The Purpose of the Peace Corps

What is the Peace Corps exactly you ask? Great question. I think it is best described by JFK upon signing Executive Order 10924 on March 1, 1961:

"In establishing our Peace Corps we intend to make full use of the resources and talents of private institutions and groups. Universities, voluntary agencies, labor unions and industry will be asked to share in this effort--contributing diverse sources of energy and imagination--making it clear that the responsibility for peace is the responsibility of our entire society.
We will only send abroad Americans who are wanted by the host country--who have a real job to do--and who are qualified to do that job. Programs will be developed with care, and after full negotiation, in order to make sure that the Peace Corps is wanted and will contribute to the welfare of other people. Our Peace Corps is not designed as an instrument of diplomacy or propaganda or ideological conflict. It is designed to permit our people to exercise more fully their responsibilities in the great common cause of world development.
Life in the Peace Corps will not be easy. There will be no salary and allowances will be at a level sufficient only to maintain health and meet basic needs. Men and women will be expected to work and live alongside the nationals of the country in which they are stationed--doing the same work, eating the same food, talking the same language.
But if the life will not be easy, it will be rich and satisfying. For every young American who participates in the Peace Corps--who works in a foreign land--will know that he or she is sharing in the great common task of bringing to man that decent way of life which is the foundation of freedom and a condition of peace."

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

What I Like and Dislike about Belize

I am writing about things I enjoy about Belize and things I dislike:

Likes:
The Food - rice and beans, chicken etc. (excluding pigtail)
The Weather - 80 and up and that's winter
The Beaches
Belize City - 38 of 45 murders in Belize City last year happened in the south of the city, i don't live in the south side
My Job - the office, schedule and weekends off
My Host Family - The Eiley's are awesome
Palm Trees - gotta love em
Julie - she lives in Dangriga but its only a 3 hour bus ride to see her
Movies - bootleg copies of movies that haven't hit theatres yet in the states

Dislikes:
Sand flies - they come at sunrise and sunset, they bite, they are small and fly through the screen
Music - Punta is obnoxious and i don't like it at all
Belizean TV Shows - They have this show called Duets down here its like a local American Idol and everyone in the country watches it. Imagine the 10 worst performing acts you have ever seen. Now picture those 10 acts competing on TV: That is Duets. It's torture to watch. While living in Independence i figured out the entertainment situation in Belize. If entertainment value was put onto a universal 1 to 10 scale: Americans are accustomed to 8, 9 and 10's while Belizeans are accustomed to 2, 3, and 4's, but to them it might be a 8, 9 or 10.
The treatment of dogs - dogs are treated like crap down here, most are malnourished and have VD, its gross
Lack of News sources - Love FM provides all news on the radio and there are 2 news stations
Being treated like a tourist just because I am white - this means that I always have money and I always need a cab
The trash - Most Belizeans don't understand the concept of a trash can, plastic is everywhere

Do not let the list of dislikes fool you, my likes highly outweigh my dislikes and I am thoroughly enjoying myself down here. I should also let the record state that I am very respectful of the culture and do not publicly voice my opinions on dislikes and consider all experiences to be part of the Peace Corps journey.

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

The New Year

Happy New Year to all! I had a great holiday season here in Belize, despite being away from my family.

My new years was spent in Caye Caulker: which is a nice, quaint tropical paradise with waters of every shade of blue and green. The boat ride to Caye Caulker from Belize City is about 45 minutes and costs $25 Belize round trip. Julie and I stayed in an ocean front hotel and we had a lot of fun. I saved some money over the previous weeks and took her out to a nice Italian restaurant called Don Corleone's. I got lasagna and she got the lobster dinner. It was surprisingly the best lasagna I have ever had in my life.

After celebrating the New Year, I came to the realization that I do not need two things in my life anymore:
1. Swear words
2. Alcohol - excluding the occasional glass of red wine

Cussing or swearing is totally inappropriate and unnecessary. I feel like an idiot every time i swear. I'm done with it.

Alcohol has done nothing for me in my life besides drain me financially, physically and emotionally. I hate hangovers, I hate not being in control and I hate making mistakes while under the influence. I hate alcohol. I'm done with it. (Excluding the occasional glass of red wine, which has been proven to provide health benefits)

I don't really believe in new years resolutions, due to the inevitability of failure, so i prefer life changing/self realizations. So when I return to the United States in 2010, don't expect to see me swear or drink.

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone! This is my second big holiday away from the states and my family. Plenty of gifts have been sent down here and Julie and I will be celebrating Christmas morning at my apartment and then we are heading over the my host family's house for Christmas dinner. I am spending New Year's in Caye Caulker, which is a nice island off the coast off of Belize. Happy Holidays!!

New Apartment

I found a nice apartment near the school in Belize City. I am happy that I am finally getting my own place after 4 months of living with host families, but I am going to miss having all my food prepared for me. If you want to write or send anything here is my new address:

5964 Campus Avenue
Apartment #10
West Landivar
Belize City, Belize

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

Chess Tournament

So Julie and I played in a chess tournament in Dangriga over the weekend. We both finished towards the bottom; since it was the first tournament for both of us, that was expected. We both played 4 matches and it lasted all day. It is safe to say that we both had a lot of fun and chess will definitely be a part of our experience in Belize. There are numerous chess associations in the country and they tend to team up with Peace Corps volunteers. The game has a number of benefits for both youth and adults in country: intellectual and the development of hobbies, simply put there is not a lot do do here. More than likely I will bring chess to the "It's Up To Me Program."

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

My Job

I don't think I have actually described my job in depth so here goes: I am working at a high school out of the counselor's office in Belize City, Belize. I am responsible for coordinating and running a program entitled “It's Up To Me.” The program was created by a former volunteer who basically wrote the framework, but did not include any activities/strategies/materials; so I am having to come up with the “meat and potatoes” of the program. I am having a great time because I can essentially do whatever I want with the kids. The students involved in the program are labeled as “at risk.” What is at risk? Students who are in trouble academically and/or disciplinary. There are currently 11 students in the program and I meet with them on a individual and group basis once a week. In the next two years I would like to create a manual for the program along with a handbook/assignment book for the students.

I teach 5 Life Skills classes on Thursday's and Friday's to 2nd and 3rd formers (sophomores and juniors). The subject matter includes: Goal setting, communication skills, conflict resolution, stress management, decision making skills, sexuality, STD's/HIV/AIDS, drugs, teenage pregnancy, child abuse, domestic violence, depression and suicide. It was weird at first because I don't really have any classroom experience but I am comfortable in front of groups so I am having fun with it. All classes are conducted in English but the kids often respond in Kriol.

Another crazy part of the job is that I am already one of the Big 5 on campus. Every week there are management meetings with the principal, 2 vice principals, a counselor and me. I am responsible for reporting on the status of the students in the Its Up To Me program. I am enjoying this because it holds me accountable. All meetings are conducted in Kriol.

Some of the benefits of the job: its a structured environment, I have my own office (desk, chair fan, window, door sign, the works. Its funny I couldn't find a job like this in the states so I have to join the peace corps to get hooked up with an office), I have the freedom to create my own work, I don't work on weekends, I get 3 weeks for Christmas, 2 weeks for Spring break and Summers off. ha.

I was also asked to be the advisor for the American Football Club the first week I got here. I enjoy watching football but I do not have any experience coaching the game. I think American Football is one thing that Belizeans think Americans automatically know and enjoy. The club meets on Wednesdays for an hour.

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss