Happy Endings and H1N1

So, It’s been a  REALLY long time since I posted here…but I have been reading everyone else’s blog posts. For the most part, when I come back from work I’m just so bone tired that I can’t even gather the energy to lift a finger, much less update on my work here.  But here goes.

The women and children that I work with are still great. It’s starting to be that time where all the other interns are starting to leave even though I’m still here (my alliance internship started about 3 weeks later than most), so it’s getting kind of sappy and sad. Also, some of the women that I’ve started to get close to have started to get their lives together and leave the shelter, which is kind of bittersweet — I’m happy to see them go forward with their lives, but sad to see them go, knowing that I will probably never see them again. But the women that are still here are still privy to my full attention and support, and new women are coming in every day.

One thing that I’ve noticed here in Thailand  (and, from what I can tell, within the majority of Southeast Asia) is the panic over the swine flu virus. Simply referred to here as H1N1, worries over the spread of swine flu have escalated, even though reports have come out that it is easily treated if caught early enough. If you walk around the city, everyone is wearing disposable surgical masks (which, if you ask them, they will claim they are wearing for “dust and allergies”), and the Thai government has become especially wary of incoming foreigners who may or may not be carrying the virus. Now upon entry to the airport, you must fill out a full survey ensuring that you have none of the symptoms of swine flu, which include, but are not limited to: headache, sore throat, fever, runny nose, coughing, nausea,  fatigue, and lack of appetite. Most of these symptoms can be attributed to almost any illness, but if you report that you are suffering any of these upon entry to the country, you will immediately be detained and quarantined.  Entire schools have been closed down for weeks if they suspect that a child has the swine flu.  At the airports now, you have to go through a thermal scanner to make sure that you don’t have elevated body temperature. The sad part is, all of these protective measures aren’t just pursued by paranoid hypochondriacs; the government actively works to ensure that everyone is aware of the potential threat of swine flu and how it can apparently devastate entire villages.

I’m not a medical expert, but I really do think an initiative is needed to increase awareness on the actual nature of swine flu and its potential implications for society. People need to know that swine flu is not as dangerous as it seems if treated early enough, and that this panic is eerily reminiscent of previous scares over bird flu and SARS. Taking weeks off of work and shutting down institutions over a perceived threat, in my opinion will not help the country as a whole, go further in its path to development. Luckily enough, at the Wildflower Home, steps have been taken to make it clear to the women that the likelihood of swine flu killing us all is slim to none.

 

Shamira

Last Week in Lexington, VA

Although I am very much excited about being reunited with my friends and family back home, I can’t help but think about the people I will be leaving here in Lexington. I would like to think that in some way I have positively affected this community. But most importantly, I’d like to take a moment to talk about how this community has affected me.

Working for the Campus Kitchen at Washington and Lee University has been very fulfilling. For me this job has been challenging, exciting, and sometimes intimidating. But I have grown so much from these experiences. The thought of having to talk to clients and be engaging with people I’ve never met–in a town I’ve never heard of–was a little uncomfortable for me. Not to mention, a lot of our clients have some sort of disability. This is to say, I was definitely kicked out of my comfort zone. And, I can honestly say for this I am grateful.

Everyone here is so nice and I will miss the southern hospitality that Lexington, VA represents. The spirit of community will stay with me when I leave and I hope that I can bring back this idea of cooperation and collaboration back home.

The Campus Kitchens Project is a wonderful organization and I know the Kitchen will continue to thrive under the impeccable leadership of the coordinator Ms. Jennifer Sproul.

Farewell!

With Love,

Isis A. Rose

Familiar Faces

Six weeks down and two weeks left.  I remember how during my first few weeks I spent a couple hours everyday just hanging out in the Drop-In Center attempting to shift from being an outsider to a familiar face.  That was a slow process.  As time passed though, people who I had never spoken with except to hand them a laundry token or check their mail began talking to me like they trusted me.  Asking me about my day. Joking with me.  I never imagined how much more invested I would feel in Covenant House when the people I’m serving want to know me and see me as a valued resource.  And it was a snowball effect.  As soon as one person felt comfortable casually talking to me, others began to quickly realize that I was a normal person. Someone who carry on a conversation past “This is only valid for 30 days..” 

 Since then, I have thoroughly enjoyed the time I have been able to work the front desk and sit and get to know people.  Whether it is Rick, the recovering meth addict who comes into my office at least twice a week to just sit and chat, or Sally, the lady who comes in everyday to shower and laundry and tells me so much about her grandchildren that I feel like I’ve practically met them, or even Carl, the homeless and often disheveled man who tells me on a daily basis that I look like some nondescript woman on a television commercial, I know these people in more ways than service.

This being said, I still don’t know how exactly to make sure families never have to worry about having their electricity turned off or how to empty the 3 overcrowded shelters in Covenant House’s backyard.  But all in good time.  As of this right now, I am confident that by first knowing these people, I have a clearer understanding of how to best assist these people.  I now see poverty as a face and a people, not an issue.  Issues are things you deal with because you feel like you have to, but people are individuals you help in reaction to a realization of your own fortune.

The Real World D.C.: Less Than Two Weeks

“Two more weeks, two more weeks,” this is what you will hear as the bases of much conversation amongst most of the D.C. interns. Its hard to believe that almost eight weeks ago we all embarked on a journey together that has quickly passed us by.
The residents of Curley Court all have been heavily involved in individual growth, but the growth I have personally experienced is insurmountable. Life Pieces to Masterpieces has really opened my eyes to a sense of purpose and it is limitless. Yes, I love my fellow interns but Life Pieces has been my home away from home. It has been my refuge and it has given me the opportunity to step outside my box and think contrary to what I have been for so long. The Tree house gives me something new and exciting daily and my junior Apprentices make sure that Brother Jacobi gets a good laugh daily.
Moving to the District is up for constant debate daily and is something I am heavily considering. For two weeks now, its been brought up some way or another in almost everyone of my conversations. I don’t know the answer just yet, but if I could come here and be what Life Pieces has been to me then maybe the answer is YES!
Its less than 2 weeks till we make this journey full circle, and best believe the Real Worlders of DC are maximizing every moment! If only we could get the family dinner together we’ve been planning since day one maybe we’d be right on track! Lol!
Whatever the case, this is the true story of 9 strangers, pick to live in trailers, who live together and work at separate agencies, that are finding out what happens when people stop being polite and start getting real. It’s the Real World D.C.

New Photos And Updates

Campus Kitchen Project!

http://www.isisrose.myphotoalbum.com
Click on the link above to see new pictures

This summer has been really great so far. I am really enjoying my Shepherd internship at the Campus Kitchen. I have been recovering food, planning meals, serving food, and sharing meals with clients. After having been here for 5 weeks, I can honestly say that the Campus Kitchens Project is a worthy and effective organization. That is why I would like to get one started at Spelman College. I have already made some phone calls and have started the conversation.
 
I spoke with Ingrid Easton, the student founder of the campus kitchen at Washington and Lee University. She gave me very helpful insight on how to get one started. I also spoke to Jordan Kough. Mr. Kough is the new site development manager for the Campus Kitchens Project National Office. He seemed very excited about this undertaking and has pledged his full support. I mentioned to him that rather than making this organization for Spelman only, we could open it up to the entire Atlanta University Center in attempt to unify the schools as well as expand our volunteer base. He thinks that is a wonderful idea. I’m very excited about this endeavor!

Also, as of Friday, I am now ServSafe certified. This basically means I am capable of overseeing kitchen operations. I will be the supervisor of several cooking shifts before my program is over. I only have this week and next week left but my work will surely not be over when I leave.

Story about Shepherd Alliance Interns by Campbell Massie

NYC Housing Works

I’m here in NYC at the Housing Works Advocacy summit. We just finished a nice BBQ lunch with some excellent food and good company. I had to get up at 4:40 am to catch Amtrak but it’s worth it becuse it’s been a really interesting day.

We’ve been discussing community organizing and policy initiatives, both local and national. How do we engage people in activism? What initiatives do we prioritize? These are the two major questions involved in activism and the answers change constantly (especially when your organization is being successful). Another important question an organization needs to ask itself is whether it wants to build a community coalition around the issue or if it wants to operate it’s own agenda.

Prep for Vermont

7/15/09

Oh man, things have really picked up around here.  All sorts of events are going on.  Currently, we have two trips ongoing- sailing and Trailblazers, which both seem awesome.  The sailing program is a series of daytrips while the Trailblazers trip stays out for three weeks at a sleep away camp (check the camp out- google Trailblazers Camps in NJ.

I, however (along with Caroline), will be a counselor the Vermont trip, a ten-day backpacking, canoeing, rock climbing adventure trip with a handful of students.  This trip will be led by Project USE, which you should also look up.  This week has been orientation for our trip, which departs Monday the 20^th.

A funny thing happened yesterday.  I was eating lunch in the park with one of my students, L, who will be on the Vermont trip with me. L speaks very little, and the other students tend to ignore her, to the point that the staff has to remind everyone that she will be on the trip too.    All of a sudden, she just started describing her life to me: her sister, her sister’s newborn child (the sister is 17, but was pregnant at 16), her sister’s child’s father who lives at her house now but does nothing to support the kid, and all sorts of things.  I don’t know why L picked me to tell all of this to, having known me for two days at the time.  I hope she feels better for sharing.

First time Home Buyer and Amazing Bostonians

First-time Home Buyer

Michael, the co-worker whom I’m working with for affordable housing, took me to Salem (the witch trial place!) last Thursday to sign off the last affordable house of the Bowdoin-Geneva Housing LLC. in Dorchester. This house belongs to the 16 foreclosured houses that Viet-AID bought and renovated to livable condition and then sold off-public to low-income first-time buyers.

Thus, Michael and I went to a neat-looking lawyer building to carry out our transaction. The people present were the lawyer, a staff worker from Boston Housing Authority, us, the buyer lady and her two young daughters. The lawyer basically went over stacks and stacks of documents regarding all the procedures of buying the house, from the insurance on the deed to the monthly downpayment and to the condition of the washer and dryer.

I was especially impressed when the lady from Boston Housing Authority told me about the grants that first-time buyers receive from Boston HUD (Housing & Urban Development) that come up to $30,000 with no payback. Also, with the stimulus packet that President Obama has signed off, each of the low-income first time buyer is entitled to $8,000 with no payback or string attached if they buy a house this year. Of course, in order to qualify for these grants, these buyers have to be first time homebuyers, in the low bracket of income, have a steady job, and go through homebuying counseling and training so that they understand the ins and outs of the mortgage system.

The most rewarding part of the trip was when Michael gave the keys and a huge binder about the details of the house to the two young daughters. Their face were beaming with pride and happiness, and their mother let out a sigh of relief since she has been trying to buy one of the houses with Viet-AID for the past 5 years, and she finally made it. The mother and daugthers were busy discussing about how they would decorate their house and which floors the girls are going to live in. It’s like witnessing the American Dream coming true

Amazing Bostonians

I enjoy Boston thoroughly. I fall in love with this city not only because of the convenience of the public transportation (subway, bus, and commuter rails are available to take you anywhere 2 hours away from Boston), but because of the wonderful people that we met in Boston.

My co-workers at Viet-AID are the most caring and reliable people that I’ve ever met, and they enjoy what they do for work thoroughly which is always so inspiring. They treat me as their own family members and share things about their lives with me. Two days ago, a staff member had a housewarming since he just bought his house near Fields Corner (one of the affordable houses by Viet-AID) and he invited me over even though we only have a few interactions before. Of course, I didn’t decline the offer and I was treated with many delicious plates of Hue cuisine (Vietnamese central food). Two weeks ago, another co-worker invited me to his pig roast barbecue where I met many of the young professionals who are just as friendly as my co-worker friend. This weekend, another co-worker will take me to my first-ever Vietnamese traditional music lesson (cải lương) when I told him I’m always interested in learning how to sing the music professionally. All of the staff members already talk about me coming back to help with them next summer.

The people in Boston are amazing as well. Whenever I’m lost and don’t know my way around, I can just stop and ask somebody on the street and they would pleasantly stop and explain to me where to go. The young people whom I have talked to are very welcoming and helpful when they know that my friends and I are out of town. They would let us know what are the favorite local spots for food, concerts, sightseeing, and we have been able to get into two musuems when they have free admission! The public transportation system makes me very happy since it is very easy to manipulate; thus, people choose to walk or bike or ride the T instead of burning more energy by driving cars.

The Face of Poverty

Sitting here waiting for this peach dump cake to cool I ponder. I ponder about the clients who I have encountered while working for the Kitchen. I ponder about how all of these clients are so different yet they all have the same problem–poverty.

We would say they live in poverty. Yet many of  these clients wouldn’t necessarily put themselves in that category. This is either out of pride or because they just see the world differently than you and I. And, the greatest thing that I have learned is the importance of not using pronouns like ‘them’ and ‘us’ in the first place. This is the first step in labeling and consequently misjuding people. The face of poverty is differs because WE are all different. Poverty is a war veteran, a child from a low-income family, an adult with a physical disability, an adult with a mental disability, a single mother, a young adult trying to make it on their own, an elderly person, or a person with a terminal illness. Poverty is not a woman. Poverty is not a man. Poverty is not Black, White, or Hispanic. Poverty is everyone and it affects everyone in one way or another.

The clients we serve are people; therefore, they should be treated as such. Volunteers at the Campus Kitchen are encouraged to interact with our congregate clients during delivery shifts. Most delivery shifts occur around lunchtime. We serve and socialize. Serving our clients and then sharing a meal with them makes the food gesture seem like less of a handout. I understand now that sitting and talking with our clients is the most important aspect of this program. Even though it may be uncomfortable for us as volunteers we should try our hardest to step outside of our comfort zones for the sake of our clients.

As a young volunteer, I have noticed that young people struggle the most with showing compassion for those in need. I have witnessed many a service project where teens would rather send text messages than be as efficient as they possibly could. Also, at the soup kitchen in Atlanta where I volunteer the manager makes a point to tell people not to use their cell phones while serving. We shouldn’t need a reminder to be courteous, but sadly, that is the case in many circumstances. I have rediscovered that a little courtesy goes along way.

I have also rediscovered the importance of a great first impression. Working for the Kitchen I have met a lot of people. Currently, I have been assigned to call restaurants in order to increase the amount of food donors. It is important to look, sound, and act the part at all times. Otherwise, you will not gain anyone’s trust or respect. I am finally grasping the concept that the Campus Kitchen Project is a hunger relief and leadership development program. I considered myself a leader before working here, but I have learned so many life lessons and leadership skills in such a short amount of time.

As for poverty, it is a real problem.  But there is not just one solution. If we all do our part, we can alleviate the symptoms of poverty. Maybe someday poverty will just be a memory. And I can talk about it as if it were a file in my mind’s filing cabinet right next to the one marked ‘Shepherd Alliance Internship: Summer 2009.’

Message from Professor Beckley

Hi! This is professor Beckley on Fran Elrod’s blog. I am been perusing your blogs. Thank you for giving us a glimpse of your experience. Most days, I would like to be with you doing something more direct and learning from what you see.

You are probably getting to the point when you notice that this is challenging and difficult work. In all most all cases, the challenges ultimately make the work more rewarding and make you proud that you have achieved another milestone in your education. Often, these internships transform the way students see poverty or understand what they want to do as future physicians, business persons, educators, lawyers, and so forth.

Keep patient, stay the course, keep us informed, and we will look forward to your final reports. I always learn a great deal from the interns, and I know this year will be no exception to that.

Best. Call on us if we can be of help

Prof. Beckley