Living on One Dollar

For this blog we were asked to watch the movie Living on One Dollar.  In the movie, four college students travel to Guatemala for two months and attempt to live on a dollar a day.  They struggle with a lack of food, health and financial stress and feel all hope is lost.  While in Guatemala, they received help from 20 year old Rosa and 12 year old Chino. Rosa and Chino help the students to use their money wisely, gain more nutrition and collect supplies.

I  was amazed to see how many people around the world are struggling with this level of poverty. 1.1 billion people live on less than a dollar a day all around the world.  This is just over 14% of the world. Until I watched this movie, even after my service trip to Tanzania, it never really hit me as to how huge the poverty problem is, and it still hasn’t completely sunk in.  Even worse, most of America does not realize that this is a problem in the world around them.  

I do not think I would be able to survive in these conditions.  I have grown up in a life where everything I own is more than one dollar and I am used to living in a world of expensive goods and taking things for granted.  Although I wish this was not the case, I know it is, and there is no way to change that.  I would be able try for a few weeks, with preparation.  This preparation need to require learning how to prepare food and learning what is best to eat. I would also need to be in great shape so I could endure the farming and labor that would come with living in these situations. If I had to go from what I have now to a life in that level of poverty, I most likely wouldn’t survive because I would be leaving everything I have adapted to and quickly need to adapt to a new way of life. I do not feel as though I am physically or mentally able to do that. I believe if I grew up with that life, I would find a way to survive.

I think the most challenging part of living in poverty is the lack of food. In a blog from one of the travelers, he said they had to split 36 calories between the 4 people.  That is not nearly enough to sustain anyone.  Although many people are able to grow their own food, many problems can arise such as a drought or too much water.  Also people might grow sick and become unable to tend to their farms, leading to death of their crops.  At the beginning of the movie, they attempted to cook rice and beans.  Rice and beans have very little nutrition. Although they eventually learned how to get more food at the market and expand their variety, the students were still eating far less than they needed and not getting the proper nutrients from a variety of food. 
        A second most challenging part is the level of stress that comes with this poverty.  In the movie there were days in which the boys made no money.  Also, they had to pay $6.42 for rent with this income.  This was something they had to budget for and made it so they had even less money to use on what they needed, for example emergency medical situations, or other important materials.

The largest difference between my culture and the culture in Guatemala is many children do not go to school because they must stay home and work.  Only 60% of the school will graduate the sixth grade.  Many students fail classes because they often have to miss school to go to work.  Also many girls get married at the age of thirteen. This is a part of the Guatemalan culture. 

I think one value that is different for me and the people of Guatemala is how close their families are.  Although I am very close with my family in the movie it showed a couple, Rosa and Anthony, who live in the village.  They invited the students in for food. WIth them lived their three children, Anthony’s mother and Anthony’s Aunt.  This may have been due to financial struggles but in my eyes you live with your parents and siblings and only visit your aunts and uncles.

By watching this video I now have a better understanding of the struggle people go through every day and I understand how many people live.  This has again reminded me that often the things we want so bad are just material things we don’t need.   Although I will never understand how these people live, it opens my eyes to the world around us and how lucky I am to have what I have.  This movie has made me want to give so much more now and I know it will make me work harder while I’m in Cambodia.

Cambodia's History and Culture

For our past meeting with Team Cambodia, we were asked to research various parts of the Cambodian culture and history. Here we learned some interesting and incredibly tragic things.
Cambodia has a culture, much different to that in the US. One US dollar is worth 4,064.95 Cambodian Riel. The men do not show many feelings, and women are shy. Woman do not show their shoulders, or their knees when the dress. In Cambodia there are many farms. People often do not wear shoes, or they wear rubber sandals. When you approach someone, you must bow, especially when approaching an elderly. I also found it interesting that the head is sacred and it is considered rude to point with your feet.
About 95% of the population is Buddhist.  In Buddhism, people are trying to reach "Nirvana" by living to give back to the universe. You are never supposed to touch the Buddhist statute. When at the statue though, you must bow three times with your feet tucked.
Cambodia also has a very unique government.  In 1863 they were controlled and protected by the French. In the 1960's Cambodia becomes independent from France.  In 1975 Pol Pot over threw the government. Since 2004, Norodom Sihamoni has been the king. Since they now have a constitutional monarchy they are allowed to trade globally.  An interesting fact about the Cambodian government is that Pol Pot's sister was one of Sihamoni's father's wives.
Cambodia has a tragic history. The Khmer Rouge was the group of people who overthrew the government in the 1970's. They began to run a communist government and were aided by the Vietnamese. They wanted an uneducated peasant farming society.  In 1973 bombs were dropped killing about 3,000 people. This gained much respect for the Khmer Rouge. In 1975 they overthrew the government and Pol Pot became the dictator. 1975 was known as Year Zero, because they were looking to "cleanse" Cambodia and get rid of all outside culture. Foreign languages were banished and there were very few people in Cambodia who weren't Cambodian.  You had to work for the food you received. In 1976 they turned a high school into a torture center, the S21 Prison. This is the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide today.  Of the 14,000 people who were recorded to enter the prison, only 7 survived.   The executions were carefully kept track of and 6,000 portraits were recovered.  The head of the S21 Prison was Kang Kech Leu, also know as brother Duch. People would be beat and tortured so they would tell information but many times they made up false stories. There were many forms of torture including skinning and slitting throats.  People who were pale were executed because they were believed to be educated and spent a lot of times indoors. People with glasses must be executed because they need glasses to read. People with smooth hands were executed because they didn't work in fields. Families were split up. All of this killed between two and three million people, about 25% of the population. The killing fields where were thousands of people would lie dead after execution in open pits.
The history of Cambodia, though seems to be a nightmare is very real. Learning about this really opens up my eyes about the country I am lucky enough to travel to and has definitely changed my outlook on Cambodia.

Here We Go Again!

For those of you who don’t know, my name is Evan Wetzel and I am in ninth grade at Eagle Valley High School. This summer I have been given the chance to travel with Children’s Global Alliance for a second time. I will be traveling to Cambodia! I couldn’t be any more excited because I know how amazing these trips are and I know it will change my life yet again.   
In Cambodia we will be working at a school and orphanage where we will improve the living conditions for the kids and also teach them in the school.  Previous trips that have gone to this school have built dormitories for both the girls and the boys, as well as a garden for them to eat and produce crops from easier.  I can’t wait to have my heart touched by all of these children once again and gain a new perspective on the world.  I know this is such an amazing opportunity and I am so excited to get this chance.     
This trip, in comparison to Tanzania will be much harder physically as we will be picking up trash and building many things during the trip.  I know the main reason Tanzania changed my life was the people I met while I was there.  In Cambodia there will be so many more amazing people that I will have the pleasure of meeting, and I hope that I will impact their lives the way they have impacted mine.
I am scared that during this trip I will not be able to change their lives and I will be just another member of the CGA family.  I hope that I will have a lasting impact on these people and their lives, because I know they will definitely do the same for me.
In order to travel to Cambodia I have to raise $2,200.  I will do this anyway I can, but if you would like to donate please feel free to contact me. 

If you would like to know more about the school, would like to donate, or have any questions please visit:
childrensglobalalliance.org

Goodbye

As we end our travels in Tanzania, we say the inevitable goodbyes.  At LOAMO on Thursday and Friday, every student in the school was taking exams for the end of the second term.   In the breaks between tests, we CGA members had to say our goodbyes to the beautiful LOAMO family.

On Thursday during lunch, the teachers from LOAMO put together a wonderful meal for the volunteers.  During this break, the chaperones of the trip were gifted with Maasai clothing and flowers, and the group was asked to sing our national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner”.  After we sang ours, the teachers sang their national anthem for us, beautifully.  Then, the headmaster, Nicodemus, and co-founder of the school, Loserian, each gave a speech to thank us for the work we had done.  During the entire break, everyone was smiling and incredibly happy to be there with each other.   It was phenomenal to see how much work they put in to that lunch, and how much they gave when they have so little, just to thank us for what we did.

On Friday, the real goodbyes began.  This was the last time we would ever see most of the kids. (Classes Six and Seven had a dance that we were hosting for them that night.)  Although most goodbyes are bitter, we were overwhelmed by all of the kids.  They were all hugging us and giving us sweet notes.  At one point, as I tried to write down my Facebook and phone number for students, others started to just unzip my bag, put in their note, and zip my bag back up.  All of the goodbyes were so chaotic that we had no time to cry and only time to say goodbye.  I wish that we had more sincere goodbyes; we had to say goodbye to about 200 people in about forty minutes.

We left right after lunch on Friday and went straight back to the guesthouse.  There, we all rushed to get ready for the dance that evening.  We cut fruit of all sorts, made pixie bread, and put up beautiful decorations to show how much we loved their school, staff, and students.  When we finished the decorations and putting out the food, all the running around and stressing to finish was well worth it.

The students arrived at the Maasai camp at about 4:45.  Every student had nice clothes on, and most of the girls did their makeup and hair.  It was so nice to see them in what they liked to wear rather than their bland, navy uniforms.  Everyone’s smile was huge and it made me so happy to see all of them so excited to be at the dance.  This also made me realize how happy they were to have us at their school and in their classroom.  I realized they weren’t just happy to get a break from their usual teachers and lighten their workload, they were happy to make new friends and grow close to us.  I wish I knew the kids better, but from how I do know them, I can tell that they are outstanding people.

At about 6:15, the power went out at the Maasai camp.  During this time, we went outside and a few LOAMO pupils gifted the CGA students with a bracelet and two roses.  At 6:30, it was time for the students to go home, so we said our goodbyes.  Nicodemus, though, was very adamant that the kids got on the bus and left at 6:30, because if they were not home on time, the school would never be able to throw a party like this again.  We held the kids’ hands through the windows, and as the bus pulled away, they slipped through our fingers.  This was our last glimpse of LOAMO, most likely ever. Although goodbyes were less sour than expected, knowing that we will most likely never see them again really is terrible. I hope I stay in touch with them because some of their stories really inspired me. 

Saturday, we got the privilege of going to a Maasai village. The parts of Tanzania we have been to have had a very wet climate, and not what I pictured Africa to be like. However, when we got to the village, it was the picture of Africa.  It was dry with a bumpy road, and as we were driving you could see animals along the side of the road.  Everywhere you looked, there were trees you never see in America and cacti of all sorts. At the camp, we learned about the Maasai culture.  Upon arrival, we heard a welcome song from the Maasai people.  Throughout the day, we learned how to make a fire (from elephant dung and a stick), went out in the bush, and got the opportunity to meet and bond with members of the Maasai.  We also had the chance to buy handmade jewelry from the some of the Maasai.  It was an amazing day.  All of their clothing is brightly colored, and every person has such a bright personality.

In my notebook for the trip, there is a quote that says, “The voyage of discovery lies not in finding new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”  I think this quote properly summarizes what I took out of the trip.  Now that I have seen what I have seen, I have a new outlook on life and the world.  Going home, everything is going to be different and that’s why I applied to come here.  I wanted to help people and see the world in a different way, and I think that is what I have done. 

The Three C's

Yesterday was a great day because of how much closer I became with many of the LOAMO staff and students in the classroom.  I never had anything less than a smile on my face.

In between subjects, Class 3 and I had the opportunity to play the game ‘Simon Says.’

Every person in the room, including Madam Juliet the teacher, was completely into every move.  Everyone was laughing at me, and smiling together.  I have never seen so much love and happiness in any room.  Seeing how happy the kids were learning a game I played when I was their age made my day.

Yesterday, Gitte and I got the opportunity to give a girl in Class 3, Noela, clothing that was donated.  After pulling out a dress and a pair of socks, that would be common in the US, she already had her hands over her mouth as if she was about to cry.  We continued to give her clothes, and she became even more grateful.  When we finished giving her clothes, I could tell she was close to tears.  I couldn’t blame her though, because I was as well.  She hugged both of us and her satchel was so filled with her new clothes it wouldn’t even close.

Today, at the school, I told the pupils of Class 3 that our group would be leaving on Friday. They asked me if we really had to leave.  I explained that although the school has been fantastic, we missed our friends and family back home.  Some of the students pleaded for me to bring my family back and stay there forever.  I told them if I could I would.  (Transition)  It is amazing to see how much we have impacted them and their education after only a few days of being in their classrooms.

After school today, I got the opportunity to go on a second home visit.  This was the home of two students at LOAMO, a boy in Kinder, Miguel, and a boy in Class 4, Meejooly.  Last year in late June, the boys’ father passed away after being sick with Meningitis for two days.  Their mother, Rachel, is a very strong, kind lady.

Unlike many of the other home visits, Rachel makes 250,000 shillings a month, equivalent to 156 American dollars.  She pays for both of the boys’ schooling, the house rent, food and a house girl. 

On their wall is a picture of her deceased husband.  From the picture, the way she welcomed us, and how she treats her children, you can tell how much love and care is in their household. You could feel it as soon as you walked in and it was inspiring to see.

Without the income of Salaman, the husband, they had to move and completely change their style of life although that is inevitable. She told us they struggled before, but now they have a different kind of hardship.

The three C’s:  Charming, Cheery, and Charismatic.  These are three traits my mom wants me to have because she finds them so valuable.  I see these traits in everyone here.  It is amazing to see that because it is so rare at home, to have all three.  It is inspiring because it is not only changing my perspective on how people live and treat others, but it is changing my perspective on the world around me.

Family Love

Most people in America would be frustrated to go to work on a Saturday after working incredibly hard all week.  At LOAMO the teachers were more than happy to come back for a team-building seminar.  Miss Gutmann, Krissy, and Lisa Marie were asked to join the seminar while the students from CGA cleaned the school. 

We took out every chair from the classrooms and mopped the floor with old sweaters.  We cleaned the windows, blackboards, and floors.  We even cleaned all of the dirt and pencil off every wall.  They went from a brownish color to almost the white they were meant to be.  Through the six-hour day, nobody ever wanted to quit.  Each of us have seen how hard everyone works at that school, and thought it would be right to pay back their work with a cleaner school.  It always feels wonderful to give back to deserving people and this was proven true. 

At the end of the day, every teacher went in to their room to see what had been done in their classrooms.  When they walked out each had a smile on their face and thanked us for our hard work.  Loserian, one of the founders of the school, approached the group with a smile, a mile wide.  He told us he did not expect us to be able to clean so well and overwhelmed us with gratitude.

On Sunday, we got the pleasure of visiting Save Africa, an orphanage in Arusha.  At this orphanage their were thirty kids who share a total of twelve beds and it was heartbreaking.  Our spirits were lifted as we saw how happy every kid was; their happiness made it appear like they each had more that what they needed rather than just enough. 

Before we said goodbye, we laughed, played and danced together.  We met a puppy named Ziggy, who lacked water, nutrition and care.  He was covered in ticks and had scabs behind his ears.  We cared for him as much as we could in the four hours we were there.  Two kids I bonded with the most were Freddy and Rose.  They were both six and I wish I could take them home with me.  When they first met us, they were scared to talk to us.  Before we left, they were scared to say goodbye. 

Today at the school, we switched classes.  I was moved from kinder to Class Three.  The teacher, Madam Juliet, calls me her daughter, already on the second day. 

After lunch today, the kids from Kinder tried to pull me back into their classroom.  “Come back and teach us,” they insisted.  I told them I had to go to my new class.  Even after telling them this they still pulled me toward the class.  When I finally was able to get to my class, I almost broke down in tears.  After just a week in their classroom I already meant so much to them, even Ms. Mariom and Ms. Suzy asked me to come to their class.  I fought the tears and happily walked into Class Three. 

At the end of the day I was ecstatic.  I had such an incredible time with such welcoming people.  The kids understood what I was saying, made jokes with me, and laughed with me.  They were confident when they spoke to me and made me feel welcome.  Although I miss the kids in Kinder, I can’t wait to see what awaits me this week in Class Three.

Success

The past two days, I have grown immensely more confident in the classroom.  The most influential reasons are two wonderful women whom I have grown to think of as mothers.  All day, they make me feel wanted and appreciated, even when all I am doing are goofy things to put a smile on the kids’ faces.

Yesterday, due to seasonal allergies, I had a stuffy nose during class.  While I was sniffling and consistently blowing my nose, one of the teachers, Ms. Mariam, became very concerned.  “Are you sick?” she asked.  At the time, I did not comprehend what she said because of her thick accent.  I asked her what she said.  “You are sick with flu.  Go home my dear,” she said.  I assured her I was not sick, and we continued to grade notebooks together.  Even thinking about it a day later, I still am not sure why this comment warmed my heart so much.

After school yesterday, I was privileged enough to go on a home visit.  The home belonged to a student in Class IV named Benard.  Although most causes for home visits are poor living conditions or little money, this reason was different.  Benard has a wonderful story.  When he was young, his father died and his mother was unable to care for him.  This lack of care was the reason he was brought to live with his aunt.  While he was living with his aunt, Benard did many small tasks for money.  All of the money he earned went to his aunt.  He, of course, went to school, but it was the public school in his village.  This school had very poor education, especially compared to LOAMO.

While Benard was working one day, a man named Richard noticed his strong work ethic and poor schooling.  He thought that Benard should have the same opportunity to learn as some of the other kids with more money.  With that idea in mind, and the permission of Benard’s mother and aunt, Richard took him and continued to raise him as his own.

Richard and his wife have two other sons, who have now graduated secondary school.  At one time there are usually ten to fifteen people living in their household.  Every morning Benard wakes up early to milk the cows.  He cooks every meal in the house and does a lot of the cleaning.

As we were talking to Richard about Benard’s life he said, “Success is not based on what you gain, but what you give.”  This quote inspires me so much because a lot of Benard’s story is what people have given him without the expectation of receiving anything.

Benard started the rigorous schooling at LOAMO in Class III, which is the equivalent to about fifth grade in the United States.  With very little prior education, he is now at the top of Class IV and the best at math.  Every night, after he cleans, he studies hard.  I wish I could be more like him.  Benard has gone through so much, and whenever I see him he is smiling.  That’s what continues to amaze me about the LOAMO staff and students.  They always seem to have a smile on their face.  Although I know the attitudes of the people I meet here are starting to rub off on me, I wish there was more of this, not only in the world in general, but especially in America.  People here are consistently putting others before themselves.  At home people are selfish, and it disgusts me to see the difference from here to the United States.  I know I will bring home a better attitude, I just hope I can influence others.

Today was by far the best day at the school.  I was so happy the entire day, and I, too, always had a smile on my face.  I was always making weird faces towards the kids and goofing off just enough to keep smiles on their faces.

Every Friday afternoon, the entire school plays sports. Today, many CGA students, LOAMO staff, and the older LOAMO students played a game of football together.  During this time, the rest of the school gets to know each other better.  My favorite part of the day was when I taught many students the Macarena and a line dance that I learned from friends back home.  As they all failed and succeeded in learning the dances together, we all grew closer.  A girl in Class IV, named Fanta, finally was able to do the line dance, and her face lit up like a Christmas tree.  I have never been so happy to know that I was the cause of a smile that large.  You can’t help but smile at the school.  I know that I have succeeded so far in the short time I have been there,