Tuesday, February 19, 2008

It's that time of the year again...

As the title suggests, it is about time for another installment of my critically acclaimed and rarely updated blog. Instead of beating around the bush here's a little rundown of what has been going on in the little mountain town of Bratsigovo.

Work

As of six weeks ago I have begun teaching daily English lessons at the orphanages in town as well as tutoring a few teenage girls in Italian. Overall the kids are really motivated and have been doing a great job considering my lack of teaching skills and idea of how to teach the languages.

Now that spring is on the way I'm getting started on a few more projects to occupy my remaining time in Bratsigovo. The main one which I will be working on will be an HIV and STD prevention campaign focused on youth and teens in the Roma community here in Bratsigovo. I will be working together with an organization from Pazardzhik and an organization from Burgas with the intention of providing them with free testing and information on what they can do to prevent these diseases. The next project which I will be working on is to promote art and photography within the orphanages in town. Working together with my sister and Josh in Iskar the aim is to provide a two-month long hands-on training for interested kids with the end result being a group of photos which will be displayed in the town's community center and can be made into postcards, posters, and photobooks to be sold in America. The proceeds from these products will be used to pay for the children who wish to pursue a higher education, since currently they do not have the opportunity due to financial reasons.

Finally, Peace Corps worldwide director Ron Tschetter will be visiting me here in Bratsigovo this Thursday. He is spending a two days here in Bulgaria and will be visiting two other volunteers in order to see first hand the work which is being done here in Bulgaria.

General Odds and Ends

Outside of work, life is normal but good. With the self-destruction of my computer I have been filling me time reading, drawing, and studying for the GRE. A few weekends ago I was able to head up to Borovets for the weekend to snowboard with Kevin and Ryan. Although there wasn't any new snow the weather was perfect and we had a great time. If conditions allow I will be taking another snowboarding trip to a smaller resort in a few weeks. Other than that life is exactly what you would expect it to be living in a small Bulgarian town of 4,000: Quiet and relaxing.

Currently Reading: "The Rainbow" by D.H. Lawrence
Currently Listening to: "Beyond" by Dinosaur Jr.