1. link post Sun, 18 Dec, 2011

   My hero, source of inspiration, and secret love has died. Rest in peace Vaclav Havel.

   Every since my study abroad experience in Prague, I have been enamored with last president of Czechoslovakia, first president of Czech Republic, playwright, dissident, and toppler of communism Vaclav Havel.  The man is a true inspiration - an artist without political background who managed to change the course of history of his country and lead it into a new era.  I’ll never forget the day I saw him speak at the 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, and then ran after him as he walked to his car, hoping for some small interaction which amounted to touching the back of his car as it drove away.  We need more Vaclav Havel’s in this world - an artist and writer who showed the power of the written word and of standing up and making one’s voice heard.  He helped to end communism not just in former Czechoslovakia but in all of Europe.  May he rest in peace and continue to inspire the world for generations to come.

   PS Watch this interview of Vaclav Havel.

   PPS I highly recommend his memoirs To The Castle and Back.




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Somehow life has brought me, Kerry, from what I had once considered the middle of nowhere, New York, to the true middle of nowhere - a rural village in a country in Eastern Europe called Moldova. Chasing my dreams of joining the Peace Corps, I am currently an English Education Volunteer serving from August 2011 to summer 2013.

Republica Moldova is a small country between Ukraine and Romania that has only been independent (most recently from the USSR) since 1991. Prior to that, it was part of Bessarabia, a region that has been historically handed back and forth between Russia and Romania for years. This has had an enormous effect on Moldovan life, culture, politics, and language, and every person you ask may have a differing view on Moldovan national identity.

While Moldova has incredibly rich soil and can grow practically anything (most famously its grapes, used for wine), it has been difficult to break into the international market. Additionally, many Moldovans have been unable to find work in-country and have resorted to working abroad, usually in Moscow or some EU countries.

Despite all this, Moldovans are often with a smile on their face and are always looking for a reason to celebrate - almost every day here is a celebration accompanied with delicious food, wine, and dancing.

As for me, I live in a village of 3000 called Taraclia in the southeast of the country, just 4 miles from the Ukrainian border.

Learn more:
» CIA World Factbook
» New York Times
» BBC
» Moldova Azi - news in English

I teach Moldovan students in the village schools in forms 2nd to 11th. Most of my classes are partner taught with Moldovan instructors for the purpose of sustainability. After school I volunteer at the local center for children, a place dedicated to children from poorer economic status and broken homes. I'm also working on some secondary projects to help my school and community.

» Official Peace Corps Website
» Peace Corps Moldova Blog
» My Entry Archive
» My Peace Corps Reading List
» Need Inspiration for a Care Package?

Send mail to:
PCV Kerry Coughlin
Str. Grigore Ureche 12
Chisinau 2001
Republic of Moldova

Skype: thekerilator
Gmail: kerry.q.coughlin@gmail.com
Google Voice: 845-232-1421 Moldova Cell: +373.605.66.286

The views expressed in this blog are my own, and are in no way intended to represent the views of the Peace Corps or the United States Government.