*I'll be posting a "guest PCV" interview each month to give you all a better sense of the types of activities that volunteers can be involved with! And to give you an idea of what it means to be a health volunteer as well! I'll fill out the interview myself at some point. But for now, enjoy reading about other parts of the country, some of the PCV projects people are involved with, and the different ways we all live!
FEBRUARY PCV HIGHLIGHT:
Name:
Carlos Camacho
Age:
27
Hometown:
Gaithersburg, MD
Primary
Job: Secondary school English
teacher
Site:
Chiure, Cabo Delgado
Secondary
Projects: JUNTOS youth group, Youth
Entrepreneurship Program, English and Portuguese tutoring
1.
Where
did you go to school/study? Short background leading up to Peace Corps!
I
went to the University of Maryland for both my undergraduate and graduate
degrees (Go terps!) I have BA in Government and Politics and a Master of
Public Policy (specialization in international development). Before PC I worked
at the Export-Import Bank of the US doing policy work. It was good experience
but not ultimately what I wanted to do.
2.
Why
did you want to join PC?
I joined PC for a number of reasons. I went to
school for international development so as I pursued my interest in development
policy I began to think about opportunities to get hands on field experience.
Connected to that was my desire to work in one of the least developed
continents in the world, Africa. I wanted to experience what it was like to
live in a completely different culture and in a lifestyle devoid of 1st world
luxuries. I felt and still feel that truly understanding the hardships of
others is the only way you can actually learn to help. Furthermore, one of my
values is the belief of public service and helping others. PC offered a very
unique and challenging public service experience that I wanted to pursue for
altruistic reasons and also for personal growth (e.g stepping outside my
comfort zone).
3.
Describe
your site/house/living situation.
My
site is a relatively large town in Northern Mozambique. It's part of the
largest district in Cabo Delgado Province with about 70,000 people. The town
center or “Vila” and surrounding bairros (neighborhoods) probably has between 5
to 10,000 people. I live in a house in a quiet bairro about 4 minutes walking
from the Escola Secundaria de Chiure, where I work. My house has no electricity
and no running water. It's made mostly of mud bricks with some cement mixed in
and has a tin roof. Because of the lack of electricity and the heat, me and my
roommate Jason, a fellow PCV and teacher at the same school, spend most of our
time outside. We cook and entertain guests outside on our back porch. Our
bathroom is a pit latrine covered and housed by dried grass creating a little
stall where we also bathe. We use a solar panel to charge a car battery which
we can use to light a light bulb or charge our electronics. The most
challenging part of my living situation is the fact that I live about 6km from
the main market and town center where I do most of my grocery shopping. It's
about an hour and 15 minute walk or 30 minute bike ride to town.
4.
What
is your favorite PC activity?
My
favorite PC activity is any chance I get to teach or show someone something
new. That could be sharing a story about the US, debunking myths about sexual
reproduction, teaching simple phrases in English, or just showing children a TV
show. Seeing people react to new information is always a wonderful experience.
5.
What
is one thing you want Americans to know about Moz?
I want people in the U.S. to understand that
what people in Moz lack in comforts and material possessions they more than
make up for with their sense of community and togetherness. There is a spirit
of “we are together” or “estamos juntos” here in Moz that you really don't get
too often back in the U.S. I think this is something that western culture can
and should adopt. So many of our problems stem from dividing ourselves into
groups. Understanding that we all want the same things (food, water, shelter,
and a way to provide for our family) will hopefully begin to bridge the
countless gaps we have between the rich and poor, white and non-white, city
folk and country folk, etc.
6.
What
parts of service have you found most challenging?
I think homesickness has been a pretty
significant challenge I've faced during my service. I not only miss my family
and friends but being in a long distance relationship has been especially
difficult. I have been very lucky to have had my girlfriend visit me twice
while being in Mozambique, however seeing a person for a month out of the 17
months I have been in service doesn't completely satisfy the heart. We have
both been very good at communicating everyday but the 7 hour time difference
between Washington DC and Mozambique is kind of crazy. I'm half way through my
day when she is starting hers and by the time she gets off work I'm ready for
bed. It's been difficult but absolutely worth it.
Teaching
children who do not have a firm grasp of the national language, Portuguese, has
made teaching English particularly challenging. I am teaching English in my
third language, while the students try to learn a third language in their
second language. At times it almost seems pointless. But some students do have
a genuine interest in learning English as they see it can benefit their lives
in the future. So it's necessary to stay positive and try to reach those
students who have the capacity and want to learn. For the others it's about
trying to find ways outside the classroom to help them. For example, I have
started to hold Portuguese tutoring lessons at my house to help the students
who struggle with reading and writing.
7.
What
parts have you found most rewarding?
I think the relationships I have made here in
Mozambique has been the most rewarding. I have created a new PC and Mozambican
family that I will have for the rest of my life. Being able to learn from the
countless new people I have met has been amazing. I have a new profound
understanding of what it truly means to be part of a community; where the
struggles, hardships and also triumphs of my neighbors are my struggles and
triumphs as well. I am also so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn a
new culture and lifestyle.
Working
with the young people in my community has also been an experience that I will
always treasure. Being able to create an environment where students are encouraged
to speak their minds and ask questions has sparked incredible conversations
about their passions, their doubts, and their hopes. Mozambican culture doesn't
always encourage people, particularly young people and women, to think
critically about their lives and ask questions. They are almost forced to
remain content with the status quo and not question the explanations they have
been given their whole lives despite the possible inaccuracies they've been
told. So being able to give people a different perspective and additional
information on things from geography to sexual reproduction has been amazing,
especially when you see a sudden realization on someone's face.
8.
Do
you have a student/friend highlight?
My closest friend in my community is named
Soares. He's a very hard working 22-year-old young man who just graduated high
school. He is now hoping to become a teacher. We regularly practice English
together and as of now he is waiting for the registration period at a local
teachers college to begin so he can sign up and attempt to be admitted. He
lives with his girlfriend and two daughters. He is a subsistence farmer so most
of his time is spent at his farm. One of my fondest experience here in Chiure
is going to Soares farm. I came home with more pumpkins, peanuts, squash, corn,
and cassava than I knew what to do with! He's also an avid chess player so we
have a pretty good rivalry going now. He's a great person trying to better his
life the best he can.
9.
Lastly,
FOOD! What’s your favorite or go to meal in Moz?
Beans!!!
My go to meal two to three times a week is beans and rice. It usually takes
three hours in total to make but it's by far the most filling meal I can make.
It really just involves cooking the beans, sautéing vegetables (onions, garlic,
green pepper) with whatever spices you like. I usually use Adobe, black pepper,
total seasoning, curry powder, cumin, and cayenne. Then add the vegetables to
the beans when they are just about done cooking. At this point after adding the
sautéed vegetables I would add a heartier vegetable like cassava, potatoes or
my favorite - plantains! The plantains add a hint of sweetness that's
delicious. And then you cook your rice and serve together. Easy, filling, and
delicious!!!
Me and Soares at Chiure's very own waterfall!
Eating Chiure beans and rice with the boys!
Carlos' renowned Chiure beans and rice!
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