Last night I did something that I am both proud of and regret: I killed a mouse. I have been having serious problems with these little mice, as it seems they are trying to take over my house. They have eaten a pair of my pants, my food and trash, and leave little presents (poop) throughout my house. I decided the other night, when their noises woke me up from a deep sleep, that it was time to do something about this problem. I bought a few rat-killing products and just a few hours later killed my first victim.
Growing thick skin in this country has proved to be useful, but not just in killing unwanted housemates. I think I have also grown thick skin here around the poverty that I have witnessed, as a manner of enduring such difficult conditions.
One such experience just happened about a week ago when I heard my next door neighbor beat his 17-year-old wife. I was later told by a friend that it’s not appropriate to address the issue with the young girl; that this happens all the time in the community and there is nothing that anybody can do to help. The alcohol abuse, and consequent domestic violence, that persists in my town is just one example of how poverty can produce negative results for a community.
This country is filled with extremes. From Outback Steakhouse to houses made of tin, the Dominican Republic really has everything. Despite the difficult moments that come from witnessing such desperation, there are always unexpected situations that remind you that there is always an exception to any circumstance. While poverty can produce indifference in people, there is always someone to be found whose motivation to overcome poverty is inspirational. While Peace Corps will never be able to end poverty in this country, its projects will change the lives of a few individuals.
Last weekend I took two of my youth to the Construye Tus Suenos business plan competition in Santo Domingo and I left with a sense of high hopes for the future of marginalized youth in the DR. Of the twenty-four business plans that were presented, four were given 100% of the money they requested in order to begin their own business. These youth are going to go on to begin a peanut butter factory, repair shop, English school, and motorcycle repairs in marginalized communities throughout the country.
Little moments like that, when you see someone’s hard work convert into a concrete reward, make the Peace Corps volunteer keep on pushing.
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