winter time

Typical neighborhood scene from the neighborhood Cristo Vive ("Christ Lives") where we work.





As many of you know, I have a very dear new friend named Sebastian. He visits me most mornings and chirps at my door.




These are the bracelets the kids of my organization make. We are in the initial stages of setting up a business. All profits made will go towards leadership trips for the children.

Goodbye

Street Children
Ted Ayson

¨A vessel amidst an ocean of indifference,
you see the world from a different stance.
From glassy eyes that has seen untold evils...
your cries from within are heard by no one.

Palms stretched out devoid of pride and spirit...
but nothing given, not even a passing thought.
Pangs of hunger grips you, but still you hope...
spare change from a kind stranger.

Suffer the children, whose innocence we rob...
whose future is as murky as the city sewers.
You lurk in the dark and travel restless highways...
where it leads to an unknown destination.

At the end of the dying day, you find no rest..
you lay your weary head on the street pavement.
Sleep dear child, and worry not about tomorrow..
I bid you goodnight and the sweetest of dreams.¨



I spent all day hanging out with two street children. Jose and Miguel. Although they will never know the impact that they had on me today, I remain shocked and changed after a wonderful, mindopening day.
At first sight, I was intimidated. They are very rough looking, appearing atleast twice their age and no one I would want to hang around with. But these appearances fade away almost instantaneously, as their roughness begins to fade and the child emerges from under their hard shells.
All day they clung to me. We laughed, we hugged, they confided in me, and we developed a five hour relationship that felt like they were a part of my family. It was hard to let them go, for me, and for them although they tried to hide it.
Four hours after saying goodbye to them, at 830pm, I remain sad. As we drove home from the all-day grafitti festival, Miguel clung to me, not wanting to let go of the love he was shown today.
But in an instant, he went back into his shell. He became tough again, back to his streetchild posture, and jumped out of the car. He didnt say goodbye, he just ran away.
I know I will see them again, they may not remember me. I have met them twice now. Things are always the same.
So I will remain the same. Appreciative of my time with them. Wishing I could do more for them. Thankful for the hugs, the smiles, and the love.

dancing on rooftops

Hola mis queridos amigos!
I think it has been over two months since I´ve written last. I have been very caught up in the swing of things, and have not felt too inspired to make any entries. However, I´m feeling inspired at the moment and want to share my inspirations and excitements as of late.
I will start with today. It is amazing how things can change so quickly. I started off the day nearly in tears from feeling extremely overwhelmed and frusterated with the way things are going. I won´t bother going into those details, instead I will get to the good stuff!
My coworker picked me up to go to our afternoon ¨bracelet making sessions¨with the kids in the poorest neighborhoods of Santo Domingo. When we are lucky enough to go by car, I feel extremely relieved. The busses here are, to say the least, scary and travelling in car is such a priviledge for me these days. We started out our afternoon a bit differently than usual, and went to a neighborhood called ¨12 de octubre¨ to pick up 10 kids and take them to dance class. The kids are in the process of practicing a dance called ¨la marimba¨ which is an afro-ecuadorian type of dance from the coast. On saturday they will be performing at a festival, which I will get to later. We spent atleast 20 minutes arguing, jokingly, with the kids about which kids were allowed to attend dance class. The kids who behave poorly during the week were not allowed to attend, and pretty much stampeded our truck begging us to take them. Once we got the 10 kids in the back of the truck, we drove them to a friends house who is a professional dancer and offered to help the kids learn. Dance class was on the rooftop, with about a 20 foot drop on all sides of the dance floor. Using an oldschool boombox, the kids tossed off their shoes and began to dance. I wish I had photos, it was incredibly sweet watching them try to learn the moves. It was pouring rain, but we danced and danced for about an hour, until it was time to head back.
Next stop was another neighborhood, ¨la Laura Flores.¨ I must say that this neighborhood is by far my favorite. I know these kids best, and everytime we drive in the kids coming running out of their shacks with barefeet to give us huge hugs and kisses. Unfortunately, my organization is out of money at the moment and we did not have the materials to make bracelets with the kids today, but we stayed for about half hour just hanging out with them. We showed up an hour and a half late, and it was really an unforgettable moment to see the looks on these kids faces when we finally showed up. They seemed to think we wouldn´t show up at all, and so when we did arrive they were ecstatic. Last Tuesday, we played soccer with these kids for over two hours. Ages 7-17, these kids can by far run circles around me on the field. It is amazing to watch them play soccer, barefeet and all! Although, I must say it is really fun to be able to show them I can play as well. Most people turn their heads and say, ¨pass it to the gringa!¨ I´m glad my soccer skills still come in handy.
In other news, I moved houses. I now live with an Italian girl in the house associated with my organization. It is amazing, and I just realized as I was cooking dinner how lucky I am to be with a truely incredible organization. The house is perfect, minus the rats, and...bugs. But, I dont mind because I´m happy! We also have a parrot that comes and wakes me up every morning. I love him.
Besides the challenges, which their are many, life is good. I would love for people to come visit me, and now that I have my own place that makes things easy. I have already started talking with a couple people about coming down...so, those of you who haven´t considered it, come on!! I miss you all so much! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am so thankful for the amazing people in my life.
Hopefully will write again before another two months passes, if not, hasta luego!!

Big Day

Hello everyone! I wanted to write to explain the latest thats going on down here. First, before I forget, I just want everyone to know that I am ok and all of the politics have settled down here. I will leave it at that, everything is ok!
I have big news. I just got a call from the United States embassy. Tomorrow at 1pm they are coming to visit ME. Along with the country director of Ecuador. They want to see what I am doing, what projects I am working on, who I am working with, etc. It is a big deal...and I am nervous to say the least. I am not sure why/how/when they picked me to visit, but here they come! I am looking forward to it, but have alot to prepare.
In other news....I found out last night that my host dad has been feeding me mysterious meats for 2 weeks. He knows I am not a huge MEAT fan, and thought he would "trick me into" liking meat. It did not work. Last night he told me that I have now eaten: donkey, cow tongue, chicken liver, cow heart, cow liver. Those are all of the ones that I know of. I am really really hoping that he has not fed me dog, but I really can't be sure that he hasn't. I could tell for 2 weeks that the meat tasted different, but I chose not to ask, and be polite. Well, bad idea. I now have quite the reportoire in my stomach.
On a brighter note, I am starting to really get into my work! This week we are giving sex ed charlas in the poor neighborhoods where we work. We have "hired" a doctor to help us, and she is the one in charge of the charlas. Yesterday, our first charla, did not go over well. The kids are ages 8-18, and really couldn't handle the information. She was too formal, and the kids did not grasp it. After the meeting, I mentioned to Sonando por un Cambio (my organization) that I am really interested in leading sex charlas. Sex eduacation is so lacking here, in every sense. Over 50 percent of the population is HIV positive, and kids starting at the age of 10 are getting preganant. Few know about condoms and other contraceptives, and I see this as a huge area to work in. SO- my organization is interested in having me lead this new sector of their work. I can't wait.
Not much else to say, I spent last weekend in a small pueblo called Las Mercedes. Another PCV lives there and we went to visit her town of 200. We found a beautiful river with a swimming hole and spent hours there. She lives in the middle of the jungle, it was beautiful. Monkeys, parrots,

long time no talk

hello all,
a quick update about what has been going on lately.
i am spent these past three or four weeks getting more acquainted with santo domingo. that has entailed focusing in more on the areas that interest me with work. i have sort of fallen in love with the program Sonando por un Cambio. i am trying very hard to learn as much as i can from them. it is interesting, because before coming into the peace corps i imagined that I would be the one teaching, directing, adding my opinion about how to change things and make them better.
i have quickly realized that that was rather ignorant of me. i am definately doing alot of LEARNING and far less TEACHING, although eventually that will change over time.
to be more specific, Sonando por un Cambio is an organization that works in the poorest barrios (neighborhoods) of Santo Domingo. they have three barrios that they lead after school youth groups with, this is the area i have been helping in. we go in three times a week and lead arts and crafts projects with them. i am learning how to make all sorts of bracelets, earrings, etc. eventually, we want to set up a business for these kids, and have them SELL their products both locally and internationally (hint hint....who wants to buy some cool bracelets??)
the other half of what Sonando por un Cambio does is work with children that live on the streets, and are drug and alcohol dependent. about two weeks ago, i had my first taste of this work...and to say the least it was a bit terrifying.
my coworker, Steven, introduced me to "street life" as he gave me a walking tour of where all the street kids sleep. little did i know we were going to be going to hang out with these kids. he took me to a soccer stadium where all the kids sleep on the bleachers, and we climbed the steps and sat with them. i was sweating and my heart was pounding so fast as we approached this kids (who did not look or act like "kids"). within 5 minutes of being with them, i realized that they, despite their hard lives, were just KIDS. we sat with them as they put away their pipes and drugs, and my coworker talked with them about their situations.
one kid, Ever, decided he had enough of living on the streets, and decided to come with us. although it was hard, we convinced him to come with us and that we would take him to a rehabilitation center for children. walking down the street with Ever and Steven was an amazing experience for me. Steven talked with him about the importance of starting a new life, of stopping his drug habits, of making serious changes. he seemed frightened, but brave.
with all of that being said, the other half of Sonando por un Cambio takes street children and places them in rehabilitation centers around the country. Santo Domingo is in the process of building a rehabilitation center, and i am in the process of learning how they work.
two weeks ago i went to Quito for four days. i was the only girl, accompanied by Steven and my other coworker Marlo. we spent four days in a child rehabilitation center, learning how they function. these were some of the hardest, but most rewarding days of my life thus far. the kids were extremely ROUGH. i couldnt believe i had put myself in this situation. i didnt think i could survive, but i did. the boys loved me, and they were so cute depite how bad they were. their lives in the rehabilitation center is not easy. it felt like a prison. it is very orderly and they are given very strict orders. the kids are not forced to stay, and if they break one of the four rules which are:
1. no using drugs
2. no having sexual relations
3. no physical or verbal violence
4. no stealing
they are kicked out. there was a little boy there, Juan David, who was 5 or 6 years old but he told me he was 11 (none of the kids knew their birthdays). i loved juan david. with me he was a cute little kid, and sat on my lap and was nice. with the other boys he was a complete terror, hitting kicking punching screaming antagonizing kids much older than him. it makes me smile thinking of that little guy.
anyway.....this is only the beginning. i have no idea where all of these new skills will come into place. but i am excited, and nervous about heading into this type of work. for now i am simply LEARNING. i dont have much to offer, except for my presence. every day my coworkers teach me something new, and i am grateful to have met them.
i miss you all..please write more i miss hearing from everyone!
mia

Group Hug

Hello everyone. Well...work is off to a running start and things are by no means calm around here. It is something new every single day, its very hard for me to keep up with the blogs and explain details when every day something new is thrown at me! So, as usual, I will talk about what happened today!
Today was my first day of actual work. I think I explained where/with who I was working? If not, I am working for the Patronato del Municipio which is the social work sector of the local government here in Santo Domingo. The projects that I will be working in are:
Sonando por un cambio (dreaming for a change): a nonprofit organization that works with kids that live/spend time in the street and are involved in drugs, alcohol, bad habits. We put on postitive activities for kids and try to get them help.

Working with women sex workers: meeting with prostitutes two or three times a week to give talks about self-esteem, nutrition, sex education. Eventually I want to set up a small business with these women to have them sell sheets/mosquito nets/clothing to earn income. Today I met with 15 women, we gave eachother a big group hug and laughed. It was interesting.
El ancionato: working in an elderly home a couple times a week, passing out food, building a garden so that they can produce their own food to eat, putting on activities for them (dance, music, reading groups)

Playing with 5 years olds in a school to relax and have fun!

Those are the activities that I will be working on. Its alot..but most of these programs are already set up and organized so I am just assiting for now. Later, I will create my own projects.

The things that I am most excited/nervous/passionate about it the project Sonando por un cambio. There are only 5 people in the organization. They are all super cool, young, positive, and interesting. They have adopted me into their group and are excited about me helping them. The problem is, they think I am a specialist in microfinance. Everyone does...I keep TRYING to explain that it was only my MAJOR and am I no means a specialist, but that does not seem to be translating. Two of the people grew up living in the street, they are awesome and really inspiring. Tomorrow, one of them is going to take my to his neighborhood to introduce me to his kids. Needless to say, I'm really nervous.

So my friends all is well. Its tough, because this city is really really poor, dirty, dangerous, and I hate having to always worry about where when how to get anywhere. But, eventually this will get easier I hope.

Thats all for now. Much love.

Las Tsachilas

I am very sorry for this long overdue blog. I finally feel, for the first time in two months, that I have time to stop and think about what is actually going on. I dont know where to begin, so I will just start with what has happened most recently.
Yesterday may have been one of the best days I have ever had. First, i am now in Santo Domingo, city of 500,000, where I will be living for the next two years. It is a busy, dirty, poor city about three hours southeast of Quito. Driving from Quito to Santo Domingo is interesting. In three hours you go from the snowpeaked mountains, down through windy roads until you get to a tropical jungle, filled with trees and fruit and flowers. That is Santo Domingo, a tropical, muggy city.
Santo Domingo is home for alot of people from all over the country, and alot of people from Colombia. They say that the city is about 60 percent Colombian, but I'm not sure if that is entirely true. Regardless, when I tell people where I am living, they respond.."que peligroso." Its dangerous, but honestly its starting to feel easier and easier every day.
So- back to my amazing day yesterday. A Peace Corps volunteer, Laura, who has been living here for the past two years invited us to go to visit "las Tsachilas," who are the famous indigenous tribe that live about a half hour outside of Santo Domingo. I was extremely excited, because I have heard alot about these Tsachilas and have been wanting to meet them ever since I found out my site location. We travelled about an hour and a half to get there, as they live far far into the jungles of Santo Domingo. The drive was gorgeous, as it was filled with banana trees and we travelled on a small dirt road through the jungle.
We arrived at one of the Tsachilas communities, which was vacant when we arrived because they were all playing soccer, but since Laura knows them personally she was able to show us around with there permission. The community consisted of about three grass huts, made on stilts, and a bathroom (which was incredible) that was made by previous Peace Corps volunteers. It was beautiful, and it was like nothing I had ever seen before. In this community lives a shaman and his wife and kids. Next Friday I am going to go meet with them to see about working with them in the future.
We continued our drive through the jungle until we got to a soccer field with tons of Tsachilas watching the game, drinking cervezas and relaxing. Las Tsachilas are famous for their appearance. They dye their hair red with a special type of dye from plants, and paint their faces. (if you can, google them.) In modern times, many Tsachilas dont dress up in traditional clothing, but some did. I didnt take photos because I don't yet have their permission or trust, but once I do you will see!
It was funny to see the Shaman, with bright red hair, playing goalie in the soccer match. He spoke with us after and offered us to come back to see him next week.
So that was that. Other than this, I have only been in my site for 2 days now. Its strange, its a completely different vibe down here. The people are alot crazier, and more outgoing. I like it though. People in the Sierra can be very introverted and cold, where as here everyone is screaming, dancing, singing, laughing.
My host family is great, but very very into me being their "hija (daughter)." They want me to do everything with them, all the time. Last night we laid on hammocks and drank a bottle of "Pajarito Azul," some sort of liquor from the coast. It was nice to be with them. My house is great. It is 4 stories, there is internet, I have my own room and bathroom, and everything is really clean and cozy. Other Peace Corps volunteers that are living in the middle of nowhere in little huts like to make fun of us "city folk" and say that we are living in "Posh Corps," not "Peace Corps." I beg to differ...but, maybe they are right.
Work will be challenging, tomorrow is my official first day but I am having some stresses about it which I will talk about later.
I miss my friends! I made such good friends during these past two months. My friend Ali and I spent our weekends hiking the mountains around Cayambe, hiking next to waterfalls and eating peanutbutter and jelly sandwhiches (dad I told her about our PB&J's on our hikes.) So many great friends, everyone here is really inspiring and are going to do great things.
So, thats all for now folks! Whose planning to come see me? How about sending me letters? I would just love that! Here is my new address:

Morissa Pertik
Casilla 17-24-116
Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas
Ecuador

I love you all. Sorry again about taking so long to write I hope this makes up for it. Besos enormes!