ABBA Nearly Kicked My...!

Lately I have been reflecting on my experience of moving away from my home in the USA. The reality of Peace Corps hasn’t really sunk in yet. I am living, working and building a life out here – one with friends, family, new passions and self-discovery. I'm even starting to forget where I was a year ago (anxiously awaiting my departure to the ‘MYSTERIOUS LAND OF ALBANIA…’ (cue dramatic music)

Ok, so here’s a little situation that happened to me fairly recently to illustrate where I’m at these days.

Hay, boy, hay... :-P

I was working out at the small local gym we have here in Librazhd, running on the humble, overly-loved treadmill next to my buddy Arbi. I was listening to the Mamma Mia musical soundtrack by ABBA on my trusty iPod Shuffle and getting into the ‘groove’ (do people still use that word?) Anyway… The story of Mamma Mia tells (or sings rather) of a mother and daughter living in Greece, after having been shunned by the mother’s family many years before. Nobody knows who the father is. The daughter is about to get married, and wants her father there to give her away. This poses a problem as her father could be one of three different men referenced in her mom’s diary. Hilarity ensues, yadda yadda, dot dot dot. So I was listening to this, and thinking to myself ‘how strange would it be to live abroad, in Greece or somewhere far away?’ As I was laughing to myself, thinking of this strange scenario, I looked over to see my Albanian buddy Arbi running, and looked down at my treadmill (which is properly tracking kilometers, not miles), and it hit me like a flying spinach byrek – ‘Holy sh*t!’  I nearly feel off the tiny running machine and caught myself just in time to ‘save face’ (hopefully), and quickly reminded myself that everything was ok. For in that brief moment I had forgotten that I was living in Albania and that I was a Peace Corps Volunteer! Oh ABBA, you and your hypnotic powers strike again…

Oh Amerikan! Si je ti cuna?

What I learned from this delightful experience was that I am finding a good life for myself out here. I am not just in Peace Corps, I am living my life here in Albania. Although a shock at first, these little moments of surprise really illustrate where I am mentally, emotionally and spiritually. My heart makes no distinctions, no judgments when it is happy. It is simply happy. I am happy with my friends, my daily life, my work, and my inner self. I happen to live in Albania, a place I am getting to know and love more day after day.

That being said, I hope that my forgetfulness is not actually a sign of losing cognitive functioning due to stress. Rest assured that if I were going insane, I would still blog about it and invite comments. You know I love you all, and my friends are definitely the funniest people I know.

xoxo

-Jon :-)

Will the Real Shqiponja Please Stand Up?

There may be an imposter in our midst here in Albania – watching us as we pass, knowing that many cannot detect its existence. Flying under the radar, it has spread throughout the country and in places unknown. Why is it there? What is its purpose? Where did it come from?

I’m speaking, of course, of the eagle on the so-called “new flag of Albania.” Well, not officially. This new eagle has undergone some cosmetic changes, including a more pronounced jaw and talon enhancements. It still remains the silhouette of an open-winged bi-cephalated eagle on a red field. 

One question I ask folks is “have you noticed?” I certainly didn’t until it was brought to my attention by my counterpart. It begs the question – has the official flag changed, or has this stylized version simply appeared? I decided to do a little research and here’s what I found.

Several (Albanian) folks deny any such variation of the flag even existing. Others (in my community) resent the new flag, as they don’t recognize it as the official symbol of their nation. Some see it merely as a stylistic creation from foreign companies producing Albanian flags and related chotchkies. So what is this new flag, and what does it look like? Let’s compare them, shall we?

Official Flag of Albania (“Republic of Albania”)

“New” Flag of Albania

It’s easy enough to tell the difference, but it is unclear why any changes were made. Certainly we have seen the change of flags here in Albania over the years by different regimes. From the independence of Albania, through its existence as a Principality, Kingdom, and later Socialist Republic. (Shown below)

Flag of the Independent Albania (1912–1914).

Flag of the Principality of Albania (1914–1920).

Flag of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania (1946–1992)

Ok, so there is a variation out there. So what? Well, the eagle is a symbol of pride and nationalism for Albanians. It represents the sovereignty of Albania in the Balkans. The eagle was originally adopted from the Byzantine banner, and has subsequently been used by numerous noble families in their respective coats-of-arms throughout Albanian history since the Middle Ages. 

This “new” flag has been the cause of controversy particularly during the 100^th anniversary of Albania’s independence, when Albania was presented with this new eagle. Now thoroughly interspersed throughout Albania, including placement in front of official government buildings, one can find this flag still flying in their local community. One might wonder how there can be two official flags? Would that “fly” in America? It is not just a matter of artistic license, but of national pride – From what I have observed, Albanians are very proud of their heritage and their ancestry. To change a flag is a big deal, but has anything officially changed, or has a new Shqiponja simply come to town?

http://www.top-channel.tv/english/artikull.php?id=7645

My Peace Corps Projects

Chillin' at the gym with my workout buddy

When I tell people that I am in the Peace Corps, their first question is usually "what made you decide to join?" and the second question is usually "what exactly do you DO in Albania?" I often ask myself the latter, since being a volunteer in the Health Sector nowadays typically involves a fair share of creating your own job description. With so many areas in which to focus one's efforts, I feel it fun to actually share this with you all! So... What AM I doing here in Albania?? Here's a bit about some of my current "doings."

First off, I do want to preface this list by saying that being in Peace Corps is not all about being a human doing, but also existing as a human being. Simply being my genuine self as an American is one of the Peace Corps goals of service. We are to show our host country what it means to be American and to share with them the culture of the USA. We do this in all sorts of ways - having coffee and chatting, discussing different work styles with counterparts, modeling behavior in the community, and allowing people to ask us questions and really get to know us. Believe me, some days it can be quite hard to want to open up (we call that living "in the fishbowl"), but I do try my best to stay engaged with my community. That being said, there is a lot that I do DO... (can I say that? haha) Anyway, here's the list (as of this week).

At the fun and fabulous Kampi Pa Emer

0. YOUTH CAMPS - KAMPI PA EMER, OUTDOOR AMBASSADORS & GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) Although the camps are more of a summer deal, I felt that it should get top billing here, since they are simply awesome, and I am still giddy from thinking about them. I LOVE SUMMER CAMP! I went for years in my youth and have great memories of my experiences there. Working with youth is such a rewarding (and sometimes exhausting) experience, but I am definitely a fan of the camps and with working with youth! I got to be a camp counselor for the first time this summer (twice actually!), and got to lead a self-esteem workshop for some of Albania's future leaders. Since it is Fall, things are pretty quite on this front for the time being, but will pick up again shortly. I'm so excited!!! I feel each camp deserves a separate post - so keep a lookout! :-D

We're all very Zen, at Outdoor Ambassador Camp

These camps are not just for fun, but also to instill in these young adults a sense of leadership. I see so much energy and passion in their eyes as they talk about their dreams. Gathering together helps them not only speak openly about their dreams, but also see a community of other Albanians who feel the same way.

1. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, LIBRAZHD - Community Health Promotions at the Department of Public Health in my home town of Librazhd. I work with my counterpart to teach health lessons (in Albanian language mostly) in our town of Librazhd as well as in the villages in the area. There are many villages surrounding our town, and many do not have access to health information, medical services, internet, or even phone service. We are prioritizing the needs of the villagers, and shifting to teach the majority of our lessons in these areas in order to maximize impact and benefit. Topics include: CPR, Hypertension, Diabetes, Breast Cancer, Mental Health, Drug/Alcohol abuse, Nutrition/Obesity, and First Aid, to name a few... Unfortunately our Directorate has barely any funds to support our outreach efforts, thus we are currently looking into collaborative efforts with other NGO's, as well as possible alternate funding sources (Grants, community funding, etc). This is where I focus most of my efforts.

Giving a lesson on Breast Cancer

2. TRAININGS-OF-TRAINERS/peer-based models of promotion - Training community leaders in various health topics to health spread information by word-of-mouth. In order to really reach the outlying village areas, we depend on the assistance of local points of contact. These can include nurses, teachers, community leaders, or even business owners. We are holding (usually) one Training-of-trainers monthly to educate these leaders on various practical topics. The last one we did was "how to do a self-exam for Breast Cancer." Again, with little/no budget, we really need to get creative here!

3. BARAZIA GJINORE COMMITTEE - Working with Peace Corps' Gender Equity Committee "Barazia Gjinore" to engage Albanian youth and general community on various issues relating to gender, gender equity, identity, race, leadership, and accepting differences.

4. COMMUNITY FITNESS PROMOTION - Promoting personal fitness in the community through modeling behavior and personal/group fitness instruction. There is one very small gym here in Librazhd where I work out and train folks. I am currently training with guys in the community in basic weight lifting, and focusing on how to use good form to reduce risk of injury. I will be taking my Personal Training Certification exam in the upcoming weeks. Wish me luck!


5. COMMUNITY FITNESS INITIATIVE - Developing a sustainable fitness initiative addressing the specific health needs of the community. It is slowly coming together, but the response has been tremendous. Folks here are ready for accessible fitness alternatives. We are hoping to have Zumba, Yoga, basic aerobics and other group activities running, giving priority access to people with limited/no financial means. This is my 'baby' and I really hope this materializes!

Me in my Red Cross Uniform

6. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SKILLS TRANSFER - Increasing capacity for the Public Health Directorate by working with the Community Promotions Office on various development skills - English language practice, presentation & speech preparation, alternate engagement strategies, developing new approaches to teaching health related material. 


7. LGBT CIVIL RIGHTS SUPPORT - Working with non-profits in Albania to address current social issues including LGBT rights. More on this soon!


8. SPEAKING TO YOUTH RE: PEACE CORPS - Speaking with students in the US about my experience in Peace Corps, engaging future generations to participate in service learning (usually via Skype). If you have an interested class, please let me know, and I would be happy to help!

9. LANGUAGE & CULTURE COMMITTEE - Sharing my observations of Albanian culture with folks back home through writings and participation with the Language and Culture Committee of Peace Corps Albania.

10. OTHER NGO COLLABORATIONS - Collaborate with other local non-profits (NGO's) such as Red Cross, World Vision, and MEDPAK (An Org. for families of children with developmental challenges) to increase capacity and provide technical assistance as needed in greater Librazhd area.

Okay, so that's a bit about some of the things I am working on. I can honestly go on at length about any of these topics, but will leave this list as is for now.

Of course, if any other interesting projects come my way, I always entertain them. Peace Corps is all about "Embracing the chaos." And I shall! 

Albanian Youth: Life After High School

Me and my friend/barber Lidio

From what I gather of life here in Albania, youth have a different path upon graduation. Living at home after one turns 18 is not uncommon by any means. The young adult son or daughter stays with the parents in the home until married. Even then, sometimes there is a space (another separate floor or apartment) in the family home already set aside for the newly-married couple to start their family. I can see how this would have its advantages!

In America, we are, well, let's say "encouraged" to move out when we graduate from high school, and are expected to start living our lives more independently from our parents and siblings. We are told to get a job, go to school, find a place to live, and learn about the world. Of course, some American youth choose to go to college while others go right to work - some do both. Some get an apartment with friends while others live in college dormitories at the university of their choosing. In my case, I moved out of the house after I turned 18 and graduated from high school. I got an apartment, attended college, and worked part-time. I was living about an hour away from my parents (not too far I'd say), but I had begun my journey into independence. 

College now seems to be the goal of many graduated Albanian youth. Those who can, attend college. For those who live relatively close to school, commuting to school by public transit seems fairly common. If they live far away, they might find an apartment with friends or stay in a dorm room (Note: I have heard that dorm rooms are considered quite undesirable living quarters for the aspiring Albanian youth.)

The notorious "Cune" (pronounced "Chune") haircut, a popular style for boys in Albania

Jobs are said to be fairly hard to come by in Albania, thus living independently while attending school can be too expensive for many folks. Living at home means the student saves money on rent and food. Not a bad gig!

These are merely observations from where I live (central/east Albania). Obviously things may be different in other areas of the country.

When I told an Albanian friend about being "encouraged" to leave the house after graduation from high school, they looked at me shocked and said "They kick you out!?" to which I cheerfully replied, "Yes, I suppose so.. but its not so bad!" LOL

That's the Pope! --> VIDEO LINK

Probably the closest I will ever be to any Pope.

Sisters of Charity (Mother Teresa's order)

TIRANA, ALBANIA - September 21, 2014 saw a rare glimpse of Pope Francis in the heart of Albania, at Mother Teresa Square. The first time His Holiness has visited Albania since 1993. Thousands showed up from across Albania, Italy and Kosovo. Although I am not the most religious person in the world, this was the Pope! How often do you get this chance, right?

We (my buddy Jefferson and I) initially had no idea if we could even see the Pope. We were going to sit on the sidelines with all the other folks, craning our necks, and wishing for the best, and reaching our iPhones out hoping to get at least one clear photo. Well, what we got was more than we expected.

His sign says it all!

Some other Peace Corps friends of mine had made some friends with some German nuns, and through meetings these kind women, we were invited to join their congregation at the ceremony! How cool, right? We were not sure exactly what that meant, but this is the Peace Corps, and you learn to go with it. lol...

Okay, so waking up at the crack of dawn and trekking down to the plaza, we passed security, joined the sisters. There was already a large crowd and even though we were close to the front, we couldn't really see anything... We decided to trek back a bit and wait on the sidelines of the main road, where the Popemobile would be going. After getting a nice spot right on the road, we were told to move back by the local police officials, who were trying to sort out all the people craziness. Although we lost our great spots, we were ushered through shortly thereafter - why, I don't know... lol... Down the main drag we went, to join the church and invited guests near the front! So there we are walking down the road, escorted by police, and not having any idea what we were in for. We were so excited. HERE'S A VIDEO I MADE OF WHAT HAPPENED NEXT. Enjoy!

GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) Albania - First National Conference

#LetItGLOW !

Minister Gjermeni giving her inspiring Keynote

DURRES, ALBANIA - This last month has been a great success, particularly with the GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) initiative here in Albania. The first national conference was held on September 11th-14th 2014 with Minister Eglantina Gjermeni as the inspiring keynote speaker in attendance, as well as US Ambassador to Albania, Alexander Arvizu and Peace Corps Albania Director, Earl Wall.

Ambassador Arvizu celebrating with the girls

GLOW is a Peace Corps initiative to teach girls about leadership, women's empowerment, and self-awareness/health through collaboration and peer-based learning. Although already well underway in other Peace Corps countries, GLOW Albania is celebrating its first full year of GLOW activities - Local GLOW Camps and the recent National GLOW Conference. 

ACT Award from the US Embassy to GLOW Albania!

Also a treat was the award surprise from the US Embassy to GLOW Albania. The ACT award came as quite a surprise to GLOW participants, who each received a certificate for their work in developing as future leaders of Albania. Needless to say, this was quite an honor, and the girls were so very happy.

As a member of Barazia Gjinore (translated from Albanian to "Gender Equity"), the committee overseeing the GLOW initiative for Peace Corps here in Albania, I was there in an administrative capacity (read "professional helper") as an official GLOW photographer. I got the opportunity to see the magic of the groups and workshops in action.

Me as a GLOW cheerleader

Although the girls individually already represent a driven, and motivated subset of the Albanian population, there is something wonderful that happens when they all converge and share that energy. They get to see that they are not alone, and that it is okay to dream big. In fact they should dream big! Although in many respects, Albania is still rather traditional with regards to the expectations of women in society, these girls are ready to break through any unspoken limitation and reach for the stars. They can see others who have done so, including Minister Gjermeni. I suppose another real treat from this experience has been that they can see that change can start with them - They need not wait for others to lead the way, because they are each, individually and collectively, changing the landscape of their society already.

To find out more about GLOW Albania and Barazia Gjinore, check us out on Facebook. And don't forget... #LetItGLOW !

Cuteness Overload! - #CampNoName VIDEO

We insist on having fun! :-)

Catch a glimpse of the camp HERE -->  http://vimeo.com/100037511

We all love summer camp, right? I know I do - Making new friends, exploring nature, trying new things, and being wild and zany (not to mention tie-dyed t-shirts, and singing random campfire songs) Ahhh... it's usually the highlight of my year!

Alba and Joey!

Kampi Pa Emer (aka "Camp no name") was started 6 years ago in Librazhd, Albania by a couple (Alba and Joey). Alba is a native Albanian now living in the USA, and Joey is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer. Every summer, they prepare a fun week of activities for the kids here in town. There are about 50 kids, ages 6 - 14, and some of whom are part of the Roma community living in Librazhd. For those of you who are not familiar with the Roma people, here is a very brief description (Source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roma_people)

The Romani, or Roma, are a diasporic ethnicity of Indian origin, living mostly in Europe and the Americas. Romani are widely known among Anglophonic people by the exonym "Gypsies" (or Gipsies). Roma communities have resided in the Balkans for numerous centuries.

The idea is to have these children play, learn, and make friends with non-Roma kids in the community. The camp is about togetherness and unity, but also about having FUN! Locals Albanians and Peace Corps Volunteers support the camp as the counselors, help organize the camp, and help produce activities like - futbol (that's soccer for all us Americanz), arts/crafts, singing games, health lessons, exercise, team-building sessions, other games, and more. 

Although I have been to camp for many years before, this was my first camp as a counselor. It is quite a different experience being on the facilitator side of things... but the magic was still there. The songs, the energy, the friendships, and craziness were all things I remember (and cherish) from my summers of youth.

Can't wait 'til next year!


Catch a glimpse of the 2014 camp HERE -->  http://vimeo.com/100037511
 

The coolest kid in town!