A student takes part in a play organized by Volunteer Janet in Kyrgyz Republic. The play was performed in English and let the students to show off the language skills they learned this year. Bravo!
“This swim wasn’t about me or how I felt, it was for all of the girls and boys who have ever been told by others they couldn’t do something or that they weren’t enough.”
“I wasn’t doing it for myself. It was for all of the people who had been told they couldn’t do something. If I were to stop, it would be tied to my gender. I couldn’t not finish.”
“The moment I knew I was truly full was when the lady at the 10th house we visited pulled out hot bread from the oven. All I could do was stare longingly at it and decline. She also brought out Plov (traditional rice dish) with chicken – it’s like she was trying to hurt my soul. But really Ait/Eid Mubarak has been great so far and it’s not even over yet. Time to rest and go eat some more!” Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic Volunteer Ama http://bit.ly/2czkYnI
September 1st is the first day of school in Kyrgyzstan, and many other former Soviet countries. The first day of school is also a celebration referred to as ‘Linneika’
I’ve been studying Russian for a couple of years, so I was aware of some of the festivities and I was very excited to see it in person.
Here is a hasty rundown of what I saw today (Also,aside from some key factors,I’m pretty sure that Linneika celebrations vary from school to school):
All of the students at our school were dropped off at the main gate by their parents and organized themselves by form (grade) and class letter . The first form students were all given balloons to hold (which they kept accidentally letting go of, but there were extra balloons, so it was fine).
At 9:00 am, my director opened up the celebrations by giving a speech welcoming everyone to the first day of school. Two of the faculty members acted as emcees, who then asked our first form students to gather in the center of the school. It was the most teeniest and most precious parade I’ve ever seen. The emcees told the first formers to say a wish and let their balloons go for it to come true. About 75% of the balloons got stuck in a tree, while the others floated lazily to freedom.
After that, some of the younger kids recited poetry, followed by a traditional Kyrgyz dance performed by some older students. This was followed by our school song, which kind of reminded me of a Sade ballad.
The director invited three new faculty members (including a very terrified volunteer) to introduce themselves and give a brief speech.
Finally, the moment everyone was waiting for: the Opening Bell Ceremony. During Linneika it is tradition for two students (one from 11th form and one from 1st) to ring the first bell together.
And with that, school was officially in session!!
I had a great time and I am excited to work with my counterpart and the rest of the teachers at my school. I’m also super pumped to work with my students! I hope everyone has a great school year!
There are 104 Peace Corps Volunteers in the Kyrgyz Republic working with their communities on projects in community economic development, education, and health. During their service in the Kyrgyz Republic, Volunteers learn to speak local languages, including Kyrgyz and Russian. More than 1,135 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in the Kyrgyz Republic since the program was established in 1993. http://bit.ly/2aDTUip
If you were to have told me two years ago, that I would be teaching yoga on a beach in Kyrgyzstan to young women at a camp|grant that I co-wrote, created and organized, I would have never believed you.
#serveforchange #volleyballcamp #letgirlslearn #girlsinsports #beachyoga #liveyourdreams #summertime #kyrgyzstan #howiseepc #peacecorps #summerofcamps #issykkul (at Tamga, Ysyk-Köl, Kyrgyzstan)
Spent the last two days with these young ladies that impress and inspire me beyond words. Getting ready for GLOW camp is easy when you have peer leaders who are willing to teach every session, even the uncomfortable ones! Nothing makes me happier in my service than working with these girls. #letgirlslearn #howiseepc #peacecorps #peacecorpskyrgyzstan #GLOW (at Каракол)
