Training in the Kyrgyz Republic

Hello to all!

As you probably have expected life has been very busy the past two days. We arrived Monday morning around 4 a.m. Our breakfast started at 10 a.m and from there we began our initial training. For breakfast that morning we had oatmeal and a dish of minced meat wrapped around a type of bread mixed with onions. It was delicious.

After breakfast the entire group met in a common area along with the entire Kyrgyz Peace Corps staff. Everyone introduced themselves. During introductions we received so many “Thank You’s!” for us joining and coming to serve the Kyrgyz Republic. These acts of appreciation touched my heart as I felt needed by the country. You all know that I was motivated when making the decision to join the Peace Corps but this just reaffirmed my motivation and touched me deeply.

The first part of the day were introductions and getting to know the people we were working with. For lunch we had a tasty rice noodle dish, soup (with beef, cabbage and onions) and then a meat dish for the main course. Other foods I have had since being here has been beef and noodles, something equivalent to our potato salad, potatos, sweet bread and tea at every single meal. A neat fact is that tea is called chai in Kyrgyz.

When lunch and other official business was finished we broke off into our groups to study language. We also found out where we will be staying for the next three months! Nine other people and myself are staying in a town called Kenngesh (ken-yesh). Most of us are all health volunteers and will be working with each other every day for the next 2-3 months. An interesting fact is that we will all be staying in houses on the same side of the road! This is done so that the volunteers will not have to cross the street after dark.

Shots – yes – I had three shots today; Hepatitis A, rabies and the menoncagnol.

They are taking a new approach in teaching us the language and culture. We are learning through experiential learning. Our language trainers are from the Kyrgyz Republic and do not speak to us in English unless they have to. Our other trainers are a combination of current volunteers and also Kyrgyz nationals. We learn our language by watching hand motions, seeing pictures and constant repetition. Thus far it is going really well.

The trainers have been very helpful telling us about their experiences and any questions we may have. I know many of you were concerned about bride kidnapping. For starters, I am too old. Girls are kidnapped when they are 14 or 15. The kidnapping is both consensual and non-consensual. The women in the Kyrgyz Republic do not frown upon bride kidnapping and see it as ordinary because it may have happened to them. When I learn more I will inform you.

Tomorrow we head out to our villages. We will first go into Bishkek to buy flowers and other essentials we may need. Our host family will come meet us at the ceremony and take us home. From there on out my training group will meet in the village everyday to work on language, culture, health education and safety. Once a week we will all travel to a hub site where the entire group of volunteers will meet and go over general knowledge. I will be traveling to the hubsite on a marshutka, which is a mini-van bus. I can catch the marshutka by walking in the street – anywhere in the town – and waving one down.

At first I am not able to leave my village – first stage. The first stage may last anywhere from a week to several weeks; it depends on how I am in the village. During the second stage I am able to leave the village as long as I am with somebody. When I leave I have to inform my facilitator of where I am going and I must return by 9 p.m. Once I return I also have to inform my facilitator. During the third stage I am able to go off by myself. For all of you that are worried about me being here – PEACE CORPS KNOWS WHERE I AM AT ALL TIMES!! I am under very tight watch. If anything happens they will know immediately. So rest assure, you have nothing to worry about.

Many of you are wondering about the other volunteers I am with. I am with people from all over the United States – from River Falls, WI to Hawaii. Other states include Colorado, Washington, California, New York, New Jersey, Maine, Florida, Oklahoma, Tennesee, Texas, Arizona and Alabama. Most of the volunteers have traveled to other countries, lived in other countries and speak numerous languages. As being someone who has never traveled before everyone has been very kind with helping me out. Unfortunately, I did not get the memo about needing a surge protector for my straightner and I burned off a chunk of hair from my bangs. Does this surprise you? Probably not. As I may have said before, everyone is brining unique attributes to our training group.

For Cheryl – The Match Correspondance Program does not start until I am sworn in at the end of May. I will give you details as soon as I have them. Please be sure to tell the girls Hello from me! You can let them know everything I am doing – from learning a new alphabet/language, eating new foods, to living with a host family. Please be sure to let me know if they have any questions for me – I want them to learn from this just as I am!

Lastly, I am doing great! I am really enjoying this experience. As of now it still feels like a dream. Was I really in Istanbul? Can I really see the Tien Shan mountains out my window? Am I seriously saying hello and how are you in the local language? Yes!! It feels great. I am not homesick yet even though I miss you all. Little things remind me of each and every one of you. As I am a big music fan different songs remind me of different individuals and that puts a smile on my face.

It was definitely in the cards for me to have been employed at Dunn County Human Services. I learned numerous coping skills while I was there which has helped me with this huge transition. Make sure to tell everyone there hello from me and that I think about you all on a regular basis! And yes Mel I am still writing in my gratitude journal – I love it! If you could tell my families and kids that I say hello and wish them well I would really appreciate it – I think they’d appreciate that I have not forgotten them.

If you are going to be sending care packages I would reaaallllyyy like soft toilet paper. In the country I can get toilet paper in Bishkek when I travel the city. It is important for me to carry t.p with me at all times since I do not want to be using other things such as corn husks and leaves!

Once again I am having an amazing experience her in the Kyrgyz Republic. My goal is to plant the seeds and make a difference to the people in this country. Please do not be worried about me, I am having a blast! I will be getting a cell phone in a couple of days. I will be getting a plan where it will be free for me to receive calls and texts (and it shouldn’t be too expensive for you to call or text. International rates). I will post the number on my facebook page when I have it. Also, I am eleven hours ahead of you so call me on your way to work or when you are going to sleep.

I love you all and miss you all. I hope you found some of the things I have written informational and entertaining.

Thanks for everything I love you!

JO