The first day of school (September 1st), our school had a celebration at the Palace of Culture. Below is a picture of three of my 11th grade students, who are welcoming the new 1st grade students and parents (standing in the background).
Here is a picture of Lena and me outside the Palace of Culture - with some of the flowers students gave us to welcome us to school!
After the celebrations, many teachers met at the local restaurant in town, so I joined them. Because Novoukrainka is such a small town, many students were also there. Here I am with Lena, one of my tenth grade students.
On September 2nd, I had some of my first lessons with students! Here are some goofy pictures from my 6th graders... yep, this is how my first day went!
Earlier this month, I went with some teachers to Kirovohrad (the larger city) to purchase some new physical education equipment, as part of the Sports Field Remodel grant we were awarded. Because I am usually on public transportation when we pass the 'Novoukrainka' sign, I asked the teachers to stop, and they graciously agreed so I could take some fun pics!
On September 11th, Novoukrainka celebrated their 'City Day' - sort of like a birthday of the establishment of the city, which occured 256 years ago! As a part of city day, my 7th grade students invited me to their soccer tournament. Here they are, preparing for their 'big' games...
Before the soccer games, a welcoming ceremony and army presentation were held. The army presentation really confused me... I'm not quite sure if the army was trying to recruit new soldiers or only show some of the acts they complete while in service. The presentation started out normal, with the soldiers displaying karate moves on each other. But then, from my perspective, it took a strange twist when soldiers began laying on broken glass bottles with their shirts off and having little kids jump on their stomachs. Or taking live frogs and ripping them apart and then throwing them into the audience! Luckily, I didn't get hit with a frog.
One of my favorite pictures with some of my 7th grade students, waiting for their turn to play, and the Ukrainian flag in the background. It was such a beautiful fall day!
Later in the evening, I met some friends at the Palace of Culture to see the concert and evening festivities to celebrate city day. Too bad I didn't need a haircut because many hairdressers were giving free demonstrations before the concert. Here's Dasha, one of my 9th grade students, taking advantage of a free-updo!
Luda (an English teacher at a different school), Lena, and me after watching the firework show and the beginning of the disco in the street!
Through conversations with other volunteers, there was an amazing grant opportunity brought to my attention through an organization back in the states. After reading the requirements and working with my school director and other teachers at school, we decided to submit two project ideas to see if we could receive funding to improve the water quality and sanitation at our school. Only yesterday, I received word from "Appropriate Projects" (http://www.appropriateprojects.com/) that one of our projects was approved! I'm still waiting to hear about the second project, but here's some more information about the two proposed projects:
The first project, which hasn't been approved at this point, involves remodeling the toilet facility at our school. Our school recently received a donation of new bricks, ceiling material, and other building material to rebuild to bathrooms. Then, with the funding of this grant, we would be able to purchase new toilets and have better sanitation within the toilets for students. See the pictures below for the current conditions:
The second project, which did receive approval and funding, involves making clean drinking water available to students and building handwashing stations in the school corridor to decrease the spread of bacteria among students. The picture below shows a student drinking out of the current "water fountain" - which consists of a tank that must be refilled each day with boiling water. Most students, especially the older students, do not use the tank because the mouth dispenser is broken, forcing students to place their mouth on the tank dispenser. With the funds from Appropriate Projects, we will be able to build two handwashing stations (which will include two new sinks, soap dispensers, and paper towels), as well as purchase and place two Crystal filters on the taps, which will allow the water to be drinkable! This is such an awesome opportunity and I can't even explain what this will mean to my students' health! This is when I can say, 'Wow' about my service...
Appropriate Projects is completing many projects world wide - please check out their website (http://www.appropriateprojects.com/) or even my personal project page at: http://appropriateprojects.com/node/364. Exciting stuff!
Last weekend was the Day of Kirovohrad - and my going-away part with other oblast volunteers. I couldn't have asked for a better send off... such great volunteers, kind words, and a lot of laughs wrapped up my time with them.
We celebrated at the nicest restaurant in Kirovohrad (and possibly one of the fanciest restaurants in Ukraine). We could only afford desserts and cocktails - but it was so delicious! I'll miss these amazing volunteers!
I'm not quite sure when I'll be returning home, but I'll update my blog when I have a better idea. This past month has been a great beginning to my transition of leaving Ukraine and re-entering the states. Peace Corps warns that 'reverse culture shock' (or reentry back to the states) will more than likely be more difficult of a transition than the initial 'culture shock' I experienced when I first moved to Ukraine. Not quite sure if I'm ready for this transition, but with supportive people both in Ukraine and back in the states, I'm ready for the next step.
Thanks for following,
Natalie
