Our Counterpart Workshop was Thursday and Friday. Our counterparts and supervisors from all over the country came to the center for two days of workshops and meet-n-greets. For clarification, a counterpart is the individual with whom we will work on our various projects and who is is responsible for helping us acclimate into the community. Our supervisors are individuals on some governmental level to whom we report.
Overall, the conference was a success. My counterpart is very eager for me to get started on my projects. I finally see why I was placed in my site. I had said that I wanted to work cross-sector on projects, pulling in volunteers from Agriculture and Education. I just wish my site was half way to Nowheresville.
We discussed various topics and made a plan for my first three months at site. Well.... my counterpart and supervisor made it. I just sat there in awe as they listed out all the people who are necessary for me to visit. I have to go meet someone at the Post Office. Why not?
My predecessor left some big shoes to fill. My counterpart even named a son after him. I'm excited about all the projects that were left open and even some of the other potential projects in the area.
During one of the sessions, everyone was given the goals of his or her sector and told to discuss which goal would be the most important in his or her site. My supervisor and counterpart both agreed on technological education, particularly computers, so that the local producers of the on-gong agricultural projects can find buyers. I bit my tongue. I can teach someone how to use a computer, but I wonder if my counterpart and supervisor realize the buyers may not be technologically savvy. We'll have to see how it works out.
We're spending the weekend in the Center and then going to Dakar on Monday for just the day. We will be introduced to the city and shown around. It will be fun
2 comments:
Very exciting yet a bit daunting I'm sure. I've no doubt you will do well and be a great success! So you'll be teaching people how to use computers? I see....and will you show them the same patience you've shown me when I asked a question? HA!! Gotcha! Remember to breathe and count to l0. Seriously, you are very precise and straight-forward; wonderful tools for teaching. You'll see! Your site is 8 hours from the PC compound, right? I wonder what you'll see on the drive there! This is such an exciting time in your life! Have fun, enjoy and be safe. Mom
I am glad it didn't take you long to figure out that your placement is a good match. Don't worry about filling those shoes, you will do amazing. Just think, you have just enough time to make a big enough impression so that your counterpart can name the next kid after you....or maybe your goal can be initials. :)
Whenever I see another lifeguard they ask how you are doing and want to know what you have been up to. Sometimes its even the first thing they say to me. Fall break has offically started for me, not that I will have anytime to relax. It will be spent doing my norm, as well as catching up on homework. Plus figuring out new health insurance. Luckily I have extra grant money I can use to pay this off, not the original plan, but I can work with it.
Good luck with the projects, esp teaching people how to use computers. It's a fact, you always have more patience with people that you are not related to. When will you get to start working on these projects? How far away will the closest volunteer be to you? Have an awesome week. Tamara
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