Project: Senior Citizen Center Opening

"Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world."

--  Joel Barker

This past Thursday, March 21st marked the grand opening for the new Senior's Center in Novaci made possible through the vision of my colleague Nikolina and action made possible through a Small Projects Assistance grant through the U.S. Peace Corps and USAID, in addition to 68% financing by the Municipality of Novaci (thanks to our Mayor Lazar Kotevski) and the Senior Citizen's Association of Novaci (thanks to their President, Vlado - pictured above, to the right of the Mayor). The event was the kickoff to Nikolina's and my project For a Healthy, Long Life with the senior citizens of Novaci. The seniors had unexpectedly donated to our first project last spring, supplying paint for the renovation of the local pre-school. Nikolina thought it was time to say thank you to the seniors by doing a project with them.

Pictures speak more than words, so here's a recap from the event: 

Before

After
(Sign says: Club na Penzioneri, meaning "Club of the Senior Citizens")

Before
(Notice dust on table and spider webs under table)

After

Before: kitchen and bathroom

After: kitchen and bathroom

Before

After

The Babas (senior women) made traditional dishes for the event's cocktail hour.
I made American (M&M) cookies. :)

My Baba/landlord Veselka came out for the event :)

Nikolina and Vera

We couldn't have pulled it off without these volunteers!

Special guests waiting for the event to begin.

Representatives from Peace Corps drove down from Skopje!

The event commenced with a blessing of bread and wine by the Orthodox Priest.

Making new friends.

The maestro Jonny - who oversaw the renovation.

With Nikolina. We make a great team :)

Vlado, the President of the Senior Citizen's Association saying Thank you to NIkolina and me  with certificates of appreciation :)

Other work project highlights:

1. NATIONAL SPELLING BEE: I have been helping put on local qualifier events in Novaci and in Bitola for local youth to qualify for the Peace Corps's National Spelling Bee in Skopje this April 13th.  In Bitola, we had over 600 students show up on Saturday to compete. Around 60 of those students qualified for the national event by spelling 12 English words correctly.  In Novaci, we had 20 students compete, and one qualified!  7th grader Martina Kitanovska (pictured below) will be representing us in Skopje! Woo hoo! We will be holding additional qualifiers in nearby villages this week.

2. USAID Small Business Expansion Project (PeLAGonia LEADER): Our Municipality had originally been chosen for a small business expansion pilot project that would incorporate two local farmers.  That number has now increased to SIX farmers, who will be receiving drip irrigation technology and expert guidance for this year's planting season of tomatoes and corn. The first goal of the project is to drastically increase yield.  Our farmers worked with representatives from USAID and the American Carana Corporation (pictured below with the Mayor and my counterpart Nikolina) to install the drip irrigation systems. Now it's time to plant crops and see what yields will result!  I'm excited. :)

3. NEW OFFICE: After 15 months of using the board room as an office (which we would often be kicked out of and office-less whenever there were board meetings), Igorche and I finally have our own BEAUTIFUL office!  The Mayor had a second floor built at the Municipality.  The rest of the employees will be making the move soon.  I can see my new house and chickens from my office window.  Here's a glimpse of the new office with our current interns who share the office with us.

4. MAYOR LAZAR KOTEVSKI REELECTED FOR ANOTHER TERM! As I was writing this email last night, elections for local government were happening a stone's throw from my new house.  Due to the non-political status of the Peace Corps, I avoid all things political here - conversations, events, etc, but due to the proximity of my house to the election event last night, I heard the whole thing. At precisely 9pm, two hours after voting closed, it was announced (over outdoor LOUDspeakers) that our Mayor had been re-elected for his third term.  Thus commenced a long night of live music and dancing outside the Municipality until 3am.  I managed to fall asleep at some point before then after the fireworks and car alarms quieted down.  I am happy to work under this Mayor for another few years, not because of his political affiliation, but because he works hard for his community and has been very open to new ideas for projects that I have helped implement, such as the project with the Senior Citizens that we kicked off last week.

Here's a glimpse of what I could see from a distance from my bedroom window last night:

The Mayor leading the oro line dance with his political party flag outside the Municipality; his wife and family/friends followed behind him. Photo courtesy of Municipality of Novaci.

Lots of LOVE (and music and dancing) from Macedonia,

Hana T.