08.31.06
Posted in AV 2006-07 domestic, from the Office at 9:42 am by osavolor
Welcome to the new and hopefully improved AV weblog! Due to some spam on the old blog we decided we would start fresh this year. As with last year, we will be having the Volunteers posting blogs throughout the year about their experiences as an AV. We will also have all the past blogs still up on the website for those of you who are interested in them.
We are welcoming a new group of 23 domestic volunteers who are headed to San Diego, Chicago, Lawrence, the Bronx and Philly as we speak. They have all just completed an 8 day orientation and are ready to begin working on Tuesday. We hope you visit this site often to see exactly what these young men and women are up to for the next 10 months.
As always thank you for your support and prayers!
If you have any questions or comments about the blog feel free to post a comment on this post and I will respond to it.
Peace,
April Gagne
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08.03.06
Posted in AV 2005-06 at 5:27 am by osavolor
Frustrations from South Africa
Wow. Where do I begin to talk about the many frustrations that I have felt since arriving in South Africa?
Hospitals in South Africa can be one of the most frustrating experiences. There are cues everywhere and no one seems to be moving. On one occasion I accompanied one of my roommates to the hospital because it was over an hour away and she had never been there before. The day started at 5:30 am. We were told that the patient had an appointment to get her results back from blood tests and x-rays at 9:00 am. We arrived at the hospital a little after 7 am and waited in a cue to get her medical file. After that we were told that her appointment was in room 5. After looking for that room, we were told that room 5 no longer existed and we needed to get in cue. After waiting for an hour the patient walked to another room and then was told that she already had all the tests completed and we just needed to wait for the doctor to arrive to read the results and then we could be on our way. Logically our next question was when are the doctors supposed to arrive. She replied 11 am. It was 9 am. At 11:20 am the doctors began to call names. At this point, the patient was getting tired. The doctor informed us that they had lost all the tests and they needed to be redone. After a frustrated laugh, we took the patient where she needed to go. Forty minutes later, we were completed and waiting to see the doctor again so that he could read the result. After waiting another hour we asked the nurse how long results took to get back. She informed us two to three hours. At this point, I left the hospital in search of food for the three of us. I returned and found out that the doctors had all gone to lunch. This was at 1:30 pm. I couldn’t believe it they had only been working for two and half hours. At 3:00 pm, we were finally seen and the results were read. An Appointment that was supposed to take about 3 or 4 hours with travel ended up taking 11 hours with travel time.
This is just one example of the daily frustration that we and all the people here in South Africa face each day. Here is a list of other frustrations:
- 5 donated computers on Monday. 4 stolen by Wednesday.
- Watching people wait hours to catch a Kombi to take a ride that should take 15 minutes, but rather they have to transfer in Pinetown so it takes an hour or more
- Someone trying to break into the house only a month after we got here
- Seeing children go hungry
- Children not being able to afford tuition for school. Its 75 rand for the year. Only 10 US dollars
- Seeing a disease ravage someone’s body
- Seeing a child get hit by a parent
- Listening to children say that they will not go to the local High School because it is that big of a joke and they know that they will not learn anything, but also knowing that other high schools cost 10,000 rand to go to
- Having a roommate try desperately to get one of the students into a good high school, but because of his age being denied left and right.
- The list could go on for a while
The funny thing though is that all those frustrations go right out the window with the smallest of things. Listening to the children of St. Leo’s singing in the morning, reading a book with one of the children of St. Theresa’s, or just putting a smile on a person face that is dying from AIDS. Yesterday we had a farewell at St. Leo’s and even though some the children would not eat that day, they still sang and danced and continued to make us feel welcome. From the first day to the last, the people of Molweni and Kloof have made us feel a part of their community and that acceptance and welcoming has made it much easier to deal with the frustraions of everyday life in South Africa, and instead of giving up, continuing to learn from and help where we can.
Pat DiDomenico - South Africa
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06.07.06
Posted in AV 2005-06 at 8:22 am by osavolor
There is a place that exists, hidden from the rest of the world by a formidable mountain rage, forgotten, or maybe, simply, yet to be acknowledged. Lacking electricity, the millions of stars that appear every night in the heavens are the only primetime shows the people have ever known. Survival depends on the land, thus the weather dictates the extremity of the poverty these people are exposed to daily. The sunrise can find a whole family huddled in their small kitchen with no windows or ventilation, braving the smoke for a chance to sit closer to the fire while tortillas are flipped in the skillet. Silence becomes a remarkable companion for anyone visiting from below, who has unconsciously become accustomed to a constant stream of noises and distractions.
Up until two weeks ago I had no idea that a place like the Meseta Andia existed. I had heard tales from my good friend Padre Kevin (a Priest from England) who has made two visits to “Las Alturas” (the Heights, as the Meseta Andina is referred to by the people in the town below). Padre Kevin works in the Parish of Frias in the Andes Mountains. His parish includes about 100 small pueblos scattered throughout the mountainous terrain, 14 of which are on the Meseta. Padre Kevin, along with the another Peruvian Priest, deacon, and 3 Marist Sisters spend much of their time traveling to each pueblito, ensuring that each one is visited by a priest or nun at least once a year. Padre Kevin showed us pictures and told us tales of sitting around for hours waiting for the person from the next town to come with the horses to lead you to the next pubelito, eating small potatoes, cheese, and tortillas for breakfast lunch and dinner, and staying in the house of a local, sharing food, shelter, and sometimes a bed with these generous people, willing to share what little they have. The stories were impressive, they sparked my imagination and my interest, but they were never able to convey the immense beauty of the Meseta and the people who have made it their home.
Padre Kevin invited my roommates and me to experience the Meseta, accompanying him on one of his pastoral visits. Brenden and I traveled with Padre Kevin while Roger and Ellen went with Hermana Palepa on her visits. We planned to visit three villages, helping Padre Kevin to hold meetings, talk to school children, hold mass, and, yes, sing (a lot). Walking up to the Meseta, it is hard to imagine that anyone lives on the summit of the mountain peaks. The five hour walk up seems to lead to a dead end, the top of the mountain, and nothing more, but the efforts are rewarded, and as the last bend of the trail opens up a whole different world is revealed. As though from a storybook, green hills and small brooks and bright flowers can be found 3,000 meters up, at the summit of a mountain. This place is so cut off from the outside world, only accessible by foot or horse due to a heavy rainy season, it is a sensation unlike any other, as though you have been lead into a different world, where time is slower, and the petty stresses of the world below become insignificant.
In our 4 days, we were welcomed warmly into three different, yet beautiful and generous families. I never appreciated the simple beauty of a mass, a blessing I have taken for granted my whole life, until I celebrated with people who know that this is their own chance to receive Eucharist, talk with a Priest, and celebrate sacraments for an entire year. After mass, instead of rushing off to their busy lives, the people gather, and out of nowhere they begin to pull out food, whatever they may have, and put it all on a table. The people who have just shared the Bread of Christ break the bread of their own hands, of their own sweat, and of their own land; with their neighbors. The food my appear meager by normal standards, but becomes, like the loaves and the fishes, sufficient to feed all of the eager mouths, and everyone leaves knowing they have eaten food given and made of love, shared with neighbors and friends.
Our experience in “Las Alturas” was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. It opened for me new perspectives and expanded my understanding of the world in which we live. I will never forget the people I encountered on the Meseta. Though I doubt I will ever be able to make the trip again, it is a memory I will return to countless times in my life. The tranquility and peace I felt during my visit is something I will always remember and strive to maintain despite the stresses and distractions the sometimes try to overpower.
Katie Pheasant - Chulucanas, Peru
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05.30.06
Posted in AV 2005-06 at 10:01 am by osavolor
At the beginning of this year I had the privilege to meet an extraordinary man, Brother Steve. Brother Steve was a warm and welcoming man that I felt I had an instant rapport with our love of history. The first time he came over we talked for hours about the civil war and WWII, and he was one of the most knowledgeable men I have ever encountered. Even though the man knew pretty much everything about anything related to history, he was still interested in my thoughts and would try to show me different angles that I hadn’t thought. He was always teaching, inside a classroom or out. Our discussion just kept going and going to the point that Father Steve and Father Gary had to drag him out. I was really looking forward to, hopefully, countless other nights where I could pick his brain and just listen to the innumerable stories.
Unfortunately, Brother Steve didn’t have that much time left. Those countless conversations and story telling were coming to an end. Brother Steve began to fall apart from a vigorous man that loved hiking, sailing and various other activities to a man that could barely walk around the grounds of the classroom. Around the beginning of October he had to use oxygen everywhere he went and his movement decreased every day. He forcibly would smile and make conversation but under labored breaths and a pain that could not be concealed. Brother Steve in his free time loved reenacting battles, and he would send me pictures of him in his uniform blowing up a Sherman tank or firing on Pickett’s charge.
One dinner at the beginning of October Brother Steve showed serious signs of deterioration, but the moment I asked about his various war related trinkets around the house he jumped right up and told me everything he could. He gave me a tour of the house even though he could barely walk and he made sure to show me his various battle uniforms. After that dinner I didn’t really hear from Brother Steve until I heard he was in the hospital. I heard from the rumor mill that he should just be there for a week or two and then see if he could still go to Washington for his sabbatical. Maureen, Jenn and myself went to visit him that first weekend. The sight of the ICU and people hooked up to all those machines only brought back memories of my grandmother’s death and her summer long struggle. The sight of Brother Steve only compounded these thoughts into things were not as I heard or hoped. This brilliant man that I was looking forward to getting to know looked even worse than before.
Jenn brought a couple treats for him including some candy and some historical magazines including one article on Napoleon and other famous leaders. I remember wanting to read it after Brother Steve was done with it. Brother Steve perked right up after he saw us and tried to make small talk with our usual banter, but he clearly didn’t have the energy. When we were leaving I said something like you better get back to Saints soon because Deke needs somebody to keep him out of trouble. This little innocuous comment made him chuckle, and then we said our goodbyes.
A couple days later he was dead. My hope that he would get better and we could continue to get to know each other was over. At the funeral as the volunteers approached the casket we saw something that surprised us. A rosary that we had made for him during one our prayers was held tightly in his hand. This vision made me realize that this is why I volunteer. The little actions that seem inconsequential and just seem like nice little gestures can mean the world to someone. Later I was told that Jenn, Maureen and myself were the last visitors Brother Steve had before they began giving him heavy drugs and put him on a ventilator. Maybe the little chuckle I got out of him was his last, and my presence and this year seemed to have a purpose. Just those little things might have meant the world to Brother Steve. The door you hold for a stranger. The smile at a passerbyer. The smallest gestures can make the biggest difference.
Charley Connolly - San Diego
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05.23.06
Posted in AV 2005-06 at 10:05 am by osavolor
Greetings from Chi-Town! It may be spring but it has been quite chilly out here in Chicago, however the roomies (shout out to L-Train, Bry-Guy, & KT - BOOYAH!) and I have been busy with what this wonderful city has to offer. I hope that you are all well and living each day to the fullest enjoying each others company, ministry, and city for the end of May is rapidly approaching and time is precious. In receiving the dreaded email from April (you know I love you), I would be lying if I said that I had not thought about writing this blog and after much thought and consideration I want to share with you a piece of my SOUTH SIDE experience. Nine months ago if someone asked me what this year would be like, I would have painted an entirely different picture. That picture would have been jaded and a lot less colorful. It is simply through the people I have met while living here in the South Side that I am who I am today.
I would be here forever if I described to you each person I have met along this journey, however I do want to share with you a day in the life of one of my teenage clients. My clients range from 14-18 years old and all experience unplanned pregnancies. My girls have experienced so much more than I ever had to deal with as a teenager. I want to give you some insight on one of my favorites… Judith approached me to help her organize her thoughts and ideas to enter a contest for scholarship money to help pay for college specially for teenage mothers. Week after week Judith would bring me scraps of paper with her raw emotions written on them asking my opinion and advice. Below is HER finished product. HER words. HER emotions that won her a full ride to attend college this fall. With her permission, I want to share a piece of her with you. Looking back to October, I met a shy 17-year old girl whose self-esteem was shattered and was at one of her lowest points, however today she has blossomed into a beautiful young lady who is smart, confident, and ready to conquer the world. Judith let me into her world one day at a time and touched my heart. She has forever changed me and I will never forget her.
A Letter to God : by Judith M.
“God give me the strength to keep on trying
To keep me healthy away from dying
Help me wash away my sins
So my new life can soon begin
So I can graduate on time
And keep them silly boys off my mind
To get a good job and take care of my child
And keep her off the streets from running wild
To teach her how all men ain’t good
Especially the ones in your hood
To take care of herself and be on her P’s and Q’s
So you won’t have to worry about no one but you
To get a good job and take care of herself
And tell them boys you can do bad all by yourself
How not to depend on no one and be independent
And to budget her money not to be out just spending it
So I can be proud of the child I raised
And not have to worry about how she behaves
I put my worries on these lines
Now they will be left behind
Now I feel so much better
Thank you God for helping me write this letter.”
Failure is not defeat unless you stop trying. If we reamin focused on our task or assignment no matter how difficult, we will surely reap a good reward for our efforts. Every great leader must have this combination. David’s excellent leadership combined both heart and art. To have one without the other leads to failure. “So he shephered them according to the integrity of his heart, and gudied them by the skillfulness of his hands.” (Psalm 78:72) This has been one of the biggest lessons I try to instill in each one of my clients who in their own way have touched my heart. Judith has remained focused and reminds me that change is possible.
Thank you for letting me share her with you! 
LoveAlways,
Bri-Ski
Brianna Grande - Chicago
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05.10.06
Posted in AV 2005-06 at 10:09 am by osavolor
So there is this 5th grader named Kody at Bellesini (the school I
teach at) who is one of the funniest kids I’ve ever met. For some
strange reason, he refuses to say anything to me but his two famous
catch-phrases “I hate you” and “You’re not my friend”. While these
statements may seem bitter on paper, coming out of his mouth they’re
priceless. Ever since the school year began, I have been really kind
to this kid, to the point of being a cheesy teacher. I frequently
single him out in a crowd and say “Have a great day Kody!”, just so I
can hear the classic “You’re not my friend! I hate you!” The kid is
well-liked in the school, and despite sounding angry, is actually a
quite goofy, happy-go-lucky boy. He is one of the many kids I’m going
to miss when the year is over…
Euris is a gifted student. I’ve been teaching him Algebra all year.
He’s in 8th grade, and due to his intelligence is in a math and
science class by himself. He is my only student for 1st period. I
can not emphasize enough how much of a treat it’s been to get to know
this guy. You would think Euris wouldn’t be too popular because the
kids would be jealous of him. It’s quite the opposite. He is the
best basketball, soccer, and baseball player in the school. He is
also one of the quietest kids I know. The students (and staff) love
him because of his gentle demeanor. He is very athletic and friendly
to everyone. I haven’t met a soul at Bellesini who doesn’t respect and
look up to him. I look forward to seeing him graduate next month, as
he prepares to go to one of the best private high schools in the state.
When I think about this year and the work that I’ve done, what sticks
out the most to me is the time I’ve spend getting to know these kids.
The school is 85 percent Dominican - I’ve never met more people from DR
(Dominican Republic) in my life. It’s been a blessing because I’ve formed
a lot of great friendships with people ten years younger than me.
Talking to 7th grader Alvaro about the White Sox, or getting drawings from
5th grader Kevin (arguably the most genuine and happiest kid I’ve ever met)
are just a few more examples of what I am going to miss about this year.
I spend the afternoons with Mary at Merrimack College. My primary role was
to drive volunteers to their designated sites each week. Since the
students are taking finals this week, and summer begins for them on
Saturday, my duties for the college are coming to a close. I enjoyed
being surrounded by a great group of students every afternoon in our sweet
white van.
The year has gone by fast - I still have no definite plans for next fall
(currently looking for jobs in Philly), but I have no regrets, and have had
a great time here in Lawrence. As I ponder about the highlight for the whole
year, the same night keeps coming to mind - the four of us were relaxing at this
beach house (during Veterans Day weekend) when the subject of Mary’s lover got
brought up. I picked up my guitar and wrote a delicate tune about him called
“The Bongo Song”. It was a glorious night. We’ll miss you Kip.
It’s been a good year, Chris
Chris Pusinelli - Lawrence
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05.08.06
Posted in AV 2005-06 at 10:09 am by osavolor
May has arrived–the last full month at our work sites–and I’m already having moments of nostalgia for the experiences of this year. During certain routine moments of the day, I think of little things that I’m going to miss in the future, especially the things that I know are unique to the Bronx or the Augustinian program. I thought I’d share a few of them…
7:00 AM weekdays- Hopefully around this time I am stepping out onto Andrews Ave. for a morning run. Running in the Bronx is not the easiest thing to do, but it is often an interesting one. I enjoy watching the streets wake up and come to life. When I head out, it’s rather quiet– there are just a few shopkeepers sweeping in front of their stores, sleepy-faced people waiting for the bus, and crates of chickens uncomfortably waiting in front of the live poultry shop, but the longer I trot along, the more the obstacles and noises increase and, before I know it, the sun is shining strongly and another day is in full swing. The path back is filled with kids in uniforms, rushing parents, street vendors, people with flyers, buses, car horns, and maybe some lively music. It’s a good way to start the day, especially when one of those kids or parents shares a smile and greeting, helping me feel like I am part of the community that I work in.
2:30 PM weekdays- I will be the first to admit that afterschool at St. Nick’s is not a piece of cake, but the way it starts off never fails to bring a smile to my face. No matter who you scolded or put in time-out the day before, all is forgiven, and this time of day is marked by getting nearly trampled by a group of kids rushing to hug you, hold your hand and tell you they missed you. It is really one of the sweetest things I have ever experienced. They also say the funniest things, as I’m sure the rest of you working with kids has noticed. One kindergartener told me he couldn’t help biting his cheeks while eating because his eyes were not in his mouth.
5:30 PM Mondays- I really like Monday nights. Sara, Jackie, Alyssa, and I get out of work and head next door to the priests’ for dinner. It is fun sharing a “social hour” and meal with our neighboring Augustinians. There is a nice mix of distinctive personalities around the dinner table, which can make conversation quite engaging at times. After dinner we have our community meeting and prayer and I think it is an excellent way to reconnect and regroup, especially if we had conflicting schedules over the weekend. I think our Monday night routine is reflective of the benefits Augustinian community life: we enjoy each other’s company (over a good meal, no less), discuss and hopefully resolve whatever issues there might be and then are able to share our faith with each other.
These are but a few of the many moments that I will miss when this volunteer year is over, but they are the first that came to mind and I hope you enjoyed reading them
Meredith Duval - Bronx
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04.29.06
Posted in AV 2005-06 at 10:13 am by osavolor
Well I just spent the last half and hour or so writting up this blog thing only to have it disappear before my eyes. To be honest I would like nothing more then to just throw this computer to the floor. However, in my tieme here in Chulucanas I have learned patience. Therefore I will try to rewrite what I had written before. I apoligize if its a little short. Today we had the privelledge of being able to go and see the ordination of two new Augustinian priests in Morropon. Monsigñor took the lead in the mass dressed in his bishop costume. It was a lovely ceremony with the cathedral filled with family, friends, and random people like us. It was great to be able to meet and greet so many Augustinians from all over Peru. There is definatly something about these Augies that they all have in common, they are all wonderfully nice people. We were able to share a mass and lunch with them and had a very nice time. The strange thing is that this might be a typical Saturday for us. But only in the fact that there is no such thing as a typical day in Chulucanas. One week to the next is a new adventure with new things to learn everyday. It is something that I have come to love about being down here. Never really knowing what type of interesting and amazing circumstance you will find yourself in from one day to the next. This is always true in our teaching.
Currently we are teaching first grade through sixth grade in Santa Rita in Morropon. We are teaching English to around 500 hundred children every Thursday and Friday. The trip to get out to Morropon is an interesting one that begins with a 5:45 wake up call, which is mighty early for me. Then we hop in a car and head to the bridge. Now the bridge is really only half a bridge, with a set of stairs in the middle. After getting out of the the car we could either be getting to these stairs on foot, donkey cart, or boat depending on how high the river is. Once up and across the bridge we jump into a mototaxi and head to school. All in all this takes about an hour to an hour and a half. I teach 5th and share 2nd grade with Katie. Let me tell you these kids have lots of energy just not so much motivation. I guess its just a difference a see between the education system in the US and here. Its tough to explain but its definatly a disadvantage for these kids. On example is when Katie and I were teaching the English alphabet to the second graders. They were having a difficult time and it was very frustrating. Then the teacher comes to us and says that its going to be very hard to teach these kids the English alphabet when they don´t know the Spanish one yet. What?!?!? They don´t know the SPANISH ALPHABET in second grade. So sometimes its frustrating trying to teach these kids. But I am seeing some improvement and that gives me hope.
With our time left here dwindling down I find myself wondering what have I done here. Have I done any good at all? Its a tough question that I still struggle to find the answer to. But Kevin Martin told me one good piece of advice, look at the relationships you´ve made down here and the good you´ve gotten and given from them. That is something that is tough to quantify but I know its out there. Maybe I won´t be able to really see it all till I´ve left this place. But I know that I am making every day I have left here count and not regretting anything. I hope this has given you some insight in to the madness I live in down here in Peru. I miss you all and can´t wait to see you. Cíao y cuidate.
Brendo
Brenden Alexander - Peru
Permalink
04.27.06
Posted in AV 2005-06 at 10:14 am by osavolor
well hello everyone! hope everyone is doing well. things in cali are just starting to heat up again, and i dont just mean the weather…wink, wink. im just kidding, but things are good out here. honestly ive been dreading writing this “blog”, but now that im sitting down to write it everything is just flowing right out. before i get too free and nonchalant with my words…i guess ill just write about what ive learned so far.
expectations are a funny thing. coming into this program i obvi (i kno how u guys love that abbreviation) had a few of them. meeting fun people, check. experiencing the west coast, check. fine tuning my nursing skills, check. finding an inner spirituality, check. finding myself, check. but by making a list like that and checking them off one by one doesn’t do any of them justice nor does it truly help you to understand my experience this year any better.
each one of us will honestly have a life changing year, and each due to different aspects of the experience that is THE Augustian Volunteers. i would like to share with you the aspect that has truly changed me and undoubtedly made me a better person…my roommates.
living with six people in san diego, california volunteering and doing good. cant ask for much more than that. i realized that quickly during orientation 2005 when we all just clicked. im sure that you all noticed it. i mean you obvi heard us everyday…laughing, joking, being a lil rowdy (of which i had nothing to do with), and just plain ole havin a good time. all my fears just disappeared and i thought “this is gonna be an exciting year”. and believe me it has. from birthday celebrations to lazy movie days to wed nite 80’s nites in Pb to happy hours to beach days, need i say more?! but believe me we are so much more than that.
to call the five people that i live with “roommates” would be doing you a disservice. so im gonna let you see them a little more clearly.
first i will start with the notorious justin knabb, aka justy. first of all the fact that he has allowed me to refer to him with that name from pretty much day 1 shows that hes got a kooky, fun side. and we have definitely all seen “justy”. but unfortunately im sure that everyone has not been able to appreciate his hardworking, dedicated, and independent nature. while delivering a speech i am defintely jealous of his connection, enthusiasm, and genuine empathy for the people of waslala. he is one of the most goal oriented people i know and whether he knows it or not he has helped me to start making a few lifetime goals of my own. thanks justy
next on my list is ms. maureen “moe” eichler. as evident through our height difference, moe and I are very different people, and believe me that could be one of the best things that ever happens to a person. living with moe has helped me view things in a different light from discussions on religion to our social justice talks. debating and questioning is the best way to reaffirm your beliefs, so for that thanks moe. besides that moe also puts her all into everything that she does, and the funny thing is most of the time we have no idea that she is even doing it. not once would she ever demand appreciation for any of the extra jobs or duties that she has taken on. she is the epitome of what it means to be inspiring. hope ya never forget it moe.
alrighty, now its time for my good friend abigail ronck. one of the most intelligient, genuine, sassy ladies i know. all of you are quite aware of her ridiculous writing skills, but her intelligence goes way beyond that. her spanish skills astound me everytime i am at the orphanage with her, and not because she can speak so well. its because she takes the time to purposely interact with the children as well as the wonderful women and men that work there. in my eyes she has a tough job in the baby room, and thats making people leave when its too crowded. imagine trying to tear students or other visitors away from those beautiful children. well let me tell you abby does it with such grace. something that i dont know if she realizes that she possesses. one day you’’ll see abby
charles connolly III, intimidating name for such a fun-loving guy. That may sound a lil corny, but deal with it chuck because it’s the truth. You have been like a brother I never had…although wait I do have a lil brother now, haha. The wrestling, joking, movie dates (platonic of course), and being your wingman…what more can I say?! But to be honest there is more. You are extremely aware of the ladies in the house and make every effort to comfort and “deal” with us, which we all can admit isn’t an easy task. And besides all of that his knowledge of history, sports, and the current world events astounds me…I mean this kid read WAR AND PEACE in a few months!!! Impressive.
Last and definitely not least is my personal roommate, miss laura mcdonagh. Sharing the smallest room out of all of the houses, we have definitely gotten to know each other well. All I can say is that laura personifies sweetness, from single-handedly decorating and baking for each of our birthdays to the fact that she sleeps with Splenda in her bed. I have no doubt that laura would do anything for each one of us is we asked. Laura is also modest to a fault. Studying takes extreme discipline under normal circumstances, but to accomplish that in our house well she deserves a medal.
Well there you have it…my friends! Of course I could go on for pages after pages, but I wanted to give you just enough to see at least half of what I see and have learned from these 5 amazing, gifted people. And of course my work at St.Vincent’s has begun to mold me into the nurse I hope to become, but these people have helped me find the me that I’ve been searching for and that I want to strive to become.
THANK YOU JUSTY, MOE, CHUCK, AB, & LAURA!!!
I love you all. Muah*
Ashley Zigarelli - San Diego
Permalink
04.20.06
Posted in AV 2005-06 at 10:19 am by osavolor
In preparation for Easter, I recently went to the Stations of the Cross at the Marianhill Monastery Cloisters on Good Friday. This community was founded in 1882 by a Trappist abbot and was taken over in 1909 by the Marianhill Missionary order. It is now situated in the slum quarter of Pinetown (about 20 minutes outside Durban) and has developed into an important training center for Black South Africans. Having heard about the Stations early in Lent, I marked it on my calendar and was looking forward to it even before I really knew what it was about.
We arrived on Friday morning and soon, a locked door was opened for us, an entry into the beautiful gardens on the inside of the cloisters… a reflective setting for what we were about to witness and participate in. The German priest who lead the Stations with the help of two young African brothers prefaced the meditation by telling us that ten years ago, the Archdiocese of Durban had used HIV/AIDS as the Stations theme, using adapted, real-life stories to reflect each Station of the Cross from the Gospel in a modern way. They were able to use genuine names and life situations of those infected and affected by this disease and because of this unexpected version of the Stations, I was deeply affected in a way I was not anticipating—it’s meaning went beyond just praying the Stations of the Cross. As the priest spoke, I could think of someone I know or have taken care of that would fit the appropriate Station. So instead of using the people in their reflections, and with my ministry to HIV/AIDS in mind, I am going to create my own reflection with those who have become a part of my life here in South Africa.
The First Station of the Cross… Jesus is condemned to death. Ntombizonke’s mother, severely affected by post-partum depression, comes to the hospice with Thulani, the baby’s father. She is disinterested in the baby, not wanting to hold or even look at her AIDS affected, beautiful child. Thulani is surprisingly HIV negative, leaving me 99.9% sure the mother is positive. I do my first HIV test, after having just learned how to earlier that day. The lines on both tests turn red within the 5 minutes required to wait, indicating she is HIV positive. I counsel her about how it will affect her life, who her support systems are, how she will now take care of herself. Yet, just like Jesus, she received a death sentence that day in the small room we sat in.
The Fifth Station of the Cross… Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry his cross. Mzwakhe, weakened by the constant diarrhea and vomiting, only has enough energy to make slight movements in his bed without assistance. So getting him from the bed to the wheelchair, from the wheelchair to the car, and from the car to his small home down the side of a mountain was quite a physical challenge. He could not do it alone. Despite the fact that I worried about his physical well-being even if it was just for a one night pass out from the hospice, I knew the emotional benefits of spending a night at home with his wife and children would heal him in a way no medication could. So we carried this man of about 100 lbs. down a steep dirt path to a small home made of tin, mud, and wood. Just like Jesus, Mzwakhe could not do it alone.
The Twelfth Station of the Cross… Jesus dies on the cross. The gift of the lives of Joseph, Roy, Bongekile, Shalazile, Zodwa, Thulisile, Mhakosi, Rose, Sibusiso, Qomofuka, Nontobeko, Zandile, Dumisani, Roseline, Tholasile, Malcolm, Stanley, Bulelani, Bonisiwe, Tholakele, Ngenzeni…. and so many more. Just like Jesus, they died on their cross… the burden of AIDS.
Each Station now has more incredible meaning for me… keeping in my mind and heart those from my ministry here whose sacred lives and deaths fit so appropriately into each step of Christ’s path right before He died for us.
Let us be mindful of the new life in this Easter!
peace, tierney
Tierney Echelmeier - South Africa
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