A visit to PEACE CORPS MOLDOVA, Chisinau

The PC Office is in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova. It’s is located just out of the main area of the city and behind the Romanian Consulate. This is a great landmark for giving directions and getting off public transportation, every block looks the same to me so this has been very handy. It’s on a pretty side street that is so quiet you don’t realize you are in the city, though it is within walking distance to the center.

It is surrounded by a tall fence with a front door that is always locked, in order to be admitted  you ring the buzzer to have the guard open the gate.

 

 

This is inside the main entrance.  Do you know how  PC came to be? John F. Kennedy started the program in 1961. There have been 210,000 members who have served in  139 countries.

 

Peace Corps Act (Pub.L. 87–293):

To promote world peace and friendship through a Peace Corps, which shall make available to interested countries and areas men and women of the United States qualified for service abroad and willing to serve, under conditions of hardship if necessary, to help the peoples of such countries and areas in meeting their needs for trained manpower.

We serve each country with the goal to help people help themselves, with every project we work on we ask ourselves "is this sustainable once we leave?" When the PC withdraws from serving in a country it usually is considered a success. The people who have benefited from our services and the projects that we have established are ready to stand on their own, they no longer need the outside help of another country. One of the things I found attractive in joining the PC is that we are considered to be "serving our country", this is something I'm rather proud of if I do say so myself....

 

 

Me and my best pal Janet

Robyn, me, Andrew, Janet, Haley and Emma

As you go throughout the building everyone is very friendly and speaks to you as if they have known you for years. I think the staff must be given flashcards of each group that is arriving, they always know our names. 
 
The top floor is reserved for volunteers. It’s always fun to visit the city and see co-volunteers, and of course there are many many restaurants and stores.

This is the PC lounge, it is the best place to meet volunteers from around Moldova. Though you may never have met that person, because they are in the group from the year before you (my group is M28, M27 is leaving this July, M29s are coming in June)  you usually are aware of who they are. And of course there is an instant feeling of camaraderie. Once you have completed service you are forever a " RPCV (returned PC Volunteer)" and you have a unique bond throughout life with anyone you meet that is also a RPCV. This was another thing that attracted me to the PC, a feeling of belonging. I went to several RPCV gatherings back home (they meet monthly) to get advice as well as hear about the good the bad and the ugly. All of these people served in different countries, some were meeting for the first time, but you wouldn't know it, you could feel the connection and friendship among them.

As you can see it  has all the things needed for hanging out very comfortably.

 I just noticed, that coffee cup in the middle (mine)  poor suckers serving in Africa, I bet they don't have a mobile truck outside selling lattes and cappuccinos.

Hayle is NOT really playing the guitar nor is Chanel playing the drums (sorry ladies I blew the cover).  Looks a bit like it is 1960 and people are hanging out singing "Kum by ya my Lord Kum by ya...." Just need a campfire and we're all set.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visits include a stop in the “loot me” room to dig through boxes. People leave things they no longer want. It is especially good pickings as groups prepare to leave in July.

We have a  Library. Nice to poke around in but who wants to lug books home that will not only take up room in your travel bags but add a lot of weight! I have to walk 30 minutes home after my 4 hours of public transportation, what was I thinking with this "travel through Eastern Europe" book I just brought home? The information is out-of-date, I can find better information on-line,  and now I have to lug it all they way back! Or do I... who would notice if it never made it back.... but that would be dishonest right? On the other hand... "what happens in Moldova stays in Moldova".


 A real luxury, a beautiful bathroom, a real shower with water pressure.

 

Each visit  includes a stop to pick up anything and everything you could ever use for maintenance of a human body at Medical.  Cold medicine, bandages, prescription meds, Tylenol, vitamins, rubber gloves (for cleaning at home), water filters, even condoms, lots and lots of them. In the waiting room what should be a full-standing BOOK shelf is full -standing CONDOM shelf . There are boxes and boxes of choices; size, type, color, WITH special added touches or WITHOUT, your preference of course. Being adults, well you know how it is....  there is way too much giggling going on, you just can't help it.  A conversation with a male co-volunteer may go something like this. “go ahead, I’m not looking” “Oh no, I don’t need any” “no really, I won’t look at what size you’re selecting” “NO I DON’T need any!” “Ok fine, but tell ya what, I’m going to turn around and read a magazine for a few minutes and I can’t see a thing”.  OK, yes, between you and me, I usually sneak a peek at what they're choosing, can't help it, just curious....

There are mandatory shots and checkups, and even spur of the moment much needed “mental health” visits (ie. I am having a meltdown and need to talk - I said it before and I’ll say it again, this is hard, very hard), there are many visits for PC service related illnesses, such as the dreaded parasite that causes “giardia”.  Now MY most popular reason is motion sickness. I have a complicated regimen of various medications and foods each time I need to travel, and still there are problems. 

There is a Moldovan dental clinic which we use and it rivals any I’ve seen at home. When I had to visit a medical center (due to motion sickness where I was checked for any tumors in my brain), I was so busy taking in the beautiful surroundings it took my mind off the reason for my visit.  My doctor was an extremely attractive young man, really young, who spoke great English. The two PC doctors that are always on duty are great. All in all I am very impressed by the quality care of Peace Corps and feel very safe and well-taken care of.

I am also impressed with their policies and procedures regarding emergency evacuations. PC is keeping a close eye on the uprising in our neighboring country. They are working closely with the Embassy as well as the WA DC office. We have emergency evacuation bags and medical supplies pre-packed and ready to go.  There are 4 levels to evacuation, #1 be aware but no action, #2 steadfast, keep your phone on you at all time (as you should anyways) and pay attention to it.  #3 is “consolidation”, get to your assigned check in location (we just had a “practice” consolidation a few weeks ago) and then of course there is number #4, evacuate. Many of us don't take this "emergency evacuation kit" seriously and are lazy about putting it together, I admit I was one of them. But when my little house was shaking and creaking due to an earthquake, well that was enough for me, I am now packed and ready to go.... and yes, it includes chocolate (and toilet paper of course - this is a "BYOTP country" 

See that Peace Corps?! I really DID pack a bag!

So that is Peace Corps Moldova, I hope you enjoyed your little visit :-)