I've been working with my school to implement our SPA Grant (Multimedia Resource and Training Center). We have purchased all of the equipment and have a training plan, now it's time to put it in action! I'll keep you updated about the trainings that teachers from my school will host throughout the region.
Other GREAT news: the other two grants my school and I wrote were completely funded! We will purchase textbooks for 200 students (the first 100 students have been covered by a grant from a previous volunteer) and remodel the sports field! These are two important projects for my community and it will take much more planning and collaboration to implement these two projects - looks like I'll continue to have a busy semester and summer!
On Monday, I'll travel to Kyiv for a four-day conference with my community counterpart, Lena. We will learn about PEPFAR (the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) and what types of projects have been successful at other sites in order to raise HIV/AIDS awareness in our community. Not only am I looking forward to learning more about this international project, but it will be valuable planning time to spend with Lena.
For Valentine's Day, many volunteers met in Kyiv to celebrate. Here are some pictures I captured throughout the night:
Me and Rose (my Peer Advisee)
Alex, me, and Dorothy (Alex is Ukrainian and lives in Kyiv - he was an awesome host to Dorothy, Greg, and me for a couple nights.) At Alex's apartment, the four of us cooked tacos, complete with black beans (which are impossible to find in Ukraine, but I brought back from my last trip home). Good people to spend time with!
Me, Jessica, and Dorothy (so sad both will be leaving in May)
I finally purchased my plane tickets for spring break! So excited to explore northern Italy with Brian and Justin (friends from the states)! I'll fly out on Saturday, March 20 into Venice - we'll see the adventures that await...
