Marti's Objective One and Beyond

By reading Dave's last blog entry you should know what I mean by working towards Peace Corps' first objective: helping the people of our host country in meeting their needs for trained manpower. Three goals were established by the Peace Corps Act of 1961; numbers two and three have to do with our being 'ambassadors', #2 – promoting a better understanding of the American people on the part of the peoples served, and then #3-upon completion of service, helping Americans understand the culture of the country in which we served.

So, my attempt at Goal #1: doing the job I have been assigned to do and leaving something sustainable behind. In this vein I continue to help our NGO that serves intellectually-impaired adults, primarily by supporting the office work that keeps the organization 'flowing', though sluggish at best. The accounts receivable and other forms that Dave and I have created over the last 18 months are being utilized as much as we've come to expect-which of course isn't anywhere nearly as much as they should be. With the welcome addition of a financial assistant who really seems to want to learn and do things properly, Dave and I have both been busier in the last month or so. Until just this past week there was no electricity at our primary site for months, so at least once a week I go to the site of our children's shelter where I can use the computer and printer to update our work. The lack of concern for proper management of the organization initially led to utter frustration on our part, which was eventually replaced by apathy. So lately I have just had to be content with doing what I feel should be done, hoping that one day long down the road someone in the organization will see the benefits of our work. Sustainable? Who knows, but doubtful.

Frustration leads one to find alternative ways to not only fulfill the desire to 'make a difference', but to fill the time. I have done this in a couple of ways within our organization First, since last September, I've been the coordinator of our 'drop in center' for OVCs (orphans and vulnerable children). About 10-12 children are fetched twice a week after school and brought to our location for a hot meal, help with schoolwork (which they never have), and some games. I use the term 'drop in center' loosely; since we are not located near the school, the children can't just drop in. They must be collected and returned and with our unreliable transport; this often proves to be a disaster. When we do have a car or bakkie available, the driver will most often pile all of the children, even if there are 10, into it and not think anything of safety. I have learned to 'deal with it'. The second program connected with my NGO on which I am working is very exciting. In December's blog entry I noted that a friend who is lecturing at the nearby University of Limpopo approached me about starting a library at our children's shelter. Beth is here on a U.S. State Dept fellowship grant; she often receives funding for projects. One of these was to be used to set up a reading room in an orphanage; she knew of my affiliation with the shelter so asked me last year if we could do it there. When we met with the kids at the shelter they were ecstatic! They have nothing to do there except to watch television; not much attention is paid to them and there is no comfortable, quiet room in which to retreat. Beth and I painted the room a few months ago and I was successful in getting books donated by two organizations, one South African and the other American. We used some of her grant money to purchase more books; at this moment they are in Pretoria awaiting delivery to us. We have posters to put on the walls; bright colored bean bag chairs, and a rug. Bookshelves were built and the ceiling and lighting are finished. We plan to finish putting it all together next week so the kids can use the room over their 3 week Easter break. Once Beth and I return from break we plan to go there after school to read to the kids and help them with homework. And just four days ago four women from one of the large banks here dropped in to visit. They have funding to make some repairs and improvements, as well as wanting to volunteer. I was happy to show them the library (which I had just finished cleaning) and they loved it; they want to come some days after school to help the kids and it's the perfect space. Beth and I are both very excited!

But I must say the project that has been surprisingly rewarding, though time-consuming, is my work with KLM/Longtom. You may recall that last year Dave and I spent the last weekend in March in Sabie with about 60 other PCVs, having fun, but there to run/walk a half marathon and raise funds for KLM. We didn't really spend much time fund raising, but had a great weekend. When I was initially approached that weekend about co-chairing the event this year, I declined. A month or so later I received a call from one of last year's co-chairs, again asking me to consider helping out. There was already one other PCV who had volunteered; they needed one more. Reluctantly I agreed, though I did know that signing on meant my full-fledged commitment. In August I met one of the co-founders of KLM when he was visiting South Africa; I was very impressed. He and another PCV had started KLM when they served here a few years ago. The foundation provides funds for a needy, carefully-selected child in one of the area rural or farm schools to attend a high-quality, private secondary school near their home. From the beginning KLM has affiliated itself with the Longtom marathon as a vehicle for fund raising by PCVs. This is its fourth year and I am now so excited about raising money for them that I have spent countless hours working on this project. My co-chair has been involved more with the logistics of the weekend (accommodation, transportation, etc) and my primary responsibility has been communication. This means I have written many emails and sent countless text messages, not only to register the runners/walkers, but to encourage the PCVs to raise funds. I composed sample letters for all the volunteers to send home to solicit funds, as well as wrote articles for our monthly PC newsletters. I don't want to scare my replacement in this position with the amount of time I've spent on making this a successful year, but for me it's been so fulfilling. I figure what better way to leave something behind than to help educate a future leader of this country?  Plus, I have a short story that has motivated me from the start:

A friend of ours, who is now head of a department at the University of Limpopo, grew up extremely poor in a rural village just outside Kruger Park.  In about 1990, when he was struggling to finance his recently-begun university education, a German couple was finishing their holiday in Kruger. On passing through our friend's village they were taken aback by the depravity after having just left the opulence of Kruger. They stopped and asked to speak to the Chief to see what they could do to help this poor village. In his wisdom the Chief suggested they fund our friend's education. They continued to support him through his master's program at Wits University; he completed his PhD at Michigan State University on a Fulbright scholarship. Without his benefactors' help, he never would have been able to become the leader and educator he is today. Whenever I think of the children benefiting from KLM, I think of our friend and the difference made in his life by being able to attend a good school.

Katy (my co-chair) and I are very proud that so far we have raised more money than at this same point in previous years. We have over 70 PCVs registered for the run (more than ever before) and most of them have had donations made on their behalf, and the run is not until March 29! Not only am I excited about working with KLM on this project, it's actually been a lifesaver. Without this work, not only would I not have had enough to keep me busy, but I would never have felt so good about my time here. I won't go on about this anymore; you can read more about KLM yourself: www.klm-foundation.org

So, my PC objective number one is now primarily being met by the construction of the library and my KLM work. Life is good; time here is running out. Though I am in no hurry to leave, I do think more about coming back to the US and what will happen once there. Many of you have asked if we'll be back in time to vote - ga gona matata - no worries. Thoughts now though are concentrated on Larry and Alyssa's arrival here in just a few days!!! We are so excited to see them; I haven't seen Larry in 18 months!

Check out our latest travel photos on our gallery site: finetastic.com

Update on Dave's work: Since he last wrote, Dave had a great meeting with the mayor of Polokwane. He says it took writing his blog to make the mayor finally return his call! The mayor is ready to move on having Dave become the volunteer bicycle coordinator; now it's just waiting (again) for the follow-up with one of his lieutenants. Stay tuned.....

Dave's Objective One

For those familiar with Peace Corps, it should come as no surprise that nearly all Volunteers go through a frustrating period when it comes to their jobs and/or living situation.  In fact, there seems to be someone moving to a new site at least every other week. Our living situation has been terrific.  As you know from previous blog postings, we have a nice little house which we do not share with a host family, electricity most of the time, a flush toilet, and a bathtub.  Since I put up screens (cut apart a mosquito net and got real creative with the frame), we have had few flying bugs in the house.   We are still washing dishes in plastic tubs placed in the bathtub which forces us on our hands and knees.  We also wash our laundry by hand in the plastic tubs in the bathtub.  (Most of the time we wash the dishes and clothes separately).  The hot water tank, known here as a geyser, has not worked for months.  We boil water before bathing and dish-washing.  But given that we like our location, these minor inconveniences are a small price to pay.  Plus, from a South African Peace Corps perspective, we have many conveniences.  So, we feel fortunate.

Work however has been a challenge.  While our supervisor is a lovely woman and a very successful entrepreneur, she prefers to manage without much support.   I was able to develop an accounts receivable program which has been very successful for collecting fees from our clients.  However, after trying several times to gain her attention on many other efforts, I finally gave up.  I spoke to her and said that I will be available to the organization but given my (lack of) work load, I want to search for more things to do.  She agreed, which was a nice relief.  We have heard about supervisors who do not allow their PCV to do other work during operating hours.

So, I went on a search for "secondary projects".  This is Peace Corps speak for finding work to do when your primary project assignment does not fill an entire day, it does not work out, or you simply can find time to do more work.  My assignment does not fill an entire day.

My 'job hunt' turned into some frustrating situations and some great  projects.  And, as I will come back to later, work at my primary assignment appears to have come full circle - sweet.  

I'll start with the more frustrating efforts so I can end this blog entry on a high note.  My initial secondary project goal was to become the Volunteer Bicycle Coordinator of Polokwane.  I spent around four months working my way through local government, bike clubs, bike stores,  and others.  I put together proposed bike routes, got the bicycle co-coordinator of Madison, WI, Arthur Ross, to offer his support if/when I needed it, and received help from the Wisconsin Bicycle Federation.  But finally, it came down to a meeting with the Mayor.  Unfortunately I have not heard back from him even though his secretary has assured me that he is interested.  Even if he should call back now, it might be too late.  

At the same time, I was working on a program to sell bicycles with no-interest loans through payroll deduction.  I got hooked up with a USA NGO and a guy who was a former PCV working for this NGO in South Africa.  Well, after cold-calling various businesses and lining up my first big 'sale', my contact returns from the USA and tells me he is leaving his position.  Then, he tells me the bikes that I had been 'selling' and showing, to my prospective customers were no longer available. Plus the shipping program was too complex. My first prospective customer was a builder and cyclist who had actually taken my sample bike for a ride as did one of his employees during the sales process.  When I got back to him and told him the   bike he sampled was no longer available, he simply did not return my calls.  I was at least able to salvage a sale to my co-workers and told my bicycle supplier contact that I am not planning on paying for the sample bike he provided.  Consequently, I passed the savings of the free bike on to my co-workers who ended up with a great deal.  That felt good!

Just a brief note so you understand why I feel these programs are so important. Marti and I are paid about R2000 per month which is similar to the pay received by the lowest paid workers.  In our case, if we were able to get the least expensive form of transport to work (not the most convenient), it would cost R18 per day per person.  Assuming 21 working days per month, my transport would be R378 or about 20% of my pay.  To provide  another perspective, it would be about a week's worth of groceries or a month of school fees for a child.  This is one reason we are infrequent riders of public transport.  Unfortunately, most S. Africans feel bicycling is not safe and they do not have enough money saved to buy a bike even if they feel it is safe.  The bicycle credit program would have allowed people to divert their transport money to pay for their bike.  As Volunteer Bicycle Coordinator I was planning to design safer routes and help people feel comfortable in using a bike for commuting.  

So while all this craziness was going on, some good to great things were happening.  After failing with one micro-economic support agency, I approached another and was welcomed with open arms.  As of late, I am mentoring two fairly new and small businesses.  One is a bakery and offers luncheon  meals delivered to offices.  The other, believe it or not, sells cleaning chemicals.  This has been a great deal of fun.  In the meantime, I am waiting for a call to mentor a few more co-operative businesses and /or help them write their business plans so they can receive financing.  

I spent a few days at another PCV's NGO helping them develop a new project.  They may want to expand their charter to directly  support orphaned and vulnerable children.  I developed a next step outline for them which I hope gives them some guidance on their path forward.  

Almost a year ago, our organization had a desire to purchase a new bus or get our old one fixed.  I approached the local Mercedes dealer and asked if they could take a look at our ancient Mercedes bus, 1950 vintage, for no charge.  This led to building a relationship with the sales manager who had some awareness of our organization.  The dealership asked us if we wanted to participate in a fund raiser they wanted to organize.  Well, the event just occurred at the end of February and given our estimate of attendance, I expect several thousand rand will be raised and donated to our children's shelter.

In the meantime, I have been developing a tri-fold brochure for our organization that supports the intellectually-disabled.  When it is completed I'll send it out as an attachment to an email.

I am having a great time getting to know the owner of our health club.  Yes, he offers us free membership.  In return I told him we can discuss his business issues from time to time.  He has become a friend  and has been kind enough to change his schedule to give us a ride to Pretoria (3 hour ride, R100 by taxi) and taking us on a day hike to a beautiful area which is very difficult to get to on public transport.  The reason that I bring this up here is that I am raising his awareness of the poor black community that surrounds him and he employs.  In one of our conversations, he was not aware of the transport costs for one of his workers; a full 20% of this employee's pay was going to transport.  He instituted a pay raise for this employee right after our conversation.  And, his sensitivity to the issue seems to have increased.

Then in mid February, I had my best full Peace Corps week! Another PCV located near Richards Bay organized a meeting of rural people, mostly women,  who needed to learn how to start and make their businesses successful.  They were interested in sewing school uniforms (a big business here since all  children must wear uniforms), cater events, raise and sell live chickens/eggs, raise livestock for parties and bride price as well as sell fresh vegetables.  Their business skills were nearly non-existent and so was their English.  I prepared a three day business plan/development seminar and then we had 2 days of private consultation.  My translators were excellent and Marti provided great support.  Everyone attended ALL the sessions, which for RSA is incredible (said with an Israeli accent - inside Milwaukee joke).  I am hoping they will send their next version of their plans to me via email since it is a two day journey via public transport to the NGO.   

As you know from previous blog entries, Marti and I have been working on a site development program for Peace Corps. In a nutshell, Peace Corps' first objective is to help your site per the job description the site provided to Peace Corps or that Peace Corps developed prior to the Volunteer's arrival in-country.  (This blog is focused on Objective One, hence the name chosen for the blog.) It was our opinion from our own experience and from speaking to other PCVs that Peace Corps does not do a good job at site development.  While we did get an ear from our Country Director, it seems with all our staff turnover and differences in Peace Corps philosophy about site development, this project will not move much further.    We hope this will be one of those suggestions that will find a future life. There is some concern about this at the Washington level.  I have no doubt that site development is a major opportunity for Peace Corps to improve.

It's time to come back to our site.  Within the last year, I have provided several recommendations to our supervisor concerning setting up financial systems, better employee records, standardized menus/recipes across our three facilities, among other things, so that we can improve our service and costs.  As far as I could tell, these were all rejected.  It was one of the reasons I simply began to look for other work.

In the last couple of weeks, a former employee was asked to return to the organization.  Marti sees her at the office one day and ascertains that she is very excited about the new challenges that have been given to her.  Our supervisor has asked her to build a financial system for our four organizations.  While she is capable, excited and hard-working (don't see that everyday here), she really does not know how to proceed.  Nor does she have the computer skills to do the job properly.  (Little does she know, neither do I).  But she has asked for my support.  I am very excited to help her with the project as I know it will really help the organization.  She is also hoping that once we get our costs, allocations,  and cash flow under control, we will have more money for programing and food for our clients.  She is right.  I expect for the next few weeks, this could be a full-time job.  Oh, that is if we get our electricity hooked up (have not had any for 3 months), the one extra computer we have actually works, and my supervisor does not squash the project once it gets going.  

For now, I have a full plate.  I hope to go back to Richards Bay to help with the rural business development.  But, I will need to see about my work load here.  In the meantime, I am feeling good about the work I have accomplished - even the stuff I tried but failed to accomplish.  I know that I learned a lot and I am hoping through my various meetings that I have raised the awareness of people with whom I have been in contact.