Pre-Service Training (PST) has been intense! Daylong
language classes, culture classes and technical training make me exhausted and
we are only in the third week! We have one free day and that is usually spent
sleeping.
I live with a host family in International Village, full of
sheep, cows, chickens, donkeys and horses. My host family has a cow, a calf and
5 sheep. So far none of them have gone missing into our dinners, which is
comforting. The calf and I have become great friends, I must say. Every morning
and evening I spend some time with him, scratching his neck and head, usually
where the rough rope lays. Though I eat meat here (out of convenience more than
anything), I will absolutely be a vegetarian once back in the states. These
animals may be dim, but after spending time with them it’s clear they have
emotions and desires. Even if those desires are as simple as “you have grass in
your hand and I desire for it to be in my mouth”. But I digress…
I am my host family’s 8th volunteer. They have
been showing me the ropes of the language, customs and village life. My Apa
(mom) and Ata (dad) have 5 of their grandkids living with them. The older
three, Simik (10), Azalea (8) and Bilik (8) have been helping me practice my
Kyrgyz every night, quickly followed by several games of Spoons. They are so
much fun and incredibly smart, winning chess competitions constantly, making
Apa and Ata extremely proud. I recently found out that their parents live and
work in Russia and have since they were little. Their whole lives they have
been raised by their grandparents, only seeing their parents twice a year. This
reality is common here but would be close to tragic in the states. I feel for
their parents, who I will luckily get to meet this month. Not being able to see
your children for months at a time, sacrificing raising them to provide for
them, it seems extreme but I have discovered many families live like this. It’s
a reality with village life because there aren't job opportunities near. If you
are a skilled worker you may be able to find work in the capitol, but very few
choices when it comes to labor. Kyrgyzstan doesn't have the natural resources
of the Middle East or Kazakhstan, and so they receive their Russian work visas
and move on up.
Although there are problems within the country, I am excited
to make small changes with my students. I currently was told that without Peace
Corps Volunteers, many students would not have the English skills to get into
University and continue their education. Hearing this was incredibly
encouraging. We are very respected and welcomed into the community, not only
because families and children want to learn English, but also because the local
English teachers usually only have basic language skills. With the
team-teaching approach, we are helping both the students and teachers increase
their knowledge of the language. And, though slow moving, it really has made a
difference.
I’m already exhausted and excited for the next few weeks of
PST.
Simik & Bilik
Azalea
Playing Cards!
Azalea's Wall at her school!
Osh Bazzar
Soviet Statue!
Manas Statue!
