The Summer Is Almost Over

The first picture is of the group of AZ6 Volunteers who were then not even Trainees. We were checking in at JFK airport in New York, September 23, 2008. Little could we imagine all that we would do in the next 2 years.
The second photo is our celebrating being in country 1 year, and thinking how much we had already experienced.
The third is of a fire near the Central Library. A small shop which sold household items including small electronic appliances had an electrical fire which destroyed most of its inventory.
The fourth is the entrance of the Shirvan Humanitarian and Economic College. The college campus is the building in the background and a courtyard which includes a football (soccer) field and exercise bars. It is similar to a community college or trade school in the United States.
Finally, it is our Country Director, Meredith Dalton and us. It is always an honor and an excitement when the Country Director visits on site. Meredith has an awesome responsibility for the over 100 PCVs and staff serving in Azerbaijan. The Americans on staff are giving of themselves to the Peace Corps, and their country. All are former Peace Corps Volunteers who have later become employed by the Peace Corps.
From Linda:
This week was the end of Courtyard English Club for elementary-aged boys and girls who live in our apartment complex (5 large Soviet-built apt. buildings). Usually there would average 12 boys on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 16 girls on Mondays and Wednesdays. I had no blackboard, white board, desks, walls, maps, etc. that a classroom usually has. All my materials I carried in a box. The club lasted for 1 hour each day for the months of July and August. Some children had had a little English in school but most were non-English speaking. The children would gather before I got there and were glad to see me. Often students that did not have club that particular day would stand outside the open little shelter and listen to the lessons. Children in Azerbaijan have nothing to do during the summers. Unlike in America, Azeri children seldom travel and there are no camps, summer school or sports for children during the summer. On the last day I gave each student a pencil (sent from America) and a piece of candy. They were very sorry that the club was finished.
The parents and adults have also been very appreciative that I will do English Club and not charge any money. Often the parents, grandparents or older siblings would sit or stand around so they could hear what we were doing. Most adults in the apartment complex smile and speak to me when I go out. Several have thanked me for the English Club. I now hear English words and phrases every day in our courtyard. I hope that some day there will be children who remember the American teacher that came to Azerbaijan and taught them beginning English.

From Denney:
We will have about a dozen more blog postings including this one. If there is anything subject you would like us to share our thoughts or experiences, please just add it in a comment, and we will post.

We are working with our Power of Attorney, Lyle and LaVerna Baker on our coming home. Thinking about places to live and needs such as a car. One of the goals we have set is to lose some weight in the next 10 weeks. Our friends and fellow Volunteers, Bill and Dorothy, had to return to the United States for 4 weeks in July to care for family. Bill reported that in the 4 weeks he quickly gained 7 pounds. We realize that we will eat much and not always healthy foods when we first return – oh how good that first meat lovers pizza will be!