Why We're Here

To all my readers, you're likely to hear this a lot, but I am really sorry I have not kept up with my Blog.

When the Peace Corps used to say that this was the "toughest job you'll ever love," that was absolutely stating the case. I really love each day here. Every day has lots of challenges including getting up at 5 every morning and heading to bed at 11:30 after doing almost nothing but working in between. But the joys... Every day I get to see an "aha" smile on a student's face. Every day there are literally hundreds of children who offer shy and not so shy "hellos" and "Ifinetankyou" when I ask how they are. There are wonderful volunteers with whom to share my stories and frustrations. There is so much poetry to write. The food is great. The people are kind (except in the stores), life is amazingly good.

And everywhere there is beauty -- sometimes raw and wild, sometimes sophisticated, and sometimes breathtaking -- but real beauty; the kind of beauty you can only find when you turn off the television, walk away from the computer and actually look around at the world that is right in front of you.

Then I heard about a student of one of our volunteers who was only 10 years old who took his own life yesterday because he ran out of hope, and it reminds me why we are here: life is very difficult in Moldova. Our goal is to help the students realize their potential and to co-facilitate the development of a better-working education and community for these kids. We must show them that we are constantly hopeful for a brighter tomorrow and that, indeed, things will get better.

For Nicole -- I send you hugs and the affirmation that your heart is big enough to reach out to all your students. Put on your bravest smile tomorrow, and know that we all love and support you and the great work you are doing.

For Victor -- I'm sorry we didn't know how bad it was. May it be so much better for you now.