Fiji me kam kerega

Some of my fellow PCVs have described me as one of the busiest volunteers.  As luck would have it I was placed with a very motivated organization who wants to use my knowledge in any and every way possible.  I enjoy having lots going on in my life, so this works for me.  But I have also found that if I have lots to do, I don't want to do any of it!

Crap on my desk

Here are a few things on my plate:

1. Develop a research department for the school 

2. Conduct bi-weekly continuing education sessions for the nursing school staff

3. Work with the new librarian on on-line resources - trying to get an Ebscohost subscription

4. Assist the midwifery school with the safe motherhood initiative

5. Complete Health Survey report & present findings 

6. Exercise workshop for villages

7. Come up with new aerobics routines
8. Other things I can't remember right now.....

Today was the first Continuing Education session with the staff.  I've never done any peer education with adults, so it was interesting! The meeting was to start at 2, people came between 2:30 and 2:45 - but once we got into it, we had a good time.  The traditional way of conducting meetings here is b.o.r.i.n.g. - no one talks except the leaders, people are afraid to say what they are thinking & keep their ideas to themselves.  I know research is a topic that scares people a bit, since it seems intimidating -so I decided to change it up a bit.

We did brainstorming on 4 topics

I did a short power point presentation

And we talked about our areas of interest around research

After the session, one of the teachers stopped me & said:
"Usually when I hear research, I turn off my ears, but you made it fun & good. I really liked that."  
Hooray!!! I think it helps that I get excited about research, so my excitement builds momentum & brings other people in (at least that is my hope).  I will use more non-formal education techniques, because if not - research can be boring!

Everyone had some really great ideas & I am excited to work on this project for the next year!

g