You're looking down my street right now. Visibility not so good. Snowstorms tend to do that. Our house is the first one you see on the right. The big building in the background is the Codlea hospital, a place that I never, ever want to visit.
Doing a 180 from the previous viewpoint and at the top of the street we have some fine examples of the Romanian haystack. Beyond that we have the "dealul" and "padure" (hills and forest). I try to do some hiking up there at least twice a week in order to get some fresh air and exercise. Looks like I may need to go buy some snow shoes.
Victor and the 2006 Dacia Logan, nicely equipped with a roof rack and front bumper icicles. Come join us while we navigate the frozen streets of Codlea...hey, at least we've got enough snow now to fill in the potholes.For those of you who read my previous post, a rant about how I think PC needs to leave Romania, well, I decided to take it off the blog for now. I wasn't in a very good mood last week and didn't have much else to do while I was home sick from school. Oh yes, did I forget to mention the flu shot that PC gave me? It gave me the flu. Nice. Hey, at least we know that they gave me the right shot. In retrospect, maybe it's just me who needs to leave Romania? It certainly would make my life a hell of a lot more pleasant. Wah.
Anyway, I'm rewriting the essay a bit, trying to take some of the venom out of it and, like Fox News, trying to make it a bit more "fair and balanced". God, I can't believe I just said that. However, I will say that my gut still tells me that my basic argument is informed and fair. Maybe I'll post the new version one of these days. The idea of submitting it to the volunteer newsletter was a bit hasty. Two level-headed individuals whose opinions I greatly respect advised me against it. I'm lucky to have people to rely on that can save me when I want to spit hot fire.
In fact, I think I know why I went on that diatribe last week. See, I'm dealing with this issue at school. The teacher that I share 12 of my 16 hours with is a drunk. He comes to school liquored up. In fact, he was so liquored up a couple of weeks ago that I had to tell the principal about it. I had kids running up to me, telling me that he was drunk. One of my students brought me his jacket after the principal told him to go home. I played dumb and pretended not to know anything. They gave him a week's vacation without pay. Obviously I was upset by this and felt compelled to do something about it. However, what is even more disturbing is that I'm apparently more concerned about it than they are. The school "can't do anything about it".
That's right folks, the Romanians let 50 year-old drunk men come to school and teach their 11-14 year-olds. They all know he's a drunk, but nobody does anything about it. They've known about his drinking for years! He just waltzes into the teachers' lounge half-cocked, red-faced and nobody says anything. "Oh, it's just him the drunk. No big deal, right?" Apparently, it is the fault of the school inspectorate and "the system" that they can't fire him. My school has "tried to to everything they can". Call me crazy, but maybe they need to try a little harder? He would have remained in school that whole day if I hadn't said something to the director. Oh yeah, by the way, she doesn't speak English. Even more frightening is the possibility that the director accepts bribes from him in return for inaction on her part. I'm not being paranoid. This is a real possibility. There is no institution in this country that is immune to corruption.
See, I'm just sick and tired of this "we can't do anything about it" attitude. It is this very attitude that has prevented Romania from developing as a nation, both socially and economically. What kind of a message does their inaction send to the children? The students know that their teacher comes to school drunk and nobody does anything about it. Logically, a child may deduce that this must be socially acceptable. In this situation, I can't, in good conscious, make any excuses for these people. I put my foot down now and say no.
Now, while his presence doesn't necessarily effect my ability to do my job, it is, nonetheless, discouraging to me. My motivation to help these people takes a serious nose-dive when confronted with a situation like this. And while I do realize that my primary obligation is to the children, I'm just one American alone in a sea of Romanians.
I guess I'm just in a bit of a state of shock. The fact that they don't care enough about their children to do something about this angers me. It's really hard for me to look a lot of them in the face these days. I mean, I just don't believe that nothing can be done about this. If the school administration, teachers and parents got together and agressively pursued a resolution to this problem, they could get this guy out. They could go to the media, etc. The school inspectorate would be forced to do something. But, unfortunately, this will never happen. The shame of it is that I am powerless. This is a very sensitive situation that I, as a PCV, cannot do anything about except go to the school director when I suspect that the guy's been drinking. I suspected it the other day, but wasn't convinced. So, like them, I did nothing. I have to make hard compromises here.
I haven't mentioned any of this to PC, as I'm not sure that would accomplish anything anyway. I'm debating on whether or not to confront this guy in private about the situation. One thing I do know is this: If he shows up totally wasted like he did a couple of weeks ago, I'm going to have to go get the other half of the class (we split classes) and pull them out of the room. At that point I'll have to drag his ass down to the director. That will be embarassing for both him and the director. Maybe they'll be shamed into action? Dare to dream.
Look, it's sad that the guy has a drinking problem. I feel sorry for him. It's none of my business what he does during his free time, but the line has to be drawn at the school doors. Period. By allowing this situation to continue, they not only fail their children, but they fail themselves. Somebody has to take a stand on this. Unfortunately it looks like it's going to be me, the lone American.
Again, in the spirit of Fox News (I can't believe I said it again) I feel like I should offer up something that is not all "gloom and doom". Oh, the irony. Anyway, I showed the little darlings "Corpse Bride" and gave them chocolate for Halloween. The name of the brand of the little chocolate bars was, quite appropriately, "Zoo". I got a chuckle out of that, as that's how I feel about the place most days. The kids enjoyed themselves and were wowed by the laptop/projector setup.
I'm working on an English Library/Book Club project. I've got about 50 kids so far reading books. I'm going to try to form a formal club, have them write book reviews and try to get them to make a website that will have all of their reviews posted on it, member photos, etc. I'd also like to try to get a grant for more books. An upcoming in-class project will have them create their own personal "coat of arms". I bought large-sized high-grade drawing paper for them. I hope to have their work posted on the walls of their respective classrooms. I think that they'll get into this because, after all, they live in a former medieval land of castles and warrior kings. Even Codlea has its own coat of arms. Plus, they'll get to flex some creative muscles.
So, that's my report for now. Stay tuned for more of the "Takin' you back" posts, as there are many photos that still needed to be posted from September and October. And be on the lookout for exclusive Fenblog video clips. I've recently discovered the joys of YouTube and hope that it will bring even more excitement to your FenBlog experience...
2 comments:
Yes, the lone American and a whimp!
Of course you can do something about the drunken teacher if you really wanted to.
1. Did you every try to talk to him about this, find out why he drinks, if he understands the problem he pases on to the children in real terms etc.
2. If you can get no joy with the head teacher, why did you not find out where the local education authority is and let them know of ASP public health department, or child protection officer. There are answers but you must overcome your personal weakness and fears in your mind so that you can help these children, and the teacher too.
Well Brian, let me tell you that, as a PCV, there are certain things that I am not authorized to do. I'm not sure who you are, but it doesn't sound like you're a PCV.
1) I do intend on speaking to this teacher when the time is appropriate. I think that I mentioned this. 2) You're second idea is a no go. I put my status as a PCV here at risk if I would pursue the course you mentioned in point 2. In addition, one of the biggest problems is the local education authority itself. And as for the existance of a public health department or a child protection officer, you obviously don't know Romania.
It sure is easy to criticize when you're on the outside isn't it? If I'm such a whimp, how is it that I'm here and you're wherever you are, comfortably judging me?
Why don't you identify yourself, send me your e-mail and we can continue this discussion. Maybe I can teach you a few things about being a PCV in Romania?
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