5/27 - An Overdue Update

So what’ve I been up to lately? Let’s see…


International Creative Writing Contest (ICWC) – This project was started some PCVs in the Caucasus many years ago, and has turned into a great world-wide success. The aim is to encourage students to write creatively in English and think outside that darn ol’ box. The premise is simple: students are given two prompts to choose from (different for every grade level) and one hour in which to respond. The essays are judged at local, national, and international levels.

I took over this project from an A-18 volunteer who was one of the main organizers. We got the word out to different PCVs in Armenia and contacted various organizations for prizes. Once the local competitions (held by various PCVs in country) were held, we collected the best essays from each site and chose national winners. The first place winners were then sent onto the international level of judging in Tbilisi, Georgia. I had the privilege of going to Tbilisi for this event. It was only a weekend, and pretty low-key, but it was still a nice mini-getaway.  I was the only representative from Armenia to go (the other organizer I mentioned happened to get a job offer in Malaysia, and his back up got on in Costa Rica shortly thereafter!). But I had the opportunity to meet some Georgian and Azeri PCVs, which was really interesting. Essentially, it was a weekend of “Do you have this in your country? Do Armenians do that too?”
All in all, it was an interesting experience I’m glad to have been a part of it and hope it’s an even bigger success next year.

me at the Peace Corps Georgia office

Project Design & Management Workshop (PDM) – In February, PC hosted a workshop for my group of PCVs and a community counterpart. This workshop was focused around how to plan, design, and implement projects in our Peace Corps communities. I brought one of COAF’s English teachers (Anna) with me, as my regular counterparts weren’t able to attend. Anna and I talked about the English Resource Center we want to create in Karakert. My school is getting renovated by COAF and, in addition to many new and wonderful things; we’ll be getting a room to dedicate solely to English learning! I’ll undoubtedly be writing more about this project as time goes on. One of my goals for the summer is to fundraise some extra money for equipment and resources to add to the room.

In addition to these, I helped with/attended some other events (organized largely by PCVs)…. a Poetry & Recitation Contest, an "American Event" that included quizzes about America, a 5K to raise money for a sports school..... and more!


Honestly, this spring has FLOWN by. I swear, it feels like just a week ago I was cuddled up in my bed, right next to the heater, trying to stay warm. Now the weather is lovely and I'm going to go back out and enjoy it while it lasts!!!

spring has sprung!