Adventures from Moldova

This is my blog containing all of my adventures as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Moldova.

Monday, January 29, 2007

As some of you may already know from reading my blog, one of the projects I've been working on in Moldova is leading a few teams of high school basketball players in my village. In March and April, they'll be playing a five-week season against other teams in their part of the country, and they might go on to the championship in Chisinau. It's an important project because kids here don't have a chance to play organized sports like we do in America, so they miss an opportunity to learn.

In order for us to play our season, though, we need your help. Through the Peace Corps Partnership Program, we have written a grant for the league through which you can help finance the league's transportation cost. The total project costs over $9,000, so we need all the help we can get. Your tax-deductible donation will pay for the transportation costs for over 30 teams; Moldovans have paid for every other necessity, including equipment costs, referee salaries, gym usage and other expenses, by themselves. Moldovans have already contributed over $3,000 to the project, and we hope that you can help them, and specifically my team, by contributing anything you have today by clicking on the link below:

http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell\u003dresources.donors.projdetail&projdesc\u003d261-151&region\u003deurope

You can also call the Peace Corps' Washington office and donate at(800) 424-8580 ext 2170. Tell them that you want to donate to the Moldovan National Basketball League, project 261-151.

I never have been very good at asking for money, but this is such a great reason to do so. Thank you in advance for helping me, my team of kids and the basketballin' country of Moldova.

Thursday, January 25, 2007


Today has been a beautiful day. Everywhere in the world it seems like it is snowing except for here in Moldova. It is about 50 degrees farenheit and very sunny. I really am enjoying this weather, but know that it is not going to last because they are predicting snow on Saturday. It is funny, but I actually kind of miss snow. After being in Iowa for college for four years, it is really weird not having any at all.
The picture that I posted is of some of my basketball team here in my town. They are very talented and I cannot wait to start playing other towns. They show me no mercy out on the court and I like that they aren't scared to hustle after the ball. I will definitely keep you posted when our season begins.
As of February 1st, I will be moving in with a new host family. I am really excited because they have a "casa mica" and a "casa mare" which translates to small house and big house. I will be sharing the casa mica with my bunica gazda (host grandmother) and have a huge room with a large bed, desk, cupboard, etc. and have an adjoining room where there are bunkbeds for guests to stay. There is also a kitchen, bathroom, and a room where my grandmother sleeps. The large house has 3 bedrooms, a salon, large kitchen, and bathroom so I am not going to be doing "without." It is about the same distance from work as my other house, so it is going to allow me some good exercise everyday.
Well, that is all to report for now. I will keep you posted!
Annie:)

Tuesday, January 23, 2007


This past week was great because we had our final week of PST in Chisinau. We had language lessons every day, different sessions with speakers for our Technical Training, as well as more Administrative sessions (safety, security, etc.). I think the best part was getting see everyone and hearing their stories about their villages. It sounds as though everyone is doing great. There was a large snow fall in the southern part of Moldova and some people were without power for an extended period of time. It did a lot of damage to some of the electrical lines and so it has been difficult getting everything put back together. I just talked with my mom on the phone on Sunday and it sounds as though the same thing is happening back home in Missouri. People have been without power for days because of all the ice, snow, and sleet.


So far, I have enjoyed being at my site. The picture that I posted is of Ştefan Cel Mare or "Steven the Great" in English. He was Moldova's great savior from the 14th century I believe. I can't specifically remember the dates, but if you are interested, you can always look him up. There is a statue of him in many villages and towns in Moldova, and mine is no different! Anyway, I really enjoy everyone in my office and getting to know what everyone is doing. I am unable to help out a lot right now because my business vocabulary isn't very strong, but I am working on it everyday. It will soon be at the level that I want it to be. Also at my site, I am playing basketball with the high school students in my town twice a week. It's a great way to get to know more people and is great exercise as well. It has been a lot of fun and is actually helping my improve my Romanian as well.
I also found out that I am going to be one of the co-directors for GLOW Camp, which stands for "Girls Leadering Our World." It is a leadership camp that teaches teenage girls about life, health, and many other subject. I am incredibly excited for it and can't wait to get started. It is going to be a challenge because everything is done in Romanian and Russian, and there is no English involved. But I believe that it is a challenge that will help me improve in many ways and is also a challenge that I am looking forward to.
Well, that is all I have for now. Please make comments on my blog or send me an email so that I know what you would like to hear about. Thanks!