2006.07.27: July 27, 2006: Headlines: COS - Paraguay: Read the Hook: Even though Kirsten Albert had majored in Spanish and Latin American studies at UVA, she wasn't prepared for the linguistic and cultural challenges that awaited her there
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2006.07.27: July 27, 2006: Headlines: COS - Paraguay: Read the Hook: Even though Kirsten Albert had majored in Spanish and Latin American studies at UVA, she wasn't prepared for the linguistic and cultural challenges that awaited her there
Even though Kirsten Albert had majored in Spanish and Latin American studies at UVA, she wasn't prepared for the linguistic and cultural challenges that awaited her there
Albert worked as a health education volunteer, a job of which the definition changed every day. "The tasks we did were so varied, such as creating better wood stoves that would cut down on childhood burns-- to building better latrines or introducing toothbrushing techniques to cut down on cavities. Coca Cola being such a treat really has an impact on dental health," she recalls. "We were doing something different all the time in response to what the community wanted."
Even though Kirsten Albert had majored in Spanish and Latin American studies at UVA, she wasn't prepared for the linguistic and cultural challenges that awaited her there
COVER- Peace U.: UVA Corps vets tell tales
Published July 27, 2006 in issue 0530 of the HooK.
By Vijth Assar & Rosalind Warfield-Brown vijith@readthehook.com; copy@readthehook.com
[Excerpt]
Kirsten Albert
1990-1992
Ca-aguazu, Paraguay
<<>>
It seems that, almost without exception, volunteers come back singing the praises of the Peace Corps. Kirsten Albert, however, takes that enthusiasm to a new level.
Her lifelong involvement with the Peace Corps began when she was five, when her parents took her trekking through South America. "My very first memory [of the Peace Corps] was meeting a volunteer who lived in this lovely little house in the jungle. That night, my bed was in the path of really big rats that made their way the same way every night and walked right over us. I thought it was my dad tucking me in and being silly."
Her own turn came in 1990, when as a new volunteer, she shipped off to Paraguay. Even though she had majored in Spanish and Latin American studies at UVA, Albert wasn't prepared for the linguistic and cultural challenges that awaited her there.
"It's one of the only countries in the world that honors the indigenous language by having two national languages, Spanish and Guarani," she says. "Since I had the Spanish, I had very intense Guarani training. It was a great opportunity to be the comic relief for the entire community by putting my foot in my mouth. In Paraguay, it's not considered polite to correct someone, so I just get these bursts of laughter."
Albert worked as a health education volunteer, a job of which the definition changed every day. "The tasks we did were so varied, such as creating better wood stoves that would cut down on childhood burns-- to building better latrines or introducing toothbrushing techniques to cut down on cavities. Coca Cola being such a treat really has an impact on dental health," she recalls. "We were doing something different all the time in response to what the community wanted."
Sometimes, what the community wanted was a little upsetting for a displaced American. "It's very powerful to buy your groceries and then feel guilty about bringing them into town, and then trying to find ways to share them as much as possible," she says. "The excitement of buying powdered milk and bringing it back-- and the guilt-- is really something. Milk is such a luxury item. I'd often end up making milkshakes or drinks for kids in the area."
The Peace Corps limits volunteer terms to two years, so upon returning, Albert had no way to quench her thirst for the experience except by working in an administrative capacity at the Peace Corps headquarters.
"It's unlike any job I've ever been in. It's such a remarkable organization, from both sides," she says.
Unfortunately, the Peace Corps also limits administrative jobs to five years, after which employees must spend an equal amount of time away from the organization before they're allowed to return. Albert left in 2001.
"I've been measuring it; I have another year to go," she says. "It's very tempting."
When this story was posted in July 2006, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
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Story Source: Read the Hook
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