The following diary has been republished with the consent of Stephen Krasner. If you wish the view the original weblog, click here. In the interest of preserving the work in its original form we have limited our formatting and editing to essential areas. All other errors were not corrected.
12-14-02
Hey all, I thought I’d share a small segmant of something that will be appearing in this journal or publication that I submitted some 5 or 6 months ago. Its the third time I have had a portion of something I have written published.... Granted I have yet to see any of these words on page since I cant get a hold of the journal or rather bulletin that’s been publishing different writings of volunteers, however I just emailed them to send me the print copy after which I will scan them online for all to see. Anyhow here is the segmant.....
"Whether a persons destiny is written before they come into this world or if it’s ones self made legacy upon leaving it, no one can truly know. The Fragilness of life is so very delicate and can hang on the balance of a thin piece of thread. It is not so much important in how long we have in life, but rather what we do in the time we are given. Our lives are a story written by each of us, and the plot being as great or modest as we so choose to author it." In other goings on things here are going well. Kind of been a bit slow lately but so as the pattern of the 2 year time span we are given. I have been more and more stepping away from projects I have been closely involved with to let the other people involved take over completely. Granted their are still many things for the next volunteer taking my place to continue with and start anew. My Fiance Lisa and her parents are visiting soon for the Holidays which is looking to be a very nice time. I also will be off to my final conference the first week of February, called the COS (Closure of Service Conference). This is where we do a bit of administrative and evaluation type stuff and is the final time our whole group that started their 2 year tour will be together...those of us whom are left anyway. Our group started with 51 people when we began and at this stage we have about 32-33 who are looking to complete their service. Hard to believe its all coming to a close quite soon, time flies...... As it looks now I will most likely be returning home from Peace Corps around mid April sometime. I will not know my exact date until February but I am trying to get home on the 15th of April to make it to Passover. We will see what happens. Hope all is well and for those I don’t contact personally, have a happy and healthy holiday season. Regards, Stephen
12-18-02
Hey all - A quick little update on a few happenings this week, some good and some sad. Last night I got back from my community banking meeting with the women’s group and had two of the leaders come to visit. They have insisted upon honoring both Lisa and I and our future wedding when she visits my town next week. Being that its Christmas when we will be visiting I told them it wasn’t necessary to make a fuss and I didn’t want to be a bother on Christmas....but they were rather insistant so a program of some significance is being planned for both Lisa and I a week from tomorrow. All in all I am quite flattered that they are going to be doing this. I am also a judge this afternoon in some sort of Christmas pagent for all the kids in town.....this should be interesting to say the least no doubt. On a sad note this elderly women whom I always see and talk to, as I use her families store to buy most all my food, drinks and othr items, passed away yesturday from cancer. She had been going down hill for sometime and when I saw her last week she had lost all her vision. Any of you (my mother, Aunt Beth, Lisa and Jack) who have visited definitely met this woman and her daughter who runs the store. I play ball with the womans grandson....he’s the Michael Jordan of town and a damn good ballplayer. Hence my closeness to this family has made the death very upsetting and I was stunned yesturday afternoon to learn of it and sitting at the wake last night was not an easy task. I think I have seen and endured more death and suffering in this country in 2 years then I have in my entire life...its rather depressing at times. Well its been an up and down week but I’m looking forward to spending the upcoming holidays with Lisa and her parents, a much needed break for me anyway!!! Hope all is well with you all. Regards, Stephen
1-1-03
Hey all - I just wanted to wish everyone a healthy and happy new year. The past 10 days for me have been full of fun and good times with the visit of my fiance and her parents. We all had a great time and did a lot of cool things. After they arrived we spent the first night in Quito followed by 2 days in this rainforest resort and spa. It was nice to just relax by the pool or in the Jacuzzi there as well as pamper ourselves to body massages and aromatherapy. Some of the highlights from the spa were not only the relaxing acivities but this fantastic fishing experience at a lake in the resort. We all stood in the poring rain with bamboo poles and tried to fish for what were apparently goldfish whose mouth were smaller then the hooks we used. I must say I think this activity was oen of Lisa’s favorite. After our two days in this plush oasis we took a private car from there to Santo Domingo. My future father-in-law was speechless, as were we all, on the ride from the resort to the city of Santo Domingo. I would like to think it was due to the beautiful landscape, but the ride itself through the twisty hills was done in record time. The driver at some point apprached the speed of light on our commute. Normal time for the distance in a bus was 2 hours, we did it in an hour!!! The day we spent at my site was full of interesting surprises for us all. My women’s group emmersed both Lisaand I into a mock wedding ceremony, which was quite interesting. Nevertheless it was very nice of them and quite flattering. The Korenmans (Lisa’s family) had a good experience in seeing where I live and meeting the people in my town. The next part of the trip was spent in the city of Cuenca for 4 days. We toured the city and visited the Inca ruins called Ingapirca. Let me tell you Llamas are really cool animals and I was able to get some real nice photos of them. It was nice to be in Cuenca and seeing all the festavities go on there around the holiday season. We stayed in this beautifil old mansion converted to a hotel overlooking the river and had a lovely time there. The last part of our trip as well as New Years was spent in the Quito area. We visted Otavallo, where they do all the artesian work and also the town of Cotacachi which is known for their leather goods. During the ride to these places I almost took off my future-father-in-laws hand as I accidently shut the door with his hand caught in it.... So please be careful this holiday season when you all shut car doors. Yesturday we spent the the day shopping and basking by the pool under the sunny sky. Lisa and her parents found some good stuff in the markets here as well as some nice artwork. Then last night we had a pleasant dinner to ring in the new year and watched the firworks being shot off throughout quito from a nice view in the hotel. All in all we had many laughs, good times and adventures here in Ecuador. The only sad part was seeing them all leave this morning as it was one of those good times you didn’t want to end. Hope all is well with all of you reading this, again have a happy new year and as always Ill be in touch. Stephen
1-13-03
Hey all - Well it has been an interesting couple of weeks and I’m now looking forward to some hopefully uneventful weeks to finish off the month. I just returned from a weekend getaway to the beach and am suffering from one heck of a sunburn, but cant really complain as I see its pretty cold on the east coast of the US right now. Anyhow it was great to go to the beach. Unfortunately while there I had a little slip and fall accident and ended up with 5 stitches on my lower leg which is not to much fun. However at this particualr part of the beach in Ecuador its known for many pre.inca relics to wash up on shore. So I actually spent a bit of time combing the beach pulling different relics up out of the sand amongst the rocks. I actually amassed quite a bit of things the highlights being some parts of pots in which you can clearly see the designs and patters put there. I found one ancient coin, and a part of a stature carved in stone. Anyhow its some real neat stuff and apparently around 3000 years old. Its amazing how its just lying on the beach wit hthe rocks for anyone to pick up who has the patience to search. In another bit of knew I got robbed a little over a week ago while in Quito. IT was broad daylight and apparently these guys must have watch me go to the ATM get out cash and then confronted me showing a nice knife beneath their jackets. I gave up the money no questions asked and they went on their way. It wasn’t to dramatic but I was annoyed getting the money taken. Our final conference is approaching in about 3 weeks from now. This will be the last time our group who started service together will have to see each other all in once place before we go our separate ways and leave peace corps. We are actually having the conference on the same beach where I was just at, so it looks to be a real nice time. Well that’s about all that’s going on for now, hope all is well with all of you. Regards, Steve
2-9-03
Hey all - Many milestones pass by on the road of completing two years of service as a peace corps volunteer. My group which started together almost exactly two years ago has come to another juncture and closure of our service in Ecuador. This past week we had what is called our COS conference or rather Closure Of Service conference. This took place on what I feel is one of the nicest and most relaxed beaches in Ecuador. The group for the most part had a good time and it was enjoyable to have everyone together again under the same roof for the first time in 2 years. A lot of the conference in many ways dealt with the realization of returning home to the U.S.. I am sure that everyone experiences REVERSE culture shock in different ways upon readjusting to life back in the states. In many ways re-adjusting to that world looks to be more of a challenge then initially adjusting to this one. The sentiment invoked by our country director in a brief speech he gave to us this past week seems to hit the nail on the head in terms of our self worth and representation to our country when returning. This was echoed by the message that in a time where many around the world look unfavorably upon the US and our actions that the Peace Corps refelcts that sensative and understanding face of our country to the world and the mission of peace and diplomacy that accompanys our goals as volunteers. I left home one day in February 2 years ago with the biggest issues being the post presidential election aftermath and various political scandals in the news etc etc... I will come home now to a world much changed by tragic events and a country inching closure to or quite possibly at war. In this shadow my thoughts have come full circle that the real and only solution in the long run is that of tolerence and peace. War and force might be a necessary evil but never a solution or way to resolve problems in the world....in fact it seems many times to create more problems. As for myself and where I find my direction pointing after this time here....well I hope to carry this light and experience further and give more service to my country and the greater good of humanity. When the light of service has been lit one can rarely go back from giving service that’s needed. As many volunteers here experience, the return home for many is a turning of tides in their life and one which I would say is for a positive flow in the right direction. More then 2 years now I have documented my accounts and tried to relay the experiences both good and bad to many that read these emails. In doing so the message I hope to pass on by that action is one of service, one of showing the positive side of ourselves as Americans and human beings. To that end I will plug that I cannot stress enough that community service and volunteer work at any age to help those in need is the highest honor and good that you can carry with you through life. More so a person needs no recognition, medals or awards to have the most profound and successfuls achievements in doing service. The heart and how it feels at the end of the day is the only recognition a person needs. So my service now comes to a close in a couple months and a mix of emotions range in dealing with it. I know my time here is such that I will always cherish and never forget. The people have been amazing, the work...toughest I have ever done but in turn the most fullfilling. "I was taught that the world had a lot of problems; that I could struggle and change them; that intellectual and material gifts brought the privilege and responsibility of sharing with others less fortunate; and that service is the rent each of us pays for living -- the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time or after you have reached your personal goals." --Marian Wright Edelman Sincerely, Stephen
2-28-03
Hey all - I wanted to share the speech I am giving to my town next week with all of you. The town is organizing a special ceremony Sunday, March 9th where they will be many town leaders showering praise upon my work here and thanking me etc etc.....my modesty might get the better of me listening to all their words. I am also being presented a plaque by the community. After all the leaders have spoken (Their are like 10 speakers) then I am being asked to go last to speak to the town. After the ceremopny is a social going away party. Many Volunteers and and others from outside the town have been invited. Anyway below is the ENGLISH version of my speech, as the one I will be delivering is indeed in Spanish. Hope all is well. STEVE SPEECH Two years ago, one day in April, I arrived in Luz de America. I remember getting off the bus with David and being brought to a meeting with community leaders from the Women’s Group, Cacao Association, School and high school. I sat down and watched as David, my counterpart, talked to the group about Peace Corps and what my function would be in the community for 2 years. During this meeting, that lasted for two hours, I listened to everything everyone had to say……..listened but did not understand one word of Spanish. So I often nodded my head, smiled and said “si” or “claro” every time someone talked to me. WOW we have all come a long way since that first meeting here in Luz de America. I want to take this moment to let everyone here know how very special and nice it has been for me to live and work in the community these past years. I could list countless experiences, successes and good times spent here, but if I had to do that it would take me at least a month. My experience has been incredible and one which I will treasure always. The people I have come in contact with and worked with here in Luz de America have made me feel very welcomed here and part of the community, to this I want to say thank you so much to everyone here in Luz de America. In working here with the women’s group, cacao association, teaching in the school and with various others, I have had the honor and the privilege of working with some of the most enthusiastic and finest people in my life. Through working with people and getting to know this community we have shared in something more valuable and precious then all the money in the world…..and that is friendship. The bonds and friends I have made here will be those I have for all my life. I may be leaving Ecuador soon to return to my home country, but a part of me will always live and view this town and its people as my home and more so extended members of my family. I have discovered with all of you that this town and all of you here are truly the light of the Americas. Thank you so very much.
3-5-03
Hey all - Just a little update from the wilds of Ecuador. The past few days have been a real good time and amazing experience. As many of you know in South America they celebrate CARNIVAL which is kind of similar to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. In event this year I went with some fellow volunteers to the festivities taking place in the city of Ambato. They have a huge nightime parade with floats, dancers, people on stilts etc etc... I was an all out parade in the middle of the city with some of the most amazing things Ive seen in this country thus far. I took a ton of photos and hope to post them on my webpage next month. Anyway Ambato is known for their festival of fruits and flowers, hence many of the floats in the parade were made of fruits and flowers. It was a real good time and the city was mobbed with people from all over Ecuador. So anyway this all took place Monday evening, then after the parade we all had tickets to the Colombian Rock-pop singer who is a big star in South America and has won grammy awards, his name is JUANES, its was a pretty cool concert. While out there I hiked down with another volunteer friend to the area known as Rio Verde which is like an hour bus ride from Ambato. There we saw some of the most powerful and amazing waterfalls (up-close) that I have ever seen in this country...it was way cool. So all and all the past few days have been a fun little adventure and a heck of an experience. This coming week things are in full gear as my women’s group is throwing me a private going away party Saturday followed by the town throwing one on Sunday....many other peace corps volunteers, peace corps staff and other friends will be guests at my going away party. So I’m really looking forward to this weekend in my site, it looks to be a good time and very memorable moment in my service. Hope all is well on all your ends. Take care and be in touch. Steve
3-12-03
Shadow and chaos cover many peoples and parts of the world at this moment in history. As we see in our news reports and hear in conversations our country faces the threats posed by Al Qaeda, Iraq, North Korea and various extremist and terrorists groups across the globe. The burning concern and question of how to proceed in confronting this problem lies within the wisdom, or lack their of, of our world leaders. It is in their guidence that we must rest our faith for the direction of the overall best outcome in the actions that must be taken. The global threat looming in the world is nothing new. Throughout history our nation has stood its ground in the face of tyranny, terrorism and evil that has threatened the peace in our time and times of the past. Now we seem to be at a virtual crossroads in our decision making about how to confront the current horrors and lethal threats that plague the world today. The United States for the first time in recent history debates launching an attack over the assumption of what a country may or may not do in the future. Iraq has not launched an attack, they have not declared war on the U.S., and as things stand the United Nations has resumed work within Iraq. On the other hand Iraq has exchanged similar dialogue and open door actions with the UN and U.S. before only to lie and deceit them. Iraq has proven time and time again that they cannot be trusted. Given all this ideology the question still remains as to what should be done and what actions taken? The people of Iraq are living under a tyrant and are deprived of many basic human rights. Saddam Hussein has a track record of producing and using biological and chemical weapons. He has displayed on many occasions his reckless disregard for human life. He has acted as a salesman to deliver lethal weapons and deadly ingredients into the hands of many terrorists groups such as Hamas, PLO, and Al Qaeda just to name a few. Saddam and his regime have shown a willingness to attach the West and its allies, such as he did in the Gulf War when he sent skud missiles into Tel Aviv, Israel. The evidence against Iraq and in support of disarming him by military force is very much there. Since September 11th we have debated the issue of our country going on the offensive and taking action first rather then being always on the defensive and retaliating against action aimed at us. It is a debate argued both ways that reaches into our core fundamentals of our values as a nation. On this issue of offensive or defensive strategy one should only judge the situation on a case by case analysis. So what happens when we wait in a situation like this until we find ourselves in the position, of perhaps, playing more to the defensive side? The answer here is not entirely clear, but maybe we can look at past history to learn some lessons. In World War II the United States did not take action until late in that war and only after we were attacked at Pearl Harbor. By that point in Europe the Nazis had already murdered 11 million innocent people in their labor, concentration and death camps. They had also conquered much of Europe with their relentless aggression. Just think how many innocent lives and American lives could have been saved if the U.S. had taken offensive action and initiated an attack against the Nazis long before they got a strong foothold. Similar arguments can be made this past decade in our response to the Bosnia situation. Currently now as the debates linger on in the United Nations we watch as countries like France and Germany tuck tail and lead a crusade to prevent an attack against Iraq. Hundreds of thousands of people across the world have expressed their right to protest a possible war by staging rallies and demonstrations. All this is fine and good that people express their opinions for the world to hear. It seems clear on the other hand that the INACTION of doing something could very well lead to the greater loss of life in the long run and more atrocities committed rather then taken strong action now. Nobody likes war, most people truly do not want war, but sometimes war is a necessary evil to secure a peaceful future. As our world leaders debate, and tyrants and terrorists remain free, we must ask ourselves what we should do and how we should proceed in the face of this threat. Whether that puts your voice in league with the hawks or the doves......that voice should be heard. Steve Krasner
3-16-03
Hey all - I’m not sure if any words I type at this moment can do justice and describe the events that took place at my official going away ceremony and party yesturday. Their is really only one way I can describe how I felt as the leaders and people in town honored and thanked me for my service........I was indeed "overwhelmed". The ceremony started around 10am yesturday morning and about 7 leaders from the community stood in front of the audience and told the history of how I came to Luz de America, how I started working with the various groups and then the accomplishments we succeeded in performing. After the speeches I was presented with this nice formal plaque, from the town, in recognition of my service. After that I stepped up an delivered my final words to the community........needless to say the majority of people were VERY emotional with tears streaming down from their eyes. To have been here for two years and to have had that kind of closure to my service means more to me than I can ever truly say, more then it was for them it has been my very own honor and privilege to have served Peace Corps as a Volunteer and work with the people in Luz de America. In many ways the plaque they gave me will be one of the most cherrished items that adorns my walls in years to come, more for its significance then anything. I am ready and excited to return to the US and start my life with Lisa and persue my goals and dreams, but leaving Luz de America and the place I have called home for the past two years is as difficult as it was for me to leave to come here. I only hope in time to come I can formulate the words and justify the experience of what all this has meant to me and how its changed my life.
"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Others stay a while and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never ever the same."
Stephen
3-27-03
Hey all - The below article is about the women’s group I work with and mentions Peace Corps and my assistance with them...although my name doesn’t appear directly...Cuerpo de Paz is peace corps. Anyhow a nationwide newspaper ran the below story in Spanish today. So take a look and if you have someone that can translate it..siga no mas.... For those in my family please print this out and save it.....
>38 mujeres del área rural levantan cuatro negocios > > >Santo Domingo > >Isabel Ibarra, una mujer alta y robusta, aprendió a hacer ventas rápidas y >rentables. Con su motoneta, cada semana sale de los linderos de Luz de >América, una parroquia de Santo Domingo de los Colorados, para proveer >chuletas de cerdo, carne fileteada y molida y chorizos en las haciendas de >Patricia Pilar y Los Ángeles, en la provincia de Los Ríos. > >Esta mujer de rostro alegre se convirtió en negociante de cárnicos y >representante de una microempresa de 38 mujeres de esa parroquia, llamada >Asociación Nueva Esperanza. > >Pero el grupo no solo se dedica a la carne. También cría codornices para la >venta de huevos, cultiva huertos y elabora objetos de papel reciclado. Todas >ellas, amas de casa en su mayoría y alguna que otra soltera, incursionaron >en los negocios hace tres años. > >"La situación económica era crítica y nosotras no sabíamos qué hacer más que >lamentarnos por nuestros maridos, que ganaban tan poco para sobrevivir", >cuenta Martha Sangoluisa, una de las fundadoras. > >Arrancaron con un capital semilla para las codornices. Ahora tienen 120 >aves. Cada uno de sus huevos se vende a 0,04 dólares o en paquetes de 20. > >Además crían 400 gallinas camperas, que colocan entre cuatro y cinco >dólares, dependiendo del peso, pero la carne es lo más demandado. Ibarra >cuenta que cada semana matan hasta dos chanchos de 100 libras. "Todo se >vende y me queda utilidad", expresa con orgullo. Su socia, Esperanza Guamán >agrega que ya cuentan con herramientas para sacar mejor provecho a la carne. > > >Hace pocas semanas, la Agencia de Cooperación para el Desarrollo de EE.UU. >(Usaid), les donó cortadora, un molino, una refrigeradora, un congelador y >una licuadora. > >Un técnico, especializado en Madrid, instruye a las mujeres en el manejo de >la cortadora, que es la más útil y difícil de manipular. > >Ibarra fue la más arriesgada y ya perdió el miedo. Esta actividad es >controlada por un médico del Municipio colorado para que la carne se venda >higiénicamente. > >En los huertos siembran pepinillo, cuya primera cosecha fue enviada a los >mercados de Quito; pimiento y cilantro para consumo local. Asimismo hay >viveros de cacao mejorado, que es comercializado a los finqueros de la zona. > > >Los objetos de reciclado de papel son un éxito. Por quinta ocasión enviaron >1 000 unidades de tarjetas, sobres y bolsos a Estados Unidos. > >Las 38 mujeres no trabajan solas. Ellas están asesoradas por el Cuerpo de >Paz, el Consejo Provincial de Pichincha, el Municipio, la fundación de la >Diócesis, y la Fundación de Eco Desarrollo Integral (Fudi). > >Las tácticas de un negocio organizado > >Las mujeres de Santo Domingo aún no tienen utilidades pero tienen su >inversión en las codornices y en las carnes. > > La cría de codornices . Las aves permanecen en jaulas especiales de dos >compartimentos, que sobresalen a los costados de la estructura. > > Las carnes . Las mujeres muelen la carne en un molino para hacer los >chorizos. El secreto para que el producto tenga buen sabor es poner un ajo. > > La rentabilidad . El grupo de mujeres organizadas aún no saca mucha >ganancia, porque se está capitalizando. > > La constitución . La asociación tiene personería jurídica desde noviembre >pasado. Mañana inaugurarán el local de ventas con la presencia de >autoridades provinciales. > > > >Miércoles, 26 de Marzo del 2003
3-31-03
Hey all, Over two years ago I vividly remember waiting at the gate in Miami on February 21st, 2001 with the rest of my peers in my group to board the plane leaving for Quito, Ecuador. The reoccuring thought and rather question which spun like a broken record in my mind boarding the plane and during the flight was indeed "What the heck have I gotten myself into". In looking back I now can counter that thought with an answer...."the overwhelming experience of a lifetime". Two weeks from today I will board a plane in Quito heading back to Washington D.C.. That trip home is something that has not yet caught up to me or even become a realization in a lot of ways at this point in time. Much like leaving to come here, leaving to go home most likely will not hit me until I board the plane. The past few weeks have seen the icing and cherry on top of the cake come to fruiton with my service. As I wrote a week or two ago my farewell ceremony and party could not have been more memorable or complete. This past week my women’s group opened their store in a big way in town where they will be selling produce which they grow themselves, paper recycled goods to local customers, processed meats, as well as prepared food for people passing by. The innaugeration of the store took place last Thursday in town complete with the equivilant to a governor of a state on hand, as well as the full press corps covering the event. It was truly a unique experience to be here and see them turn such a big corner after all the work, time and energy we spent building successful projects and micro businesses over the past couple years. It has also been a real privilege for me to have spent some real in depth and quality time with the new volunteer that will be taking over my site for 2 years. Being that he is doing training in the area and living with a host family roughly 5-10 minutes from my site it has made it real easy to get to know one another and discuss many things about the overall aspects of living, working and being part of the community here. Furthermore I have full confidence in this new volunteer that he will have as equal if not more of an all around great experience working and living with the people in Luz de America. So in this respect the passing of the torch has and continues to be underway. My last real official project will be taking place this wednsday and thursday as I have a good friend whom is another volunteer in my group coming to give a hands on type demonstration and teach new things to the women’s group in respect to their meat processing business. With the conclusion of coordinating that program, thus will be the conclusion of my last official work program here in Luz. As for my remaing 10 days in my site, well aside from the program mid week, and doing a bit more transition work with the new volunteer I will be cleaning out my place and starting to pack next weekend to go home. A week from this Thursday I am off to Quito where I will remain for my final 4 days in Ecuador with Peace Corps tying up adminstrative stuff and other loose ends. No doubt Thurday, April 10th will be the hardest day spent in my site as I walk around town with the new volunteer introducing him to people and having them welcome him at the same time saying my final good-byes. So time continues to tick away, as truly looking back it has all flown by so fast...from entering like a lamb and now leaving like a lion. Stephen
4-3-03
Hey all Just thought Id share this with you.... My women’s group and I from Luz de America were in this mornings newspaper. This paper is different from the previous one and like the last time is a National Paper. So its pretty cool. Its in Spanish and Ill translate it for you all some other time or just have someone you know do it... Anyhow it mentions CUERPO DE PAZ in the story which is Spanish for Peace Corps. The link and story are below.
http://www.lahora.com.ec/noticiacompleta.asp?noid=163317 LA HORA Santo Domingo - Jueves, Abril 3, 2003 Local En Luz de América Una micro empresa que da ejemplo En la parroquia Luz de América, ante la presencia de autoridades parroquiales, cantonales y provinciales, se dio el acto de inauguración de una micro empresa, perteneciente a la Asociación Agro Artesanal "Nueva Esperanza". La asociación, a cargo de Eugenia Merino, se encarga de la producción y comercialización de varios productos de la zona, informó en un boletín el GPP. La micro empresa cuenta con el apoyo austríaco, que financia un galpón para albergar a codornices, y donde también se dará la crianza y engorde de pollos, para posteriormente, proceder al faenamiento y venta sin intermediarios. Producción La entidad provincial indica que con el Cuerpo de Paz, las socias de la Asociación recibieron capacitación para reciclar papel, produciendo hasta la fecha 2.000 tarjetas, mil fundas y cien carpetas, trabajos exportados a Estados Unidos, que dejan un monto de 2.000 dólares. Inicialmente, las cuatro mujeres que trabajaban no se alcanzaban frente a la demanda, por ello ahora son 33 alas socias, entre madres de familia y jóvenes con deseos de superación que laborarán en la micro empresa de Luz América. Ramiro González, en nombre del Gobierno de Pichincha, señaló que continuará entregando más obras para el sector rural del cantón, así como la asistencia y capacitación brindada por el Departamento de Apoyo a la Producción de la Regional de Santo Domingo. Hey all - At the request of a few emails and IMs Ive taken the liberty to roughly translate the article I sent out earlier into English. So this should give you a general idea of what was said. LA HORA (THE HOUR) In Luz de America AN EXAMPLE MICRO BUSINESS In the district of Luz de America, before the presence of the district, county and province authorities, a micro business (store) was innaugerated pertaining to the Association of Agro-Artesinal "Nueva Esperanza" (name of the women’s group) The Association, under the direction of Eugenia Merino, works with the production and commercialization of various regional products. The small business received assistance in finances from a Austrian foundation in respect to the Quayle egg project as well as things for the chicken project, all done without the use of middle-men. PRODUCTION This Provincial entity with the assistance of PEACE CORPS formed the capacity to establish a successful paper recycling business. Up to this date the women have produced 2,000 cards, 1,000 gift bags, and 100 folders. They have exported to the United States and have made roughly $2,000 to date. Initially this women’s group started with only 4 members and now has 33 members. The group is made up of mothers of families asd well as youths whom participate in working in the small business for Luz de America. Ramiro González, in the name of the Government of Pichinicha, signaled that he will continue with the assistance in this sector, under the auspices of Department of Aid and Production for the region of Santo Domingo.
4-8-03
Hey all - Well that one day that seemed so far away for so long is finally arriving here. Tomorrow will be my last full day in Luz de America, hard to believe that its right there on the doorstep so to speak. These past couple days walking around town, trying to take it all in one last time, have been difficult for me......much more so than I would have imagined them being. It was a weird feeling this past weekend to hang out and talk with many people whom I may not ever see again, well not under this same capacity anyhow. Their were times during the past couple years where I looked at the calander and counted the days eagerly that I had left until it was time to go back home, other times where I looked at the calander and counted the days with a sense of emotion and sadness to see when it was time to go. But either way I counted their was always still plenty of time here, that has so rapidly changed. It is a interesting thing to live in a place that is much different and in a lot of ways very unlike the US and have gotten accustomed to it so much so that it feels like home only to have to pick up and leave it after you have finally hit the peak of that comfort level. Not for a very long while will I ever find myself in a job or position in which I am my own boss and the diversity of work is more challenging and responsible and even more to the point effective then anything Ill do in the near future in the U.S.. This point amongst many is a frustrating one... Here as a volunteer in my town I have been one of the most prominent and listened to people for two years. I have also been the center of attention in lot of ways (which sometimes is really annoying), and many of the projects and work Ive done had a direct impact on lives.......what I’m trying to say is that it is a far cry from any job, position or title, as a more or less bean counter, that I will have in the near future. The other aspect that I have had to deal with is in hanging out with the people here and wondering what it will be like to talk and hang out with people back in the US at this point. I guess little things that people complain about and take for granted in the states will be something I am cynical in observing. But the real dilemna I am having is I don’t think I will every be able to really explain all that has happened these past years to anyone and really get them to understand what its like in many ways both in the positives and negative..... But perhaps that’s not a bad thing anyway and something I walk away out of here with that is my own understanding to carry with me in the future. Tomorrow I will be passing the torch on to the new volunteer as he will be arriving for his official site visit. I think for me that is the best way to conclude and wrap up my service here in Luz de America....where one of us will be saying HELLO and the other GOOD-BYE....
Stephen
4-11-03
Hey all -
Life and living it are made up a lot by the journeys, experiences and choices we make.
Walking around Luz de America yesturday morning for my final time was much like the feeling in many ways of stepping off the bus there my first time.............hard to explain. But pulling outa Luz yesturday the whole experience of 2 years here seemed to rush through my head and overwhelm any control I had over my emotions. Looking into the eyes of people whom I will never know when I will see again and the same people who have meant so much to me was the most challenging and hard thing I have EVER gone through in Ecuador and my Peace Corps experience.
Its hard for me to think of the right words to say at this point and truly express what I want to in this final email home as a volunteer. But nothing can really express better how I feel and what I want to say better then my 2 years worth of emails but more so I think in so many ways Peace Corps has already thoughts of the right words in describing my thoughts and feelings.........PEACE CORPS: THE TOUGHEST JOB YOU'LL EVER LOVE.
It had been a pleasure to have been able to share my experiences with you all over these past couple years. All of the emails and support that many of you have given me were appreciated far more then I can ever tell you. So thank you...all of you for your encouraging words, support and friendship these couple years, it was very much appreciated even if not always expressed in a timely fashion.
For the past two years I have had two quotes that I have carried with me always that I will close this e-mail by sharing with you all.
"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." -Helen Keller
"I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do something I can do." -Helen Keller
I don’t know why but when I read these two quotes by her before I left they stuck to me and I carried them in my wallet all this time.
Thank you all again, and goodbye from Peace Corps Ecuador.
Humbly,
Stephen Peace Corps Volunteer 2001-2003
