Patience is a Virtue

This is especially true with my current job situation. When I accepted the position I was told I would be teaching HIV/AIDS education and then doing village outreach with those I taught. Then 4 months later I learned that it had changed and I would probably be teaching, nothing definite yet. Well that is still the case. I know that I will be working for The Learning Center (TLC), which is a part of the Godavri Alumni Association (GAA), most likely teaching ESL classes yo a variety of people. I will also help with publication of information pamphlets about TLC. I have already met my boss Ralph and I think I will like working with him. But, I have been told many times nothing is definite. What does that mean? Well, here goes. The JV's were in Kathmandu until about 4 years ago when they stopped working in the area and only had the volunteers in Godavri, which were usually 6-7 people. However, when Chris came 2 years ago he was suppose to be coming with 2 others but the others who were to join decided not to come, so he came out and joined the one other JV who was at Godavri. What happened to everyone? They all either left or were asked to leave because of various reasons such as health or complications with the principal at Godavri at the time. So when Chris came a big thing was to repair the relationship with the Jesuits, since the other JV's had left quite the reputation with both the Jesuits and the surrounding Village. We'll leave it at that. Chris has done a wonderful job as have D and Sarah, and the Provincial of the Jesuits at the time requested that JVI open a site for three JV's in Kathmandu, which is where Katie, Sean and I come in. Katie and Sean came and re-started the Kathmandu site, however, there has been a shift in power, so there is a new provincial, who happens to be the old principal of Godavri. He has a very poor image of the JV's which we have been trying to change, but since the old provincial only contracted three JV's, I could very well be the last one in Kathmandu, since the new provincial does not want more, or at least that is what I've been told. Another reason is the GAA where I work also went under power changes. Before Fr. Greg (one of the main Jesuits we work with here) came to the GA, it was used for drugs and prostitution mostly. When Fr. Greg came, among many threats and violence he changed the GA, and helped to elect a new president who created an environment in which programs such as TLC, and SAV (mobile clinics) can run. All good things must come to an end though right? So the president ended up leaving last October, and the new candidate was one who was a part of the old school GA, he clearly won, because why would things be easy? Therefore Fr. Greg is weighing his options about whether he will stay since these are the people who threatened him. Which is another reason I may not have new community mates in a year, because there might not be a job for them. Katie and Sean's positions have already changed from the person they replaced. They were asked to phase out her programs, and have had to pretty much create their own positions, which are still not definite, even after a year. See where the patience thing comes in. However, I will learn more about this situation this weekend during Orientation with Fr.Greg, but as it stands right now, its is a real possiblitly that JVI may not be needed in Kathmandu. While this is frustrating and led to me thinking why the hell am I here then? Its also provides the challenge to create a reason for me and possibly others to be here. But this could just be idealistic as well. So that is the whole Job situation right now...but looking at the positive side of things, I have loved seeing all the people on Motorbikes, and really want to learn to ride one, so if I don't have roommates next year, I can sell the cycles we have and convince JVI to buy a motorbike instead! No? Too soon? Anyways, I definitely am learning what it means to be adaptable.