Mid-Service Converence

This week was the Mid-Service Conference for all AZ6 Volunteers. It was a time for reflection, planning, sharing, and inspiration. We all traveled to the Neapol Hotel just outside of Baku towards Sumqayit. The facilities were very nice and the food was terrific.

The pictures: The first is of a man of Turkish origins whose name is Guven Guven (see below about inspiration). The second is of our Program and Training Director Kristina Kavalunes introducing Guven. Kristina has served in Africa as a PCV, and in Eastern Europe, and now in Azerbaijan as Peace Corps Staff. While we were at the conference a snow storm descended down on Baku. The fifth picture is of the AZ6 Volunteers enjoying a meal during the extra day.

Kristina was attending a Rotarian meeting in Baku, and after the meeting Guven introduced himself to her and said he was a beneficiary of Peace Corps Volunteers. He asked to share his feelings about Peace Corps with her. After she listened for awhile, she knew we all needed to hear what he had to say.

Guven was born and raised in Turkey. At age 14 in 1964, 2 Peace Corps Volunteers, Mister Rafferty and Mister Ruth, came to his school to teach English. In Guven's culture in the 1960's he had to ask permission to leave his home. His experiences were all very limited, and here before him were 2 young men, less than 10 years older than himself who had traveled 4,000 miles to live and work in Turkey. Their example and teachings made him begin to think of things that he might accomplish. It was their presence that had a most profound affect on his life. After Guven shared his deep appreciation for the effect of Peace Corps Volunteers upon himself, a Volunteer asked, "and how has that affected your children?" Guven said, "My father had always limited my sister because she was a girl. She could not do many things that boys could do. He made her feel she was sorry that she was a female. I said to my God, my daughter will never feel such sorrow. My daughter has studied in Canada and accomplished much, and I am very proud of her." -- Drop by drop a lake is made.

The meeting was a time of reflection and it is amazing how far we have come personally in our service. We shared our friendships and deepest feelings for our counterparts and Azerbaijani friends. We shared projects and accomplishments. We also shared our frustrations and looked for ways to be better this last year of service.

We also began to look beyond our service. There was a panel of 5 RPCV (Returned Peace Corps Volunteers) who spoke about their adjustments and experiences following Peace Corps service. The younger Volunteers were very much interested in how best to enter the job market and graduate studies. They told about readjustment to the United States. We always think we will have no problems stepping back into our familiar culture and lifestyles. However, it will take a period of adjustment.

One of the best experiences from an RPCV was that of Karen Wrightsman who had served here in Shirvan. She moved to Washington D.C. after Peace Corps and began a new career direction. Shortly after moving to a new apartment, she got lost on her way home. She asked for help from the bus driver, who did not want to be bothered or take the time to help. She asked for help from businessmen, and everyone thought she was strange when she asked "Can you tell me how to get home?" It began to rain, she was cold, and she began to cry uncontrollably because if she would have been in Azerbaijan, the bus driver would have made sure she got home, and others would assist her.

The bad news was the snow storm. We awoke on Friday to travel home, only to be told we would stay another night in the hotel because of dangerous travel conditions. You can imagine the issues without the snow moving equipment, snow prepared vehicles, and inexperienced drivers. We entertained ourselves with games, movies, and lengthy conversations. It really was very nice, until Saturday when the Peace Corps said we must move from that hotel and start making arrangements to return to our sites. Linda and I were quite fortunate and made our way to our bus station and had begun our journey home when I received a call. The Director of Safety and Security had decided it was too dangerous to travel by bus today. I said, "too late, we are already rolling towards Shirvan." We made it home safe and sound while others are having to spend another night or two in Baku.

For some Volunteers it was a blessing in that now a few more will gather and watch the Super Bowl together. The problem being that the game begins at 3:00 a.m. Monday morning here.

One last word about Mid-Service Conference. Our Country Director, Meredith Dalton, said that because of logistically issues we will probably begin Close of Service within 30 days of December 9. That means, it certainly looks like we will be home for Thanksgiving. Inshallah - God willing.