Hey guys! This an excerpt survey that ran in an internal publication for Peace Corps Volunteers, The Gringo Grita. Working on the publication was one of the funniest things I did with other volunteers. Parts are serious. Others, you’ll see, are not.
Enjoy!
(yes, this picture was hand selected to run with the survey)
Name: Lindsey Mullikin
DR nicknames: La Mango, American People, Liti, Lekis, La Barbi
Site: Cayetano Germosén (Guanábano), Moca, Espalliat
Program: Information and Communications Technology
Project assignment: Create sustainable labs within the local high school and community center by helping with administration and staff development.
Project reality: Teacher training, English classes, a computer club, prying open persianas to connect routers, a book club, removing insect nests from computers, several cholera charlas, computer classes, radio appearances and barrio shenanigans.
Most useful thing brought into country: Southern charm. Southern stubbornness. And also … my mini-Magnalight.
Least useful thing brought into country: Most of my business casual clothing.
Best “I-know-I’m-in-the-Peace-Corps-now” moment: What does this question even mean? Define “knowing-you-are-in-the-Peace-Corps.” If it’s living without money? I would say every time Entrena gave us an allotment and then told us how long it was to last. If it’s project stuff? The night I hosted a party for all of my English students´ families. They had made a video. We must have watched that thing four times in a row before we all left. If it’s realizing the enormity of development and the reality of my ability to contribute? It was every day.
I knew I was Dominican when: I not only sported the tubi, but I tubi-ed most of the female PCVs at Cameron’s wedding.
Most memorable illness or injury: My combo of upper respiratory infection, parasite and gastro-intestinal inflammation… oh, and then there was the root canal.
Most Dominican habit you’ll take home with you: Regrettably/honestly: Saying huuunnnhhh instead of yes. (I know, I know…)
Most beautiful place in country: Hands-down: Isla Saona.
Most creative way you killed time in your site: Making a game of guessing who was about to turn my street corner based on motor pitch.
How have you changed during your service?: I learned to care without the bounds of time. I have learned to accept things as they come and trust that what will be will be. Through this act of trusting, I’ve learned to accept myself, and for that, I am no longer my worst critic.
If your service was a book, what would its title be?: Esa vaina ‘ta ‘ta.
What books did you read during your service that you’d like to recommend to other Volunteers?: Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood, Why the Cocks Fight by Michele Wucker, Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder, Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne.
What are you glad you did here?: Essentially gaining una mitad dominicana by becoming part of a family in my community. I am so glad that I moved in with them for my last few months and lived daily life with them. I wouldn’t trade any successful project for the relationships I built with them. I love them and will miss them dearly.
What do you wish you had done here?: I wish that I had recognized when my projects weren’t going to succeed earlier and got a site change, even though moving away from community relationships would have been difficult.
What will you miss six months from now?: I will miss community in the sense that life is a continuous flow of relationships here, of knowing one another, and of doing life together. We don’t do that so well back home.
What won’t you miss six months from now?: Chickens. Chickens everywhere.
What’s next?: I’m going home for a hot second then Austin for the summer: job searching, concert going, couch sleeping, hiking, biking… it’s going to be epic.
Big plans for your readjustment allowance?: Spend it?
Advice to a new Volunteer: Be honest. Be honest with Peace Corps, volunteers as well as Dominicans. Don’t be afraid to be honestly you, and use it to build relationships that last. Create community during your time here. Building those skills will be your most fulfilling and most sustainable project, I promise… Oh, and it pays to splurge for the more expensive toilet paper at the colmado.
