Remember this: http://www.wideawake.org/fitness-club?
I was somewhat distraught yesterday. I was talking briefly with my host father about the fitness center we’re trying to put together and he was less than optimistic. I’ve decided that I have to put together another grant to get more money. I was hoping that the money from Wide Awake donations would be able to handle the costs, but I know it will not cover the needs anymore. From the almost 400 Facebook friends I have and the people from all over the world that read my blog it seems few people are willing to help us out. I’ve talked to numerous friends who have donated and I appreciate their donations. Some people I haven’t seen in years (since middle school or high school) have also donated. They’ve been great and I truly appreciate everything they have sacrificed, especially as the economy seems to be slowing down again. Remember, when the US economy goes into recession places like Georgia go into deeper economic turmoil.
One might say, “$500 is still a lot of money, right?” Well, not when compared to the costs of buying a treadmill. I’m also surprised because my sister and sister-in-law are both using donations to help fund their international adoptions. Together they have raised a lot of money, in a short amount of time. I’ve tried contacting friends and family directly. I’ve tried sending mass e-mails to inform people what I’m doing. I post on Facebook. Maybe people are unsure where the money is needed, and that’s why I will post a detailed budget when I get back from Ukraine. I want everyone to know exactly what’s going on, and how the money will be spent. Everything from equipment, transportation, trainings, and materials for classes will be included.
In the meantime I will probably look to lower the goal of my project significantly and focus on other grant opportunities. I can’t say that I’m happy about that, because grant writing with Peace Corps is a long drawn out process with no guarantee of success. It also has limits about how much money I can spend on equipment. A fitness center with no equipment is pretty useless. To make matters worse, the staff at the sports school always asks me what’s going on with the project— they are getting anxious and I can tell they are losing their trust in me in being able to provide this for community. I wouldn’t blame them either. I have been trying to do this for a long time now, and I don’t have much to tell them so far. It also just adds to the rumors that I don’t do much and I’m too young to get respect.
I mean I do understand. People see my project and think it’s a great idea, but money is tight for everyone. I don’t blame anybody, but I am disappointed that maybe I’m not really showing how important or useful this project really is. Maybe people don’t think I have the ability to actually make this project happen. I’m not saying it will be easy, but I want to leave something behind for my community.
So here’s the plan:
1) 1) Order the equipment (Treadmill, elliptical, total body workout, station, 10 fitness mats, bench, dumbbells, scales, and Olympic weight set)
2) 2) Pick up equipment and bring it back to Keda
3) 3) Set up equipment while bringing a fitness trainer in to teach the staff how to use and care for the machines
4) 4) Make fitness/weight charts, make translations for instructions and buttons in Georgian/Russian
5) 5) Open fitness center and have 10 fitness classes (specifically for women) led by other PCVs
6) 6) The newly trained fitness staff will teach community members how to use the machines and help them devise exercise plans
7) 7) Start healthy lifestyle classes focusing on smoking, drugs, alcohol, women’s health, weight, nutrition, and exercise
8) 8) After 2-3 months (not long before I leave) sponsor a fitness competition for students in Keda
The idea I want to get across here is that once I leave the fitness staff at the sports school will be able to maintain the whole thing themselves. They won’t need me. This project is meant to be sustainable and provide new skills. The center will provide for the needs of an estimated 200 people per year. Many women keep asking me when the project will be completed, because they want it that much.
In Peace Corps, even Peace Corps Georgia we have a wide range of needs and experiences. For example, my good friend got $1800 in donations to build a well. Building a well is a huge undertaking, and something that seems to be a staple of Peace Corps service (he also dug his own outhouse). I on the other hand am in a small town, not a village. This means the projects I need to do to be effective must be of a different sort. It’s the curse of being in a more developed area. Sure I might have a toilet, and more consistent water/electricity, but the projects I have to do become more complex and difficult to accomplish.
I want to put out another call for assistance in raising money. For those of you who have already donated I thank you SO much. Please keep donating if you can. If you haven’t donated but want to—now is your time. Finally, if you are one the ones who read but think someone else will donate and you don’t have to this is my call to you as well. This project only succeeds with the help and backing of people I care about. So far, the municipality of Keda is willing to provide over $1000 for the project. And their budget isn’t much larger than what many families in West Windsor and Plainsboro would make in a year. I am trying to benefit an entire community and provide education of essential fitness and health information. This information and opportunities are often only open to the wealthiest members of society. I want to bridge that gap.
So here’s the link again: http://www.wideawake.org/fitness-club.
Some people said the site said something about not being secure. I contacted Wide Awake and they assured me everything is safe and secure. So whatever you send will be safe and your identity won’t be stolen.
Thanks everyone.
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