Coming back to Pohnpei this time around was less difficult for
me in the sense that I have a specific project I want to complete before I am ready
to leave for good. I am pleased with the
students I have been able to instruct, the teachers I have been able to work
with, the connections (both with locals and with mehn wai) that I have been fortunate enough to make…BUT I will not
be completely satisfied with my Peace Corps service until I know for sure
that the MHS library will be sustainable. How am I accomplishing this? Right now I am doing all that I can to equip
the library with what it needs, whether that be inserting library cards and
book pockets into its 2,000+ books, obtaining and updating periodicals, permanently
borrowing a desktop from the computer lab, or most significantly, training and
keeping the librarian. If you’ve noticed
this recurring theme throughout my blog posts then you know this is very
important to me and will continue to be until I depart Pohnpei. I must say that all this is going pretty
well, so the next few months will be dedicated to keeping it that way.
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| So glad that Maymorleen is on board as librarian! |
Along with the library I have been academically advising my
juniors (the future business leaders of Pohnpei), overseeing once again
intensive COMET practice for MHS’s 100+ seniors (in reading comprehension,
vocabulary, essay writing, and math), doing administrative business on behalf
of the Language Arts Department (scheduling is fun!), and writing
recommendation letters for students applying to the NIH’s STEP-UP Program
(anything that encourages students’ interest in medical science is excellent in
my book).
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| Celebrating the end of our second-to-last semester
at MHS |
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| My seniors loved their impromptu photo-taking
session |
As Chairperson of Language Arts, I had the opportunity to
represent this department at a hearing with the Pohnpei State Legislature’s
Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs.
My fellow chairpeople (haha) of MHS and I presented our successes,
concerns, and needs with this committee and they in turn asked us questions and
told us their plan of action for the future.
I spoke about the need for TESL-focused staff trainings and funding for
a permanent librarian – I hope that the committee addresses these needs
seriously and in a timely manner, but I was grateful for the opportunity to be
heard whatever the outcome may be.
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| The Eco Chairperson hard
at work |
Outside of work I have been readjusting
back to Pohnpeian life (complete with K-Ben antics and
sakau), playing flute and singing in the international choir, hanging
out with cool people in town and on the perfectly cute island of Black Coral,
and reading plenty books on my nook (thank you parental units).
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| K-Ben is getting so big! |
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| Pounding sakau. The building behind me is home to the MHS
library. |
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| Pounding sakau
is normally a man’s job, and my title Nahnsou
is normally reserved for a man. |
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| Christy enjoying the ocean |
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| Neither strong winds nor current could deter me
from getting this shot! |
