FORUMS > General Discussion Forum Rules

For those of you who have requested a way to stay in touch with me while I'm in the Peace Corps, I've finally got my blog up and live, and even with a first post. I've got just about two weeks before I leave, so I figured it was high time I got it going.

Peace Out: A volunteer's life from the Armenian closet

When I get time I'll be updating it, and probably bump this thread on occasion to let people know I've updated. Feel free to leave comments on my blog or this thread. If you happen to leave a comment on my blog, please use a screen name that I'll recognize--preferably the one you use here.

That's awesome Chewey. You must be excited.

I'm gonna miss you, Chewey!

::emo::

Bookmarked AND RSSed!!! Godspeed, CD!

Got it in my feed reader.

I knew this day would come but I just... just... ;_;

MunchingZombie said
I knew this day would come but I just... just... ;_;

Don't you start on me! You'll make me e-weep too! ;_;

Dang. Can't you still post on RJ too?

Bumping my thread.

Just wanted to let anyone know I've got a new post. It's short, as internet access is slow and far between use.

www.cheweydelt.blogspot.com

It's alive!

Even that first post from Armenia was a thrill to read.

Keep us posted, Chewey! I look forward to your next entry.

what an adventure! it is very noble for you to dedicate 2 years of your life to a cause like this!

I wonder how gay friendly Armenia is? My suspicions are it is not. Hopefully Chewey_Delt will not have any issues (besides sexual frustration).

I have to commend him on doing something like that. I never would have gone to a place like Armenia at 24.

JB,

You're quite right, in that Armenia is not gay friendly at all. That being said, I'm also not publicly out to anyone but PC volunteers and staff (of whom, I'm out to all). That would significantly hinder my work.

Also, new blog post. I've actually included some detail in this one. Hopefully my next post will have pictures.

cheweydelt.blogspot.com

I read your blog Chewey_Delt and it was really interesting (and well-written). I went to Wikipedia to learn more about the Armenian language. Supposedly it has 38 letters and dates back to 405 AD.

Actually the living conditions don't seem as primitive as imagined. How is their drinking water though? When I hear stories of a washroom that consists of a hole then I think there is no sewer or septic system.

Best of luck learning the new language, hopefully you will not get homesick. We at RJ miss you though.

The letters thing is in a bit of flux. Technically there are only 38 letters, but that's only because the government is phasing out one letter (the letter "yev," which literally means "and" when used alone and is sometimes used in other words).

All volunteers are given a water filter that we're highly encouraged to use. There is no septic or sewage system, nor a water treatment system. So I just drink filtered water the entire time. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean I don't, on occasion, end up with GI issues, as we all do. Gross, but true.

Chewey_Delt saidThe letters thing is in a bit of flux. Technically there are only 38 letters, but that's only because the government is phasing out one letter (the letter "yev," which literally means "and" when used alone and is sometimes used in other words).

All volunteers are given a water filter that we're highly encouraged to use. There is no septic or sewage system, nor a water treatment system. So I just drink filtered water the entire time. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean I don't, on occasion, end up with GI issues, as we all do. Gross, but true.

That is gross. Stay safe, that is not a great way to maintain a certain weight!

New blog post. Check it y'all.

http://cheweydelt.blogspot.com/

Hi Chewy that was great the Blog. I know what you mean about the Cement floor and the Bucket shower job? I did that many years ago out in the country here as I stayed with a young guy and his family on the Farm? The outhouse loo I could not cope with as it was a hole in the floor and a wooden small shed with gaps in the wood? His sisters kids would come and peep while I was in there so I did not go to the loo for 3 days? In the end we left to stay in Antalya a real city and real loo's!

Good luck and hey I am across the border you know?

I loved the new blog entry, Chewey. Glad to hear the PST will be over soon.

Very interesting, Chewey. Thanks for taking the time to post.

TurkishDelight said

Good luck and hey I am across the border you know?

Well then I'll have to visit sometime. It's a damned shame that the border between Armenia and Turkey is closed, but I can get there through Georgia.

Well my month is made, Chewey_Delt has posted another blog from Armenia. Sounds like the job is going to be very interesting. If you don't appreciate kids Chewey_Delt you are in for a real treat with the challenged ones! I am sure you will do fine, you seem like a guy that wants to do the best he can.

After reading about the Armenian language I can understand your stress level. It looks kind of complicated!

Best of luck and keep bringing the blogs.

Jonathan

New blog post. Not really a happy post, but they weren't all going to be.

cheweydelt.blogspot.com

Thanks for the update Chewey, and sorry things are so crazy right now. I'm glad you ended the post on a somewhat hopeful note; things will get better.

CheweyEvery single day for about a week now I've just wanted to punch someone, or yell at them, or just scream at the top of my lungs.

IS there anywhere you can go to just scream at the top of your lungs? Hey, it might just help a little.

Hope things improve for you.

New blog post. Much happier than the last one.

http://cheweydelt.blogspot.com/

gha! I can't remember my blogger password. But I was going to leave a comment that praised you and wished you well and all that.

Good to hear that things are getting better Chewey. It sounds like you were getting pretty depressed there for a bit. Hopefully the situation back home is getting better as well.

Keep posting!

MunchingZombie saidgha! I can't remember my blogger password. But I was going to leave a comment that praised you and wished you well and all that.

Maybe that's best anyway, since if you used your blogger account I might not know it's you unless your tag is MZ on there as well. You should be able to post a comment without using your blogger account though.

Which reminds me, I'll remind everyone to please use your RJ tag, so I know who it is. Someone posted to one of my blogs (not sure from where, I update people across several sites) with their name and I wasn't sure who it was.

Hope everyone's having a great summer!

New blog post. Pre-service training is finally over--huzzah!

http://cheweydelt.blogspot.com/

New blog post. I know it's only been a day, but it's much easier for me to access the internet now (though, paradoxically, it's slower in this city, even though it's much larger than my training site--to many people sharing the connection in this cafe). I finally managed to get some pictures edited and uploaded, so take a look.

http://cheweydelt.blogspot.com/

Good pictures Chewey_Delt, reminds me of rural Ontario, lots of green. The washroom is almost identical to my brother's near his cabin in the woods!

Glad that you are now an official member of the Peace Corps, you worked hard for it. Your family must be very proud of you.

New post. More complaining. I know, there's an awful lot of it in my blog, but I use it to vent.

http://cheweydelt.blogspot.com/

Yes Chewey_Delt I can understand why you would be complaining about boredom. I found when I was kid spending the summer at our cottage (no TV, radio and before VCRs, DVDs, IPods, computers) that after about 10 days of thick fog I was starting to go stir crazy. After all comic books and reader's digests can only go so far! And monopoly can get boring after about 2 hours. I think it is one of those situations where you just have to be the stoic. Learning how to cope constructively with boredom is a much underrated skill in life.

I can understand the boredom, but fortunately for me as long as I'm out in nature I can leave technology behind and not go stir-crazy. Of course for me it's always a temporary situation, I'm sure if I were living like that day in and day out I'd go a bit crazy. Hang in there!

We miss you Chewey!!

Keep smiling if you can ?

New blog post, and a significantly more positive one than a number of my previous posts.

Peace Out

Great blog Chewey_Delt. It sounds like you would make a good teacher some day.

" I've had trouble understanding how any work gets done in this country "

This is in your blog. Can you expand on it? What's the problem with getting work done in Armenia?

Caslon7000 said" I've had trouble understanding how any work gets done in this country "

This is in your blog. Can you expand on it? What's the problem with getting work done in Armenia?

I say this because I feel a certain sentiment that pervades the culture here, that I think is best encapsulated in a single phrase that I commonly hear, "voch eench." It's essentially an expression of "oh well," except it's used in regards to almost anything.

Though it's one of my favorite phrases because of its ubiquity and usefulness, I feel like in many instances it's used as a capitulation. People have to leave the country to get money for their families? Voch eench. Our environment here is quickly being destroyed? Voch eench. We go to the polls to elect leaders, and then someone else gets the position anyway? Voch eench. It's a feel of helplessness and a sense that there's no reason to worry about problems, because they won't change anyway.

So I've found it difficult to understand how any organization can get something done when that sentiment is so pervasive. I think that what I'm finding is that it's not as pervasive as I've thought. It's certainly there and is a significant obstacle, but there are those who are taking matters into their own hands to improve this country, and because of that I can see an opening for a better future and a way to help.

You should reflect, Juanito, on the same sentiment that pervades gay people in the US.

It's about empowerment. And you, I imagine, are empowering them.

Chewey_Delt said

Caslon7000 said" I've had trouble understanding how any work gets done in this country "

This is in your blog. Can you expand on it? What's the problem with getting work done in Armenia?

I say this because I feel a certain sentiment that pervades the culture here, that I think is best encapsulated in a single phrase that I commonly here, "voch eench." It's essentially an expression of "oh well," except it's used in regards to almost anything.

Though it's one of my favorite phrases because of its ubiquity and usefulness, I feel like in many instances it's used as a capitulation. People have to leave the country to get money for their families? Voch eench. Our environment here is quickly being destroyed? Voch eench. We go to the polls to elect leaders, and then someone else gets the position anyway? Voch eench. It's a feel of helplessness and a sense that there's no reason to worry about problems, because they won't change anyway.

So I've found it difficult to understand how any organization can get something done when that sentiment is so pervasive. I think that what I'm finding is that it's not as pervasive as I've thought. It's certainly there and is a significant obstacle, but there are those who are taking matters into their own hands to improve this country, and because of that I can see an opening for a better future and a way to help.

ROFLMAO. Creepy. Because we have the very same expression: Bahala na (literally, 'I concede control') which is basically saying 'Whatever' or 'Oh well'. It varies, dialect to dialect but it is a universally present filipino sentiment. Also portrayed in another expression Ningas Cogon (Brushfire) to describe enterprises that start out enthusiastically then flag down quickly because of overwhelming odds with the predictable ending of a shrug and a Bahala na.

Sedative said

Chewey_Delt said

Caslon7000 said" I've had trouble understanding how any work gets done in this country "

This is in your blog. Can you expand on it? What's the problem with getting work done in Armenia?

I say this because I feel a certain sentiment that pervades the culture here, that I think is best encapsulated in a single phrase that I commonly here, "voch eench." It's essentially an expression of "oh well," except it's used in regards to almost anything.

Though it's one of my favorite phrases because of its ubiquity and usefulness, I feel like in many instances it's used as a capitulation. People have to leave the country to get money for their families? Voch eench. Our environment here is quickly being destroyed? Voch eench. We go to the polls to elect leaders, and then someone else gets the position anyway? Voch eench. It's a feel of helplessness and a sense that there's no reason to worry about problems, because they won't change anyway.

So I've found it difficult to understand how any organization can get something done when that sentiment is so pervasive. I think that what I'm finding is that it's not as pervasive as I've thought. It's certainly there and is a significant obstacle, but there are those who are taking matters into their own hands to improve this country, and because of that I can see an opening for a better future and a way to help.

ROFLMAO. Creepy. Because we have the very same expression: Bahala na (literally, 'I concede control') which is basically saying 'Whatever' or 'Oh well'. It varies, dialect to dialect but it is a universally present filipino sentiment. Also portrayed in another expression Ningas Cogon (Brushfire) to describe enterprises that start out enthusiastically then flag down quickly because of overwhelming odds with the predictable ending of a shrug and a Bahala na.

Sedative I'm glad you told me this, because I was actually going to email you and ask you just this question after your last comment on my blog. I was wondering if there was a similar phrase with a similar use, and apparently there is indeed. That's very interesting. I wonder how pervasive that is in developing countries. I imagine that it's not at all uncommon.

Le Tigre:

While perhaps in some sense that's true, it's not anywhere close to the level it is here. While not as bad as I had originally thought, the sentiment is incredibly pervasive here in a way that even the gay community could never match. There's a great deal of activism in the gay community and a sense among a broad swath of the community that things can and eventually will change. But here, the majority is of the "voch eench" mindset (on a tangent, I really hate transliterating; the words just don't look right when not in the Armenian alphabet). I actually thought the same thing myself, at first, realizing that I'd encountered this mindset in America (though I hadn't necessarily tagged it to the gay community), until I realized just how overwhelming it is.

That mind set could be a left over from the old Soviet Union days, in which people suffered from "learned helplessness" because of the central contraol economy and lack of reward for initiative.

The Russian mindset I find is also very fatalistic. I was fascinated to read that Russians do not wear seatbelts very often. They have a view of life that is bordering on a death wish. Very different from Western countries.

SurrealLife saidThat mind set could be a left over from the old Soviet Union days, in which people suffered from "learned helplessness" because of the central contraol economy and lack of reward for initiative.

The Russian mindset I find is also very fatalistic. I was fascinated to read that Russians do not wear seatbelts very often. They have a view of life that is bordering on a death wish. Very different from Western countries.

Without a doubt, it partly is. But the more I've thought about that in the past few months, the more I realize that it's not just that. There's certainly a collective memory of how good it was during the days of the Soviet Union. Though you could be arrested for any dissent, you were also guaranteed a certain amount of comfort in your life, and people remember that.

But the other problem, as I see it, is that it's just so hard for people to actually be successful. There aren't enough jobs, so going to university isn't necessarily bound to lead to a higher salary. The political atmosphere is imbued with a certain amount of corruption. The rule of law isn't enforced very well because the government doesn't have enough money. It's so hard to be successful at any venture, and there's so little infrastructure for long-term security, that many people don't think it pays to make the effort. And, unfortunately, for many it hasn't.

Chewey_Delt saidNew blog post, and a significantly more positive one than a number of my previous posts.

Peace Out

Great post Chewey. Glad to hear things are coming together for you, and the table painting story was really cute. You're an inspiration.

New blog post. This one doesn't have a thing, for all intents and purposes, to do with what's going on in Armenia specifically. Just some memories that I felt like writing about.

Peace Out

New blog post, y'all. Back to talking about Armenia, instead of random memories from the past. Also, it took at least 4 minutes to open this goddamn page. Fuck you, Beeline, fuck you (you'll understand after you read my blog).

Peace Out

Great blog post Chewey. Loved the part about your tateek. Can't wait to see the pictures. Keep up the good work.

I read the last two instalments of your blog Chewey. It sounds like Armenians are in the 1970s or early 1980s regarding their attitude towards gays. Lack of direct exposure to gays of all walks of life ensure that even the most educated are homophobic.

Your comments about the telecom monopoly are telling. I am not surprised, it is a common problem still in a lot countries. Sort of like the government bureaucracy. No incentive to change unless challenged.

Does Armenia have a fall in terms of leaves changing? The leaves have been spectacular in Southern Ontario and Quebec this year. Something to do with the wet summer we had. One of the best years ever.

Keep blogging even though it must drive you nuts to do so at 44 kbps (I cannot imagine that speed anymore).

New blog post. Got some pictures up. They're really big though, so you'll have to click on them to see the whole picture, since my blog didn't scale them down from Photobucket.

Peace Out

Looks like a beautiful country, must be great for hiking Chewey.

I just learned the other day that my city, Alexandria, Virginia, is a sister city to Gyumri, Armenia. Is that in the neighoboring province (Shirak) to where you are (Lori)?

CaslonHussein7000 saidI just learned the other day that my city, Alexandria, Virginia, is a sister city to Gyumri, Armenia. Is that in the neighoboring province (Shirak) to where you are (Lori)?

Yeah Gyumri's up in Shirak Marz, to the west of me. It's the second largest city, and mine's the third largest. I haven't yet been to Gyumri, though, I've just drank lots of the beer that comes from there--which, incidentally, isn't that good. Alas, Armenia has no beer culture, so it's all universally bad beer. I mean, like only mildly better than American mass-produced junk. It's at least drinkable, as opposed to something like PBR, but coming from the Northwest where the beer culture in the US is definitely at its prime, beer here is basically swill to me. I drink it because I can't stand vodka, and that's basically the only other choice.

Though I suspect this post will get buried off the front page pretty quickly, new blog update. This isn't an Armenia update. Like many others, I decided to share my election thoughts. If you're a little tired of that sort of thing by now, I wouldn't blame you.

But really, read it bitches.

Peace Out

Chewey_Delt saidThough I suspect this post will get buried off the front page pretty quickly, new blog update. This isn't an Armenia update. Like many others, I decided to share my election thoughts. If you're a little tired of that sort of thing by now, I wouldn't blame you.

But really, read it bitches.

Peace Out

It is one of the infuriarting things about human beings that they can be so damn contradictory at times. The only minority in the USA that can stilll be discriminated against, even by other groups who were at one time victims of discrimination, are members of the GLBT community. It boggles the mind. For anyone in the US that gets fed up, move to Canada, we always appreciate talented people.

New blog post. Back to Armenia related things.

Peace Out

Great blog man!
I love every time I get to hear your updates.
By the way, you typed in the address wrong in your last post.
http://cheweydelt.blogspot.com/

Weird indeed. I suppose with the decline of 'manly' jobs (Armenia was farming/herding culture right?), the women have taken the brunt of income generation since educated jobs themselves are probably considered feminine. Also the region is strongly patriarchal anyway.

Chewey,

I thoroughly enjoyed this new blog entry. Thank you for sharing!

Ikaros saidGreat blog man!
I love every time I get to hear your updates.
By the way, you typed in the address wrong in your last post.
http://cheweydelt.blogspot.com/

Thanks for pointing that out. Went ahead and fixed it.

Why does your second host family (the one with the dad that helps out in the house) host you if they are already so busy?

Caslon7000 saidWhy does your second host family (the one with the dad that helps out in the house) host you if they are already so busy?

I actually asked them this question myself. First off, my tateek isn't really that busy most of the time so she can help with whatever extra burden hosting me is. But also, they really wanted the cultural experience of hosting someone from another country. Two of the three goals of Peace Corps have to do with cultural exchange: from the Americans to the host country nationals, and the host country nationals to the Americans. So, for my host family it's an interesting cultural experience for them.

It's possible also that it's partially for the money, because we do give them a certain amount every month for living expenses that they are providing (food, gas, water, electricity). We don't give them a lot, but I have the feeling that the amount of money they spend from that amount that actually goes towards expenses incurred by me is less than the amount I have to give them.

New blog post. It had been a while since I made one, so figured it was high time. Also, apologies to anyone whose comments on previous blogs weren't posted until now. I forgot that I had the option turned on to moderate comments after a certain period of time. I think I'll turn that off, as the original reason for doing it has long since passed its usefulness.

Peace Out

Well winter officially arrived in Toronto early this morning, with 40 cms. of snow on the ground! (about 16 inches). I think we are ahead of Armenia.

I did not think the living conditions in Armenia could be that bad to be honest. Must be absolute hell in a cold climate.

Good luck finding an apartment Chewey, I can relate to a guy that needs his own space. I get squirelly after a few days of little time alone.

A great blog, keep them coming.

Thanks for the update Chewey. Yeah same thoughts, exactly. Conditions are just as bad here, but Armenia is cold climate which makes it even worse.

New blog post. I take a stab at suggesting reforms for Peace Corps. That was not my original intention when I started the post, but the thoughts had been stewing around and ended up coming out this time around. Check it out.

Peace Out

Just read your blog. On another thread you had told me something like you werent happy with your work because there was nothing you could really do to help these people cuz of their crappy gov't and self-denial of their situation....or something like that.

Is that why you find joining the peace corps to be a mistake. ...because your work really wont have any real effect?

I can see how being a PCV may have interrupted your career in political employment. But might this foreign experience be beneficial when you return....making you someone who has at least had some experience outside the country....and not just as a tourist?

Caslon8000 saidJust read your blog. On another thread you had told me something like you werent happy with your work because there was nothing you could really do to help these people cuz of their crappy gov't and self-denial of their situation....or something like that.

Is that why you find joining the peace corps to be a mistake. ...because your work really wont have any real effect?

I can see how being a PCV may have interrupted your career in political employment. But might this foreign experience be beneficial when you return....making you someone who has at least had some experience outside the country....and not just as a tourist?

There are a number of reasons why it has been a mistake. One major one is the one you've just mentioned and that was the thrust of this last blog: I don't feel like the lasting effect of my work will be much at all, or not what it should be, because of Peace Corps' risk-averse nature and how that affects, or more importantly doesn't affect, the political situation in Armenia.

But another huge one is that, quite frankly, what I'm doing bores the fuck out of me. In addition to feeling like teaching English is not really what the country needs, I simply don't like doing it. I don't like teaching in general, not even environmental education--actually, I haven't even done any EE teaching yet, but I don't relish the thought at all. This wouldn't, of course, be so bad if I felt like it was really something the community needed.

There are some ways that it will be beneficial: grad school, maybe getting a job doing consulting work for an international NGO, perhaps working as an aide to a congressman or in the White House, which is what I really want to do. But I'm afraid that the path I want to take to that last goal, working on elections and getting a job on the Hill after an election, will not be helped in any way, shape, or manner by having been in Peace Corps. As I mentioned, I'm afraid it may actually have set me back.

For the sake of discussion, I'll repost my comment in this thread:

I haven't read it, but this seems like a good read for you now:

http://www.amazon.com/Village-Waiting-George-Packer/dp/0374527806

I think what you're experiencing is frustration at the impotence of the Peace Corps in terms of the reality of how things are. You may already know it, but remember you're not there to magically change things. You're there to do what little help you can to individual communities.

Your first two proposals sound reasonable, although I can't help but think about how you are, in essence, punishing the populace in need of aid for the crimes of their government. The Philippines is part of the MCA but what about countries which do not follow the US model of government?

Your third proposal is very dangerous. And being from a country where local political warlords are common, I know exactly how dangerous it is. It will bring about change, but will probably cost the life of the whistle-blower. And I'm sure not many PCV's are willing to die for that.

I dunno... but those things you mentioned sound more like the worries of the UN and not that of the Peace Corps (who are after all, first and foremost, only ambassadors of America, not specialized troubleshooters).

Instead of locking horns with unhelpful governments, you should find a sympathetic and honest local political leader and get them to help make the developments started by PCV's survive past their return to the US. Something like targeting localities with good governance but not enough finances to be successful should be a better plan than applying the criteria for receiving aid to the national level.

But of course those are only my opinions.

Based on what you wrote in your blog, Chewey, I stand behind you on how Peace Corps needs to change. Your post shows great thought and intelligence on the matter.

I wish you the best for your remaining service.

Sed,

I didn't realize you reprinted your comment here. Saw it before I emailed you. I'll also respond here with my answer. By all means, we should definitely have a conversation here as well, but I'd love it if you'd also post your thoughts to my blog, Sed, as there are others that view my blog that I'd like to expose to your arguments on that matter.

Sed,

See, this is why I like you (among other reasons)--you're a thinking man. So hot right now. :-D

You raise some very valid points, and I'd like to respond.

First, let me say that I realize that I'm not here to magically change things; but that said, I do expect the small things I do to contribute in some way towards the overall development of the country, even if my contribution is barely measurable. As long as it's there I'd be happy. But I don't feel that it is contributing to the development of the country. I feel like I'm teaching people English so that they can leave the country.

Now, to the meat of your critiques.

I want to start off with one of your later comments, which is that the kind of work I'm talking about is more suited to the UN. I would argue that this is true only if we don't view the Peace Corps' mission as primarily centered on development, which as I mentioned some people don't. I think that if you view Peace Corps as a cross-cultural organization with a development component, then my advocacy is not suitable. But that isn't how I see Peace Corps. I see Peace Corps as, first and foremost, an instrument geared towards the development of nations, with cross-cultural components. Because of this, I think the type of work that you would consider as suited to the UN is precisely the kind of work, on a more local scale, that Peace Corps should be engaged in. I argue that PCVs should not simply be "ambassadors of America," as you put it, and that in fact in many areas specialized troubleshooting is exactly what Peace Corps is doing (many of the things being done in Latin American host countries are very specialized). While this is not the case in all countries--Armenia is a case in point, where most of us are considered "generalists"--it is in some. Because I believe in Peace Corps as a development organization, I argue that the kind of specialized, detailed work that other international agencies work on is exactly what Peace Corps should be doing--we will be cultural ambassadors in some way no matter what, especially by virtue of the length of time we live in-country and the integration into our communities.

Now, back to your first point in regards to the punishment of the citizenry because of the actions of the government. I'd like to say, first off, that it's not just the government in many of these countries that engages in corruption, but often the private sector as well. From bribing of political officials to village mayors engaging in cronyism to private sector collusion to maintain monopolies, corruption is endemic in some of these countries. But even where it's not the whole citizenry, I would argue that to continue to work in a country in which you are not make a demonstrable impact is a waste of time, effort, and money. Peace Corps has, in the past, pulled out of countries in which it was making no difference, if I remember correctly. If there are counterproductive forces at work, that aren't working to be solved, and are preventing the organization from making a sustainable difference, then there is no justification for Peace Corps maintain a presence. As I noted, if Peace Corps can demonstrate, with good data, that they are making a difference in the majority of communities they work in, then they shouldn't pull out (without a doubt, it would have to be determined by judging whether that's the fault of the volunteer, or the counterproductive forces). But there would clearly have to be a threshold at which it's determined that the counterproductive forces are siphoning off too much productivity to justify staying. As this is just a general post, I don't know what that threshold would be, but I plan on doing more research into this (perhaps this will be a start of a Masters thesis?) and eventually making a determination on that, but I think the threshold would have to be reasonably high.

To your next point, concerning what to do about countries with a different political system, I don't have a great answer to this one right now. I suppose my answer would be that this criteria should be used in the selection of any new country that PC is considering going into, or returning to. As I noted before, if PC can prove that effects from things like corruption and political/economic opaqueness are not greatly inhibiting its work in a country, they should stay. After all, what this says to me is that those specific counterproductive forces are not the greatest obstacle to the path of development in that country (I tend to view underdevelopment as having many different causes, some of which apply to some countries and not to others). But when it comes to the selection of new countries for PC to go into, I think that there must be a standard for PC to determine whether its efforts will be in vain or not, and that the MCC's stipulations mark an excellent place to go from.

Your critique in regards to my third point is the one that I think challenges me most, and I am not really prepared right now to answer it, as I need much more time to think that over. As this was simply an initial description of my thoughts, that concern had not crossed into my head in the way you've so astutely argued. I will have to get back to you on that.

I do really like your argument about targeting localities with good governance, but I think that has much to do with changing PC's risk-averse nature. I think PC is often too timid in insisting on going only into countries who are either working towards good governance--even if it's only the initial stages--or are there already, but simply need help from an experienced or trained person. After all, it's possible to conceive of situations in which working in communities only with good governance has spillover effects in incentivizing other communities to move towards good governance--in fact, if you could demonstrate that good governance is the reason for the community's success, I'd argue that it is almost inevitable that PC's work would have spillover effects in a sort of "race to the top."


Anyway, this is not a complete accounting of your comments, nor clearly a finished discussion. Thanks, for making these great points, though, since they help me see the errors in my argument (of which I'm sure there are even more).

Atlazeia saidBased on what you wrote in your blog, Chewey, I stand behind you on how Peace Corps needs to change. Your post shows great thought and intelligence on the matter.

I wish you the best for your remaining service.

Thanks! If you're at all interested in the matter (though frankly, if you're either not in PC, the Foreign Service, or a PC host country I really in no way could blame you for not being in any way interested in the topic) I suggest you read Sed's reply and my own, as well as the others not from this site who have already or will post a comment. There are some good critiques there.

*blushes deep red*

Chewey:

Yes, I view the PC primarily as a cross-cultural organization first*, a development organization second. More because, on the primary missions of the PC, you see America mentioned twice. I don't have the same expectations from the Peace Corps as I would the Red Cross, the UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO, or WWF for instance. It seems to me that the PC was created primarily to bolster the positive image of America in less well-developed countries as well as giving PCV's a wider viewpoint when it comes to global issues. I'm not quite that idealistic, heh, so yeah, I view the PC's goals as less than purely altruistic (at least not altruistic in global terms). So I wouldn't expect the leaders to strive to do much impact on the nations they're in. I know that's a jaded viewpoint, but I always tend to suspect anything that was created with nationalistic ideals, rather than international ones.

*er... redundant, I missed it and can't edit the comment LOL

If you have undeniable proof that the work you are doing is going to line the local head honcho's pockets more than help the people in the area then that's quite a predicament. You have two choices:

a) Encourage the people to demand what should have been rightfully theirs by exposing the official(s) in question; or by imposing new methods of distribution of the aid. The first is of course, as I said, dangerous, since it all points back not only to the PCV's but the US as well. America really doesn't need more of the 'meddling superpower' image, heh, and never underestimate an angered political leader, especially in a remote country. The second is a better way, though harder to implement and will require more financial and manpower investments by the PC (since not bribing the officials in question will more than likely cause them to be uncooperative and even obstructionist).

b) Leave. A more than suitable response in places where the aid is not really needed but what if the community in question really needs it?

I would argue against increased risk-taking as a solution. As Michele said, it takes the 'peace' out of peace corps. The more risk there is, the more likely it will blow up in your faces, regardless of good intentions.

However, I do see your point in working only in countries ready and receptive for development aid. I also understand why it would be very frustrating indeed to know that you are working at something that will only be erased as soon as you leave. It's bad for both the morale of the PCV's and the country in question. But maybe it's just a question of not adapting adopting** the right approach? For example, if you know that the crop fields you are helping build better irrigation for will only be appropriated by the local corrupt official as soon as you leave, why not just teach the community HOW to build them instead?

**pardon me, my OCD hehe

Your teaching English is also not as useless as you think it is. As you've already mentioned, having people leave the country for work abroad is not always a bad thing. The Philippines is an example of a country where one of the major exports is manpower. Previously, this was a direct result of the worsening national economy but the government soon realized the economic benefits of it and harnessed it. They now support what we call OFW's (Overseas Filipino Workers) to the point that there are regular government-sponsored job fairs here featuring work abroad as well as job training, focus on English studies and college courses of jobs in demand abroad, and the beginnings of specialized OFW support in our embassies. It's not a small thing, these workers bring in money and knowledge of different cultures every time they return to the islands (which given the strength of family bonds here, is frequent). Zimster is one of these, and I'd like to hear his viewpoint on this sometime.

Anyhow, if you feel your work is not doing much impact to your host country, why not offer suggestions to your supervisors? Or do they not listen to the field volunteers? Which would indeed be a big problem, especially if the people who supervise you are still back in America. :/

Sedative saidIt's not a small thing, these workers bring in money and knowledge of different cultures every time they return to the islands (which given the strength of family bonds here, is frequent). Zimster is one of these, and I'd like to hear his viewpoint on this sometime.

Who says about returning to the islands? I haven't been 'home' since leaving for Dubai in May 2001.

LOL. Voluntarily or because it's too expensive? Either way you're still sending back money right?

A little of both and nopes... hence the cabfare arrangement.

I've just read you entire blog, comments to the entries and really enjoyed them. You are a very passionate and intelligent young man. Then I hit today's entry. I was entirely taken aback. My immediate thoughts were: (1) he should go back and re-read his first blog entry and refocus on the concept of small impacts made by PCV's causing a lot of future good, and (2) he's really going off the deep end, trying to make the PC something it's not and never was intended to be. The goals and changes you set out are WAY TOO POLITICAL for the PC. I've always understood the PC as a grass roots "for the people" organization that makes a change in people's daily lives for the better, so that the people can then help themselves. Your ideas would be better served by other available organizations. The PC has no "right" to go into the countries they visit, they are accepted as guests.

I was concerned about being the first one to really take strong issue with you, and then I saw Michele and Sedative had already hammered you pretty well...although they appear to be much more tactful than I am, so now I'm just jumping on the bandwagon, instead of repeating those same comments.

My last comment would be...stop thinking about ET. You made a commitment, you're there, so stick it out. "I QUIT" never looks good on a resume'.

Peace Corps is a great thing. It's a way to serve without joining the military, to get abroad, get some humble and gratifying experience. It's tough, grinding and sometimes frustrating. Not for everyone. And some drop out like any endeavor. Their "sanity" would do such, but sticking through it provides accomplishment - and that is a great boost.

I have not done it. I have a few acquaintances that have, and one friend who has. I briefly speak of my observation of their experiences. I myself was in the USAF and did my time so to speak, but it's one way to make a significant difference. And I'm not done with service by any means. I invite everyone to find some time to donate or enlist time in the so many worthwhile projects out there. And not only Peace Corps. How about United Way? Red Cross? Big Bro's and Big Sis's? Your local church? LGBT centers? I'm leaving out so many...

I guess for some based on these forums, RJ works, too! But get out there if you can

I'm sorry things are not turning out as you'd like, Chewey, but you cannot be unaware that the Peace Corps has been critiqued as neo-colonialism for some time. I'm not sure how you wouldn't add to that image by advocating literal intervention into the operation of local government bureaucracies based on premises of American ideologies.

I had many friends who volunteered for the Peace Corps years ago and they all had to come face to face with their own enormous frustrations in the cultures they were trying to help.

I was very active, beginning in high school, with educational programs directed to inner city children and won an undergrad fellowship to Yale that required I teach genius-level kids from the New Haven ghetto. This was an education to say the least in a similar dynamic, so-called "welfare colonialism" instigated by the federal government and a very good school. It was a lesson so painful that I did in fact give up the fellowship. I urge you to stick things out, because the underlying lesson is something you will have to come to terms with if you continue any kind of work with other cultures, whether foreign or outside the dominant culture but inside the US itself.

New blog post. I took y'all's comments to heart, so I continue to appreciate your thoughts and comments about my experiences and my own thoughts. Some of what I complained about in the last post hasn't changed in terms of my critiques and my general thoughts about the goals of Peace Corps (I still view it more as development than cultural exchange), but some has certainly evolved.

Check it.

Peace Out

New blog post. A bit of complaining about shitty landlords and being homeless, but not intended to be terribly bitter in general.

Cheers!

Peace Out

New blog post, y'all. Vacation goodness!

Peace Out

Chewey, how many times did mom tell you not to take beer from strangers!

For anyone still interested, I've finally started posting to my blog again. New post is new.

Peace Out

Holy crap! More than one post in a month? Craziness!

Regular posting is regular.

Peace Out

I was speaking to Tiger this weekend about you. We both agreed to get on your case about posting more often. Sure enough I had a post to read in my RSS feed reader.

Keep it up, mister.

Wait, Tiger is complaining that I don't post enough? Has he looked at his own blog? I believe I saw a tumbleweed roll across a prairie the last time I checked his blog for new posts. :-P

After my two-year stint in graduate school, I plan to gain some international experience by applying to and joining the Peace Corps.

If there is any advice you can spare or even just to share some of your experiences, they would be both welcomed and much appreciated.

getfitrick said
After my two-year stint in graduate school, I plan to gain some international experience by applying to and joining the Peace Corps.

If there is any advice you can spare or even just to share some of your experiences, they would be both welcomed and much appreciated.

Pssst, that's sort of what my blog's for. Read through it and ask more specific questions as they arise.

New blog post, if a bit late this week. Earthquake fun!

Peace Out

So, a post every week is already not working out. But then, there's really not enough interesting going on to warrant it, unfortunately.

Anyway, new blog post.

Peace Out

New blog post y'all. Rant about plagiarizing students.

Peace Out

New blog post.

Peace Out