Ikml

So I thought I would write a final blog post for my Morocco blog. I have been home now for almost a month, after a week and a half in Egypt. It is hard to believe I left Morocco so long ago. Sometimes I have pangs of sadness, missing the people, the beauty, the life, the smells, the food...everything, but at the same time, I am thrilled to be home. I am enjoying every moment with my mom and dad, my sister, my soon to be brother-in-law, my friends, my favorite city in the world...Chi-town!

Thank you for reading my blog and taking the time to learn a little about a culture so different from our own over the past two years, and thank you for all the support for the women's center! I am blessed to have so many supportive people in my life!

One of the last pictures I took in Morocco, on the drive from my site to Tiznit.

Lfushta n Neddi!

Here are some pictures from the neddi opening! We had a great time, and leaving my site was incredibly difficult. While I am currently in Rabat running around like a chicken with my head cut off (what a horrible idiom....) trying to accomplish many tasks in my last few days here, I promise a good run of nice long descriptive updates upon my departure from Morocco.

Enjoy!

Me and my girls! These three girls were with me through the good times, the bad times, the scary times, the ugly times, the funny times...all the times! They all came to the women's center opening because they are amazing.

After a long, fancy lunch of tagine, fruit, tea, and cookies, we were asked to take a picture with the local important people. Turns out there were a lot of us, and yet everyone insisted on making one line. The gendarmes (local police), the Caid (local government official), the commune president, the association president, the Ministry of Health representative, the doctor, the nurse, my association president....everyone was there!

Some of the local kids were charged with the ribbo cutting and led a ceremony. They did a great job, and knowing that the center is complete felt amazing.

We all insisted that the local association president should cut the ribbon. He is a wonderful influence on the town.

All of the village women and girls shower up. This tent was packed with over 60 women! The event was clearly for them.

The schoolteacher prepared a few skits with the students in honor of Earth Day and the Women's Center. They were adorable and pleasant to watch.

Their Earth Day skit.

The men sat in the other tent. My Peace Corps boss stayed with the men and handled everything very well. Can you spot the American???

The women's center!!!!!

The two tents, set up in the schoolyard.

My host dad and another local man. I just love this picture because they look so regal.

Much to my surprise, I was presented with some lovely gifts. The community members all chipped in to give me a set of local clothes and local jewelry. They are absolutely beautiful.

My boss received Berber shoes!

The women's center girls all chipped in for a pair of shoes, which meant so much to me.

After all the festivities, the women and girls did their traditional song and dance, called "ahwash."

For the first time in over two years, I participated in "ahwash" with the girls. It was a TON of fun!!

Sorry for the delay on the updates!

My internet is broken so sorry!

So 3 weeks before i complete my service in Morocco, my internet modem broke! Unfortunately I don't have time to write an update, but you can make up your own story with the pictures! :)

Oh, and Health Room equipment is being delivered on Monday, and the opening party is on Thursday!

Women's Center Wednesdays

Ok, so it is Tuesday, yes. And I missed last Wednesday, yes. But give me a break, I only have a month and a half left in Morocco and there is a lot to do.

I have often been in Tiznit over the past few weeks, organizing and planning the 2nd Annual AIDS Skit Competition in Tiznit. We had a great event last year, and the students involved learned a lot. This year we are hoping to have six different groups participating. It should be a fun event. I'm spending this week working with the group of students from my site, helping them to prepare their skit. The event is on Sunday.

I also received 125 pieces of artwork from eight different countries in the mail last week. This is the second half of the art exchange program my middle school participated in. In my classes this week, the students are learning about the countries where the artwork originated. Next week each student will receive a piece of artwork from another student somewhere in the world!

In Women's Center news, my association president and I handed over another 30% of the total project cost to our contractor yesterday. While construction has been delayed due to chronic bath weather, we are hoping to see the center completed sometime within the next three weeks. At that point we will hold the official opening, just in time for my departure from Morocco!

We are still getting paperwork in order for the delivery of supplies to the literacy and handicraft rooms. While the sewing machines won't arrive before the summer, we are hoping to have the literacy room equipped for the opening. Keep your fingers crossed! Fortunately, we are working with the Ministry of Social Development on this, and their representative in Tiznit is wonderful and easy to work with.

The Ministry of Health has equipment ready to deliver upon the completion of construction. While I won't be around to witness health lessons, vaccination drives, sewing seminars, and literacy classes taking place in the center, I look forward to being in contact with both the girls of my community, and the volunteer who is replacing me in May. And of course, coming back to visit Morocco!

The roof! It looks a lot more like a building these days....

The front entrance to the center. This is on the main road passing through my village.

While not a picture of the center, when Maggie came to visit last week, we went on a hike in my site and found this lovely stream! 4 months ago there was no water, and definitely no green!

5km for Haiti

On February 20, 18 volunteers, 2 Peace Corps staff members, 1 wife, and 1 baby participated in a 5km to help raise money for disaster relief through Partners in Health in Haiti.

We had a great time. I don't have all of the pictures from the event, but I will post more if I can get a hold of them!

Women's Center Wednesdays

And the roof is being worked on!

Women's Center Wednesdays

Only a couple of pictures from the past two weeks. I spent last week in Rabat for my Close of Service Conference.

More to come this Weds!

5km for Haiti

If you are still paying attention to the situation in Haiti, you will see that many aid workers have a particular concern. As with any devastating natural disaster, a lot of money comes rushing in right after the event. While this is great, sustained financial support is critical. In order to successfully bring relief to the earthquake victims, the flow of money cannot stop.

A close volunteer friend of mine, Hanneke, recognized this and decided that although we, as Peace Corps Volunteers, cannot help financially, we should do something. For this reason, my fellow '08-'10 Health Volunteers and I will participate in a 5km for Haiti on February 20.

We will be in Rabat the week prior for a Close of Service Conference, and will participate in the 5km at the end of our conference. We will be running/walking at a park in Rabat, next to the Sofitel hotel at 9am. Both Volunteers and Peace Corps staff will be involved, and we are looking for support from family and friends.

I understand that I've been asking for a lot over the past year........lots and lots of requests for women's center donations, so now I only ask for $5 to support my fellow volunteers and I running to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake. You can donate at the Partners in Health (I blogged about this wonderful organization here) website, here, under our group's donation page.

Just in case you just missed the link, here it is again:

Peace Corps Volunteers in Morocco Haiti Earthquake Relief 5km

Thank you!

1 Corinthians 13:13

"There are three things that last: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love" 1 Corinthians 13:13

This past week Wael received some very difficult news. His mom, Nagwa, was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. This came as a shock for a woman who seems healthy and full of life. While Wael and his family are showing a lot of strength and support for Nagwa, the waiting and not knowing is hard to deal with. As you say your prayers today and over the next while, please remember to say a special prayer for Wael's mom.

Trying to deal with such news alone here in Morocco has been a challenge. I traveled to Agadir on Sunday to go to mass, hoping that praying in a church would help me reach some semblance of peace. The first reading was from 1 Corinthians 13:13.

Faith, Hope, and Love.

As I listened, it struck me. Faith, hope and love are what I'm going to need to get through this time.

Faith. Every moment, every time I hear more bad news and want to just collapse with depression, I have to remember to have faith. Whatever happens is not in my hands. Its not in Waels hands, and it isn't in the doctor's hands. It is in God's hands, and He alone knows what will happen. I will pray, and pray, and pray, but ultimately, I am not in control. While I don't understand why this is happening, God does, and faith will help me to accept that.

Hope. While I can't change anything by my own efforts, I can hope. I can hope that Wael's mom will be ok, that she will heal and be here with her loving family for a long time, full of love and life. Instead of letting myself get frustrated and always thinking of the negative, I must be full of hope. Hope breeds positivity, and positivity will help me to be strong for Wael and his mom.

Love. As 1 Corinthians 13:13 expresses, the greatest of all is love. So I will love. I will continue to be full of love for Wael, his mom, and his whole family. I will love them with everything I have, because what else can I give?

So as you pray before bed, before dinner, or just in a passing glance toward the sky, please say an extra few words for Nagwa and her family.

Women's Center Wednesdays

Here's the women's center this week. I've had two of my close volunteer friends visiting, so Felisa and Michelle are featured in this week's Women's Center Wednesdays!

Michelle and Felisa!

And last but not least....per Lissa's request...Chandler and Erin in the literacy room! :)

Women's Center Wednesdays

Ok, so I know it is Thursday. But cut me some slack! :)

Last week the cement was poured for the floor of the women's center, and since then the workers have started laying the cement bricks for the walls. Anyone who knows how we build houses in the US might be interested in all the differences!

Today I accompanied the local association president to Tiznit to run a few errands. We picked up the next 30% installment of women's center funds to pass along to the contractor. We also had a meeting with the Ministry of Social Development representative. We are hoping to pass along our equipment request next week. While the sewing machines may arrive after I finish my service here, the representative said we can try to make sure the literacy room is fully equipped by May.

On a completely random note, 35 degrees and raining is annoying. I think, and this is just the opinion of one girl, that I would MUCH rather deal with 30 degrees and snow than 35 degrees and rain. But really, who am I to say??

Mixing cement and pouring it to make the floor.

Wall constructing

More wall constructing

Inside the women's center

More inside the center

Women's Center Wednesdays

After a lovely week of sunshine, I am happy to report significant progress on the women's center. I enjoy waking up every morning and sneaking a look at the center before I make breakfast. Now that the workers know who I am, I don't feel as bad traipsing all over the construction site to take pictures.

While the association president and I decided to wait until next week for a meeting in Tiznit with the Ministry of Social Development and for a trip to the bank for the next monetary installment, we did have a chance to meet with the commune's technician last night. He had some great feedback for the workers, including ways to make the structure more stable.

Everywhere I go these days, someone mentions the women's center. People are always quick to share their awe at such generosity on the part of Americans. Thank you again to everyone who helped make this happen!

More

Another plea to those who want to help the thousands of Haitians in need!

Petition to President Obama: Let Haitian Refugees Stay- Catholics United

**update. As of January 15, the decision was made by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to allow undocumented Haitians to live and work in the US for the next 18 months, as recovery efforts are underway in their homeland. This decision will affect up to 200,000 Haitians currently residing in the US.

Here is more info on the decision

Taking things for granted.

As I'm sure everyone is aware, Haiti experienced a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Tuesday, affecting most significantly the capital, Port-au-Prince, and its surrounding areas. If the magnitude of this disaster isn't enough to cause us to pause, even more foreboding is the infrastructure and systems that were lost on Tuesday. While an earthquake of this size is not unheard of, it occurred in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Haiti has a history of political instability and harsh living conditions. Currently, Haitians in the capital have no access to electricity, cellphone coverage, and limited access to clean drinking water.

While it is difficult for us to do anything but reflect on this tragedy, it is important to remember than monetary donations to the relief efforts can go a long way. Roads need clearing, doctors need supplies, and organizations need a means to transport aid. Many organizations are accepting donations for relief efforts in Haiti, including the Red Cross.

I also urge you to consider checking out Partners in Health, a medical NGO with many hospitals in Haiti that are still functioning. Partners in Health was founded by someone for whom I have infinite respect, and whose work played a significant role in my decision to join Peace Corps. Paul Farmer has worked to improve healthcare in Haiti since 1983.

Donating to Partners in Health will allow these local functioning hospitals to provide immediate support to the thousands of victims stranded in Port-au-Prince. Like my friend Hanneke said in a recent email to her friends and family about the earthquake, if you can just give up your Starbucks or your trip to Panera for the day, every $5 or $10 will help.

Partners in Health

And a random fact. If you are a fan of Roald Dahl's works, including James and the Giant Peach, you should be even more excited to donate, since Dahl's daughter, Ophelia Dahl is Partners in Health's President and Executive Director. She and Paul Farmer founded PIH in 1987.

Another random fact. Many in the Catholic Church (including Liberation Theologians) have made an effort in the past half a century to promote the idea of a preferential option for the poor, based on Jesus' teachings, and more specifically, The Beatitudes. While PIH is not a religiously affiliated organization, their mission is "to provide a preferential option for the poor in healthcare."

Women's Center Wednesdays

So, in order to keep myself on the ball with women's center updates, I decided to initiate Women's Center Wednesdays. Every Wednesday, I will post new pictures of the Women's Center. This also gives people the opportunity to just read about the center's progress if they don't feel like knowing what I thank God for.

After a lovely vacation in Egypt, I arrived back to Morocco on Thursday. I called my association president the minute I stepped off the plane to hear any women's center news. He said, "Shoof, lmushkil iga is illa anzar bzzaf. Ur bahara xdmn." Which is roughly translated as "Look, the problem is there is a lot of rain. They aren't working too much." Now, hearing that scared me just a wee bit. Would I arrive home to see the same pile of rocks as when I left?

Thank goodness he was erring on the side of caution. I am VERY impressed with construction so far! It actually looks like a building. Also, I can hear the workers laying cement and stacking bricks from inside my house. This is a very pleasant sound to wake up to in the morning. Progress!!!

We are still waiting to hear from the Ministry of Social Development on exactly how many sewing machines and other equipment they will be donating. However, the Ministry of Health has confirmed that they will deliver their equipment as soon as the center is complete!

Now let's pray to the sun gods that we have more sunny days than rainy days over the next month and a half!

Thanks

I thank God.....

....for having such a wonderful family who supports me in my crazy decisions and adventures and who loves me in spite of my wanderlust tendencies.

.....for Wael, who knows exactly what to do to make me smile, and who is truly the most thoughtful person I know.

.....for my host sister Khadija, who greeted me back to my site yesterday with a squeal of joy and a big hug that was much needed.

.....for my Peace Corps friends who knew it would be hard for me to come back to Morocco and who have been awesome since my plane landed in Agadir.

.....for Lissa and Tara and Amy for talking to me on Skype for hours yesterday!

.....for the Beckers and the Vitos and the Rudds and my mom who sent such wonderful packages that I opened upon my arrival back in site. Turned a really bad day into a good one!

.....for everyone who sent me Christmas cards. Your kind words brightened up my day and have left a smile on my face ever since! I especially love the cards with pictures! Richie and Christian are getting so big!

.....for my friend Najma's mom, who moved all of the furniture in my house while I was gone so that it wouldn't get ruined as rain leaked (and is still leaking) into every room of my house.

.....for my buta gas, that heats up lots of ice cold tap water for me.

.....for Cairo, a city that treated me very well, and gave me wonderful people, hot showers, Starbucks, and delicious food every day I was there.

.....for Chandler, who acted so incredibly happy to see me he wrapped his paws around my leg and wouldn't let go. What would i do without him?

.....for the workers who worked hard on the women's center in spite of the miserable weather. Pictures to come!

and I thank God for a lot of other things too, but I think this is enough for now. :)