MoldovAnn

I’ve been in Moldova six months. What have I learned? What have I accomplished? What have I contributed?

I’ve learned a lot. In fact, this week I learned a Moldovan phrase that provides a lot of insight into the culture, I think. In the U.S., we say “measure twice and cut once.” In Moldova, they say “measure 7 times and cut once.” When I reflect on the culture from this perspective, I have a whole new interpretation and understanding of so many of my encounters here. There really is no “throwing caution to the wind” here, no “giving it a whirl” or snap-decisions. I’ve watched my host family make some big decisions in these past months, and considering the long, drawn-out process it has been every time, I understand it completely differently now.

For example, they recently sold three of their pigs, and with the income bought a washing machine. Now this is a big purchase no matter where you are, and here it’s a heck of a lot of money. The calls went on for weeks, with their son Sasha in Chisinau getting facts and figures on every possible brand and variety of washing machine. I would see the notes next to the telephone several nights a week – how many watts of energy it used, how much water, what capacity load, size and dimensions of the washing machine, and, of course, prices. After weeks of this, they settled on a really nice Samsung front-load washing machine, which was on sale for International Women’s Day (the holiday sale is, in my opinion, one of the best aspects of the market economy!). This kind of process, including extensive research and comparison, is conducted for almost every purchase. At the market, most Moldovans go from vendor to vendor comparing quality and price, whether it’s apples, onions, dishes, umbrellas, soap or shoes. There’s not a lot of “impulse” shopping here!

But the notion to “measure 7 times and cut once” goes beyond just monetary decisions. It’s part of the culture to be cautious, careful, and slow to act, pervasive at home and at work. As I said, learning this phrase has given me new understanding, and I think will help me have more patience in my daily interactions at work and in my community.

What have I accomplished? 6 months isn’t much time to have accomplished much, but then again, Peace Corps did tell us to be happy with small accomplishments. I’m able to communicate reasonably well in Russian, I’ve learned my way around a few towns and cities, plus I’ve learned my “way around” in general within the Moldovan culture and systems. In other words, I’m getting the hang of things. I’ve learned a lot about the NGO sector in Moldova, and about the international aid organizations providing support and assistance here. I’ve started to get to know a group of really great young people in my village, via the English Club. I’ve made some wonderful friends.

What have I contributed? I think my contributions are more qualitative than quantitative, so far. I know I was put by “fate”, or whatever you want to call it, to live with 2 specific host families because they needed me as much as I needed them. I’ve been able to help Alyona during this time of huge change for her. I know that meeting me, seeing how I changed my life, helped her realize that she could change her’s too. In Tvarditsa, there were difficult times that my presence helped eased. Anna, especially, needed a daughter-friend at this time in her life, and I know I was brought to her house to help her. My presence, my needs, gave her a much needed change of focus from the loss of her grandson (his mother, Anna’s daughter-in-law, moved away with him last September after a bad breakup with Anna’s older son).

I could leave Moldova tomorrow or in two years, and knowing that I made a difference in the lives of these two amazing, strong, and wonderful women will be a contribution I am very proud of.