Doing More for the Children of the Philippines

1. My Cute Host Cousins
2. Our 1st Art Class with Kuya Romeo
3. "The Choice Is Yours" Workshop with DSWD Girls
4. Random Pics of RSCC Kids

I came to the Philippines wanting to make a positive impact in the lives of children living in difficult circumstances and I feel every time I do make a small contribution I get 10 fold in support back. I wasn’t expecting that. I knew I would work with good people and sweet kids however I look forward to the screams of kids “Ate Kate, Ate Kate!!!” the cuddles and the wonderful talks I have with staff at RSCC or friends and family in my community. I am truly a blessed volunteer.

Just this year I have had the pleasure of co-planning an HIV/AIDS project and then working with 6 intelligent DSWD staff to implement the project. We were able to educate 32 very bright girls in 4 DSWD centers about preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. The workshop gave them the skills and chance to recognize how special they are and there is positive or negative consequences to each decision they make. We showed them how contracting a STD like HIV can drastically affect their lives and how to prevent it. The whole day was filled with fun and interactive activities at a beautiful and newly constructed center Amor Village in Tarlac. I believe most of these girls have been told some or all of the information we provided before however we were able to come at it with a different spin and I feel reinforcing information strengthens positive behavior change. It was nice for me to see some of the girls who also attended our Girls LEAD camp last year at this workshop.

Yesterday our new art teacher from Bataan Peninsula State University came and presented his first art class. I have been doing art classes since I arrived but Kuya Romeo is someone they can identify with. Not all the kids get to attend, we have 30 kids who want to participate and only 15 spaces. The kids at the center love to draw and want to paint so badly. I’m so excited that most of the projects we implement will be done with paints. The focus of the first class was to explain how art is a personal and creative process and they got to write their names on big pieces of paper and do designs around it. They had so much fun.

My host cousins in the compound spotted me before them this evening and I got blown over between them running for cuddles and the puppies and dogs also wanting love. This is a very affectionate culture which suits me just fine. I always know if I wake up on the wrong side of the bed I can hang out with the toddlers when I get to work and they will be full of smiles looking forward to playing with someone. Some people say they could not work at my center because of the infants and children who get brought here but I think by having the child here it is one less child left in the trash, behind a building or out in the elements dying. The social workers work so hard to find families for the children and we have great partners in the U.S helping us find families for the more difficult children to place, our schoolers. We have a large staff and the house parents love the children and parent them the best way they know how.

What does break my heart is when children are returned to us because the foster or adoptive family could not “handle” the child or it has become inconvenient to have them. Like if the family has got a visa to go abroad and don’t want to take the child. That sickens me. There is a problem in the system and families are not being adequately prepared and supported to foster or adopt these precious and extremely vulnerable children. Hopefully if my extension gets approved I will help Region III develop a stronger advocacy program, pre-placement training and continuing education program for foster and adoptive homes. They are already in this process and I am privileged to be included in this process as it is a very large step in the right direction to helping relieve the institutionalization of Filipino children. Right now I’m collecting information on various foster care training programs, parenting class curriculum, child development and other materials to start developing a culturally appropriately program for Region III. Children develop more appropriately in a family and home environment and an institution/orphanage needs to be a last resort situation.

More on the Library

This library is very exciting for me and already we have recieved interest in sending us books!!! Thanks to everyone who is helping. Some questions have come up and I would like to address them:

1. Are any books acceptable? YES, as long as they are in good condition and sutiable for children and teens. Educational books about animals, plants, the world, people, etc. are also appreciated.

2. My contact info if you would like to correspond personally with me about the library project: katiepentz@hotmail.com Please DO NOT sell or use my e-mail for mass e-mails or the likes.

3. Shipping: right now I am aware of using M-bags to ship reading material abroad. Basically no matter how much reading material you send (up to 66lbs) in the M-bag it will cost the same as sending an 11lbs package to the country you are sending the reading material to. Videos, CD's, DVD's, tapes may also be sent but only 4lbs of the M-bag can contain this kind of material.

We at RSCC look forward to parterning with you on this project! Have a great day.

Starting a Library

Hello Everyone,

I am currently starting a library with my counterpart at the center I am working at. We have a few shelves of books however they are a couple small shelves and used by the day care. Below is my book request letter. If you are at all interested in helping or have suggestions please send me a note at the end of the blog. Have a wonderful day!!!

Dear Sir/Ma’am,

Good day! I am a volunteer from the DSWD Reception and Studies Center for Children (RSCC) in Lubao, Pampanga here in the Philippines. I work with staff at my center to improve the lives of the children at the center through education, life skills and self esteem activities. I also do this through training staff to improve service delivery. Currently, all school age children attend the local school are currently behind at least one grade level. This is due to them coming to us without attending formal education and the lack of resources available to them. Our children are bright but need additional materials. The majority of our children are in elementary school with a few in middle school and one in high school. At this time we are working to create a library/resource room for the 97 children residing at this center. We have a building and are fixing it up by: painting the room, adding screens and fans, making book shelves, with tables and chairs to create our library and resource room.

This room will also serve as a place for us to do staff trainings and a resource room to staff. We have started a small staff library with educational and training materials, manuals and texts for them to improve their skills as service providers. This room will be used by the entire RSCC community.

With this wonderful addition to our center the daycare worker and I are have developed a basic English tutorial program and reading program based on a reading program developed by a fellow Peace Corps volunteer. We are very excited to get our program off the ground this summer with our children. We have 2 additional staff from the center with teaching degrees to assist with the implementation of the program.

To make this library/resource room and English program a success we need your help. Currently, we have requested through various teachers and community members is to hold book drives for us to collect as much of the following material: Easy reader books (reading level books) and mini-books for young readers and story books. Specifically we need literature, fiction and non-fiction books for K-9th grade students. English grammar, math and science texts for children in 1st through 6th grade (5 copies of each) would be extremely helpful. Other resources we could use are flash cards, workbooks, atlas and map books, picture books, educational posters, dictionaries, school supplies, educational materials on CD or DVD, books on working with kids (counseling, developmental delays, child development, etc.) teaching strategy manuals for teachers in: English, math and science, an encyclopedia set or Childcraft.

The literature and fiction books will be used in our reading program and the text books will be used in our after school and weekend programs that the house parents coordinate.

We at the RSCC truly appreciate any support you could give us to develop our program to its fullest potential. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Katherine Pentz
Peace Corps volunteer RSCC

Searching for Balance

After a fun day Surfing

There are ways in which the universe connects people to their needs if they are specific about what they need and are open to receiving what they asked for. Me, I have been working very hard to both. I have put out into the universe what I want and seeing it manifest is sometimes tough because I think it should arrive in blue packaging but it arrives in red packaging. Really I need to have no expectation on the packaging.

I have just finished this book “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert. It is a fabulous book of a woman who has divorced, broken up with her lover and then decides to take a year for self discovery. In Italy she learns to indulge in pleasure through food and learning Italian which she has wanted to do for a long time. In India she learns about devotion at an Ashram looking at aspects of herself and finding a spiritual calm. In Indonesia (Bali) she wants to find a balance between the worldly indulgences and her spiritual devotion where she finds love. The way it is written is how she experiences certain situations, the mental conversations and all the emotion involve. I loved this book and much of her process is at some point how I have felt: over analyzing relationships, not allowing my ego to control me, indulging in beauty for the sake of it being available are just to name a few.

Since November my goal for my last 6 months in country is to really enjoy being here in all aspects: work, peace corps, exploring, relationships with people here, fitness and most importantly not to let things bother me so much. I can do what I can do and that is all. I don’t want to consistently change my plans because someone needs something, I can say “no” or “that time or date does not work for me” or “do you have an alternative date.” I have been planning to do this 28 day boot camp for a fitness program and I don’t want to keep putting it on hold or getting though 4 days and then something comes up. I told the universe I want to do this and all appointments or activities need to be after 9am. I want to have the motivation to get up when my alarm rings. So far it is working and when I said I could be available at 8am I internally remembered my commitment to myself and rescheduled for 9am.

I have also really wanted to become calm. I seem to have gotten into a habit of reacting instead of responding. Again I let the universe know this is an area I want to rehabilitate. I got a message from a coworker stating the regional director for DSWD wanted sample cards for Valentine’s Day. Let me just say the card making livelihood project has become a thorn in my side since my suggesting it and I have become a scary crazy person whenever the director and card making come up in the same conversation. Already that day a decision was made that we need to focus our efforts because we have been working in crisis mode for production. Our new goal is to have 3 types with three versions. After the second text satanic flashes of frustration were tearing through my body and my coworker was still up in arms. I shifted my mindset, did some deep breathing, reminded myself the evening was beautiful and this was not a big deal. I worked very hard to bring myself into some semblance of calm. I repeated to my coworker everything would be fine and we would come up with a solution. By the time dinner was over I had my solution, I would send a letter to the director about our livelihood project. In this letter I described the challenges of the Christmas card making and how our new system would be more efficient. I described the time and energy involved in skills development for the young artists while sharing how they have grown and improved. By the time I finished the letter and sent it off for proof reading my heart rate felt as if I was never upset at all. I know I have full control of my experiences and perception and I am making this a reality.

I am living in a wonderful country, having amazing experiences: hiking volcano’s, surfing, watching the reenactment of the crucifixion, staff Christmas parties, riding on top of jeeps soaked to the bone, eating snake (very boney) and duck embryo, playing patentero against RSCC kids and loosing, and finding family in friends. Life is like being at school and the universe our principle, there to support us when we ask for help.

Wild December!

New Years 2008 – Bagio

1. Crazy Zab in party mode
2. Me in Becky’s outfit, we wanted to see if we should switch
3. Videoke!!! We all had a turn
4. Me and Becky in our ‘80s atire
5. The group minus me, I’m taking the picture
6. Our group
7. Having pre-party drinks at a local bar and yes, that is the old South African
flag in the background
8. Katie doing a performance for the crowd a Tagalog song “Alleluia” by Bamboo, she
was awesome!
9. Macho Zack and his ‘80s outfit
10. Native Dance done on Session road at a New Year’s Party with the Mayor

This past December like every December here in the Philippines is chock a block full of wild and fun activities. Christmas has been in full swing since September however by the end of November even the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s have Alvin and the Chipmunks rocking out their favorite holiday songs (FYI-Iglesia’s don’t celebrate Christmas). December is also not the best time to have projects or activities at a center as you will be in conflict with many other groups wanting to host a party for children living in an orphanage. At my center we are lucky to have so many people wanting to support us.

At the beginning of December I headed to La Union to help a fellow volunteer with her Basketball Camp. Of course whoever knows me even a little knows I can barely dribble the ball and I would need more skills than a camp could teach the youth just to make me a novice. It is true I wasn’t there for the basketball portion but for life skills; I did sessions on HIV/AIDS prevention and gender awareness. Now the population we were doing this camp for are children in conflict with the law so many of them have committed serious crimes. Trying to teach these macho men how to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS using a condom or challenging their stereotypes on what men and women roles was challenging to say the least. It was fun to be up there working with teenagers and it made me realize I like working with elementary and middle school kids a lot! Younger kids really like to be a part of activities and go with the flow easier.

I was also in full swing with our Card Making crew on developing and painting Christmas cards requested by the regional director. She wanted 300 within 2 weeks which we all know is totally impossible however it gave us a goal. We were able to hand over 36 by the deadline. It was nice to know important people from the region received them (congressmen, governors, mayors, etc). Usually this kind of stuff does not make a difference to me but it matters in this culture so I’m starting to adopt the need for approval. Maybe by the time I get home this will have worn off.

The staff Christmas party was a blast! We got to exchange gifts, get a door prize (mine was a set of glasses) and a food box with 100 packets of ramen. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much ramen outside a grocery store however I’m glad I have it. Right now I’m on an MSG kick and I couldn’t get enough if it wasn’t for my ramen. We also went dancing on Subic base after to dance the night away. I hadn’t been out that late in months. I finally got to bed at 2:30am, craziness and tons of fun!!! I hope it’s not sad when a person gets really excited to stay out after midnight.

I also got to participate in our family Pig slaughter on December 24th, wow okay so I was around for the last one but this was much more interesting. I actually saw them wrestle the 230kg (506lbs) sow out of the pen, get it onto a wooden bed frame thing, slice into its neck artery (which I helped with) while it squealed bloody murder, which I guess it was. The most interesting part is the specific process in chopping it up. My host mom had people from the community order different parts so they had it all planned out already. First after bleeding it out it is cleaned and hot water poured on in patches when they scrape off the hair and first layer of skin and dirt. Then they cut out a portion of the neck (the throat area. After the head is chopped off. By the way as something is chopped off it is weighed and given a price. They cut all the way down the middle of the pig (tail to neck) very carefully not to cut any internal organs. The pig is opened and internal organs taken out carefully. Then they slice off different parts of the stomach area, legs and finally the ribs. It is a process that required 3 men for the pig slaughter, chopping and cleaning also 2 women for weight, measurements and payment also divvying all parts so everyone has what they ordered. I was up by 4am and the process started about 4:30am after the deliberating on what needs to be done and how. It is a family event in the compound and when I left by 8am the work had still not been totally finished. I’m glad I ended up being the photographer because it was really messy and I didn’t have clothes I wanted stained with pigs blood. My host family was surprised at my interest but I feel that if I help with chicken and duck killing and plucking why not pigs. Also if I’m going to eat Porky why not know how it all works.

To round out the year Christmas was really nice. I visited with a fellow PCV who lives on the China Sea coast in Bawang, La Union. We made tuna and sun dried tomato sandwiches and headed to the beach. It was a great Christmas and totally different. In South Africa when I was little we used to go to the beach on Christmas when we were with my Oupa Herman and Ouma Armorel for the holidays. It brought back nice memories.

I also got to learn how to surf while I was up there and it is tough!!! Seriously I felt old after and my 40 year old friend also did it and I’m proud of how she held up. I need to work on my bicepts (doing pushups), pecs and abs to be a good surfer. Now I know why surfers have such great bodies, it is hard work but totally fun!

New years eve was also a blast with a bunch of PCV’s in Bagio (1 ½ hours up in the mountains from Bawang). The theme was ‘80s attire and I found the most hideous dress. Bagio is known for the best second hand clothing despot in the Philippines so I got some cool stuff. We rang in the New Year watching native Ifagao dancing, fireworks and dancing to a live band. I couldn’t have asked for a better holiday season.

May my future December’s be just as interesting and fun :-)



Practicing Surfing


I'm up and I'm surfing :-)

Bontoc, Banaue, and Batad

Mountain Province

1. Moma is a substance that reminds me of chewing tobacco except it is all natural plants and it makes your mouth red and people spit it everywhere
2. The ride from Bontoc to Banaue
3. I think this pump still works!
4. Its kinda hard to see but these fields with plants have designs. Magnificent!
5. Our jeepney after we arrived, it was a rough trip especialy with minimal view and the cold rain
6. Looking into Banaue
7. Incredible 3000 year old rice terraces
8. We have to hike into this valley and it is already 5pm and it is already dark at 6pm. Our hike is still 1.5 hours
9. Down there is Batad proper
10. A woman maintaining the rice terraces. Basically the women do most of the work for the terraces
11. View just before going over the ridge back at Batad
12. Dave and I taking pics of each other on the way up the valley to get over the ridge towards the waterfall
13. The waterfall
14. Crazy Dave and Katie swimming. Katie swam to the other side of the pool
15. Us with a local in the local clothing
16. Our hut
17. A view on our 12km trek – rice terraces everywhere!
18. The jeepney that took us back after our 12km trek
19. The swinging bridge on our way to Sam’s waterfall in the Ligawe area
20. Sam’s waterfall


I had the pleasure after another crazy Thanksgiving in Segada to head to the famous Banaue. We left Segada and caught a jeepney from Bontoc to Banaue. Us PCV’s decided to ride on top to have a view however 2/3’s of the trip it rained, covered with clouds and it was really cold. We grinned and bore it as we are tough PCV’s enjoying another part of our adventure.

Banaue is famous for its couple thousand year old rice terraces in the mountains. They are truly remarkable! Upon arriving we (Dave, me and Katie) decided to head to Batad with the help of a local guide. Batad is a 1½ jeep ride from Banaue usually. You get to the turn off and go up to the saddle of the mountain and hike into Batad. We left a little late, 3:30pm. Also there was a mudslide 1/3 way up the mountain to Batad so we had to hike up the saddle too. We did not realize the intensity of where we were going and with our 10kg bags headed up to the saddle. Upon arriving we viewed the incredible valley of Batad. Then a look at what we had to walk down. It was pretty much huge steps down followed by walking down into the valley. Don’t get me wrong I’m glad the uphill was out of the way all I did do was pray my knees didn’t give out. We managed to get to our homestay in one piece however there were many close calls when we were walking on very uneven tarriane without a light. Yes, we were in the natural darkness and all I said to myself was it is too cool for a snake to come out and bite my ankle.

Our home stay was a native Ifago hut. It was beautiful however we were bushed and just wanted a bath and our bed. The next morning we were able to look at our dwelling and recognize how ingenious it was. We used a ladder to get into the hut and many of the huts usually had a attic where they would store goods. In the main room were the beds and hearth. The hut is made of wood and the roof of local leaf materials. Under and around the base would hang the baskets, skulls of animals and various other tools. I know the area gets extensive rainfall and it helps to keep above it.

We headed out after breakfast downhill to the bottom of the valley to the town center. We then hiked all up the side through the rice terraces to the other side of the valley were we went straight down again to the waterfall. At the waterfall Katie and Dave were brave enough to take a dip but I’m a wimp and don’t like to be cold. Also give me a break but I was in jeans and a sweat shirt (okay Katie was too but as I said before she is tougher or crazier than I). We hiked back up to the top of the valley and took a different route around the rice terraces back to our home stay. Gosh we worked hard already.

Our plan was to make the most of this trip and that we did. After lunch we did the 12km trek through the mountain seeing more communities and rice terraces till we caught up with our jeep. Katie made a cute comment wondering who would be the first to take a tumble and yes it was me. I slipped and fell in some tree roots which made a nasty bruise on the side of my left arm. I was a trooper and did not complain.

On the way back the jeep ahead got a flat tire. This must be a regular thing as every jeep driver and guide from the 8 vehicles behind us got out to have a look, watch and smoke. The French visitors from this vehicle took the opportunity to walk ahead while the tire change took place. The Koreans also decided to watch and make comments in Korean. Us, three PCV’s popped a squat next to the locals and watched. It was complete and everyone was back on the road in 25 minutes. We got ripped off on the jeepney ride to Sam’s place in Ligawe but by then we were exhausted again and didn’t care. It never helps that your guide gives you one price upon departure and the driver gives another when you arrive. This is normal and honestly it was such a good trip I didn’t care to put up a fight.

Sam took us to another beautiful waterfall the following day in a neighboring community. The mountain province is magnificent. It is just as beautiful as some of the sites in a coastal community. We did about 25km in 36 hours and it was fabulous to stretch my legs. Doing all this hard walking increased my dedication to returning to my running schedule. The Philippines has superb costal experiences and contrasting high elevation excursions. Please visit and take advantage of so much fun!!

Magical Siquijor

Siquijor is another island in the Philippines we (Rachel and I) had a chance to visit. This interesting island is known for its love potions locals make and sell during Easter season particularly during Holy Week. Other remedies can be made for a variety of ailments. I was not able to attain one before I left however I hope to get back down there and explore the rest of the island’s wonders before I leave the country next July. We got to see a majestic sunrise and use most of the forms of transportation the island had to offer. I also want to see it’s waterfalls and other 2 coral church’s next time.

1. One of the many intoxicating beaches on Siquijor
2. My chance to “speak” to my congregation (if I ever had one heheh)
3. Yes there is a problem in the Philippines with rabies but be sure it is not in Siquijor
4. 5:20am looking outside our window in Siquijor
5. Speak to us Reverend Rachel!
6. The growth of the sunrise in our visit 5:50am
7. A crazy huge gecko on the wall in the church David lives at the back of. It is really cool!!!
8. Me and Rachel on our way out leaving a fun day in Siquijor
9. The piglets who were very curious about us, aren’t they cute
10. David Lumsden our host when we visited

Tropical Bohol, Philippines

Bohol is probably my favorite place in the Philippines so far and I only got to scratch the surface of the eco-tourism. It is incredibly beautiful, serene and the vibe is just calming. My only issue was every time Rachel and I went to travel to the next place on our list the rain came down in buckets and soaked us to the bone. Bohol is a tropical paradise and I want to go back!

1. Cute little alien looking primate the tarsier… isn’t he cute!!!
2. The Loboc River which I think looks like a chocolate river. It is beautiful
3. We stayed at a rustic backpacker's hot spot "Nuts Huts" off the beaten path on the Loboc River
4. The stairs were steep and I almost lost my head on the way down on the 277 steps!
5. One of the oldest churches in Bohol. We saw a wedding in progress
6. The actual steps heading down to the Nuts Huts and my nipa hut on the river
7. In Bohol the Filipino’s have taken advertising to a new level, using the animals J
8. Beautiful butterfly’s at the Bohol Bee Farm. Natural beauty is phenomenal here
9. A beautiful view of the ocean from the Bee Farm
10. Interesting architecture in the Philippines
11. The amazing Chocolate Hills of Bohol. In the dry season these remarkable mounds turn brown because of lack of rain. The island was originally a coral reef, over millions of years then it was pushed up and certain points were pushed together more so there are these mounds.
12. The tarsier yet again. Did you know its eye socket is larger than the brain cavity??? Yes those eyes are intense!

HIV/AIDS Training in Palawan

Roger invited 5 of us to help him teach his 1st year college students and a high school about HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health. We had a blast and hopefully these bright eyed teenagers will be able to make more informed decisions when it comes to intimacy with their partner.

1. Me and Cynthia – our arrival in Palawan
2. Rebecca and Ariel also just arrived in Palawan
3. I’m demonstrating how to put a condom on using my fingers before the actual condom came out, it was interesting.
4. Teaching 1st year college students about reproductive health (15 year olds)
5. A wonderful mural and about the most action 2 of the 3 of us have had since before arriving in the Philippines (May 2007), so sad L
6. Roger teaching his students about HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health

The Underground River in Sabang, Palawan

One of the sights to see is the Underground River in Palawan. Truly the beauty of the area and seeing such an incredible natural wonder is breath taking. We traveled 2.5 hours to Sabang, a little town hosting transportation to and from the natural wonder through the national park. We rode a banka boat away from the town into a neighboring bay. From there we walked into the forest and saw some rather large lizards hanging around just below the walking path. There were lots of natural noises from the critters, creatures and animals living in the jungle. On our way to the Underground River we saw monkeys having lunch on some fruits on the jungle floor. They were in a troop and they were easy to spot.

We were given the brightest orange life jackets (they were just that clean) and green construction helmets. We felt oh-so safe. Helmets were there to protect us from the bat guano that may or may not drop itself upon us at any time. At least that was our rational for them ;-) We were strategically placed in the boat and for some reason our guide thought the best place for me was at the front and designated the official light provider. The car battery sat in front of me, my light had to clips that attached to the screws on top of the battery. The lamp would be used to keep us going in the correct direction into the black hole of the cave. At points the water was 27 meters deep and the water was alive with snakes, fish and various larvae looking stuff. The fruit bats above kept a constant chatter and we saw a sparrow every now and then lost in the cave. We only boated 1.5km of the 8km river but it was enough. Our guide kept us giggling with descriptions of various formations. We even traveled down the vegetable section! We bi-passed the bat cave to our dismay but we drove very slowly to catch a glimpse of another cave with a formation in the center of the round room.

On our way back to Sabang we chose to hike it 5km back through the jungle. It was beautiful and the trees would grow around, through or attach themselves to each other to reach water. All sorts of vines hung from everywhere. It was if each plant or tree was connected to the other in some fashion. I could only imagine how trying it must have been to walk through it without the nifty trail we were on. The trail lead to a few beaches and it was incredible to see hundreds of crabs walking up the beach away from the water. I have no idea why they were doing this but I got a kick out of watching them go. They are quick little suckers. About half a kilometer from the town a torrential down pour hit and 2 of us did not bring an umbrella not that it did much good anyway. Within 5 minutes I was soaked and cold, this was not a feeling I was expecting. Finally when we arrived back to town we were able to grab some grub before taking a break at our amazing nipa hut.

It was another great adventure here in the Philippines!

Mid Service Training

So officially I’ve survived the first half of my tour of service here in Peace Corps Philippines. It is so weird because it kinda feels like I just left. Really our COS date is August 6th (now Aug 7th) so honestly we have less than 11 official months left but who is counting, hehehe. It is rather interesting thinking about how much has happened in the last 15 months and what will happen in the next 11 months. Personally and professionally this tour has been exciting and challenging.

Challenges were losing a cousin and aunt within a few months of each other just after I arrived to a disease that also took my mother almost 4 years ago. Aunt Peg was the second most important person in my life after my mother. I put her in the “on vacation” box in my mind. When people die I find it hard to process the feeling and so I associate it with that of a person who is “on vacation.” My cousin also passed on but I was more prepared because I knew it was going to happen before I left. My family invested in a condo development project over 2 years ago and this year has been really tough for them and I haven’t been there. Sometimes I feel I left them but they have always been so supportive of my Peace Corps dream.

As for what I’ve learned since I arrived: I can write a grant proposal (well any proposal for that matter), I love being a trainer and presenting information to large groups, I however still don’t like being a teacher to students (below college level), empowering people is still a passion and I’m becoming more effective, I love planning activities for groups of kids and even though it is still tough I am better at working with teens. People are similar everywhere you go. They want to be heard, they will be invested in something they feel is necessary to them and they want to improve their lives to give their children better opportunities. I love the concept of family here: family comes first, families spend lots of time together and support each other on various levels, they are somewhat clannish. The relationship a person has is far more important than what you know or what you can do. If you want something to get done you better have a solid relationship with the stakeholders on a personal level or it can be very difficult. I know I want to continue my degree in social work and focus in the clinical realm specifically working with those in crisis. People are fascinating, wonderfully complex which makes them unique and challenging to work with.

What I didn’t expect is to realize what a control freak I am and even though I thought I was laid back, I’m more output orientated than I ever thought, work is very important to me, for me it somewhat defines me; weather that is good or bad I’m still figuring that out. Being in the Philippines has required me to recognize these traits in myself. I don’t get angry when things take longer than they should but I stress internally on what it should be like. I’m working on being more able to release it and let it go. I guess I’m also very time specific. For the first time I’m usually early to appointments or meetings. In the states I was always running 10-15 minutes late. It is weird and honestly I don’t personally like being early. I don’t really get frustrated when people are late only when they plan on not arriving to begin with.

I feel my contribution this past year has been just a drop in the ocean of life of those I worked with. I know the work I have done and relationships I have created have been important to me and the people who received the information but I am still concerned about how sustainable my work has been. On an individual level I think I have been valuable but I’m not sure if I’ve done the best to empower my coworkers to take on and grow what we have done together for the agency. I think during the rest of my time here I need to strengthen what I have worked on and make sure what I’ve been working on is what they want to continue when I’m done.

Let the adventure continue…

I NEED Help PLLLLEASE

Redlani Sports Fest Practice

Teaching Life Skills with my counterpart

I sent this e-mail out to various people in my address book but I also wanted to post it for anyone I may have missed accidentally.

Hi Everyone, How are you all??? I'm doing great, happy as a cricket on tuesdays. To be more specific there is a typhoon heading to pass a bit north of us so it is really cool here and i don't need to use my electric fan. You got to love life when your biggest concern is if you will need the use of the fan.

What I'm writting about is I'm putting together a peace corps grant proposal for my center. The grant is to start a card making livelyhood project that the kids at my center for them to make and sell for profit. Our basic goals are to give the children a skill they could utilize after they leave the center, a way to sustain and grow our small library room, and a creative outlet for our children.

I would like to have my grant prosal sent to you with the specifics with the hope you could help make our project a reality. Before it gets sent to you I need an address, phone number and e-mail address for you so I can have it sent to you. Your personal information is collected under the authority of the Peace Corps Act but it will only be used to promote my peace corps project through the Peace Corps Partnership Program informing you about my project.

So right now I need your full address, phone number and e-mail address so I can get you the information about our cool project and I hope you want more information about it too. Also if you know anyone who may be interesting in knowing more about my project please e-mail me or forward this e-mail. My e-mail address is katiepentz@hotmail.com

I am sending you lots of love, light and positive energy, I miss you,

Ingat (take care), Kate :-)

Life, where anything is possible... :0)

The Slaugher

There are so many things I love about the Philippines and here is just another example of how simple life is (and by the way this happened 2 weekends ago). Anyway it is Sunday morning and I am reading my book instead of getting up; it is about 9:30am. I hear my host cousins, host aunt and uncle and some other people. I take no notice, I live in a compound and I am really enjoying the book I'm reading. After taking a short break I hear they are right outside in front of my house. I meander outside and what do I see but one of the young pigs we are raising in the piggery on the side of my house. He has been drained of his blood, gutted and the head has been removed. The entrails are in a large bowl under the slaughtering table.

I was shocked to see Piglet in such a state. My little host cousin is touching the pigs cheeks and telling me how masarap (tasty) they are. His mom tells me his favorite part of the pig is the face. I am struck but at the same time I am getting used to these situations. Just 5 months ago I got my chance to kill a chicken and pluck it. I didn't have time to cook it but my host aunt would have let me if I was staying. Ok back to the pig... the family was surprised I didn't hear anything. That is not true, I heard the pigs squeal but they do that every time they are fed!!! I am still surprised I missed the killing, it would have been interesting to see. They will be repeating this activity for Tatang and Mico's birthday in November. They asked if I would be interested in killing it and the rest, I said sure why not, it will add to my cultural adaption. So what is the reason for this unexpected slaughter??? Well to sell the pigs to a slaughter house they would not get a good return on the raising of the pig so they will walk around the community and sell it in pieces. Ok sounds good to me even if my host uncle has got a huge knife hacking away at the thigh.

My host mom offered me sisig for dinner the next night and I was not feeling good so I just stuck with the veggies and rice. My host cousin wouldn't tell me what it was exactly. The way it looked put me off of it. I found out from my friend that it was parts of the head and face. I'm just not down with eating the face, ears, hoofs or internal organs. It probably sounds weird since I'm willing to slice and dice Piglet but I did dissect a cat in anatomy class so I have experience compartmentalizing these types of activities.

I'm sure I sound barbaric but I can't help it, while in Rome do as the Romans do. I'm in the Philippines and I find myself following the same credo. Just another crazy Philippines experience :-)

Sobra Init!!!

Sobra init - So very hot!!!! I have definitely noticed the heat since I have returned. Make no mistake about that. But today, we are talking heat at another level. The last ½ kilometer was like looking at an oasis; you know there is water you just got to keep your feet moving. I arrived at work drenched in my own sweat, disgusting!!!! Another part of living here that I have learned to live with. Before I took a shower this morning I had downed a liter of water.

To be honest I also ran this morning which already elevated my body temperature and I had to go to the elementary school before walking to work. Now if I had just gone straight to work I may have not pushed my body over the edge. It really has got hotter for sure because I’m using my fan throughout the night and that is like temp gauge. It will get hotter because I’m still turning it off about 5am; I’m waiting for the days when I NEED it. I think I could get by without it.

It makes me think that when my day revolves around the weather what does that say about me and my living situation??? The sun also drains your energy and I wonder why it has to be so greedy when it creates so much of its own energy. I think I’m a little heat delirious at this moment and after my lunch nap I will get back to normal; 2.5 hours from now.

Think positive for me please!!!!!

Lovely Puerta Galera

We (Rachel, Cynthia, me and Sue) have been planning this trip for a while and it has been canceled a few times. Rachel confirmed with me while I was in the US and I was up for it. It was kinda weird to be taking a weekend away after just arriving back in the county just a few days before. I however have no qualms with having a good time and now doing a 7 hour trip is cake.

We stayed at Tamaraw beach next to the infamous White beach. It was quiet and comfortable. The best part was they had lounge chairs on the beach instead of putting your towel out on the sand. The food was great, really reasonable and had a pretty good variety.

I was rather surprised with the small rocks that came up to the shoreline, they looked like river rocks and they are beautiful. It rained really hard the first afternoon and it made crossing an inlet rather challenging but we are troopers and make it across. It was a great place just to relax (I got to read a great book) and if you want a little more action White beach is only a 15 min walk away over a hill. I did not indulge that need because coming back to the Philippines has more jet lag and I partied my little butt in Lake Havasu.



It was so fun just hanging out with my friends, catching up and shooting the breeze, eating grilled cheese sandwiches and reading my book on a lounge chair. It was beautiful looking out from the deck over the water at the banka boats, the ship in the distance and an island off to our right. The clouds made the evening sky purple, blue and shimmered silver. It was wonderful!!!

My Visit Home

I got mixed reviews on visiting home, some said don’t until towards the end of your service, others said go because for them coming back was a blessing. I got to be honest, I was a little nervous going home cause I had a really sweet living situation, lots of great friends and a job I was doing pretty well in but I also wanted some adventure so I was off.

It was sureal and just comfy cozy to be at home with all my family and friends. We got to hang out, chow down at my favorite resturant, visit our favorite watering holes, see people I really care about and vice versa, a chance to revise my workout plan with a great friend and trainer, took a trip to Puerto Pensco (Rock Point) Mexico and stay at my dad’s house.

I never really appreciated Lake Havasu until I got back. I always loved the fact that 90% of my immediate family live in Havasu but I now love the weather (a dry 105 degrees) and the natural beauty of the desert. I always loved the desert but now it seems different, calm and still but not deathly. A place to recharge and energize and that was what I needed!

My family were totally excited I was home and I had to see everyone the first night I got back. Reajusting to the time zone was not as rough as I thought. My sister woke me the first morning I was there because we were off to a tube float race down the river and honestly I planned my trip to be there. There was 15 of us and we hooked up to various other groups and lazily went down the river. By the end I was fried but not too red, flying on cloud nine and totally reajusted to being back in Havasu.

My spring break crew also came to visit (a group of my friends that seemed so somehow conglomorate during spring break over 4 years). It was so fun just goofing off with them and knocking a few back and talking about how life has progressed. If I look at the group we are pretty much still on the same tracks we were when we last met with some slight variations of progression. None of us have kids, the same people are with significant others, and the same group members are hooking up. Gosh it is fun being single and alive.

When in Havasu it is expected that your good behavior may deteriorate and stupidity is expected. It is a town of few morals and a good time to be had by any who wish to endulge. Now what I am also saying is that if you choose to have fun you can do it with dignity and self respect. It is also a tough place to get deep and meaningful thought at 11pm at night. This was just what I was looking for when I wanted visit home. I needed to decompress and not work and that is just what I did. A couple times I had an incling “You could finish your late quarterly report… hummmmm not today.” I did this a few times but I was burned out by the time I left for my visit, really I didn’t want to work while I was home and so I didn’t. Not doing any work while on holiday was really refreshing. I don’t think that has really ever happended when I was employed.

Some of my highlights: My chance to have my first real argument with my dad (within the first week of being there), I got to see some of the natural beauty rhomping around in the desert behind town, I was told I was more assertive and it was a good quality, waking up to the sound of the waves in a soft bed all to myself, being given a minature pinapple, talking with my grandparents, doing an irish car bomb with crazy friends, having a three hour conversation about politics and the end of the world while enjoying a yummy grilled cheese, getting to know people who I was connected to but wasn’t really friends with and having fun, watching golf with my dad and going shopping with my other mother.

Who didn’t I get to see??? My crazy little brother! I would have loved to see him and hang out but he was off saving the world the other way… with the army. It is weird for my dad to have two kids working on behalf of the US but in totally opposite fronts. One day I’ll get him a t-shirt “My daughter is in the US Peace Corps and my son is in the Army… WTF!” I think it was my sister who suggested the “WTF” well that’s my family ;-)

Mount Pinatubo

Now this was a real hike!!! But don’t let me get ahead of myself… this is just one of the many trips us 3 Musketeers (Rachel, Cynthia and me. Niki was our D’Artangion on this trip) have planned but not really had a chance to implement. Even I was skeptical we would follow through. The weather was kinda bad and we didn’t really know exactly how to get to the beginning of the trip.

We rode a bus to somewhere in Tarlac where on accident we met a tour guide who’s group ended up not making it and we got to fill their spots. We proceeded off the beaten track to a Barangay close to some military base where we waited for another 4X4 jeep to take us to the beginning of the hike.

Our start began at 5:30am and our first bus left at 6am. By 9am we were on the jeep making our way to our drop off point. The hike there took about 3 hours and we were hungry and beat by the time we got there. We traipsed through water ways, over dried river beds with ash that turned into sand, up through the jungle over a ridge and ahhh a view of the beautiful lake within Mt. Pinatubo. I can’t even explain the exhilaration I felt when I saw the lake. I was awe struck by the size and the color of the water against the walls of the volcano. The water was not clear and even when we went to put our feet in you could barely see them. You could lose someone if you weren’t careful. The water was green signifying it was more alkaline. If it is blue it is more neutral (or do I have that backwards???)

I was told by a guide the water color was grey sometime ago causing an influx of volcanologists come in and take a look. Mt. Pinatubo is still an active volcano. The last time it erupted was in 1993 causing extreme devastation and death. In my province alone it caused damage up to about 45 min by bus towards my house. You can see an old church that only has the top sticking out because of all the ash and lahar covered the town. Instead of digging the community out, they built right over the preexisting Barangay (Bacalor). Because of the amazing building quality Pampanga has been able to quarry this natural resource left by the eruption. My host dad said the highway used to be much more built up between our house and San Fernando but not everyone has rebuilt. Many people relocated because their community could not be rebuilt. There are no fish in the lake but plenty of algae.

The way down also took us 3 hours. Once we got to the river bed we heard a hug swarm of bees above us but we could not see them. Our guide looked a little concerned which made him walk faster. Niki got stuck in some quick sand half way up her calf and I had to fish her foot and shoe out. Our guide on the way down was not the same and kept a rather fast pace. I’m not exactly sure of the mineral that was seeping out of the rocks but it was a goldish yellow. In one of the pools of water with algae the mineral caused the algae to be this yellow color. It was really interesting.

It was a really fun trip and a perfect time just before I headed to the US.

Holy Week

I had the opportunity to attend and even participate in Holy Week Celebrations here in the Philippines. Out here the Lenton season is extremely important and the Catholic’s take it very seriously. In Pampanga (my province) we take it to another level, we actually reenact the crucifixion. Not only do we do this but men in our communities will walk with a cross around the Barangay and arrive back at the church and continue to pray. Community members will follow the man showing support. Other men will actually flagellate themselves with a whip and pieces of wood. They have another man with a paddle (with shards of glass sticking out of it) and every so often he will tell the flagellator to stop and he will paddle their backs and they will then carry on. Layers of skin comes off and this is to bring them closer to God and feel Jesus’s sacrifice. There is a quite a bit of blood. This starts on Maundy Thursday. On Good Friday is the reenactment of the crucifixion and the man who has been playing Jesus has been doing it for years. He was actually nailed to the cross. Now this show has become a yearly activity and people from all over come to witness the event. I wished I was local or international press because they got to sit under the large tarp and not get scorched by the sun. I did my penance and got fried and blood splatter that ruined my shorts by the end of the show. It was a really interesting experience and it will happen again next year. There are so many men who flagellate or carry the cross. On the way to San Fernando to watch the crucifixion the bus was so slow because it had to overtake men participating in one of these two rituals and walking on the highway.

It was just incredible the dedication these men have to be closer to god and penance. At the site of the crucifixion a man was selling a paddle and whip and I could not imagine getting hit or hitting myself with either. None of the women participated in the events. I believe they just do some extra praying. During Holy Week there are also processions in the Barangay’s that occur.

Below are some of the pictures of Holy Week.

Sometimes Being Far Away is Not All Its Cracked Up to Be

I know I have a long title but over the last 2 weeks I have been able to experience what that means in multiple ways.

2 weeks ago (March 3, 2008), I got sick with a stomach bug that kept me from work and not able to really prep for a training I was to do. I couldn’t eat without the feeling of wanting to upchuck what I ate so I was refraining. I had a virus that did things to me I can only discuss with my doctor and another Peace Corps Volunteer. I know this sounds pretty silly but here we talk about everything that happens to us inside and out and sometimes it can become a competition. By Saturday the stomach bug was still causing havoc and a throat infection (tonsillitis) had developed. I was having issues from every area. For the first time in my life drugs were not helping, I was not in my own bed, I was still working and I wasn’t being cared for by my family.

By Tuesday I was much better but participating in a training that had me sitting in a chair for 6 hours but my mind working like a race horse. I cannot express how intense the training was. Saturday my throat problem decided to come back but I finished my prescription on Wednesday. My medical officer said I was going to have to let it run its course. What does she mean??? I am actually going to have to take it like a tough girl??? Well I’m not a tough girl and I want it to go away. Maybe I’m just a sucker for punishment but I’m letting this virus do its thing and hope to god it leaves my system soon cause this really sucks.

In the mean time I was away on the road for 8 days doing and participating in 2 trainings. I left Thursday March 6, 2008 sick and miserable but ready to show my will power, that mind over matter thing and conquer. By the following Wednesday I had received a few nice texts that I was missed from people and I was having withdrawals from seeing the kids at the center. I knew I was a homebody before I left the states but I have become really attached to my home here. I even missed my cat Harold, like no other. I wanted to be at home.

Friday I had the chance to stop in at work when I got home and found out 2 kids were sent to the National Center for Mental Health while I was gone and I was really upset since one of the kids I was really attached to. I think it hit me harder than normal because I was overtired and getting sick again. That night I was with some community members and I was totally culturally inappropriate but now looking back on it I can only think “Oops” and next time I’m in a emotional and physical crisis not to accept any invitations to visit with people, my social skills are terrible and I’m way to sarcastic for anyone to handle.

I felt very alone this weekend with my thoughts. I like to share how I feel because it helps me process but out here I’m not understood like I am back at home and the words are taken differently. My actions here are strange and misunderstood. Last Friday I didn’t want to go home because I wasn’t ready to be around people so I went for a walk down a side street I really like and sat at a gate just to think. It was near a councilor’s farm and he was alerted by some neighbors that there was a “tisay” (fair skinned girl – white girl) sitting by herself which is not normal. People here are rarely alone and if someone is sitting by themselves to think this is a very bad sign. My host dad was even alerted by an extended relative of my actions before I got home and wanted to know why I was there and doing that. Not being able to be honest is hard especially for me who likes to talk about my feelings.

I love it here and I love my job but it is really hard and the emotional rollercoaster is one wild ride. I get to learn right now not by being taught but by experience.

Girls L.E.A.D Camp 2008

These are the four participants and my really amazing counterpart from my center :-)

I love the saying from the movie Forest Gump: “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.” So many opportunities fall into my lap all the time being here and it is hard to choose, sometimes I will want to participate and commit to it but it is hard to do it all and then I back out. Today has been a tough day; yes I do have these and from what I’m told it is normal (I’m kidding I know they are normal). I’m feeling a little overwhelmed with the amount of projects I have going and will be starting soon. I was telling my sister that one of my biggest challenges in my life is the lack of ability to pace myself which can lead to me becoming paralyzed until a deadline and then it gets done. I probably don’t sound very professional but I guess that’s life and I am human. I’m working on it but I think I’m also just hard on myself because it has been a very busy week and I’m over tired. I’ll get there.

I just helped facilitate a 4 day Girls L.E.A.D camp for 30 girls (4 were from my center) and it was amazing. In a way it was more like a conference because it was session orientated. My counterpart and I facilitated 2 sessions: friendship and understanding cause and effect. Other sessions were: past/present/future, career visualization, agree to disagree, goal planning, and communication. The second half of the camp the girls had to decide on one session, plan and prepare to echo it to some of the residents at their center. I think it went really well and we had 5 pairs of girls planning to replicate one of our sessions. It was really hard work, the first activity was at 6am and lights out was at 10pm with a very tight schedule. The facilitators were constantly on and encouraging the girls so by the end of the 4 days all participants and staff were totally exhausted.

It was nice to work with a group of girls who thought they had limited options, then to see them bloom over the 4 days and see there are options for them. This was the second time the camp had been conducted and not many changes had been made regarding the content and implementation. A few of us hope to do it again next year and make it an annual program. The counterparts that worked on the camp again this year had grown since the last one and their self confidence as facilitators improved. They are really motivated to see this program continue. I look forward to working with them on it next year.

One of my younger girls really came out of her shell and I am so proud of her. She is often the one who follows the stronger girls at our center without much standing up for herself. She is quiet and reserved; she is very polite and sweet. Over the 4 days she would give her opinion when asked, and would try to interact and have fun with the other older girls. I was concerned she and the other younger girl would not be able to replicate a session because of their timid persona but after practicing a few times she improved and interactive. I think her session will go very well.