This is the 20th edition of the newsletter, 39 months after walking out of my cubicle in West Greenwich, Rhode Island!
I must apologize for the recent recent lack of newsletters and/or blog updates from yours truly. Although, I have been posting photos regularly on Picasaweb. (you might not see any new photos for a while, since my camera got stolen during Carnival here in St. Vincent)
The past month has been the most challenging of my Peace Corps experience to date (for several reasons). This newsletter is dedicated to the love and compassion of my grandma, who passed from this life on Friday, 26JUN2009. I will always remember her wonderful stories of all things New England. Thanks to my Grandpa and other relatives who made my brief trip home for the funeral possible. As I re-embark on my work in St. Vincent, I feel re-energized, lucky and happy. I have once again experienced the amazing love and support of my family and friends, which is something that can be difficult to fully appreciate. Things are going really well for me at the moment.
By the way, you are all invited to come visit St. Vincent and the Grenadines. For you budget travelers, I have a 3-bedroom apartment where you can crash for FREE!
Since it has been so long since my last newsletter (Nov 2008), I'll list many of the important experiences of the past 8 months:
November/December:
-Thanksgiving at the Taiwanese Embassy.
-Trip to St. Lucia.
-Hiking La Soufriere Volcano.
-Xmas gift baskets for disadvantaged families.
-9 Mornings Christmas celebrations
-Xmas in Chateaubelair, New Years In Bequia.
January/February:
-Establishment of computer and sports schedules at Liberty Lodge Boys Training Center.
-Spanish classes at the Venezuelan Embassy
-Making my own cutting broad and shelf, with instruction from a couple of the Liberty Lodge boys.
-Banana farming with Shawn and the Fair Trade Farmers
-Being "introduced" to the Prime Minister (funniest thing that's happened to me in SVG)
-Watching Obama's Inauguration at LLBTC
-Assisting the Helping Hands Center with getting their own Peace Corps Volunteer.
-Hiking the volcano for a 2nd time, this time as a "tour guide"
-Switching from working with once HIV/AIDS community organization to another
-Paula and Laird's Going-Away events.
-1st boy at Liberty Lodge to learn touch typing in my IT class.
-Fenton Mountain Hikes w/Mark and Laird
March/April:
-Owia Salt Ponds
-Yacht Weekend in Bequia
-Mt. St.Andrew Hike w/the boys
-Earth Day Hikes
-National Heroes Sports Day
-Special Needs Sports Day
-Bizarre Raja Yoga classes
May/June:
-1st Table Tennis match for the boys against another school.
-2 Hospital visits in just over a week (luckily, both people were fine)
-Planting fruit trees with Ann and JEMS.
-My first time getting approval for a project grant.
July:
-Brief visit home (Emma's, Grasshopper, Fireside Grille, Tortilla Flats, and hanging out with Grandpa)
-Carnival - helping backstage, getting punched, getting my camera pick-pocketed, enjoying the Street Jump-up and Mardi Gras parade, street party in Greggs.
-Men As Partners (in the fight against HIV/AIDS) Workshop - the best workshop/training ever!
-Hanging out w/Ann and her friend, chilling in Brighton, and my 2nd trip to the Botanical Gardens.
Ongoing/Random activities:
-Arts and Crafts - Coconut Shells, Job Sage beads, and Boleys
-Care packages from family/friends
-Growing everything I can squeeze in my little garden (corn, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, etc.)
-Various Volunteer Parties (Marco's Bday, Mexiganza, etc.)
-Friends and family who cried on my shoulder.
-Baking cookies/cooking/roasting
-Trying new foods all the time. My favorites are Ital food, doubles and roti.
-Watching the Daily Show, the Pats and Red Sox on the Internet.
-Baseball, soccer, table tennis, cricket, and running.
-Picking fruit (mangoes, guavas, papaya, etc.)
-Saying "Hi" to all my neighbors every day.
-Constantly seeing people I know in Kingstown.
There is now information about the Liberty Lodge Boys Training Center on the St. Vincent government website :
Respect and one love,
Scott Sharland
Scott Sharland
US Peace Corps Volunteer
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
-"You can't smooth out the entire earth to make it easier to walk on with your bare feet, but by wearing shoes you protect yourself from rough, unpleasant surfaces." - Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse
