Rachel Weiner

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Revision as of 12:30, 9 June 2011

Template:Volunteerinfobox Rachel Weiner
Country	Morocco
Years:	2008-2010
Site(s)	Tinzouline
Region(s)	Zagora
Program(s)	Youth,Other
Assignment(s)	Youth,Other
From US state	Delaware
From US town/city	Wilmington
Rachel Weiner started in Morocco 2008
So-Youn Kim, Rachel Weiner
Region: Zagora
Rachel Weiner
Youth in Morocco:
Gerry (G) Kaufman, Rachel Weiner
Other in Morocco:25px
Rachel Weiner
Other Volunteers who served in Morocco
Jesse Bailey, Maggie Barnes, Barbara Ferris, Maureen Hagen, Orin (Buz) Hargraves, Bernadine L. Hoff, Gerry (G) Kaufman, Dave Keiser, So-Youn Kim, Bonnie Kirk, Charlie (Hassan) Kolb, Raymond Kruger, Nam LaMore, Suzanne Lane Belahmira, Anjali Mahoney … further results
Projects in Morocco
GGLOW Camp for Youth, Safety in the Workplace, Well Refurbishment, Women's Community Center, Women's Computer Literacy Classes
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Description of Service:

After a competitive application process stressing applicant’s skills, adaptability and willingness to immerse herself in another culture and language, cross-cultural sensitivity, and the desire to serve underprivileged communities, Rachel Weiner began Peace Corps training on September 6th, 2008 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She then completed the eleven week training program: one week in Rabat and ten weeks in the community-based training (CBT) site of Mrirt. During this time, Rachel lived with a Moroccan family in order to experience Moroccan culture and family life first-hand, as well as to immerse herself in the language. Ms. Weiner joined other trainees at the training seminar site in Azrou where they participated in cross-cultural and technical sessions organized by Peace Corps staff. During the training period, the following was accomplished:

CROSS CULTURAL TRAINING 

Study of Arab and Islamic values and traditions with an emphasis on Moroccan history and culture. (28 hours of formal training sessions plus an additional 33 days of cross-cultural experience during a “home stay” with a Moroccan family.)

TECHNICAL TRAINING 

General introduction to participatory community analysis and development methodologies and the Moroccan Education System through lectures, hands-on activities stressing language, teaching methods and techniques and youth development activities, including girls education (50 hours of formal training). As part of the Community Based Training experience, practice taught, planned and organized youth-related activities in a youth center (120 hours).

LANGUAGE TRAINING 

General introduction to and intensive study of the Moroccan Arabic dialect (Darija), including reading, writing and speaking. (170 formal hours) Additionally, many informal hours practicing language skills with host family and applying language tasks in a Moroccan community context.

HEALTH AND PERSONAL SAFETY TRAINING 

Health care in Morocco; first aid and safety; preventive medicine and nutrition. Safety and Security including both formal sessions and competencies integrated into Language and Cross Culture training (34 formal hours of training plus additional time during language and cross culture classes).

After swearing-in with Peace Corps on November 20th, Rachel served as a Youth Development Volunteer for the Moroccan Ministry of Youth and Sports. Her primary assignment was in a youth center in Tinzouline. She arrived in her site and lived with a host family there for two months.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Rachel Weiner was involved in a range of projects and activities in her dual role as English teacher and youth developer. In executing the primary and secondary responsibilities of her service, she:

• Networked with community leaders, Moroccan government officials, teachers, and development workers in order to create possible connections for further development in Tinzouline.
• Coordinated two spring language camps (Zagora and Al Hoceima) in collaboration with the Moroccan Ministry of Youth and Sports.
  • Zagora: 7 Peace Corps volunteers, 85 children/new camp staff, new location (2009)
  • Al Hoceima: 5 Peace Corps volunteers, 60 children (2010)
• Coordinated one summer language camp in El Jadida in 2009, supervising 13 Peace Corps volunteers and 85 Moroccan children.
• Staffed two additional summer language camps in El Jadida
• Taught English language classes in the youth house in Tinzouline to approximately 50 boys and 20 girls; three levels.
• Taught English language classes in the boy's boarding school to about six boys.
• Organized an Environment Club in the youth house.
• Coordinated tree planting in the youth center in cooperation with the Moroccan Ministry of Water and Forestry, and the King's environmental initiative of 2010.
• Coordinated and participated in an English language workshop in the desert town of M'hamid, (approximately 40 boys and 40 girls) to encourage Moroccan high school students to continue their studies in English and go to college.
• Trained six youth in public speaking methods in order to facilitate a mini speaker's bureau in Tinzouline.
• Participated in a Zagora regional health bike to give instructional health lessons to women and children in hard-to-reach areas in the countryside.
  • Instructed children on proper tooth brushing methods, the importance of washing their hands, and appropriate physical fitness.
  • Educated rural women about good eye care, management of ailments such as diabetes and high cholesterol (especially in towns without health services); talked to them about the possibility of forming a government-recognized women's association.
• Initiated world map-painting project in Tinzouline, in collaboration with Moroccan teachers, in order to improve students' knowledge of world geography.
• Worked consistently to educate Moroccans about American culture.
• Corresponded with more than 70 children from two elementary school classes through the Paul Coverdale Worldwide Schools Program to educate Americans about Morocco and its people.
• Acted as regional coordinator for Zagora, liaising between Peace Corps staff, volunteers, community members, and ministry officials.
• Coordinated biannual regional meetings for volunteers and ministry officials for the purpose of project planning and networking.
• Researched new possible sites for volunteers on behalf of Peace Corps; assessed the work environment, safety concerns, and project feasibility.
• Held a Saturday “Girls' Cafe” in my home for six months, allowing girls to practice their conversational English in a safe environment.
• Mentored and trained new volunteers on methods for living effectively in Morocco, working on projects, and completing successful youth development camps
• Wrote a Peace Corps Partnership Grant to establish a multimedia center in the youth house in Tinzouline, including the town's first public library.
• Fundraised more than 20,000 Moroccan Dirhams to complete a grant project.
• Helped to create a Technology Club in Tinzouline in order to improve computer literacy levels, especially among girls.