August 19 marks month 5 in country! I really can’t believe it! Overall, time has moved
quickly, but I would be lying if I didn’t say that some days have passed at
snail’s pace. My overall experience here continues to be positive and life changing
in many ways.
My
appreciation for the United States has grown immensely over these
past few months. Just by being
born an American, I am given so much privilege and opportunity to live a
quality life. I will carry this appreciation with me for the rest of my life,
and I am extremely grateful for this.
There
are always opportunities for self-growth and discovery. In many ways I feel my
emotions are clearer and more easily identifiable in Morocco. The sadness that
I feel here is a pure sadness, not sadness mixed with anger, nervousness and
frustration. I am simply feeling sad, because I miss my family and friends. I
will continue to feel waves of sadness during my Peace Corps experience.
However, I continue to move forward with the knowledge that there is nothing
more important to me in my life than my relationships with my family and
friends.
I
have had many days here, where my only obligation is to just live in Morocco,
to be with myself, be with others. This is a freeing feeling and an opportunity
to be in the present moment. I am slowly learning to give up a little control
and let go. I am learning to make friends with the millions of ants that live
in my house, rather than trying tape up every hole they may inhabit. I am
learning to breath when I am frustrated when Moroccans don’t form a line at the
post office. I am learning to have lots of patience with kids when they want to
play 20 games of UNO in row. I am learning how to live each day open, awake,
and alive to the beautiful things that each day brings.
These
past weeks have brought many eye-opening experiences…
I
participated in summer camp in El Jadidia, a city north of my site on the coast.
I taught Intermediate High English, went to the beach, and played games with
the youth. In my English lessons I incorporated topics like health, mental
health, self-esteem, careers, travel and culture. I had tons of fun getting to
know other Peace Corp volunteers, interacting with Moroccan youth, and enjoying
the cool, coastal weather!
During
one of my English classes, I spoke about self-esteem. We talked about how self-knowledge
and understanding provides the basis for high self-esteem. Many times we learn
about ourselves through interacting with others. Thus, I had my students write
their names on a piece of paper. Then, the papers were anonymously passed
around the room, and the students wrote down one nice thing about that person. Unfortunately,
one of the students wrote, “I hate you” on one of the pieces of paper. I was
shocked and upset that the activity took this path. However, it was during this
time that I felt my presence was extremely valuable. This occurrence provided
me with an opportunity to talk to the youth about the importance of treating
others with respect. I felt like they learned a valuable lesson, and I was
grateful for the opportunity to speak with them about this topic.
Driving
back to site after summer camp felt similar to the experience of going up a
steep hill on a rollercoaster. I was anticipating and waiting for the heat to
hit me full force. I felt nervousness associated with the lack of physical
comfort that I would be experiencing in my site. To my surprise, the heat was
more bearable than expected. There were actually a couple nights where I
covered up with a blanket! No 140-degree heat wave, just summer desert heat. (which
still lingers around the 120s)
My
journey back to site brought not only the heat, but also the start of Ramadan.
During Ramadan, Moroccans fast from sunrise to sundown for thirty days. In
order to assist in the cultural integration process, Elizabeth and I decided to
participate in the first 10 days of Ramadan. (After 10 days we left for Agadir
to work at an orphanage for the month of August) Elizabeth and I went without
food all day. Then around 7:30, the call to prayer would sound, and we would
break fast with our host family or one of our neighboring families.
Breaking
fast after withstanding from food all day was a unique and enjoyable
experience. The realization that every Moroccan is eating at the same time
brought a feeling of community and oneness. Every taste bud was awake for this
meal! Every night, we broke fast with figs, hairara (a Moroccan soup with
spices, chickpeas, lentils, and noodles), pancake-like bread with honey, and
shbekia (fried dough with honey). I drank their rendition of coffee (really
sugary milk) and lots and lots of tea! Then, I would drink more tea and play
UNO with our host siblings and the neighbor kids. Around 3:00 AM, we ate our
second meal, which consisted of a Moroccan tagine, a traditional Moroccan dish
in a circular bowl with meat, spices, and vegetables, homemade juice, and
fruit. Around 4:00 AM, we went to bed and the cycle continued for 10 days.
Ramadan
in the desert was also a challenging experience! With low blood sugar and the
heat, I lacked so much energy I could barely speak during the day. I had a lot
of time to think. I thought about how I could apply this fasting experience to
my own faith. I though about my family, my friends, the comforts of home, and
things that I want to accomplish in Morocco. When I couldn’t think anymore or
was too hot to read, I found myself staring at the wall. (Seems to be a normal
occurrence for me) Despite the long days, Elizabeth and I managed to pass time
by playing lots of Rummy, watching movies on our computers, reading, and
listening to music.
I
found the experience of Ramadan valuable and necessary to do in order to relate
more fully to the Moroccan culture. I appreciate the communal experience of
Ramadan, and I loved tasting and savoring every flavor of food. I also
appreciate that I always have the ability to eat when I am hungry, something I
easily take for granted.
After
10 days of Ramadan, Elizabeth and I traveled to Agadir to work at an SOS
Village orphanage, which is where I currently reside. Our youth center is
closed during the month of August, and the heat reduces the amount of activity
in our site. Thus, we thought working at an orphanage would be a great way to
utilize our time and skills. There are about one hundred children and ten
mothers living here. Each mother raises about ten children. The children are
fully equipped with an outdoor playground, an indoor jungle gym, an art room,
an auditorium, and a computer room.
During
my time here, I have been teaching yoga, playing games, and doing art. Keeping
the kids attention focused on an activity for more than 15 minutes has been a
challenge, but I learning how to have lots of patience with them. Many of them
simply desire our attention and to be held. They are adorable, and I have loved
getting to know them over the past few weeks.
I
also learned how to surf with the kids! We all had wet suits and our own surfboards.
The experience of riding a wave felt exhilarating.
In
addition to interacting with kids, I have had the opportunity to do
stress-reduction and teach yoga to the mothers. I have loved working with these women! These
mothers work so hard raising these kids by themselves. In order to be an SOS
Village mother, one has to commit to never get married. Raising these kids
becomes their life-decision. I have admiration for the strength and dedication
these women possess. They have enjoyed having some time to themselves to
breath, relax, and re-center. My experience with them has solidified my
decision to get my yoga teacher training when I come home.
Our
time at the orphanage is wrapping up and then I am off to more trainings and
workshops. Then, I go back to site, where I am looking forward to the many
possibilities that lie ahead!
That’s
all for now! Sending love to everyone!!
