2009.03.01: March 1, 2009: Headlines: COS - Madagascar: Safety: Personal Web Site: Peace Corps Volunteer JessAbroad writes: I am beginning to feel the possibility of evacuation is more stressful than when I originally settled in Madagascar
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2009.03.01: March 1, 2009: Headlines: COS - Madagascar: Safety: Personal Web Site: Peace Corps Volunteer JessAbroad writes: I am beginning to feel the possibility of evacuation is more stressful than when I originally settled in Madagascar
Peace Corps Volunteer JessAbroad writes: I am beginning to feel the possibility of evacuation is more stressful than when I originally settled in Madagascar
While I feel I have one of the safest (and most beautiful) sites in Madagascar, things are changing on Ile Sainte Marie. There was a string of robberies, vaazaha houses targeted. A group of young Malagasy men stole food for their families. My house is fine so far, but people are starting to ask more and more of me. Today a man stopped by. He said my property owner hired him to cut the wild grass in my front yard. Once I let him inside my gate, he attempted to enter my house, and then he changed his story to, “I need food, money or both.” I learned my lesson early on when it comes to giving things to people. Give it to one person, and the entire village feels entitled to some, too. In that case, I had given water to one of my students, and people stopped by to ask for water days after the fact. I hated turning this desperate man away, but I had to, but before he left, he said I did not give him anything because I do not want to. My community refuses to believe I make the same wage as them and am hurting just as much.
Peace Corps Volunteer JessAbroad writes: I am beginning to feel the possibility of evacuation is more stressful than when I originally settled in Madagascar
Conditions at site
* Mar. 1st, 2009 at 11:59 PM
Caption: Madagascan soldiers separate supporters of opposition leader Andry Rajoelina and President Marc Ravalomanana in the capital Antananarivo February 14, 2009. Photo: Reuters/Carl Hocquart/Files
Moi
I am beginning to feel the possibility of evacuation is more stressful than when I originally settled in Madagascar. It is difficult to commit to projects when I could be on an airplane to South Africa or Kenya tomorrow. Should we resort to evacuation, we have the option to transfer to another country, and that too is stressful, as that opens up the entire world again.
I have considered taking the transfer and hope my second country does not wipe out my love for Madagascar. If we get a choice, I would like to try a different continent, maybe Asia. Obedient students appeal to me greatly.
When I interviewed for the Peace Corps, the person that interviewed me had just returned from his service in Tonga, and he said that being a foreigner there was “instant rock star status.” I figured I could deal with it. I wanted to be famous when I was a kid, so why not. Now that I have that status, well, it is not exactly glamorous. People talk about whatever I do. I go to the market, and they talk about what I buy. There are always people outside of my house, trying to look in. I thought since I am in a more touristy area the people would be used to seeing foreigners and wouldn’t stare so much, but they can never stare enough. Free show!
While I feel I have one of the safest (and most beautiful) sites in Madagascar, things are changing on Ile Sainte Marie. There was a string of robberies, vaazaha houses targeted. A group of young Malagasy men stole food for their families. My house is fine so far, but people are starting to ask more and more of me. Today a man stopped by. He said my property owner hired him to cut the wild grass in my front yard. Once I let him inside my gate, he attempted to enter my house, and then he changed his story to, “I need food, money or both.” I learned my lesson early on when it comes to giving things to people. Give it to one person, and the entire village feels entitled to some, too. In that case, I had given water to one of my students, and people stopped by to ask for water days after the fact. I hated turning this desperate man away, but I had to, but before he left, he said I did not give him anything because I do not want to. My community refuses to believe I make the same wage as them and am hurting just as much.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: March, 2009; Peace Corps Madagascar; Directory of Madagascar RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Madagascar RPCVs; Safety and Security of Volunteers
When this story was posted in March 2009, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
| Director Ron Tschetter: The PCOL Interview Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter sat down for an in-depth interview to discuss the evacuation from Bolivia, political appointees at Peace Corps headquarters, the five year rule, the Peace Corps Foundation, the internet and the Peace Corps, how the transition is going, and what the prospects are for doubling the size of the Peace Corps by 2011. Read the interview and you are sure to learn something new about the Peace Corps. PCOL previously did an interview with Director Gaddi Vasquez. |
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Story Source: Personal Web Site
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Madagascar; Safety
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