A challenge and a blessing

The Rural Training Center(RTC) on Paama now has 10 students attending, of which five will graduate this November. We’ve lost a couple teachers, attendance is not always good and the RTC will not be getting a replacement Peace Corps Volunteer…these issues have been disheartening. There are RTCs on other islands that have 30 students and some who are struggling to keep a few so we are right in the middle…at least we are running. Without permanent teachers, Sandy, the manager and I have created a school plan to bring in men and women around Paama who have certain skills, knowledge or experiences to do workshops.

I’ve recently started the computer class, did a First Aid workshop and made collages. A papa who worked in the vineyards in New Zealand will come present about his experience and some mamas will be showing the students how to sew shirts, hanging clothes baskets and how to make different island food. The bank manager will also be coming to talk about savings plans and why one should save money in the bank instead of burying it in the ground which is what many do.

It has been a challenge here to encourage enrollment and attendance, partly because the people of Paama do not struggle for food or shelter. These basic necessities are easily met by going to the garden, fishing and working with the community to build a house. For us, we must go to school or learn a trade in order to find a job, earn money to buy food and pay rent or a mortgage. There’s less need here for money so in turn the challenge of promoting the importance of attending school can be difficult.

It’s a blessing that they can survive from the land, ocean and man power. The materialism that our society is so addicted to is still not as prevalent although mobile phones have just been introduced during my time here on Paama so another expense now added. And there’s often someone asking if I can get them a DVD player or digital camera so it’s happening here too…

While the advancements in communication and living is improving the lives of the people here, there's also the downside that the more we have, the more we want. So, the inevitable is gonna happen with more households getting electricity and thus more getting T.V.s and DVD players. I just hope this untouched paradise takes its time getting there.