After the two months of training, we were sworn as Peace Corps volunteers and were dispersed to our sites. I live in Maragondon, Cavite, which is about 2 hours south of Manila. It is a peaceful town of 20,000 people, nestled between mountains and Manila Bay. I live near the Catholic church and the town plaza, which consists of a palengke (market), video rental stores, sari-sari stores (small grocery stores), and a few small restaurants. I am currently living with a host family, who are incredibly warm, open, and generous. I eat lots of papaya, saging (bananas), rice, and fish. The fish here are incredibly delicious and fresh, with one of the most popular kinds being bagus (milkfish). We also have some delicious gulay (vegetables) here like okra, kamote, snap peas, and string beans.
The program that I am working for in the Peace Corps Is the Integrated Protected Area Systerns (IPAS) program. As a protected area community educator for Mt. Palay-Palay, I am working with both the Humanitarian Sciences Foundation ( a non-governmental organization from Philippine Women's University) and Cavite National Science High School (CNSHS). I am responsible for providing environmental education and increasing environmental awareness in my community. Specifically, I am working to integrate environmental studies into the curriculum within CNSHS. Additionally, I will be helping CNSHS to establish a youth environmental club that will participate in various environmental activities at the school and in the community. One activity that I am hoping to initiate at the school is a waste management program that will include composting and recycling.
So far everyday has been a learning experience and sometimes an adventure. I can't say that I rniss many things back in the States (except for friends, family, and oh yeah rollerblading.) I've always believed that moving beyond one's comfort zones is the way to grow as an individual. So, here I am living that motto of mine, "Living La Vida Loca", although some days are harder than others and I still have so many things to learn about life in the Philippines, I have no regrets whatsoever. I hope that I will be able to give back to my Philippine community half of what they have already given me.
Host family's home, Iloilo
June 1999
Meg and her host family in Iloilo
