Pauza Magazine Fall 2005 | Page 11

With Katica’s permission (she is a smoker), I asked if there was anyone in the audience who had tried to quit and couldn’t, or wish they had never started. Katica, raised her hand and said, “OK, Marlun (my name with her accent), it’s me. Hello, my name is Katica and I am a smoker.” Everyone said “hello” and it was one of those moments. She has a darling accent when speaking English and she’s enjoyable to listen to. She got a lot of support for telling her story, now she just needs to stop the smoking. Next session was Sex-Ed. Sex is a taboo subject in Macedonia and the girls’ knowledge has only increased due to Sex in the City. They would never talk to their mothers, doctors, or friends. They are ashamed because if you talk about it or ask questions, it is assumed you are doing it and you are then marked with the Scarlet Letter. After discussing the benefits of talking about sex, and having it not being a taboo subject, I asked each girl to find a private place to write a question they VOLUME 3 ISSUE 2 have always wanted to ask but knew they couldn’t. We were sure we would have to stuff the question box, but boy, were we surprised! We broke into groups of 12 or so and collected their questions in a way that no one would know who wrote what. All I have to say is “OH MY GOSH!” If you can imagine it, they asked it. I made sure that I had at least one PCV in each group along with the most mature counselors. Just in case you’re thinking that I might plan to keep the earth inhabited. have been a bit crazy to take on this topic in this manner, let me assure you that a letter goes That’s what those first feelings to each family in Picture this, 60 girl campers aged 15 are all about. There’s no way to regards to this tell what you have until you - 16 plus five counselors who are topic and the give it time, until you go plans on discuss- mostly 18 – 20, two in their mid 20’s through stressful experiences to ing it. We ended and 2 or 3 in 30’s and then me the see how you work them out the session by together, until you see if you are “stara PCV.” passing around respected and liked, as well as condoms so they loved, till you both find out if you are could see, feel, and understand why willing to be a monogamous couple they are important especially in regards and we talked some more. The rest of to HIV. Intense session? Yes, very the love secrets shared with the girls important too, and they loved it. will remain secrets but they were all ears as were the volunteers. One young girl raised her hand, “Marilyn, I have a Now the last session, Rock and Roll or, problem and maybe you can help. I “Is it really love?” This was my know a boy who is a friend and has chance to take all the sex info and place been a friend for a year. I know he it where best used: in a loving, moloves me but doesn’t tell me. We are nogamous and hopefully committed very much alike. Recently I met anrelationship. I won’t bore you with the other boy who has blue eyes and when reasons; I am such an expert on this I see him my tummy gets butterflies. topic, but believe me, I may not have Who do I chose?” The one with the found it but I certainly know what it’s blue eyes, of course! Just kidding, but not! It’s not chemistry, it does not hapI loved the question and it supported pen in the first three months, and it’s the importance of these types of sesnot an escape from reality. We talked sions. about how the brain sets up the chemical reaction in the beginning with the Page 11