Zuia Femeilor

Today is International Women's Day here in Moldova. Its a big day here. Its more than just a celebration for mother's, but really for all women. The international thing is because it was a holiday all over the Soviet Republics. The eighth of March, at the end of the week of celebration of Martişor, ushers in Spring. The days are warmer more often, and noticeably longer, and the snowdrops are blooming.

The work week was a little dramatic, and not in a good way. On Wednesday and Thursday I was at work with just the helpers. The professional staff were at training both mornings. I don't really mind one day a week or so, but two days in a row is sometimes a challenge. I can usually make myself understood to everyone there, even though most of the staff prefer to speak Russian. They will always switch to Romanian to include me. That feels good. I like to play games with the children, and most of the time we get along great. This week it was a vacation week from school, so there were some additional kids who came up for parts of some days. That was okay.

On Wednesday afternoon, several times when I was alone with the kids, one of the older girls would hit the younger kids. Hard. Usually on the head or on the arms. There was a fair amount of crying. It was a challenge. Thursday morning when I went in to work, the same girl started in with this behavior again right after breakfast. At one point she took the littlest boy who is about 18 months old and flung him by one arm down into a chair. She really hurt him. I sent her to her room and made her lie down on her bed. When one of the aides came into the room, I took a break and called my friend, Teresa. As Teresa listened to me, and supported my complaining, one of her co-workers, overhearing only her side of the conversation, took it upon herself to call the regional authorities in Ştefan Vodă and make a report that the staff were abusing the children at the Center. Whew! Not true, and not what I was even saying to Teresa.

I have struggled a bit with the rampant use of negative reinforcements rather than positive ones that I have witnessed, and I know that there is not the same emphasis on safety here that there is in the US, but the upshot of this report by someone who only heard one half of a conversation is that I have lost some trust of my co-workers, who only heard that someone from Peace Corps had made a complaint. So, after some phone calls to and from Peace Corps, it was determined that no one from Peace Corps, not me, not Teresa, not the Program Manager, had called to make a report. I already knew this, and even though I have told this to the staff, I'm not really sure that they believe me. So, I'll keep working at it, rebuilding trust, showing up, doing what I am supposed to.

On a happier note, on Friday the children put on a show at the Center for zuia femeilor. There were many older women who showed up for the festivities, and it was a fun time. Right before the program was to start, the power went out and the kids and staff had to improvise, but they did a great job! It was fun to see them recite their poetry and sing songs. Everyone seemed to enjoy the day.

Tomorrow I am going into Chişinău for the day. It will be a nice break from village life, and there are some things I need to get done. I'm looking forward to a day in the big city. I hope everyone is doing well, enjoying the nicer weather, and getting ready for St. Patrick's Day! I miss you all. xoxo, Jami