Letter to Future Volunteers

A few weeks ago I was asked to write a letter to the future volunteers who are coming to Belize in August. The letter is included in a pamphlet they receive a few months before they depart. So here it is:

15 minutes before the revelation of site placements, I walked into my training officer's office and stated: “Send me anywhere in this country except Belize City.” Six months later I would say the complete opposite: I would not want to be sent anywhere but Belize City.

As a youth development volunteer, my primary concern is bettering the lives of Belizean youth, particularly those who attend E.P. Yorke High School. My assignment calls for me to develop and plan the It's Up To Me Program, which is a program for “at-risk” youth who are in jeopardy of being expelled from school. As one of the top high schools in Belize, one would assume that a United States Peace Corps Volunteer would not be necessary; however with over 42% of the school's population residing on the south side of Belize City: the country's epicenter of violence, gangs and crime, a volunteer is much needed. The presence of youth development volunteers in Belize is crucial due to 70% of the nation being under 30 years of age.

Upon arriving at E.P. Yorke, I was not sure how I would fit in with the students and staff. I had never worked in a school setting before or mentored students and I didn't speak Kriol that well. After about three months in my site, I felt like I belonged. I was developing the program, speaking and understanding Kriol, coaching American football and teaching five Life Skills classes (I am actually apart of the “Big Five” on campus: the Principal, two Vice Principals, the counselor and myself. We have Management Meetings, which are in Kriol, every Friday and my input is wanted and respected).

Believe it or not, Peace Corps was kind of a step up for me: I am satisfied with my job, work 7-4, have my own office (with Air Conditioning), a nice apartment and weekends off. I did not have any of the previously listed in the United States. It was not what I was expecting for the “typical Peace Corps experience;” but then again: what is the typical P.C. experience? The answer is: there isn't one, it's what you make of it. The effort you put into it will be given back to you in rewards beyond monetary value, exponentially. Closing with a bit of advice: Don't expect anything.....except a rewarding experience.

Christopher Weiss

Youth Development

E.P. Yorke High School

2008-2010

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

The Power of Ants and Creepy Bus Rides

1. Being here in Belize I have learned many things, but one thing that I am constantly amazed by is the power, quickness and efficiency of ants. There are multiple kinds of ants and they all like different flavors and items. The first kind are these tiny 1/2 black 1/2 red ants that really enjoy sweets and any crumbs left on any surface: chairs, table, counters, stove etc. Their response time is about 3 minutes. If you leave anything on the counter, lets say a tiny piece of left-over fruit they will be there attacking the fruit. I have noticed they work with the sun, basically a 5 am to 6:30 pm. The second kind of ant is a big black ant that seems to aimlessly wander looking for dead bugs. Their response time is around 5 minutes. If you kill a roach and leave it there, the ants will be taking the bug apart and carrying it out of the apartment. Often times I will leave the bug/roach there just for the sake of entertainment. Both kinds of ants are afraid of movement and they seem to have a very quick communication system.

2. I have had 2 creepy bus rides in Belize. What exactly do i mean by creepy bus rides? This: Leaving a tiny village on the 3:30 am bus (that is the only bus out of the village and most of the residents take this bus to go to work or school. Can you imagine getting on a bus that early everyday to go to school? It makes you appreciate the relative ease of going to high school in the States.) and its packed with villagers who are all Mayan, meanwhile I am the only white person on the bus so they are all staring at me. The music on the bus: 1950’s American Gospel music. I said to myself wow this is straight out of a horror film. The second creepy bus ride was similar and the bus driver began playing 1950’s American Gospel music and 90% of the passengers began singing along. Creepy.

I spoke with a fellow Peace Corps volunteer who is currently serving in Guatemala and I asked why he hasn't been updating his blog anymore. He replied with: “It’s all become normal to me so it’s hard to write about stuff that goes on down here. I mean some guy took a shit in the middle of the road yesterday right in front of me and i didn't even think twice about it.” I am starting to feel the same way, but I am still going to try and update as much as I can.

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

Foreign Service Exam

I have decided to take the Foreign Service Exam. The test is the first step in becoming a State Department Foreign Service Officer. If you are a FSO you work in Washington D.C. or at an US embassy somewhere in the world. The test has a reputation of being very difficult and many state department officers took the test several times before passing it.

The first part is Job Knowledge which includes: US Government, US Society and Culture, World History and Geography, Economics, Mathematics and Statistics, Management, Communication and Computers. 

Second: English Expression

Third: Biographical Information Questionnaire

Fourth: Written Essay

If you pass the test you are invited to an Oral Exam in D.C. Apparently this is the toughest part. So basically its going to be a tough test, then if I pass that, a tougher Oral exam. Wish me luck. I would not pursue a career with the State Department until my obligation with the Peace Corps is fulfilled in October of 2010.