Christmas with the Carters

I left for Peace Corps staging only a few days before April and Stephen's twins, Cora and Caroline were born and 15 months later, I finally get to spend time with them. The girls were a little sick but happy to play with their Christmas gifts and to get to know Auntie Amy. I hope they remember me in a year! Here are a few Christmas pics and some from our time together.

Girls with beautiful Mommy

Me with sweet, adorable Cora...she's so laid back...not much phases her, much like Daddy.

Me with cute, outgoing Caroline...Miss Speedy and loves to be the center of attention

April and I with the girls...Cora's wondering why I'm so tan...it's summer over there!

This cold is brutal! Chicago is gonna be painful.

Daddy with Caroline

Santa can be scary.

April and Dee are amazing parents...twins are hard work! To see them feeding, playing, changing, holding, wiping, hugging, loving...x2. Wow. I am in awe of them. I look so forward to spoiling Cora and Caroline and being a part of their lives. Great times to come times two!

A letter home...thanks to those who supported A Basket for Change

A letter that my Mom gave out to those who bought a bag...an update on what I've been doing...

Hello from Vanuatu!

More (pronounced Mor-ay, hello in the language of Paama Island) from Vanuatu in the South Pacific! I am happy to report that I am doing well and have completed 15 months of a total 27 months of Peace Corps service. My end of service is December 2010...so one more year!

A little about what I am doing here…my primary job is to advise and work with the RTC or Rural Training Center which is a vocational school that teaches skills such as agriculture, business, home care (sewing, cooking) and carpentry to the community and to students after they’ve completed secondary school. I hope to bring computer and mechanics courses to the RTC by the end of my service. Secondary projects can range from teaching at the primary school (I teach English and Math to years 2 and 4) to conducting workshops about the environment, health and grant writing.

One particular secondary project I've been passionate about is A Basket for Change…another volunteer, Brianna Russell living in a nearby village and I conduct workshops with the women of Paama to teach them how to sew baskets (bags) out of calico known for their colorful island style prints. Along with helping them to determine costs, money management and quality, the women of Paama are given an opportunity to earn money for their children’s school fees as well as for foods that must be purchased. (They are subsistence farmers, growing most of their food.) Their average income each week is only about $1-$2 from selling produce at the local market. The mamas have been appreciative and proud to be able to earn money for their families.
Well, it’s been a difficult, humbling, amazing and enlightening journey thus far. The primitive and simple life here has its upsides and downsides and as much as I yearn for electricity, a running shower/toilet, ice cream and familiar faces…I realize I’ll miss island time and this slow pace of life one day when I am inundated with meetings and deadlines.

A few things I’ve reflected upon during my Peace Corps service…

☼ learn to embrace the difficult times…they can only make you stronger and can open doors to other opportunities

☼ slow down, breathe and take time to give thanks and remember to enjoy the view
☼ waste not, want not…we all should do our part to conserve, reuse and recycle

I’ve also realized more than ever that I am blessed to have amazing family and friends. Without the support, love and encouragement, I would have called it quits months ago. Thank you.

Peace and love,
amy

More black magic, ghosts and goblins

Further storian (chatting) with one of the teachers here on Paama and more tales about black magic come to light...The Ni-Vanuatu who practice black magic are chosen by a “secret society” which involves training and initiation in order to become granted admittance. Of the rituals, a new recruit must kill a close friend as well as eat their own excrement! Ewh!

As a member of this black magic fraternity, one has the power to kill someone by just thinking so, however in order to kill someone, you must also kill a relative or close friend...an eye for an eye, essentially.

There has been "scientific proof" claims my teacher friend...once an autopsy was performed on an individual thought to have been killed by black magic, the person’s insides were removed and in its place sand and leaves. True story.