Last week was a challenging one. As a PCV, sometimes I feel unappreciated as if my work is overlooked. I had little work to be done throughout the week and the work I did have planned was interrupted and I had lack of participation. I had my women’s group planned for Thursday night at 5 o’clock and the theme to be given was yoga and exercises for the mind. I messaged the women in the group that morning to invite them to the session and even went house to house to make sure they were planning on attending. (Reminding people 1 million times of an event is normal here) All stated they would be there, so I go throughout my day planning for the meeting.
It was 5:30pm and I sit there waiting. Not a single woman showed.
Although warned at the beginning of service it would be a challenge to gain participation, I set my expectations high. When a situation occurs when I work hard for something and it back fires, I feel useless, and begin to ask myself why I am here. More so, does anyone even notice me?
After a few days of unfortunate events, I spent an entire day visiting people around town, chatting, eating food, and not focusing on my work. I found myself relieved and comfortable in my surroundings.
This very day, I sat in a friend’s house and she had a bike in the corner, dusty and with two incredibly flat tires. I asked her whose it was and she said it was hers but it had been sitting there for quite some time. She must have taken note that I was staring at it. This sad, yet beautiful, bubblegum pink bike had my name written all over it. She turned to me and told me if I fixed it up, I could have it. I looked at her in disbelief. She was going to just “regalar” the bike to me? She told me she was thankful for my friendship and she appreciated the women’s group I had started and wanted me to have it.
I have wanted a bike since I got to site but could never afford it. Now, out of the kindness of this women’s heart, she told me to take it. Just like that, I forgot all of the horrible events that had happened in the past week.
I am appreciated. I am here for a reason. Just some food for thought.
OMG…you need to bring that bike home with you girlfriend…somehow!! Just because…you need to mount it on your wall to always remember….you made a difference!! Though you had a bad week of not feeling it…you are right… you are not going unnoticed!!
How could you possibly go unnoticed with that always cheery smile and great attitude!! You keep plugging away Ashley Nicole because when you are back here in 7 months…..all those people who lives you have touched will be missing you and reminiscing about that great gal from the States with the sunny smile whose name was Ashley!!
Keep up the good work…you make a difference!!!
Love, Nanc