LONG ONE!

I now seem to be pretty familiar with my office and the people within it. I have had many fun conversations and good craic (fun) around the office. We went out Tuesday night for our first ciders at The John Hewitt to celebrate our first day of work as well as Doug's birthday. He and Elaine (his wife) joined us. It was great!


Yesterday I met with my second supervisor, Rosemary, and talked more through my job with PCT (partnership in community transformation). I got a handle on things and heard lots of interesting discussion on the politics and struggles of nonprofits here in Belfast. While the PCT is associated with Fortwilliam and Macrory Pres, it is largely funded by independent grants from the city and other private sponsors. The year progresses with grant writing, worrying about the awarding of the grant, then cramming to deliver everything promised in the grant proposal if the grant is awarded. The cycle begins again during the operation of the organization and cramming, preparing for another grant proposal inorder to remain functioning after the original grant runs up (usually awarded in 6 month grants). PCT got an initial grant for 3 1/2 years to begin the organization and complete three years of programs. This spring that grant ran out. While the PCT will still remain an organization, until future grant money is secured they will become more an organization of relationships rather than of planning events. One of the original staffers who helped to start the organization will be leaving PCT next week due to lack of funding. Unless more funding is secured by the end of September, another staffer will be leaving, meaning Rosemary and I will be the only two remaining. It is a crazy process and leaves a lot of insecurity within the Partnership. It seems so unfortunate that something doing such good in this community should struggle so much.

In the same way, nonprofits struggle with the lack of networking among themselves in the community. It is frustrating when another nonprofit has a similiar goal, yet you find that you can't work together. This is the case due to the competitive nature of funding. Ideas and plans cannot be shared, or more organizations will apply to the same grant programs, seeking funding for similiar programs. It really is upsetting that people seeking the same thing within the same community, same neighborhoods even, must remain such independent organizations.

On a lighter note, I am beginning to have more of an idea of what I will be doing, although nothing really starts the til 21st or so. We have begun planning a PCT fun day to end the 3 1/2 year projects. I have been put in charge of a treasure hunt around the building, where the youth will have to answer questions as they find it around the building (ex. how many rows of pews are in the church?). I will be writing the questions for it, which is highly entertaining since I havent even seen all of the building yet. I went to take a look around, but big old churches can be kinda creepy. I will let ya know how it turns out haha. Here are some pictures of the church, it is really pretty... and Carolina BLUE!






Here are some of my office:





We have had a lot of fun learning the words they use here and even embarrassing ourselves every so often. Lauren asked Doug if it was okay to wear pants to church. Doug's response was that yes, pants are generally suggested and trousers are required or a skirt. Although we had known about this little tricky one, Lauren had slipped and asked. We all laughed pretty hard. (pants are underwear in case you are lost...). Nigel, the young guy in the PCT office who will be leaving next week, has been so great about teaching me Irish slang words each day. Today I learned nick, used as 'I got nicked for nicking.' While I am not sure that I am spelling it properly, I know that I will be neither nicked or nicking (to get nicked is to get arrested and to nick is to steal)

We also took our first trip to the Tesco (grocery store).

It is slightly like a walmart, but not at the same time. Mainly grocerys, but with other things... like cheap books, which is great because I've already finised two!)It was an experience, mainly carrying them home the mile walk or so. Needless to say, I won't be buying that many groceries at one time EVER again!

As I walked home, stepping over crisp bags and candy wrappers, today I was again reminded about how little people here care about their neighborhood and streets. Last week we saw a boy about 13 just throw his half empty soda bottle into the street as he kept walking. There is trash everywhere, though in the city center they try to keep it clean. I wouldn't really say that Belfast is a dirty city, but in reality, it is. In the same way, I am continually struck by the random children playing on the streets, no parents in sight. While I am sure these children have grown up used to being in the city, these are not quite streets we are talking about. And children who look as young as three or four wander around playing together. As I came out of the post office today ( my first trip! I spent 3pounds on mail, gah!) there was a little boy, maybe 18 months sitting in his stroller, no one around. It is odd to me how they do that!

I'll leave you with this, the view from our 3rd floor window each evening!