I took a schedule of the playground/park construction plan over to the Village Chairman's house last night. Because it was raining and I didn't want to muddy his floor, we spoke outside on his porch. He was happy to see the organization of plans/dates and that we have many volunteers already signed up for the various projects related to this construction.
Today, there is a crew over at the park site doing the final clearing of the land. There were several large tree stumps yet to remove and the whole lot had to be chopped (machete) and then cut very short with a weedwacker. (This will encourage grass growth rather than 'jungle' growth). At 2 pm, high school boys as part of their community service will be taking sand and gravel (via wheel barrel) up a 'killer' hill to unload at the school site where Aubrey's hospital friends donated funds for a swing set. Tuesday afternoon, I have 4 men taking 42 buckets (5 gallon) about a quarter mile to the park site. Roger arrives Friday and will mark where the footings will be dug the following morning. That Saturday, we dig the holes and pour the concrete for the footings. Two weeks later, I have men lined up to help unload the truck with the tremendous amount of lumber. The next day, March 5, is the actual construction. I have ladies preparing lunches for the crews on both Saturdays. This is really finally happening and all thanks to you and your kind support of this worthwhile project!!
But I'd like to share a little side story... A year ago, January 21, 2010, we had a meeting to discuss plans for the playground that included the Village Chairman (like a mayor), the Alcalde (like a judge) and other interested villagers. Everyone was in favor of the idea of a playground for the children. But when we discussed the labor involved, the Village Chairman spoke up as the representative of the men in the village and said that the men would not help unless they were paid for their work. You might be feeling right now how I did last year?? I remember thinking, 'my goodness, here is a project being donated by philanthropic people from various parts of the world. It has been designed for them at no cost and all the materials and tools are being paid for by the donors. The very least they could do would be the minimal labor??? To say the least, I was a bit disheartened. There was one lone man, his name is Felix, that stood up and said that he would volunteer to help build. This was for their children and he wanted to be a part. But Felix stood all alone.
I decided to forge ahead with the project anyway and hoped that time would change attitudes. Well, it changed mine. After living in the village for well over 16 months, I have come to understand their reality. These people aren't poor as they have food and a home (that they grow and build). But they have little or no money because there are no paychecks. So back home, we would consider them poor. But every year when school starts, there is a registration fee of $300 per child plus books. Older children (ages 16-25) leave the village and search the country for a job and when they work, they give every penny possible back to the family so other siblings can attend school. It's an ongoing strife. So now, it's easier for me to understand when there is a project that comes to the village, it is often viewed more as an opportunity for income versus the potential good that the project might offer.
I think I have had a shift in my attitude and have become more understanding of their struggles. They, on the other hand, have witnessed in me this concept of volunteerism. If you recall in the blog, 'The Other Side of Peace Corps' I introduced you to a young man in the village, Mauricio. We had worked together on several projects and he was always so willing to help out. Hopefully, adulthood won't ruin that 'sense' for him when he has a family of his own and carries his family's financial burden. But maybe that's the hard core reality of their difficult existence...I'm not sure. What I DO know is that I've gone from house to house this week soliciting help for this playground and the attitudes have amazingly changed from one year ago. Of course, the ones I have gone to are ones that I have established a rapport, perhaps even a friendship. But not only are they willing, they are excited about working to make this playground a reality for their children and not ONE has asked to be paid.
So which is the major success story?? The construction of the playground or a change in their sense of community?
If I have accomplished nothing else, this paradigm shift in attitude gives me a glimmer of hope for a subtle, but very positive, change.
God bless us all...love, tracy
