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