Update continued...
Another Snow Storm
When we returned to Macedonia it was sort of a rude awakening, the weather in Greece had been warm, about 70 degrees, with no clouds in sight. In Macedonia it was cold and rainy. Welcome home. Upon my return I went directly to bed, but when I woke the next morning there was about 6 inches of freshly fallen snow. When is spring supposed to be here?
Project Design & Management seminar for the OSCE
A few of us PCVs have offered to train some local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in project design and management. The Organization for Security and Cooperation has asked for us to train about 15 active NGOs (9 in Skopje, 6 in Tetovo) in how to design, implement and manage small scale development projects.
I am really excited to do this because it will be nice to share this kind of information with people that are looking to do some good projects, rather than just chase money (as is frequently the case with municipalities and less reputable NGOs). It will also be fun to meet new people in the NGO sector.
Bosnian Sheep Breeders come for a Visit!
I found out last week that a delegation of sheep breeders from Bosnia will pay us a visit in late April. I’m really excited to meet these guys—rest assured a big story will be on the blog after their visit!
Organizing the Cheese & Wine Festival
Last year Macedonia Competitiveness Activity (MCA), Land O'Lakes and ScanAgri (the Swedish agriculture aid organization) organized a wine and cheese festival in the tourist town of Ohrid. Local cheese and wine producers were able to market and sell their products at a fair type venue; it was very festive and fun.
This year the Sheep breeders association (with generous support from MCA, Land O'Lakes and ScanAgri) is organizing the festival, which in this early stage means that I am organizing the festival. I am working on the project plans and getting all of the documentation in order (because we are getting a grant from MCA for it) and it is taking up a considerable amount of time (and patience). Once all the paper work is finished we will begin organizing stuff and then we will train the sheep breeders in how to do everything like writing proposals and budgets, contacting advertising agencies and working with the host city. I anticipate that this will be a great experience both for me and the sheep breeders. And I can’t wait to eat cheese and drink wine!
Local Elections
Last weekend was local election time and due to the slight possibility that violence may erupt we PCVs were grounded. I love living in Gostivar and I rarely want to leave, but being told that we were not allowed to leave made it feel a little stifling. No violence to report from here though, just a lot of noise around 11:00pm and parading cars with Flags representing Albanian political parties and the Albanian flag. Round II of the elections is the 26th and 27th. I plan to be hard at work on my field paper that weekend though…
When we returned to Macedonia it was sort of a rude awakening, the weather in Greece had been warm, about 70 degrees, with no clouds in sight. In Macedonia it was cold and rainy. Welcome home. Upon my return I went directly to bed, but when I woke the next morning there was about 6 inches of freshly fallen snow. When is spring supposed to be here?
Project Design & Management seminar for the OSCE
A few of us PCVs have offered to train some local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in project design and management. The Organization for Security and Cooperation has asked for us to train about 15 active NGOs (9 in Skopje, 6 in Tetovo) in how to design, implement and manage small scale development projects.
I am really excited to do this because it will be nice to share this kind of information with people that are looking to do some good projects, rather than just chase money (as is frequently the case with municipalities and less reputable NGOs). It will also be fun to meet new people in the NGO sector.
Bosnian Sheep Breeders come for a Visit!
I found out last week that a delegation of sheep breeders from Bosnia will pay us a visit in late April. I’m really excited to meet these guys—rest assured a big story will be on the blog after their visit!
Organizing the Cheese & Wine Festival
Last year Macedonia Competitiveness Activity (MCA), Land O'Lakes and ScanAgri (the Swedish agriculture aid organization) organized a wine and cheese festival in the tourist town of Ohrid. Local cheese and wine producers were able to market and sell their products at a fair type venue; it was very festive and fun.
This year the Sheep breeders association (with generous support from MCA, Land O'Lakes and ScanAgri) is organizing the festival, which in this early stage means that I am organizing the festival. I am working on the project plans and getting all of the documentation in order (because we are getting a grant from MCA for it) and it is taking up a considerable amount of time (and patience). Once all the paper work is finished we will begin organizing stuff and then we will train the sheep breeders in how to do everything like writing proposals and budgets, contacting advertising agencies and working with the host city. I anticipate that this will be a great experience both for me and the sheep breeders. And I can’t wait to eat cheese and drink wine!
Local Elections
Last weekend was local election time and due to the slight possibility that violence may erupt we PCVs were grounded. I love living in Gostivar and I rarely want to leave, but being told that we were not allowed to leave made it feel a little stifling. No violence to report from here though, just a lot of noise around 11:00pm and parading cars with Flags representing Albanian political parties and the Albanian flag. Round II of the elections is the 26th and 27th. I plan to be hard at work on my field paper that weekend though…
posted by MinimumWager @ 11:23 PM
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