IST

IST came and went already. If you haven't already realized, the PC is all about acronyms. IST- In Service Training was a two day session for our EC-80 group. The first day we basically assessed our development and progress over the time we have spent in our volunteer capacity. We talked about our successes and challenges and engaged in dialogue trying to help each other out. Before IST we had to submit our first trimester reports and because of the software and computer requirements I ended up helping a lot of the volunteers with theirs. The combination of that and our discussions made me feel like our group has been very involved in a wide range of projects all over the islands. But it also made me feel the most helpless. As we were talking about our challenges, we all helped each other out. But when we came to mine, it was the least constructive, to the point where one of the volunteers even suggested letting go before I got too frustrated (basically telling me it might be better to quit with that particular project).

The second day of IST was a grant writing workshop facilitated by one of our PST trainers, the Permanent Secretary in Public Sector Reform- Douglas Wattley (aka Dougie who I also work with at SKNDA). We were all allowed to bring our local counterparts which was a great opportunity to give them first hand training in grant writing and improving proposal writing skills to access funding from donor organizations. It included training in the formulation of vision statements, situational analyses, risk assessments, stakeholder analyses and budgeting. It was helpful, but honestly just a bit of repetition from PST for us volunteers and I do still wish I had a lot more training and experience in the area. Hopefully by the time I return I will have written enough grants and submit enough proposals to have that experience. 

 

After IST it was George's birthday and we all had a little pizza party at Anne's house. IST and the party after wards reminded me of PST and when we all first got here. It was really nice to have everyone together, but also really weird because it made me think about how we've been here for almost 6 months already. Sure there's still a lot of time left here, but it really is flying by pretty fast. Which also makes me think, how the heck am I going to make a difference if I haven't done anything so far? 

Yesterday was another hash, and this one was by far my favorite so far. I think it was a combination of how insanely gorgeous the setting was (I constantly wanted to just stop and enjoy the view) and the fact that it was an insanely steep trail which meant that everyone went at a slow and steady pace and I didn't feel rushed to catch up to everyone. After wards while everyone was liming, Terry introduced me to some guys from Cayon. At first they thought I was real integrated because I said some stuff in dialect and we were joking around as I described where I lived and they admit to not having been up in Spooners in a while. Then they asked me what people and places I knew in the neighborhood so I told them. They stroopsed and said I only knew 'dem big people' and 'I ain't walk wid de little people'. They mentioned the names of some hang outs that I didn't know... they said I needed to walk out of Spooners. I maintain that I'm not home enough to be fully integrated here because I'm always working in the city. Then add in the fact that I'm a single younger girl who can't lime at the same places they do comfortably and freely.

Basically, with IST and yesterday, I'm feeling a little less than integrated and useful here. I was having a conversation with Julie Ann the other day, and she said that it wasn't about whether or not we got anything done and made a change but for our personal satisfaction of having at least tried. But isn't the reason we're here to make a difference, which means a change to some degree? But the reality is that change comes when the environment is ready. I guess if you want the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain first.