Let’s talk about change…
Peace Corps tells us that change doesn’t happen overnight and to not be discouraged if you don’t see immediate results from our hard work. We are just “planting the seed” they say, and “development work takes time”… blah blah blah... right, I understand all that. But then why is it that these kinds of changes, positive ones, developing ones, take so long. But other changes seem to happen overnight? Or as The Eagles sing about, “in a new York minute…”
If you look at BE now and compare it to 2 years ago, you won’t see too many changes. Some new homes maybe, more fresh water supplies of course, but from the outsiders eye everything would seem pretty much the same. But to me, when I think about what this community was like when I arrive 2 years ago, it seems like so much has changed. I am not talking about change in relation to my work here; I am just talking about change in general, change that I guess is just inevitable, change that comes with time.
A list of some, but not all, of the changes I have noticed:
Weed-Whacker- The government gave the school a fancy new weed whacker, so that the fathers don’t have to use their machetes to cut the grass anymore. It use to be that all the dads would get together on Thursday mornings and socialize and chat while they cut the grass of their children’s school. Now, one man does all the work, while creating so much noise pollution that the teachers can hardly teach class and none of the other men can talk to one another. I remember the very first day the dads used the weed whacker; some of the older men were so against this new technology that they were out swinging their machete right next to the machine, claiming that it couldn’t cut they way they could cut. Eventually, their pride faded and they surrendered to the “machine” as they call it.
Baseballs- The kids use to just play baseball with a bunch of plastics bags bunched up and tied with a piece of string. Now they have real baseballs but they only have two gloves, which makes the game a bit unfair don’t you think? Seeing as my house acts as 3rd base, I make sure to close all the windows and go outside when they start a game. There is a big difference between a ball of plastic bags hitting the house compared to a ball of solid rubber. Take cover!!!!
Road- They say a road is coming. Remember we are on a peninsula not an island, but we are still boat access only. The road construction has already begun from the mainland side. I have heard both sides of the “road argument,“ including why roads are good and why they are bad. I agree with both sides. For my people the road may be positive, but thinking selfishly, it would be devastating for me to see a road cut threw my community.
Alcohol- This was the hardest change for me to see. The introduction of alcohol! Sure 2 years ago they knew what alcohol was. But they drank it very rarely, about once or twice a year. Unfortunately, about 7 months ago, one of our little store owners decided to start supplying the community with beer. So now, whenever they have an extra dollar or two on them, you know where they are headed. Drunken occurrences have gone from bi-annual to bi-monthly.
Generators-. There was one generator in the community 2 years ago, now there are over 10. Also, the small community across the bay was gifted a large generator to power the whole community. Now, I can look out across the bay, and where I use to see darkness I now see generator powered lights. Any given night in my community you will hear at least 1 generator humming (depending on who has money to buy gas), breaking the sound of the peaceful night. This is now the sound I fall asleep to…. And what new sound do I wake up to???
Chainsaws- cutting down our rain forest. A common saying among the expat population here is, “the only think more dangerous than a gringo with a machete is a Ngobe with a with a power tool.” We have had a few energies due to the chainsaws, but not nearly as often as the ex-pats seem to hurt themselves with machetes. The chainsaw alarm clock has become so frequent, that I actually look forward to the mornings where the roosters wake me up.
Stoves- Cooking gas is subsidized by the government, making it more affordable to purchase. Nearly all the homes here are switching from open wood burning stoves to gas stoves. I think this is a very positive change actually; Less cutting down of the rainforest for firewood, and less smoke pollution in the homes, causing future respiratory problems for the children. Not to mention less fire accidents and burn victims.
School- Oh the school, the government seems eager to throw money at the school. But they don’t seem to know how. So while the kids still have to share books, and essential school supplies, the schools storage room (which is right next to my house) Is loaded with basically useless items including; a huge ice chest, a dish drying rack that is three times smaller than pot the women cook lunch with, a blender, a TV and a DVD player. While other people in the community now have generators, the school is still without electricity. And even if they did have electricity, does the government really think that the first thing they would need is a blender? Oh and the ice chest? Shouldn’t the ice come first? Or is that one of those “if you build it they will come type of things.” Like if you buy an ice chest then the ice will come…. That would be nice, I would love some ice right now.
The government has also provided the students with a lot of new lunch items and snacks which produce a lot more trash!
Speaking of trash; Before, all their snacks came from their farms. They were wrapped in a nice biodegradable wrapper, natures packaging; ie, bananas, oranges, grapefruits, cacao etc. They could enjoy their snack and toss it wherever the pleased. Now they eat cookies and Cheeto-Puffs for a snack, yet the habit of throwing the wrapper on the ground remains. It’s not their fault; the practice of using a trashcan takes some time.
I’d like to think, that whatever change I inflicted in the community was positive change.
The other day we were purchasing our last water tank for the community. We made our purchases, loaded up our dugout canoe and headed back towards Buena Esperanza. As we were leaving the canal, about to reach the open ocean, we passed close to the local hospital dock. There was either a nurse or a doctor that was sitting outside taking a break. When our little canoe passed, weighted down with the large blue water tank, the hospital worker energetically threw two thumbs up in the air and yelled out “the community is progressing!” Our boatman yelled back “Si, si, Estamos mejorando la vida” yes, yes, we are bettering the life.
This is change I like to see! And it was the hospital, of all places, congratulating the people of the pueblo on making a positive change!
I know it has not just been the community that has changed over the past two years, I will be the first to admit that I have changed too. Even within my community. When I arrived 2 years ago as a very eager and overzealous foreign volunteer. I have been humbled by the realities and restraints of development work in a indigenous community. And I have accepted the “poco a poco” way of doing things
Also, I am sure that when I arrive back stateside you all may see changes in me as well. I can’t even remember who I was before I started this experience. I don’t feel like I have changed too drastically, but I am sure that an experience like this could only bring about overall positive change in a person, so I am not too worried about it.
A lot has changed back home too. There have been changes in the government, in the fashion, in pop culture, in music, in technology (don’t even get me started on that). My friend’s lives have changed and my family has changed as well. I feel like each time I talk to my parents, I am informed of something drastic that has changed, and my whole perception of “home” has to readjust. I try to stay positive when I think about all that has changed that has happened since I have been gone, and how incredibly different it is going to be when I get back. My dad has always told me that “things happen for a reason” or he reminds me that “change is the only thing that is constant in our lives.” He is right.
A few of you have asked me if I plan on coming back to visit my community one day. To be honest, I don’t know. I would love to see these people again one day, but part of me selfishly just wants to remember this place the way that it is.
However, if we think of change in regards to nature then we know that “you can never step into the same river twice” right? On the other hand we also know that “The dunes may be changed by the wind, but the desert never changes.” So, I am going to go with that last one. Though a lot has changed at home, I still have that very familiar heart of home and loved ones to welcome me back to. Likewise, when I decided to come back to visit Buena Esperanza, I know that no matter how many exterior or situational changes there may have been, the people and the memories will always remain.
~Meti
Peace Corps tells us that change doesn’t happen overnight and to not be discouraged if you don’t see immediate results from our hard work. We are just “planting the seed” they say, and “development work takes time”… blah blah blah... right, I understand all that. But then why is it that these kinds of changes, positive ones, developing ones, take so long. But other changes seem to happen overnight? Or as The Eagles sing about, “in a new York minute…”
If you look at BE now and compare it to 2 years ago, you won’t see too many changes. Some new homes maybe, more fresh water supplies of course, but from the outsiders eye everything would seem pretty much the same. But to me, when I think about what this community was like when I arrive 2 years ago, it seems like so much has changed. I am not talking about change in relation to my work here; I am just talking about change in general, change that I guess is just inevitable, change that comes with time.
A list of some, but not all, of the changes I have noticed:
Weed-Whacker- The government gave the school a fancy new weed whacker, so that the fathers don’t have to use their machetes to cut the grass anymore. It use to be that all the dads would get together on Thursday mornings and socialize and chat while they cut the grass of their children’s school. Now, one man does all the work, while creating so much noise pollution that the teachers can hardly teach class and none of the other men can talk to one another. I remember the very first day the dads used the weed whacker; some of the older men were so against this new technology that they were out swinging their machete right next to the machine, claiming that it couldn’t cut they way they could cut. Eventually, their pride faded and they surrendered to the “machine” as they call it.
Fighting- I had always heard about Ngobes fighting, “the Ngobes can take a punch” is what other Peace Corps volunteers often say. But I had never really seen any serious fights in my community until about 8 months ago. Now it is a frequent occurrence. Keep reading this list, and I but you can guess what other change this fighting is in direct correlation with.
Baseballs- The kids use to just play baseball with a bunch of plastics bags bunched up and tied with a piece of string. Now they have real baseballs but they only have two gloves, which makes the game a bit unfair don’t you think? Seeing as my house acts as 3rd base, I make sure to close all the windows and go outside when they start a game. There is a big difference between a ball of plastic bags hitting the house compared to a ball of solid rubber. Take cover!!!!
Road- They say a road is coming. Remember we are on a peninsula not an island, but we are still boat access only. The road construction has already begun from the mainland side. I have heard both sides of the “road argument,“ including why roads are good and why they are bad. I agree with both sides. For my people the road may be positive, but thinking selfishly, it would be devastating for me to see a road cut threw my community.
Alcohol- This was the hardest change for me to see. The introduction of alcohol! Sure 2 years ago they knew what alcohol was. But they drank it very rarely, about once or twice a year. Unfortunately, about 7 months ago, one of our little store owners decided to start supplying the community with beer. So now, whenever they have an extra dollar or two on them, you know where they are headed. Drunken occurrences have gone from bi-annual to bi-monthly.
It is only the men and boys that drink, but they drink to get drunk. And the byproducts of their drunkenness are the same as they are anywhere in the world; uncontrollable bodily functions, saying things you don’t mean, drunk dialing (aka drunk pasearing), frequent loss of clothing items, fighting, feelings of invincibility, occasional domestic violence etc. The saddest part for me is to see all of this play out in the middle of a community. It is not like they are drunk at a bar, or nightclub. They are here in the community, right in front families, acting as role models for their children, who absorb their actions. The store owner is so pleased with the success of his beer sales he tells me that he is saving to open a full bar in the community. “That’s where the money is” he says. He is right.
Generators-. There was one generator in the community 2 years ago, now there are over 10. Also, the small community across the bay was gifted a large generator to power the whole community. Now, I can look out across the bay, and where I use to see darkness I now see generator powered lights. Any given night in my community you will hear at least 1 generator humming (depending on who has money to buy gas), breaking the sound of the peaceful night. This is now the sound I fall asleep to…. And what new sound do I wake up to???
Chainsaws- cutting down our rain forest. A common saying among the expat population here is, “the only think more dangerous than a gringo with a machete is a Ngobe with a with a power tool.” We have had a few energies due to the chainsaws, but not nearly as often as the ex-pats seem to hurt themselves with machetes. The chainsaw alarm clock has become so frequent, that I actually look forward to the mornings where the roosters wake me up.
Stoves- Cooking gas is subsidized by the government, making it more affordable to purchase. Nearly all the homes here are switching from open wood burning stoves to gas stoves. I think this is a very positive change actually; Less cutting down of the rainforest for firewood, and less smoke pollution in the homes, causing future respiratory problems for the children. Not to mention less fire accidents and burn victims.
School- Oh the school, the government seems eager to throw money at the school. But they don’t seem to know how. So while the kids still have to share books, and essential school supplies, the schools storage room (which is right next to my house) Is loaded with basically useless items including; a huge ice chest, a dish drying rack that is three times smaller than pot the women cook lunch with, a blender, a TV and a DVD player. While other people in the community now have generators, the school is still without electricity. And even if they did have electricity, does the government really think that the first thing they would need is a blender? Oh and the ice chest? Shouldn’t the ice come first? Or is that one of those “if you build it they will come type of things.” Like if you buy an ice chest then the ice will come…. That would be nice, I would love some ice right now.
The government has also provided the students with a lot of new lunch items and snacks which produce a lot more trash!
Speaking of trash; Before, all their snacks came from their farms. They were wrapped in a nice biodegradable wrapper, natures packaging; ie, bananas, oranges, grapefruits, cacao etc. They could enjoy their snack and toss it wherever the pleased. Now they eat cookies and Cheeto-Puffs for a snack, yet the habit of throwing the wrapper on the ground remains. It’s not their fault; the practice of using a trashcan takes some time.
I’d like to think, that whatever change I inflicted in the community was positive change.
The other day we were purchasing our last water tank for the community. We made our purchases, loaded up our dugout canoe and headed back towards Buena Esperanza. As we were leaving the canal, about to reach the open ocean, we passed close to the local hospital dock. There was either a nurse or a doctor that was sitting outside taking a break. When our little canoe passed, weighted down with the large blue water tank, the hospital worker energetically threw two thumbs up in the air and yelled out “the community is progressing!” Our boatman yelled back “Si, si, Estamos mejorando la vida” yes, yes, we are bettering the life.
This is change I like to see! And it was the hospital, of all places, congratulating the people of the pueblo on making a positive change!
I know it has not just been the community that has changed over the past two years, I will be the first to admit that I have changed too. Even within my community. When I arrived 2 years ago as a very eager and overzealous foreign volunteer. I have been humbled by the realities and restraints of development work in a indigenous community. And I have accepted the “poco a poco” way of doing things
Also, I am sure that when I arrive back stateside you all may see changes in me as well. I can’t even remember who I was before I started this experience. I don’t feel like I have changed too drastically, but I am sure that an experience like this could only bring about overall positive change in a person, so I am not too worried about it.
A lot has changed back home too. There have been changes in the government, in the fashion, in pop culture, in music, in technology (don’t even get me started on that). My friend’s lives have changed and my family has changed as well. I feel like each time I talk to my parents, I am informed of something drastic that has changed, and my whole perception of “home” has to readjust. I try to stay positive when I think about all that has changed that has happened since I have been gone, and how incredibly different it is going to be when I get back. My dad has always told me that “things happen for a reason” or he reminds me that “change is the only thing that is constant in our lives.” He is right.
A few of you have asked me if I plan on coming back to visit my community one day. To be honest, I don’t know. I would love to see these people again one day, but part of me selfishly just wants to remember this place the way that it is.
However, if we think of change in regards to nature then we know that “you can never step into the same river twice” right? On the other hand we also know that “The dunes may be changed by the wind, but the desert never changes.” So, I am going to go with that last one. Though a lot has changed at home, I still have that very familiar heart of home and loved ones to welcome me back to. Likewise, when I decided to come back to visit Buena Esperanza, I know that no matter how many exterior or situational changes there may have been, the people and the memories will always remain.
~Meti
