Myself (Rabat Lighthouse) -post dog bite ;)
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Why am I here, What is my job, How can I help???
Because I open up this website to anyone surfing the net, I open myself up for comments/suggestions/and sometimes critizing. For those of you who do not personal know me, and/or the purpose of my being here, I have taken a few moments to write alittle about my sector of the Peace Corps, Small Business Development...
Basically, in many countries where Peace Corps volunteers serve, governments and local communities face impediments to economic growth, such as high unemployment, rapidly increasing populations, unskilled workforces, and a lack of private sector investment. Peace Corps Volunteers have a long history of working with individuals and communities to promote economic opportunities at the grass-roots level. My sector (Small Business Development) focuses on increasing family income, improving the environment for businesses, educating young people, and helping businesses find markets for traditional or value-added products.
Over the next few years, I will participate at many levels, whether helping artisan cooperatives in rural Moroccan by marketing their handmade goods or training people to take advantage of new free-market opportunities. Often, business Volunteers begin in a classroom setting, which gives them a position in the community as respected leaders and makes other projects possible. These projects include training entrepreneurs in the basic skills of small business development and working with women to help them expand their access to credit and find new markets for their products. Some Volunteers work with development banks, nongovernmental organizations, and municipalities to support local development projects. Most business Volunteers have business or public administration degrees or experience; others have degrees in other disciplines and a strong interest in business and nonprofit organizations. I myself have a degree in Fine Arts and have worked in the field of both Sales/Marketing for the last 4 years. My experience, my ability to manage others, and my good will are those factors that (I believe) will help enrich the people of Morocco.
Over the next 3-4 months I will begin working on specific projects within my community. As for now, my first 6 months is 100% survey related. With the help of my counterpart at my site, I am to evaluate the needs of my community and see what projects are sustainable and pertinent to them. Therefore, over the next year I will be posting more specific information about what my project is and how my community is benefiting from it. As for now, my posts have mainly represented a period of acclimation to my new environment and the experiences I have encountered throughout Morocco.
Thank you for continuing your interest.
Basically, in many countries where Peace Corps volunteers serve, governments and local communities face impediments to economic growth, such as high unemployment, rapidly increasing populations, unskilled workforces, and a lack of private sector investment. Peace Corps Volunteers have a long history of working with individuals and communities to promote economic opportunities at the grass-roots level. My sector (Small Business Development) focuses on increasing family income, improving the environment for businesses, educating young people, and helping businesses find markets for traditional or value-added products.
Over the next few years, I will participate at many levels, whether helping artisan cooperatives in rural Moroccan by marketing their handmade goods or training people to take advantage of new free-market opportunities. Often, business Volunteers begin in a classroom setting, which gives them a position in the community as respected leaders and makes other projects possible. These projects include training entrepreneurs in the basic skills of small business development and working with women to help them expand their access to credit and find new markets for their products. Some Volunteers work with development banks, nongovernmental organizations, and municipalities to support local development projects. Most business Volunteers have business or public administration degrees or experience; others have degrees in other disciplines and a strong interest in business and nonprofit organizations. I myself have a degree in Fine Arts and have worked in the field of both Sales/Marketing for the last 4 years. My experience, my ability to manage others, and my good will are those factors that (I believe) will help enrich the people of Morocco.
Over the next 3-4 months I will begin working on specific projects within my community. As for now, my first 6 months is 100% survey related. With the help of my counterpart at my site, I am to evaluate the needs of my community and see what projects are sustainable and pertinent to them. Therefore, over the next year I will be posting more specific information about what my project is and how my community is benefiting from it. As for now, my posts have mainly represented a period of acclimation to my new environment and the experiences I have encountered throughout Morocco.
Thank you for continuing your interest.
Monday, March 07, 2005
Just a few thoughts...
Let me take a few moments here to let you know what's going on with me here in North-West Africa (Morocco)...
Well, just this last weekend I was visiting a friend (Mostism) in the area of Northern Africa and decided to take a hike in the beautiful mountainside that he's become accustom to there in Asrou/Ifrane. Mid-hike I came across a pack of wild/rabid dogs and was caught in some danger. I decided to move forward and while I was paying attention to one of the 5 dogs there, another came up from behind and bit my leg. Penetrating two pairs of pants, this rabid dog bit a hole in my leg! I was a bit shocked at first and didn't really know what happened until I was out of the immediate danger. Later, my leg revealed bit marks that easily pentrated my skin. As you may or may not already know, Rabies are 100% fatal. And there are stories of people being bitten by rabid dogs, that 2 months later are found dead. Fortunately for me, before entering Morocco we were all shot with just about every antibody there is. About 12-15 shots in all, and 3 of those were preventative rabies shots. I now find myself in Rabat at our agency's headquarters and just today have been given 1 of my 2 booster shots for rabies. The second of my 2 booster shots will be given on this upcoming Wednesday. However, all is good. According to my doctor(a) I've caught this head-on and in time to cure it. However, keep me in your thoughts for the next 2 months.
Other than that, everything gets better and than gets bad. It's very up and down when you're living internationally. Reason being that there are so many Highs and Lows! There really isn't any middle ground. A "High" might be a new word learned or discovering a new way to make a difference within the realm of your job here. A "Low" might be the departure of your fellow Peace Corps friends due to government policies that are placed on us to protect our well being. However, if you're looking at these policies from an outsider's perspective, it can seem alittle like the movie entitled "The Truman Show". Another "Low" point might be one of the many dangerous situations you might find yourself in,like the one I found myself in this last weekend.
As far as language gains, I've begun to take on French, to suppliment my Dariza (Moroccan Arabic Dialect). Due to the fact that everyone here (both in Marrakech and in my site Amizmiz) speak French, it makes sense for me to learn this language. As well, this is a language that is widely spoken throughout the world, and one that I would personally enjoy knowing. However, after my first 3 classes I can tell you that this language is damned HARD!! The pronunciation itself is a challenge for me. What might look like an "e", might sound like an "a". It definately takes some getting used to, but if I can withstand being here in Morocco I will walk away from this whole experience with a fairly good (or basic) understanding of both Moroccan Arabic and French.
So, what else is going on... Well, I've begun preparations to depart my current habitat and transfer into another house. Reason being, that my current establishment is more like a consulate building because of its sheer size!! As I mentioned earlier, I live in a building with 6-8 rooms to myself (not including the kitchen, 2 bathrooms,etc). My current home is alittle overwhelming and doesn't do well for the feeling of "hominess". As well, let me encourage you tonight to take a few more minutes in the luxury that you find yourself in currently. Simple "hot" showers are something of fairy-tales and myth here. Imagine if you will, having to hook up a Buta Gas tank to your sinks or showers!? It's a pain in the &#&$@! and isn't the lease bit safe. In fact, my friend (Motism from Asrou), 2 weeks ago found himself in a life threatening situation. I won't go into too much detail, but basically he was ambulance'd away and his heart stopped a few times due to a lack of oxygen!
And this my good friends/family, is the reality that I'm in. The actually work of Peace Corps isn't the difficult part, so don't let anyone tell you different. The difficulty is in creating some sort of balance between your "American" lifestyle and your current "3rd-World" lifestyle. Substituting the common luxuries of life from the states with momentary luxurious episodes of eating a peanutbutter & jelly sandwich or drinking chocolate milk. Seriously, no BS! It's like that! In fact, I was out in Marrakech one weekend with my friends and found an Asian restaurant. I damn near cried as I sunk my teeth into an "egg-roll". And I'm not even going to go into the "soy sauce"....ahhhhh.
But, on a positive note... This experience truly is becoming the cliche saying of "This is the hardest job you'll ever love". There are amazing accomplishments that I see in myself and in my attitude towards life in general. Departing from a world that is so comsumed with monetary goods, this experience is doing wonders for me. Yes, I will be re-entering that lifestyle in the near future... however, the angle at which I experience it and absorb it will be ever enriched by what I'm doing today.
Hope all is well... luv ya all... May God be with each of you!! (Allah ouwn likum)
Well, just this last weekend I was visiting a friend (Mostism) in the area of Northern Africa and decided to take a hike in the beautiful mountainside that he's become accustom to there in Asrou/Ifrane. Mid-hike I came across a pack of wild/rabid dogs and was caught in some danger. I decided to move forward and while I was paying attention to one of the 5 dogs there, another came up from behind and bit my leg. Penetrating two pairs of pants, this rabid dog bit a hole in my leg! I was a bit shocked at first and didn't really know what happened until I was out of the immediate danger. Later, my leg revealed bit marks that easily pentrated my skin. As you may or may not already know, Rabies are 100% fatal. And there are stories of people being bitten by rabid dogs, that 2 months later are found dead. Fortunately for me, before entering Morocco we were all shot with just about every antibody there is. About 12-15 shots in all, and 3 of those were preventative rabies shots. I now find myself in Rabat at our agency's headquarters and just today have been given 1 of my 2 booster shots for rabies. The second of my 2 booster shots will be given on this upcoming Wednesday. However, all is good. According to my doctor(a) I've caught this head-on and in time to cure it. However, keep me in your thoughts for the next 2 months.
Other than that, everything gets better and than gets bad. It's very up and down when you're living internationally. Reason being that there are so many Highs and Lows! There really isn't any middle ground. A "High" might be a new word learned or discovering a new way to make a difference within the realm of your job here. A "Low" might be the departure of your fellow Peace Corps friends due to government policies that are placed on us to protect our well being. However, if you're looking at these policies from an outsider's perspective, it can seem alittle like the movie entitled "The Truman Show". Another "Low" point might be one of the many dangerous situations you might find yourself in,like the one I found myself in this last weekend.
As far as language gains, I've begun to take on French, to suppliment my Dariza (Moroccan Arabic Dialect). Due to the fact that everyone here (both in Marrakech and in my site Amizmiz) speak French, it makes sense for me to learn this language. As well, this is a language that is widely spoken throughout the world, and one that I would personally enjoy knowing. However, after my first 3 classes I can tell you that this language is damned HARD!! The pronunciation itself is a challenge for me. What might look like an "e", might sound like an "a". It definately takes some getting used to, but if I can withstand being here in Morocco I will walk away from this whole experience with a fairly good (or basic) understanding of both Moroccan Arabic and French.
So, what else is going on... Well, I've begun preparations to depart my current habitat and transfer into another house. Reason being, that my current establishment is more like a consulate building because of its sheer size!! As I mentioned earlier, I live in a building with 6-8 rooms to myself (not including the kitchen, 2 bathrooms,etc). My current home is alittle overwhelming and doesn't do well for the feeling of "hominess". As well, let me encourage you tonight to take a few more minutes in the luxury that you find yourself in currently. Simple "hot" showers are something of fairy-tales and myth here. Imagine if you will, having to hook up a Buta Gas tank to your sinks or showers!? It's a pain in the &#&$@! and isn't the lease bit safe. In fact, my friend (Motism from Asrou), 2 weeks ago found himself in a life threatening situation. I won't go into too much detail, but basically he was ambulance'd away and his heart stopped a few times due to a lack of oxygen!
And this my good friends/family, is the reality that I'm in. The actually work of Peace Corps isn't the difficult part, so don't let anyone tell you different. The difficulty is in creating some sort of balance between your "American" lifestyle and your current "3rd-World" lifestyle. Substituting the common luxuries of life from the states with momentary luxurious episodes of eating a peanutbutter & jelly sandwich or drinking chocolate milk. Seriously, no BS! It's like that! In fact, I was out in Marrakech one weekend with my friends and found an Asian restaurant. I damn near cried as I sunk my teeth into an "egg-roll". And I'm not even going to go into the "soy sauce"....ahhhhh.
But, on a positive note... This experience truly is becoming the cliche saying of "This is the hardest job you'll ever love". There are amazing accomplishments that I see in myself and in my attitude towards life in general. Departing from a world that is so comsumed with monetary goods, this experience is doing wonders for me. Yes, I will be re-entering that lifestyle in the near future... however, the angle at which I experience it and absorb it will be ever enriched by what I'm doing today.
Hope all is well... luv ya all... May God be with each of you!! (Allah ouwn likum)
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Weighing In...
Friends and family can attest to the "little" weight issue that was slowlying, but surely catching up to me while working in the office. My belly became known as my "Corporate" here in Morocco. When I first signed up for this assignment, I was pushing a solid and respectable 270lbs! Buttons were being forceably removed by my "Corporate" which was this diesel engine that I used to make fun of, and now was reaching full speed. Because I'm 6'7'', this weight was spread out and wasn't extremely noticable. However, according to my BMI (Body Mass Index), I was at least 40lbs over weight.
Long story short, so a few weeks back, I passed by a pharmacy here in Amizmiz and I was curious to see what my current weight was since checking it last September. Reason being, my pants were beginning to fit better and my face began to remarkable grow cheekbones. So, I gingerly stepped on the scale, hoping for it not to break into tiny pieces when I noticed the scale read 235lbs!! I'll do the math for ya, it's a lose of 35lbs over 5 1/2 months. It then dawned on me that this was only due to a basic 1 hour or so walk each day, and a modified diet of (basically) less fatty food, less salt, etc.
As of week ago, I wasn't even doing anything extremely excercise related until I met this little guy there in Amizmiz. This man, which I later came to know as Ahmed, was the "local trainer", and was curious in working-out with me. I mean, this guy couldn't even have been 5 foot tall and he was telling me about working-out. I discounted him, thinking that I had years of experience in the gym, as well on the Div1 level in basketball. In addition to this, I had no motivation to learn "futbol", which I was sure that's what he was referring to. Regardless of my apparent negative body language towards his suggestions, he proceeded to offer to meet him at his "gym" for a look see. First thought in my mind, was
"you've got to be kidding me", but I hadn't anything to do, so I went.
From there, it's been history. The picture of myself and my new trainer are below, and the relationship we've begun to build is pretty unique. Ahmed, was a former lightweight Moroccan champion back in the 70's and is now a certified trainer looking to open up a training room in our small town of Amizmiz. So, with alittle training and his assistance, this flimsy 235lbs body of mine just might get back into the shape it used to be back when I played for Gonzaga's basketball team.
Weight Calculator (Body Fat Percentage):
http://health.yahoo.com/centers/weight_loss/10002
BMI (Body Mass Index) Calculator:
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/calc-bmi.htm
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Just a few more images of my site...
My town and one of the many snowy mountain tops in the foregrown
Friday, February 18, 2005
Morocco Vice
Although my sitemate and I don't completed fill the italian loafers of the stubble-faced detective Crockett, who lived on his sailboat guarded by his alligator Elvis. Nor am I afflicted with his New York partner Tubb's struggle to locate his brother's killer. However, together we do take on the Morocco in a similar zeel.
Andrew (Crockett)
Born and raised just outside of the tough streets of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he attended Trinity College in Connecticut where he studied History and Economics. Having this rough and rugid persona that he does, he included stints on the varsity crew team, and played squash in his spare time. After graduating, he postponed attending law school in order to serve here in Morocco.
Monday, February 14, 2005
A Walk Down Memory Lane...
As I quickly approach my 6th month here in Morocco, I have begun to really take into account everything from my "old" life that mattered to me. Going through this period of reflection I began to realize how much I truly did miss from the states. Missing things such as; my home, friends, foods, smells, sights, sounds, etc.) Then going through my collection of images stored on my disc, I picked out just a few of the images that represent these...
Believe it or not, but this particular image (for me) represents the worklife there in the states. This is a shot of the windmills on the Altamont Pass between Tracy and Livermore, California. Just as the sun was waking up, I was taking these back roads (to avoid traffic) on my way to work, which took about 2 hours (one-way). Doesn't seem that bad right now, considering.
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