2

Volume 1, Issue 3

Serious Ting

Why Did You Join the Peace Corps?

person? Or have my defense mechanisms and vices just evolved to suit a new environment?

The sedulous Peace Corps experience provides many valuable lessons. As Jen Boyd points out in her eloquent "Redefining" on page 16, the most rewarding challenge of  the experience is the adjustment of one's expectations. And it is indeed inspiring to witness, as Brian Seigel does in "Love of the Game" (page 18), people overcoming the obstacles of the developing world to just enjoy life. It is also exhilarating to one day realize that you no longer have to struggle daily and resist a foreign situation, as happened to Carson Coleman while she waited for a transport (page 24).

For me, though, supreme bliss often comes when I recognize the simple truth that change is life's only constant. In those moments, we learn to embrace and enjoy the dynamic nature of life. To endure the traumas and triumphs of this mercurial journey, and to reflect inwardly and realize that you are learning and adjusting at every moment, is to apprehend to some great degree the mystery of being alive and in flux.

On behalf of the Serious Ting editorial board, I hope you enjoy the latest and greatest incarnation of our everchanging and improving magazine.

John Davis
Designer
EC68 Antigua

Cover photograph of two St. Lucian boys playing in the water at Pigeon Point Beach by former EC69 PCV Ross Gordon. The photographer can be contacted via email at rphoto@mindspring.com .

Back cover artwork is a batik from St. Lucia. Photograph submitted by PTO Andrew Tonks.

The Serious Ting editorial board apologizes for the following errors found in Volume I, Issue 2:

1. The article by Dr. Brian Cooper entitled "Editorial: The Role of NGOs in Development" was mistakenly attributed as a submission by Harmony Hall. We sincerely apologize for the misinformation printed indicating Sherrod James as the Executive Director of EAG. RPCV Carole McCauley is the Interim Executive Director (since March 2002) and Lucia Mings, the newest member of the EAG staff, is the Assistant Executive Director (since October 2002).

2. EC69 PCV Karen Bopp, originally assigned to St. Vincent, transferred to Dominica by time of last publication.

Serious Ting

3

JANUARY-MARCH 2003

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3

SAINT LUCIA

Serious Ting Editorial Board

Charles Scrase, Editor-in-Chief
John Davis, Designer
Charles Boehm, Copy Editor

Cole Babiuch Antigua
Peter Sproul, Dominica
Amy Zoeller, Granada
Laura Jones, Saint Lucia
Megan Minnick, Saint Vincent

Andrew Tonks, Peace Corps Staff

Serious Ting is a quarterly publication by and for the Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean community, including Peace Corps Volunteers, Peace Corps Staff, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and host-country nationals.

Serious Ting is dedicated to publishing submissions that are productive in nature, enhance communication within the Peace Corps community, represent the diversity of our experiences, and/or reflect a spirit of creativity. Persons submitting articles which may be not consistent with these standards will be contacted with suggested improvements by a member of the editorial board for revision and re-submission.

Articles in this magazine are not intended to express the opinions of the Serious Ting editorial board, the Peace Corps, or the United States Government.

Serious Ting relies on the contributions of Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean Volunteers, Staff, and host-country nationals. All are encouraged to submit articles on any topic, creative, journalistic or informative. If you have any suggestions or ideas to improve the Serious Ting, please contact the editorial board.

All questions regarding content or subscriptions should be directed to seriousting@hotmail.com.

Serious Ting is published by Galaxy Print LTD in St. Vincent. Call (784) 457-2776

4

Volume 1, Issue 3

Serious Ting

Earl N. Phillips, Ambassador

e are so fortunate to have in the Eastern Carib­bean Ambassador Earl N. Phillips, Jr. He has had the opportunity to visit each of our Peace Corps Island Nations and during his travels has heard and seen many of our program activities that Peace Corps Volunteers are engaged in. He felt it appropriate to send greetings to the Volunteers and our Serious Ting friends to express his appreciation for the work that you do. I am delighted to share his message along with a brief biography of our regional leader in this

issue of the Serious Ting. In the months to come, look for­ward to meeting with the Ambassador when he visits each island, as he will try to spend time with Volunteers at various locations. A wonderful person, dedicated to making a dif­ference, volunteers and staff, please welcome Ambassador Earl N. Phillips, Jr.

Earl Phillips 
Country Director

January 20, 2003

To: Peace Corps Volunteers in Eastern Caribbean

Just a note of welcome and thanks for your out­standing Peace Corps work here in the Eastern Caribbean.

This region of the world and its people have many needs and your help and volunteerism is so important to the almost one million inhabitants of the seven nations of the Eastern Caribbean.

I think back to March 2002, when I was going through my confirmation hearings in Washington. The Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee interviewing me was Senator Thomas Dodd of Connecticut, a Peace Corps volunteer in the 1960s in St. Lucia.

Without hesitation, the Senator spoke of his Peace Corps years as some of the most meaning­ful in his long time life of public service.

Best wishes and thank you for making a difference.

Sincerely,

Earl N. Phillips, Jr.
U.S. Ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean

A Brief Biography

Earl N. Phillips, Jr. was sworn in on February 28, 2002 as the United States Ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean, serving the seven island nations of Barbados, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Grenada.

Born in High Point, North Carolina, Mr. Phillips is a graduate of Woodberry Forest School, Orange, Virginia, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Harvard Business School. In 1972, he co-founded and was President and Chief Executive Officer of First Factors Corporation, a financial services company, which was ac­quired by GE Capital in 1998.

Mr. Phillips served two terms as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and served as a member of the UNC Endowment Board for sixteen years. He was appointed by the North Carolina General Assembly to a four-year term on the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, overseeing the sixteen campuses of the UNC system and also served four years as a Trustee of the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand.

Mr. Phillips served as Chairman of North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry, the State Chamber of Commerce known as "The Voice of Business in North Caro­lina," and was Co-Chair of North Carolinians for Educational Opportunity 2000, a $3.2 billion referendum for the University System and Community Colleges which was overwhelmingly approved by 72% of the voters and by each of the 100 counties of North Carolina.

Ambassador Phillips is married to Sallie Boyle of Charlotte, North Carolina. They have two children, Courtney and Jordan.

Serious Ting

January-March 2003

5

You Are the Reason We Are Here!

s you know, Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean will be converting to two cycles of trainee inputs this year: April 4 - May 16 and August 8 - September 19. We have EC68 Close of Service (COS) scheduled for May 22-23 in Grenada, EC69 Mid-Service Training (MST) set for July 10-11 in Dominica and EC70 In-Service Training (IST) for September 23-26.

This makes for a busy year of training. It should be an exciting year for programming as well. Not only are we arranging assignments for the 82 trainees arriving in fiscal year 2003, we are also gearing up for re-entry into St. Kitts & Ne­vis. Trainees will be in health and community development in April, and special education, information & communication technology and small business development in August.

In all of this exciting activity, however, let us not lose sight of our primary objective, as program­ming and training staff: to support you, the Peace Corps Volunteers of the Eastern Carib­bean. The recent ISTs were a chance to remind you and us of that commitment. We spent a good deal of time and effort arranging for you

and your community partners to develop planning, monitoring, evaluating and reporting processes. Let's keep the momentum going by ensuring that all PCVs feel that they have meaningful assignments or if not, that they have appropriate channels of communication to make changes and improve­ments.

To a great extent, the success of your assign­ment and Peace Corps experience as a whole depends on you and what you put into it. You are not alone, however. We are here to help you when you feel frustrated, so please don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it. We are never too busy for you. You are the reason we are here!

Andrew Tonks

Programming and Training Officer

Greetings from Joan Knight

reetings from the Antigua Office of the Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean. I am pleased to join the Peace Corps Team at a time of expansion in the EC. The area of focus for Peace Corps is of great interest to me as I feel that working with young people can truly transform societies.

Over the years, I have worked with young peo­ple in various areas, and I hope to rise to this present challenge of assisting in placing volun­teers where they can make the greatest contri­bution to this island nation, while giving them the support and encouragement they need to fulfill their mission here.

Having worked with several NGOs for a number of years, I am looking forward to this challenge. I hope that my previous involvement in commu­nity development, as well as training for youth and women and continuing studies for adults, will assist the program as a whole.

Working together we can achieve a serious ting for the development of peo­ple!

Joan Knight
Program Manager
Antigua & Barbuda

6

The Art of Preserving a Culture

he Kalinago, or Carib, Nation is in grave danger. Their culture and traditions are fading away as modernization takes its toll. This is quite unfortunate, since the Kalinago people are one of the last indigenous groups left in the Caribbean. With the death of this culture comes the death of a time in history: a time of great strength, tradition, and craftsmanship

The deterioration of the Kalinago began as far back as colonization. In 1493, on his second voyage to the Americas, Columbus became the first European to visit the island of Dominica. The Kalinago were to face some of the toughest challenges of their time. They were about to lose their name and land, which would set them on a crash course towards the extinction of their culture. Colonizers of this new island named the Kalinago people "Caribs," meaning cannibal, because they believed the Kalinago

A Kalinago artisan hand crafts the traditional basket. Alison Binger

feasted on humans. The people never called themselves by this name, but

did not dispute it.

As Europeans took control of the island, they officially titled the Kalinago people as "Caribs" in their international relationships. This obviously upset the people - and to this day, Kalinago people will state, "I am not Carib, I am Kalinago." The Kalinago people fought to keep the island free of 1700s. For many years the British and French battled over the island, until Britain finally gained permanent control. During the European struggle for the island, the British set aside 3700 acres for the Kalinago people to inhabit, which still exists today. Officially, the land is known as the Carib Reserve, but people prefer to call it the "Carib Territory."
Besides European colonialism, modernization seems to have been the largest influence to slowly "eat away" at their traditions, their heritage, and their pride. One aspect of the culture which has been discarded and lost is the traditional Kalinago housing structure. The Kalinago people no longer live in their traditional houses, called Mauina, but instead build homes that resemble a modern house. This causes a dilemma: since they cannot afford to build their modern houses out of concrete, they settle for a plywood structure with a tin roof. Although many are attempting to modernize, some cannot afford plumbing, and therefore resort to using outhouses if available, and often have to carry water long distances.
The Kalinago have also lost much of their traditional language; only a few words remain. It is likely they lost their language in attempts to communicate, trade, and survive with those in the surrounding area.

Serious Ting

January-March 2003

The traditional religion of the Kalinago was also lost to modernization. Christianity is now the society's dominant religion, with many missionaries and churches on the reservation. Some of the churches provide assistance in cash or hind to the Kalinago to help them survive in the modern world. One of the territory's latest church-sponsored projects is the creation of a new health center. Although this is one positive aspect, it appears to me that in many ways, the Kalinago people gave up their traditional beliefs to receive modern conveniences. It is worth  noting that the

traditional baskets, which are crafted from centuries-old weaving patterns. The baskets are sold to Dominicans and tourists alike. A website for Kalinago baskets is currently being created, which should help with the sale of the baskets.

In addition, the Kalinago are focusing on the craft of canoe building. These canoes are made by the Kalinago and sold to various fishermen. These canoes have been used for hundreds of years, and have been perfected to handle well in

topic of the traditional Kalinago religion versus Christianity is a controversial one. In the many conversations I have had with local residents, it appears that most believe strongly in Christianity and disregard any former religion that once existed.

To combat these losses, over the last forty years the Kalinago people have made an attempt to revive their culture and traditions. Many Kalinago are exploring their traditional arts. They have also joined Dominica's Ministry of Tourism in attempts to bring tourists to their territory, in hopes of selling their crafts and celebrating their culture. 

The Karifuna group performs traditional dance and music. Alison Binger

the rough Atlantic Ocean. Currently, there is a traditional Kalinago house being constructed at the Carib Council's office, which should eventually serve as home for traditional canoes.

Several months ago, an artist from St. Lucia with indigenous ancestry visited the Carib Territory, helping revive the traditional art of ceramics. He stayed in the Carib Territory, holding workshops for three weeks. This artist, named Adam Azaire, led discussions with local residents about constructing traditional pottery, displaying images that may have been used by the Kalinago people. He also taught the 

Kalinago dance and music. Both groups perform for tourists and recently have gained international attention. In the fall of 2002, the United States-based Smithsonian Institute videotaped many traditional performances and crafts of the Kalinago for the purpose of documenting this culture alongside the indigenous groups of the world.

The Kalinago also have increased the production of their 

8

St. Lucia 1963 - 2003

Peace Corps in the EC began in St. Lucia as one of the very first programs in the world. George Charles was Chief Minister and St. Lucia was still a colony of Great Britain. Winnie King was permanent secretary to the Chief Minister. He heard about the Peace Corps on Voice of America and got permission to put in a re­quest for volunteers. I have always considered Winnie King the father of Peace Corps in the Caribbean. I hope some of you have a opportunity to meet Winnie as he still lives in St. Lucia.

Dr. Carolyn Payton was the first director of Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean. Peace Corps expanded from St. Lucia 1 and 2 to St. Lucia/Barbados 1 and 2 and then to EC 1. Dr. Payton later be came Director of the Peace Corps under President Carter.      

I have had the opportunity to return to St. Lucia at least once a year since 1970 and at times visit other EC countries. For 27 years I brought stu­dents from my school in Minnesota to St. Lucia to experience a different culture. Since my retirement four years ago, I visit to keep up with friends and as a volunteer with Compatible Technologies International. At present we have a project in the Cacoa/Vigier area working with some farmers on a cassava project.

St. Lucia has changed in many ways, but in other ways it is still the St. Lucia of the '60s. I would suspect the same is true for the other EC countries Peace Corps serves. In the 1960s, there were 5 to 10 cruise ships a year. Today, there are hundreds along with several big hotels and resorts. Pigeon Point was an island and Gros Islet a little fishing village with no elec­tricity surrounded by brackish swamps.

When I arrived in 1963, there were 1436 vehicles on St. Lucia. When I bought a car in 1967, there were 3320 as I was assigned that number for my license plate. It took 3 1/2 hours by bus from Vieux Fort to Castries and a drive around the island was a full day outing.

When I am in the country with the cassava farmers group I see very little change from the 1960s. There is still a tremendous need for Peace Corps in St. Lucia and the Caribbean. When I meet PCVs in the field, I continue to be impressed with their dedi­cation and hard work. This has not changed since my days as a volunteer, trainer or member of staff.

While the United States is on the brink of war, Peace Corps remains a beacon of light for peace in the world and the ultimate survival of mankind. Keep up the good work.

Minister of Might

eace Corps Volunteers know well the challenges of public service. The rigors of serving a local populace, a critical element of the storied ethos of the rugged Volunteer, bond PCVs with one of our Antiguan partners in development: the Honorable Dr. Rodney Williams, Minister of Education, Culture and Technology. "Life is very busy," the Minister assured me. "It is a demanding type of life, we are always on call."

While juggling phone calls from his constituents, business discussions with his executive assistant, and an interview, he confided, "I find it challenging ... you are called to give more than you get."

  Many Peace Corps Volunteers should be able to appreciate this sentiment. But it is obvious to Dr. Williams, as it is to many Volunteers, that the empathetic relationships developed over time between the individual public servant and the community at large provide rewards far more valuable than the effort.

Dr. Williams, who worked as

and Antigua, eventually becoming the principal of the Irene B. Williams primary school in Swetes village, where her son Rodney was a student.

Dr. Williams recalls his parents as strict disciplin­arians who taught him proper conduct. He credits his mother with the fact that at the time, no man in Swetes could be seen walking without his shirt in his trousers, and revealed that his father used to be known as "the Minister of Manners."

As a child, Dr. Williams enjoyed school and its intellectual challenges. "At those times. the Education

a medical doctor before he entered public service, explained that his motivation was the same for both professional endeavors: "I became a doctor because of my love for people and my desire to help people and to relieve suffering," he explained. "For the same reason, [I entered public service because] I thought I could make a contribution to the development of our country."

At one time, Dr. Williams believes he was seeing a quarter of Antigua's population as patients. Dr. Williams' face, lit up as he launched into a story about one of them. "I saw one of my patients the other day in the barber shop," he related, considering the human component of his job. "He knew more about me than I did about myself. I mean little things that I would have forgotten, he knew about them, like what I used to eat or what I used to do. He said to me, 'Doc, you used to take such good care of me dat me hav fu know 'bout you, man.' That was great. I mean, that was really cute."

Officer would come from town and would ask you questions orally," he told me. "Every question he asked me, I would answer--Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! And he said, 'That boy! That boy is good."'

Dr. Williams played softball cricket as a youth. "They used to call me Cocoa Tea, because I loved to drink cocoa tea, and Mighty Joe Young. I was young and strong, and I used to beat anyone," he related. "When I didn't want to get out, I would bat for the whole afternoon." At 6 foot 3 inches, with a sharp wit and a broad smile, it is easy to picture Dr. Williams as a lad, wielding a bat, defending his wicket all day long. At that time, Peace Corps volunteers lived in Swetes village as well, and Dr. Williams remembers them for their village beautification pro­jects, including community tree plantings and litter clean-ups.

"There were about three of them in Swetes and one lived right opposite to us," Dr. Williams recalled. "His name was Floyd Campbell. Floyd was a cool fellow, really active, and we used to go around together. He used to play guitar, he had a nice voice and I would play the piano. He is now married to Janice Labadie, an Antiguan woman, and they have three lovely children."

10

On a Rainy Morning

trainees. With a joyous smile and open arms, he has welcomed the new volunteers, including two that are currently serving as ICT teacher trainers in his ministry. "The Peace Corps has had a positive impact, especially in the area of education," he commented, and he has often recognized the value of the Volunteers' contribution in public addresses in Antigua. "We are in a technological world," he explained. "Because of technology, the world is moving at a rapid pace. It's no longer about your ability to store knowledge, but your ability to access knowledge."

Therefore, recognizing the need to develop an information technology programme in the education system of Antigua and Barbuda, the Minister requested Peace Corps Volunteers to help train teachers and administrators, as well as staff to maintain and repair computers.

Dr. Williams envisions the current project involving the Peace Corps at the Ministry of Education as a crucial one to the fulfillment of his major goals as Education Minister: "[My vision is] to develop an education system in Antigua and Barbuda which allows every Antiguan and Barbudan to

achieve his or her fullest potential so that they can make a meaningful contribution to the development of our country."

Dr. Williams recognizes the unique development struggle for the small island nations that comprise the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. "[At issue is] our survival, in terms of being able to provide employment for our people, when you consider the fact that we don't have many natural resources," he explained. "We need to be able to achieve sustainable economic development in a world that has become globalized, where competition is the order of the day, and where one is required to have certain basic skills In order to survive."

He therefore sees education reform as integral to success for OECS nations, including the ICT teacher training project with the Peace Corps Volunteers.

"We need to big you up some more," he said, smiling broadly. "Peace Corps has been doing a great job, especially in human resource development."

Michael Aubertin

    APCD St. Lucia     

Serious Ting

My Lucian Mentality

12

Volume 1, Issue 3

Serious Ting

A "Sector" of My Own

am in the minority when it comes to my assignment as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Upon arrival in St. Lucia, I was prepared for a two-year stint working with West Indian youth. My training and work in the United States had been primarily with pediatrics, so the prospect of working with youth fit nicely with my experiences. Therefore, you can imag­ine my surprise when I found out that my primary project was to work with homes for the aged in Grenada. I couldn't have been assigned to work at a more opposite end of the spec­trum ...or so I thought!

Grenada currently has nine nursing homes while Carriacou, our sister island, has two. I work directly with the government homes, eight in all. On average, I spend three 

one of my early challenges was increasing awareness of the homes within the community.

This gave way to the Geriatric Networking Group and "Senior News" magazine. There is never a shortage of newsworthy tidbits to fill this four-page spread. The challenge is to make it reader-friendly, especially for the elderly population. With many pictures and colorful graphics it has become a real hit amongst the residents, staff and wider

days a week traveling to the different facilities. When I first started, I was instructed by the Ministry of So­cial Services to train the staff at the nursing homes in recreational ther­apy. My approach was to visit the Homes, determine what the residents' needs were, and then plan and im­plement activities, hoping to gradually train staff through modeling.

This plan didn't go quite as intended. I quickly learned that most of the residents had never even   

community. The challenge is now to identify and train a local person to continue production beyond my

I am beginning to understand that my work here has begun to define itself as true community development. With an initial focus on the geriatric population, my role has evolved into something far greater, which includes projects such as: working with youth groups to develop intergenerational programs; providing nursing home staff    

entertained the thought of actually being "active" in old age. A typical response was "I come here to wait to die" or "I can't do dat... de foot hurting me." However, as time passed, I realized that they were not as content with their idle time as they first appeared. Deep down, they still had desires to share their knowledge and be part of the community.

There are myriad skills and experiences among these elders. We have basket-makers, gardeners, fishermen, shop owners, barbers, teachers and plantation workers. Bush medicine, Hurricane Janet's devastating effects, "Nancy stories," the fall of patois in Grenada ... all of these tales are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the stories and history residing within Grenada's elderly community. Their stories are amazing, but unfortunately they are not being shared and passed down, because there are very few visitors at these homes. Therefore, 

with their first-ever opportunity for training in geriatric care; bringing community groups together to improve national standards for future aging generations. All contribute to a common goal of strengthening networks between people. As I work towards this goal, I realize the effect this is having on increasing community spirit and service.

I encourage PCVs to stop trying to fit into one of the neat little "sector groups" that we are assigned to upon arrival. Open your mind and get rid of any preconceived ideas regarding what you are "supposed" to be doing. There is an unending array of project possibilities out there if you expand your scope beyond these sector assignments. So if you find yourself strug­gling to fit in, stop trying so hard and see where it takes you. In the end, you may be surprised at how much difference one person can really make.

Serious Ting

Youth Skills: Setting The Example for Education

t first sight, the Youth Skills Training Program does not look like much. Up an unpaved road, nestled between a transportation inspection building and an abandoned sugar mill, it looks more like a factory than a school.

Yet within this unassuming setting lies one of Antigua's most dynamic schools. A pioneer in technical vocational education, Youth Skills is setting the example for other schools in Antigua. Created in 1985, it has grown from a three-month training class to a 2-year program for more than 250 students annually. Under the leadership of Director Vier Dublin, the school has expanded into trades ranging from business studies to computers to architec­tural drafting to fashion design.

other examinations on a volun­tary basis.

Youth Skills was originally governed by the Organization of American States. In 1993 the government of Antigua and Barbuda took control of it, and since then it has bounced back and forth between the Minis­try of Economic Development, the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Carnival. Currently it is controlled by the Ministry of Information Broadcasting, Sports and Carnival

Since 1999, the curriculum at Youth Skills has expanded beyond what it was before. "Eighty percent of the things Youth Skills is involved in, other schools are not," explains Dublin. "Youth Skills is really filling the gaps in the public schools system [in Antigua]. If Antigua and Barbuda had a technical vocational school up to and beyond 5th level, there would be no need for Youth Skills."

One issue at Youth Skills that has sparked debate among critics is the stipend. Each student currently receives $10 EC per day. The money is designed to offset the cost of transportation, a policy left over from the days when Youth Skills was an on-the­job training program. Approximately half of Youth Skills' budget goes toward paying the stipend. "Our students are needy. Many drop out for financial reasons," explains Dublin. But he adds, "Next year we have asked for the stipend to be discontinued."

>Youth Skills student Renay Rogers feels that "education is essen­tial for the work world." She adds that now she wants "to get a good job in an office with computers so I can put my skills to work."

Fellow Youth Skills student Michael Simon confesses that when he first came to Youth Skills, "I didn't know what I wanted to do." Simon has a tradition in his family of carpentry and came to Youth Skills to "learn a trade.' He has had opportunities to practice what he has learned at Youth Skills and has passed on to others the knowledge he has gained.

Dublin sums up his work by saying, "Until something else re­places Youth Skills, It must continue what It Is doing and con­stantly Improve."

Editor’s Notes: Antiguan Peace Corps Volunteers play an integral role In the development of the Youth Skills Training Project. Past volunteers have assisted in literacy tutoring, business training, computer training as well as ant proposal writing. Currently, PCV Jake Okleberry is assigned to the school where he works closely with Mr. Dublin in organizational development and also teaches business studies and computer classes. Many PCVs work with Shifts as a secondary project, Including Karen McBride, who works on health and safety improvements, Jen Boyd who conducts life skills classes, and Sarah Corradino, who teaches English.

14

Volume 1, Issue 3

Serious Ting

Feeding Lions

Kahani Skydance EC69 Saint Lucia

Author's Notes: This is my third time to serve as a PCV over a span of 20 years. My first was in Kenya May 1981 thru November 1984; my second was Lesotho, a small mountain kingdom in Southern Africa, May 1996 through May 1998. I came to St. Lucia in the Health Education Program to teach HIV/AIDS awareness. As it turns out I'm assigned to Preschool and Infant School classrooms, so I'm teaching Health with emphasis on prevention/protection.

During training, I wrote a children's story I thought would help illustrate the importance of listening to those of experience, our elders, and of protecting ourselves when we indulge in risky behavior.

om's mother is also a single parent and she has three children younger than Tom. Sometimes Tom can't go out because he has more chores than Jack. One of those days when Tom was too busy to go out, Jack rode to the zoo alone. He was bored without his friend and soon found himself at the lion cage. He started talking to the lions and, for a moment, he thought the lion was talking back to him, but of course, it was the lion-keeper who was playing a joke. Jack started talking to the lion-keeper and was interested to learn the things he told Jack about lions. He even said Jack could help him feed the lions if he was ever there at feeding time, which was 5:00 in the evening.

Five was suppertime for Jack too and his mother expected him to be prompt. That evening, over supper, lack told his mother about the lion-keepers offer. Jack's mother was very upset. She told Jack feeding the lions was much too dangerous and she said he was absolutely not allowed to feed the lions. She said he could lose a hand or an arm and then he would be sorry. Or, she said, he could even bleed to death. "No Jack, she said, "If I find out you've fed the lions I'll ground you for a month, no bike riding, no football, no spending time with Tom, and no zoo!" Jack was sad. He had told his mother because he wanted her to let him eat late sometimes so he could stay at the zoo late enough to help feed the lions. But now she knew his plan and she had told him he had better not do it. Jack loved his mother and he did not want to disobey her, but he thought she was wrong about the danger. He thought about it a lot.

One day, a couple of weeks later, Jack told his mother he wanted to help his friend Tom with his chores. They would even have to prepare supper for Tom's younger brother and sisters because Tom's mother was sick. Jack said he would stay and eat dinner with them if that was okay. Jack's mother said that was fine. In fact she was proud that her son was going to help his friend. Jack did help Tom with some of his chores but he did not stay for supper. Instead he rode his bicycle to the zoo.

He arrived there just before feeding time. The lion-keeper said, yes, Jack could help feed the lions but first he had to learn to attach the meat to a long metal pole and then how to hold it firmly so the lions could riot hurt him. Jack was disappointed. He wanted to hold the meat in his hand and throw it in the cage. Putting it on a pole wouldn't be any fun. The lion-keeper said, "Jack, I've been feeding lions for a long time and I know what's

best." So Jack got the pole and learned how to attach the meat to it. Then the lion-keeper made Jack put on a pair of rawhide gloves.. Jack was beginning to feel that feeding the lions was no adventure at all; big thick gloves, a long pole, stand at a distance. Oh well, he'd just do it now that he was here.

Finally the meat was on the pole and Jack was gloved and ready. The lion-keeper told him to put the pole through the bars as quickly as he could, keeping the pole slanted downward in front so he could release the meat and bring the pole back out as quickly as he put it in. "What fun is that?" Jack said, "Do you do it that way?" "Yes,. I, do." the lion-keeper said, "I protect myself as much as possible every time I feed the lions. That is why I'm still alive, Jack, and I still have all my fingers and both hands and arms." "Come on, lack," he continued, "are you ready?" Jack said he was ready and he stuck the pole in the cage. At least that is the way he remembers it. Everything happened so quickly - the lions charged the meat, forcing the pole to the ground with the blows from their heavy paws grabbing at the meat and tearing at it. When they struck the pole it vibrated against Jack's hands and it vibrated against the bars, stinging jack's hands and vibrating his whole body.

When it was all over, Jack realized how' lucky he was that it was the pole and not his hand or arm that was on the floor of the lion cage. He was still trembling all over from the force of the blows when he realized the lion-keeper was laughing. Laughing, laughing at him. Jack didn't mind. In fact he was grateful to the lion-keeper for insisting he protect himself. Then Jack thought of his mother. She was right too. This was dangerous. He could have been hurt. He could even have died without protection. His mother, who loved him, would have cried and cried. Jack decided he had better listen to the grown-ups in his life so he could learn what was safe and what was not safe. Jack didn't have any dinner that night and he did not tell his mother about his adventure. But Jack sat closer to her that night, glad he was home, safe and still remembering how thrilling it had been to feed the lions - even with all that protection. Yes, he would tell his mother eventually, and he hoped she would allow him to go again when she found out how' well protected he was. And that time he would be even more careful so he could really enjoy the quickness and the fierceness of the lions.

Examples of follow-up questions for teachers

•   What are some of the things we do to be safe?

•   Some of the safety practices at home? At school?
     On the street?

•   What may happen if you.......? Use examples the students
     give (i.e., Pelt stones at someone! at each other.)

• What did Jack, learn about the importance of listening to