Midservice. NewProjects. Georgia-bound

As many of you know, this first year and a half has been rife with firsts. Among such experiences are those of being dubbed, “over the hill” and “an old maid” by Peace Corps and local friends, respectfully. Clearly, explanations are necessary: the first title refers to my recent participation in the AZ-7 Peace Corps Volunteer group mid-service conference. The second refers to my status as “evda qalmış”—that is, I have passed my 23rd year of life without getting married…

Kathy, Jackie, and I arrived in Baku for our mid-service conference the day early at the now infamous “four star” Neopol Hotel which welcomed us not long ago as newly arrived trainees. We spent a good portion of our free time getting medical, dental, and language exams done (I am proud to report that I am in possession of a healthy set of teeth and gums according to my friendly local dentist). Other time was spent wandering around parts of downtown Baku, stopping at familiar sites by the sea as well as the newly established Park Boulevard Shopping Center to look at trendy clothes and accessories that seem to be beyond my price range in the United States and Azerbaijan alike. The nice part of mid-service conference was that I was able to connect with Volunteers whom I had not seen since we swore in as PCVs last December. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits, eager to trade stories and exchange ideas about new projects. We participated in a series of break-out sessions that ranged from “the past year” to various peer-led topical trainings. I had the privilege of facilitating the Women and Gender Development session and it was both interesting and exciting to hear from other volunteers about their individual experiences and insights regarding topics related to an issue area of such importance. It definitely recharged my batteries as I reaffirmed my commitment to the work that remains within my own service.

Following mid-service conference, I returned to site with a new sense of focus for my next year. Because I have decided not to pursue an extension of service, I am aware that time is of the essence with regard to the implementation of a few nascent projects. To name a few: Tural, myself and other friends will continue with the Ganja softball program which begins its spring season in early March. Ganja has held a consistent presence in the PCV-initiated softball league and this year we hope to include more young women as well as encourage more Azerbaijani participation in the management and leadership of the team. One of the big questions many PCVs face is that of sustainability: what will happen to this project when I leave? How can we make sure that as many people as possible have the chance to benefit from this program? What if there is not another Volunteer to take the reins on this activity? As it is, we hope that this year will see some of those concerns assuaged—at least with regard to the Ganja softball team!

The second project of interest that I hope to implement relates to one of the Peace Corps goals—that is, “to educate host country nationals about the United States.” To this end, I hope to utilize the best resource that Peace Corps brings to its work: the rich and diverse experiences of Volunteers. A substantial part of my service has come to coalesce around the notion of diversity: religious, ethnic, socio-economic, age and experience, etc. I have had countless conversations about issues of national versus ethnic versus religious and cultural identity. However, the scope of my own experiences and beliefs have limited most of these conversations. Hence, I hope to organize a series of public forums in which Peace Corps Volunteers gather for round table panel discussions on various topics related to the American experience. One of the remarkable aspects of the Peace Corps community is the variety of people who sign up to serve as grassroots diplomats that strive to represent the mosaic that is the American people.

As I enter my second year of service, I am thankful for this opportunity. I have had a series of challenges and don’t doubt that they will halt over the next ten months. At the same time, I have been granted a series of blessings—opportunities to become stronger, work harder, and love deeper. In the end, regardless of impromptu rusty water facials or the seasonal low club numbers, I believe that I am doing what I had hoped for at the end of college: to confront my ideals in a profound way, to serve, and ultimately, to “do something with my privilege” as Winona LaDuke (and my parents) put it.

In upcoming news, I will be embarking on my second trip to Georgia for St. Valentine’s Day. My intention is to spend time enjoying Tbilisi (one of my favorite cities), enjoying the company of three fabulous travel companions, and taking pictures of/inside the “ever-so-romantic” Joseph Stalin-related attractions in nearby Gori. My friend, Tor has suggested that we all don mustaches for the occasion. Must consider further…