Sun dogs fire on the horizon
Meteor rain stars across the night
This moment may be brief
But it can be so bright
Friends, if you´re wondering what the heck Peace Corps Volunteers do everyday, read for yourself. In spite of the psychological and physical challenges inherent in this kind of working environment, I am satisfied with what I have been able to accomplish thus far.
Activities accomplished between January 1 and April 30, 2004 as submitted to the U.S. Peace Corps, Washington, D.C.
1) Gave weekly environmental education and environmental tech classes (including sustainable agriculture, organic pesticides, tree planting, and native forest management) at elementary schools and high schools to a total of 193 students.
2) Established two tree nurseries with local organizations. Have already sold many of the trees (10 cents each).
3) Delivered over 500 trees with municipality to landowners for reforestation purposes.
4) Planted trees with a variety of local landowners as part of a local agroforestry project.
5) Led three schools and one child care organization in seed planting, pest management, soil care, and vegetable harvesting at four organic gardens.
6) Wrote $10,000 grant proposal to US Agency for International Development for an indigenous organization´s clothing design and manufacture project (funding denied due to Bush´s pricey “War on Terror”, but I´m awaiting funding from an alternative source).
7) Embarked on 5-day seed gathering expedition throughout Ecuador´s Western Lowlands region.
8) Gave 8-hour environmental economics seminar to 62 students at a major university in the Andes Mountains.
9) Organized and led Earth Day tree planting activities at a local high school.
10) Organized and held a high school essay contest entitled “Do we need nature?” Gave away $30 in prize money, posters, and airtime on my radio program.
11) Launched and gave United Nations-approved “Improving My Family” training workshops at three different child-care centers throughout Ecuador´s Southeast Amazon Region. Trainings ongoing for the next 6 months.
12) Host of weekly radio program “La Hora Verde” (The Green Hour), which is broadcast throughout Ecuador´s Southeast Amazon Region. Features environmental news and interviews with Ecuador´s foremost natural resources, agricultural, and animal experts.
13) Co-organized annual Ag-Animal fair in the village.
14) Collaborated with local municipality by assisting in the implementation of a “needs assessment” workshop for a local indigenous Quichua/Shuar community.
15) Planned “community bank” workshop with co-worker and two Ecuadorian counterparts.
16) Gave English classes once per week to villagers.
17) Helped one university student design a business plan for a recycled paper project.
18) Helped develop preliminary reforestation and natural resources conservation project with local foundation.
19) Attend seminars on organic coffee production and environmentally-friendly mining.
Wakeramu,
Supernova
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