Environment - Family Violence? In Dudas?

Boy throwing away trash after Heather's environment speech.

Girl drawing paying no attention whatsoever.

Justin and Heater accompanied me to Dudas-Cerneti to meet the director of the school and to talk to the kids and tell them a little about themselves and what they do. Justin talked about family violence and Heather talked about the environment. The kids always welcoming and interested in the new faces.

Day Trip to Bucharest

Domnul Mihai Otto and myself took a daytrip to Bucharest to see if we can learn how to help the Roma population from an organization called Ovidiu Rom. Their main goal is to concentrate on having all kids go and to remain in school for at least 10 years, which is required by law. We met them in the Peace Corps office and discussed their methodology. Leslie Hawke is one of the founders/head of the organization and led the presentation. We definitely came away with many ideas from them as well as the PC staff to continue in trying to help the Roma population. Here is a public announcement that we were given to hopefully find air time in our city. We will start trying to sell this to the media this coming Tuesday. It's an inspiring public announcement definitely worth watching.

Craciun Fericit si La Mult Ani

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All !!

And what are we all looking at ?

Christmas Carolers at the Emploment Agency
And for your benefit, Christmas songs especially made for you:

Getting Ready for the Holiday Season

Severin is getting ready for the holiday season which means decorating the streets and a holiday party.

The Main Street in Severin - Crisan Snowy Morning in my bloc

The Employment Agency's Christmas Party held at a former house of Ceaucescu (infamous dictator):

Hot Tuica and some appetizers to start with outside

Yes, that is a keyboard-guitar

How hard can a dance be if it's only 2 steps to the right and 2 steps to the left? Pretty difficult for myself.

A small taste of the sound and dancing to 'musica poplular' (traditionally done at all celebrations):

Ramnicu Valcea (Vladesti) - Diversity Day

Diversity Day in Vladesti
Three PC Volunteers (including myself) rotated classrooms to explain to the children (5th - 8th grade) the different perspectives of diversity and respect along with our experiecnces we each had.

Food weekend with friends

Dustin (Carol's friend from Oregon), truly experienced Romania by taking a bite of pigskin (with hair follicles still in tact and what he's currently holding in his hand) and drank tuica (kind of Romanian whiskey) from my bloc neighbors.

Roasting a pig

NOTE: Pictures are really graphic (could've been more graphic)!!

Roasting pork chops (not from the same pig).

MSG with french fries... mmm...

Finally a solid start

Carol and her friend Dustin from Oregon (first time out of the country) came to Severin to see a Roma village. As we were going, the director of the my organization (unemployment agency) told us to meet him at a Roma conference. Meeting him there, I unexpectedly had to speak in front of 25 people... in Romanian. In short, I said that being a volunteer I wanted to help the village if I can and from hearing many stories a small medical office (with showers for hygiene) were gravely needed. After the conference, the Roma Representative for Dudas went with us to the Mayor's office to see if I can obtain the land needed, they said consider it resolved. I stated it will be resolved when I get an official letter (with an honest evaluation of the land) stating it will be donated for the medical office. The mayor and Domnul Robert will say that he will get the letter next week. Can only hope, but it is a great start to get the necessary project on its way. Also for the first time it looks like the unemployment agency is truly backing my efforts in helping the Roma community.

To be continued...