Kumanovo Kids

The Next PDM Shaun and I facilitated was in Kumanovo--we worked with Jeff, another MAK8 volunteer. This workshop was for a youth NGO and it was one of the most exciting because the participants were eager to learn the information and put their ideas into some sort of solid form. Working with (relatively) optimistic young people is motivating too, especially after our experience with older farmers and some slightly disillusioned Peace Corps volunteers.

In general the PDM workshop went well. There were frustrating times however, because the workshop fell immediately following the graduation of the seniors, many of whom were supposed to participate. The kids were frequently showing up late (or not showing up at all) and bringing their little photo albums, which inhibited productivity. I actually had to tell a girl that she needed to put her photos away if she wanted to take part in the workshop. It definitely provoked memories of teachers telling us to "stay on task"; from this experience I was also reminded that my patience with adolescents wears thin quickly.

In the photo above are two of the participants, Emilija (she was a superstar) and Angel. They were working on designing goals and objectives for a project that involves an art colony for artistic young people in Kumanovo.

The following two days Jeff , Shaun and I facilitated another PDM for the American corner in Bitola. This one was for any interested NGO folks. We had 20 registered. 15 showed up on the first day. 11 showed up on the second day (but not the same 11 from the previous day) and by the time it was finished I think we all were ready for a big break. This stuff takes is draining! Shaun then went on vacation to Turkey with Vanessa almost immediately after, but I had one last PDM to finish...

Special Visitors!

Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez and EMA director Jay Katzen came to Macedonia on a tour of the Eastern Europe and Mediterranean region. We had a nice visit and discussed the challenges and highlights of serving as volunteers in Macedonia.

We toured the city of Tetovo and visited the painted mosque...it was my first time inside.

Pictured here are Shaun and I inside the well known Mosque. It's interesting, ne li?

More PDMs

Vaness and Karen present their poster, part of the "visioning" activity
Originally uploaded by Bethywager.

May began with the Project Design and Management workshop for the new (not that new) MAK 9 volunteers. The workshop took place in the beautiful tourist village of Kruševo (the home of Macedonian Pop sensation Toše Proeski) and the weather was pretty darn nice too. Shaun and I had the pleasure of working with Kendra, another Mak 8 and Laura, a Mak 9 with some PDM experience. The MAK 9ers did a great job of learning the material and we (the facilitators) noticed a lot of growth in teamwork and comprehension in the two day extravaganza. Good Job MAK 9!

International Labor Day

The first of May is international Labor day (which is celebrated pretty much everywhere but in the US) and Macedonian tradition is to go for a picnic in the hills.

Shaun and I have a new friend, Trpe, he works at a local grocery store...and DVD rental shop...and the local radio station. He asked for some help putting together a proposal to reformat the radio and we are currently working on that. He invited Shaun and I to head to the hills on Labor Day. Trpe spent much of his youth hanging out with his grandparents in this village.

Pictured here is me drinking a brewski with Trpe's girlfriend in the background.

Trpe's Grandfather

This is Trpe's grandfather (or dedo in Macedonian) hanging out in his village house.