I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world.
This makes it hard to plan the day.

-- E. B. White

Here is a little about what keeps me busy.

Ryada (Exercise): Leading these women to move, sweat and stretch never ceases to make my morning. Same goes with the 6am walks! The most exciting part is seeing them show off their slimmed figures. Honestly, I cannot tell the difference. But they feel healthier. So I play along. They've asked me questions about my diet. Hopefully I can start the conversation with them about nutrition. Exercise is only half of the healthy lifestyle equation.

Teaching English: By popular request, I've started English classes. It's unexpectedly fun! The ladies get out their pen and paper. They're ready to learn, speak and write English! I have their full attention, especially when I have a handout. They've even asked for homework and quizzes! I have such respect for each one of them. This has motivated me to push my Darija. Since September, learning Darija has been that mandatory chore. I didn't approach it with a hungry appetite for desire to be "filled up." This is great. I'm learning. They're learning... I hope.

Building a Child Care Center: The women are wonderfully enthusiastic, unlimited in motivation and determination. However, they are strictly bound by childcare responsibilities and meager resources to ease this burden. About a third of the members cannot always come to the nedi because of childcare responsibilities. As a result, they cannot fully take advantage of the nedi's activities. Other times, these women bring their children, nieces and/or nephews to the Women's Center. On average, 16 children regularly accompany their mothers/aunts to Arabic literacy classes and Sewing/Needleworks class. We do not have the proper capacity or environment to look after these children. Instead, their cries create a disruptive learning and working environment. Lastly, women who do not attend overwhelmingly express childcare responsibilities as their reason for staying at home. Inshallah, we will finish the Women's Center roof, creating a healthy learning environment for both women and children.

Now comes the million dollar question- how can we finance such a project? Pieces are slowly falling into place. Last month, the Association President met a representative from Global Fund for Women. There's a potential donor! We are also hoping to use Peace Corps' SPA grant as a third donor. I've talked to these women about the importance of community contribution and ways to muster up cost-sharing. Community financing is coming... slowly. A nearby eco-tourism company donated a small sum. A community leader has offered to purchase the brick. Trainers for necessary workshops have agreed to donate their time. We're in the process of securing a generous soul to offer his car and time in order to transport building materials from town to the Women's Center. We're reviewing budget items line by line. Perhaps this can amont to twenty percent!

The best part of this whole project is the fact that the Association officers want to write the grant themselves. My tutor knows someone whose job is to offer grantwriting trainings. Is this not too perfect? Talk about grassroots development! This is exciting. I cannot wait to cross off all the pre-planning to-dos. I cannot wait to start start.

Expanding Product Line: Since its foundation in 2003, the Association has attended six craft fairs to test and sell their products. Five women have left the village, unaccompanied by a male relative, to attend business workshops. Furthermore, Planet Finance MAROC has conducted four workshops in this village. These women have gained an array of business skills, including costing and pricing, product development, marketing, microfinance and customer service. However, they still do not have a sustainable relationship with a boutique. And how to you find new markets? You create new products to reach new consumers! I'm currently working with two women to expand our product line. We make beautiful bracelets. Why not make other forms of jewelry?! We make adorable soap bags. Why not make other types of bags/purses?! They both have had rough starts. Our goal is to have polished samples by mid-May. (I will be traveling to Rabat for Peace Corps purposes. PCVs are a great test market!) I go between pushing these ladies and sitting back, relaxed. I want to enjoy their world as it is as much as shake things up. It's a great mix!

Goal #2 and #3: Two out of Peace Corps' three goals are that of cross-cultural exchange. And this is what sets PCVs apart from other development workers. We live among the people with whom we work. And my site has shown me immeasurable love. From prolonged greetings to bottomless cups to mint tea, it's great being their little American PCV.


** Please note that I am the third consecutive SBD PCV in my site. There is a strong history of extrodinary growth among these women and Association. I credit the diversity of projects and my busy schedule to these ladies and the previous work of PCVs.

My Month of Traveling

I remember looking at Peace Corps policies and wondering how is it possible to squeeze in traveling. On paper, we only can take two vacation days a month. As it turns out, traveling is part of my work! I spent most of March out of my community. My neighbors joked, “Once you’ve adjusted well, you need to leave and travel.” Here’s a little on where I went and what I did:

VSN Training. Peace Corps tells you this is the toughest job you’ll ever love. And there’s truth to that. It’s tough. But I have found the rewards to be well worth enduring through. Such is the general idea for the Volunteer Support Network (VSN). VSN is a volunteer driven support network created to provide basic support to PCVs. Previously VSN trained volunteers train interested in basic counseling and listening skills. Thus, VSN volunteers, predominately working on an informal basis, help fellow PCVs cope and get through difficult times.

For five days, me and four others highlighted skills and techniques of a good listener. And we practices skills of building rapport, identifying and discussing emotions, as well as appropriate ways to develop a plan of action. It was great “VSN-ing” as well as getting “VSN-ed.” Delicious meals also accompanied our good conversations. We had penne alla vodka, lasagna, cinnamon rolls (with frosting), zucchini bread….. Yes, I am eating just wonderfully here! We also met women in the local weaving association. They welcomed us with open hearts, hot tea and cake! I need to make my way back and buy a rug. Maybe when that next mandat comes!

Beni Mellal. On March 4, the new PCTs landed! And I had the joy of meeting and sharing with them. For the most part, being in Beni Mellal reminded me of the tangible enthusiasm I felt starting this journey. It took me back six months ago when I was that PCT. I had a million burning questions. And I interrogated each volunteer in hopes of understanding my days to come. With each breath came another thought, another I-need-to-know-and-really-really-really-want-to-know-right-now: “Do you like Peace Corps Morocco? What do you like about it? ...Tell me about your site …Tell me about your community members …Where have been your challenges? …How do you deal with a Turkish toilet? …Does everyone really get sick? …How did you learn the language? …. What am I getting myself into?! What keeps you going?”

Nffsu. Breathe. Somewhere between then and now, these anxieties have disappeared. That or they are no longer as frightening and overwhelming as before. Challenges are ever-present- still battling it out with darija, staying motivated with language, staying motivated with work, understanding what is work, adjusting to the slower pace of life, battling with the money issue, and so the list continues. But then morning comes. I awake for a jog and realize how great it is to be exactly where I am. To any PCT reading this: I think you all are gems. It was my joy to be among you all. Welcome to Morocco. Happy you’re here and will serve along side of me.

Sefrou/Fes/Rabat. PCVs only accrue two vacation days a month. But we’re free to play on the Moroccan holidays for which we are in-country. Add that with weekendays, work-related leave and/or vacation days… BAM! Traveling becomes possible. More importantly, understanding markets, showing my association innovative products and meeting with potential buyers is part of being a SBD volunteer! Here are some pictures that cover the highlights of my trip:

Jonathan and his site!


Also caught Lynn at her site! Morocco is beautiful and green.

Tanneries in Fes.

Moroccan sleeping on the job, Fes.

Me and Fes at night.

Rabat, Famous Unfinished Mosquee.

Ouarzazate. I’ve been in country for six months. I’ve been a PCV for four months. Hmmm… where did the time go? What did I learn? Have I really learned anything? Why isn’t this language sticking? Shouldn’t I be more productive? L-hamdullah, SBD 08-10 volunteers in the south convened in Ouarzazate for a much needed morale boost.

In a day, we shared ups and downs of language learning and community integration. We reviewed SBD’s project framework. How can Peace Corps’ SBD program truly reflect our reality? Peace Corps clarified technical difficulties with a new reporting system. And we made suggestions for June’s IST (In-service Training). I think the best part was being reunited with familiar faces and good conversation over panache (a smoothie that has everything in it AND it’s delicious).

I’ve been back at site for a couple weeks now…. I’ve slowly returned to my regular house visits and spontaneous play dates. Amina and I have started experimenting with new products. I’ve written out a few workshop sessions to teach these women what makes a strong grant. I’m starting to teach English classes next week, by the request of my women. But my favorite has to be ryada (exercise) mornings. For an hour, three times a week, I kick, move, shake, dance and yoga with unreserved women. During this time, we leave hsuma (shame) at the nedi door.