have been friends for quite some time here; originally we met at the hospital when he was referred to the city for consult on his club feet. He is a kind, good hearted, 16 year old who needs an extra opportunity to progress here in this small village.

Each member of his family (mother, step father, sister, grandfather, and cousin) sat and quietly listened to the proposal.  This was done in the most formal manner; I had to start with how we met and became friends, and ended with my hopes for Armando’s future, and then had to open up the conversation to Father Rey of the scholarship they were offering. After a few quite minutes, we waited for a response.  Here families make decisions in groups for each other, meaning those older with debate on the well being of the younger.  The elder expressed their appreciation of the offer and the friendships that have been formed and approved of Armando’s scholarship.  Much to the Father and my delight Armando will be enrolled and boarding at the Agronomy school in January.

We thought our visit would be short, with an introduction, conversation, and agreements. But when the mother grabbed my hand to take me to the chicken she was going to kill for lunch, I realized that this was a customary Mozambican visit and we would have to accept the food. It is custom to offer food, whether there is extra or not, in this situation, the men and the guests ate chicken and rice, and the women and children ate greens and corn mass from the home-garden.

 It was the nicest Saturday morning and another great taste of my community, especially for Armando who has a hopeful future.  

Thanks, Father Rey. 

Lessons learned from two suitcases

Beginning in January of this year I have been preparing to count down my last six months here as a volunteer and started to pack to leave my site. (This is a quirk that I have; I think it has something to do with my controlling time, urgency, and readiness. I started piles and lists 12 months before I came here, so now I am in reverse; preparing to pack up six months in advance).  As I go through my items I wonder why I ever brought it or thankful for having it sent. 

This post is directed to my co-worker’s daughter who will be starting her Peace Corps time in July in Tanzania. 

Dear Nur,

I’m sure you are getting excited with your travels coming up and your mother is already helping you pack.  As promised, here are a few tips that I can share with you. Hopefully it will assist scratch things off your shopping list and putting a few things on.

Keep in mind that the resources of our two countries are different; Mozambique is poorer, larger, and closer to South African imports. Yet we are both Americans living in East Africa for a good amount of time so my experience could help.

Here are my two cents:

    1)  *    Take three days and make a list of everything you touch and use.  Sit down and think about which items are necessary to SURVIVE.  That will scratch off about 80%. People have survived here for centuries, and on the whole are more content than we, the affluent consumers, are.  African women are naturally beautiful without bags of makeup, you will be too.

    2)   *   Remember that song “Can’t Buy Me Love”…That is true but small trinkets help in expressing your gratitude, receiving smiles, and assimilating into your community.  My top item is lollipops for children in my village. When mothers see or hear the glee of a child receiving a piece of candy they too smile, and you become viewed as part of the team.  My village is like my second home now and these people are my extended family. I started with sporadic giving of a lollipop on the way to the bakery. Stickers, pencils, small note pads (dollar store items) are other items. (PS you are not Santa Clause nor have a bag of money – you come with the riches of being a human resource for assisting these people have better lives.)

      3)   *   As far as work goes there are a few things that I needed sent from home, because I didn’t have access here or wasn’t creative enough to make them.  An example is children’s books, which I used as a secondary project doing creative thinking activities. So if you have a hobby or skill that can be shared bring extra supplies; crayons, paint, yarn, needles, etc. When those run out you will be at the stage that you will be able to substitute with local resources.

      4)      Clothes. Half my luggage was clothes and honestly I over packed. A good hint is to pretend you are going to train Boy/Girl Scout leaders for a week at a camp in the desert. Professional, easy to wash and dry, lightweight, conservative; pack a ten day supply.  Consider the heat, ironing, and weight of item.  I never used my sweatshirt, put on jeans once, and a jacket a few mornings during a quick cold spell – it has never fallen below 60F.  You will quickly see the garb used there and find a seamstress to have some beautiful things made from the capolana fabric. I suggest two year supply of undergarments.  

      5)    *  Here or some extra necessities needed to bring; a laptop, a separate storage device with music, books, or media, a few extra UBS’s, a cell phone, a camera, locks, a small flash light, rechargeable batteries, a backpack, extra pens, highlighters.

6)     * Now finally to fill the remaining space to indulge yourself: spices, body lotion, perfume, candy for you, pictures of home, your favorite toothpaste, etc.

No matter what you bring or don’t bring, you will have an experience of a lifetime.  You will feel more appreciation of what you miss from home, yet  you will be filled with gratuity from all the experiences that you will be receiving during your time serving in your new home.

Godspeed.

Stay local

Learn to play their games.

When in Rome....