Successful Snippets

Wooohooo! What a fantastic week, and it's only Tuesday! Okay, so remember the post about my first REAL Peace Corps Project? Or maybe the one about finding a good rhythm despite winter challenges? Or when I gushed about how much I LOVE EASTER in Moldova? Well...I lied, or I exaggerated, because what I meant to say is that this is the part of my service really love. Like really.

Yesterday, amongst the girl talk, vain attempts to extend summer vacation just a little longer, and catch up with work, my partner (right) surprised me--big time. She said to me, "Melissa, I want to have a discussion with the youth council about roles and responsibilities of the president and vice-president before we hold the next council election." Woohooo, again! Granted, it may not seem like much to the average reader, but it took unseen amounts of self-restraint not to bust out a touchdown dance (or did I?). It's small changes like this that I have been encouraging for a year, and now they are being recognized. We are hoping that by defining the roles and responsibilities before people are elected into them, we can have more teeth with which to hold people accountable. After all, you wouldn't apply for a job without knowing what the job was would you?

Yesterday evening was equally enjoyable. As it was my neighbor's birthday we headed over with the rest of the gang to celebrate. "Love thy neighbor" is not something I have to work at here in Moldova, it just comes naturally with this bunch. Since it was also my Granny's birthday back home, several toasts were said for her too. Granny, they wished you good health, many years, many grandchildren, and thanked you for sending me along to Moldova (haha...yea...I know).

Following that fantastic 24 hours was today, and the official closing of our summer leadership course. Here is a photo of the whole group in front of the district council.

Again, this is the incredible program that used the graduates of last year's course as this year's trainers. Very sustainable. Always memorable. This is the first year that the founders of the program were not involved in the planning and facilitation of the events, and as I spoke to the youth today they radiated a certain amount of pride for carrying on the proverbial torch successfully. Irena, a good friend, even commented that this year's group of participants and trainers were much more united as a group than before, being that everyone was learning together. That could be why at about 11:00 a.m. people on the street below probably heard this chant billowing out the third story windows of the district council:

A: "What are we?!"

B: "FRIENDS!"

A: "And what does that mean we are?!"

B "A TEAM!"