On June 15, 2014 I was invited by one of the MAN1 teachers to visit a waterfall. “Take your bathing suit.” After a ride in an Anglot and a rather long walk, I was taken to a Chevron sponsored youth center here in Garut. Indonesia has a stipulation with companies who take energy out of Indonesia that they should put a percentage of their profits back into the communities from which they take the energy.  Garut has hot springs that Chevron uses to produce some kinda energy so Chevron sponsors a youth center. I met perhaps 25 high school students who get homework help and encouragement to do well in high school so they can go on to university.

The MAN1 teacher who invited me to the waterfall does some volunteer tutoring there, as does the math teacher son of my host family. I met the man in charge of the day to day running of the place as well as the director.

I was particularly impressed with the director. He told me how he was going to San Francisco and Washington, D.C. for yet another conference later that month. He said that he really enjoyed both of those cities every time he went.

A short time later, but still June, the day to day guy showed up at my door. “What days can we say you will come to the center to teach English?”

“It’s June. I don’t know my teaching schedule yet.  School doesn’t start until August. I have no idea how much free time I will have once school starts.”

“On the days you can each with us, we will send a motorcycle to take you to the center.”

“Thank you but, I’m sorry.  My organization forbids me to ride motorcycles for safety reasons.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.  We are a poor organization with very little money. I’m afraid we cannot afford to pay you or to pay to get you to the center by public transportation.”

The ticket on the Angkot costs about U.S. $0.16. (Sixteen cents)

“I cannot accept payment for any reason. Money is not a problem but, please,” I asked, “I am still new in Garut. There is no activity at my school during the vacation time. Could you and/or some of the students come to take me for a walk around town, show me something of Garut, sit and talk to me, play a game with me, anything just to get to know you.”

“Sure, Mr. Jay.”

About the middle of July the same guy called me. “Can you tell me the exact name of your organization? We want to put it in out literature.”

“I am a Peace Corps Volunteer. Remember, I do not yet know if my teaching schedule at my school will permit me to teach with you. And, PLEASE,” I begged, “Don’t leave me here alone with nothing to do and no one to do it with. Come for a cup of coffee, a walk around town, a visit with the fish in my pond – anything.”

“Can you spell ‘Peace Corps’ for me, please?”

I did not hear from anyone from this group until tonight, August 20, 2014. Mr. Day to Day showed up at my door.

“Hello, Mr. Jay. Can you tell me if you will be teaching with us? Will it be two or three times a week?”

“I’m very well. Thank you for asking.” (He didn’t.) “Peace Corps is a partnership between the American and Indonesian people. I invited you to be friends with me and got no response.  Now you come to ask me to work for you. I do not see this as a partnership since nothing has come from you.  I will not be teaching with your organization.”

Long pause. Eyes locked.

“May I give you some advice? Do not tell prospective teachers that you have no money to pay for their public transportation to your center after your director has told them about his many visits to San Francisco, one of the most expensive cities in the U.S., and Washington, D.C., the most expensive city in the U.S."

“I’m sorry about that. We start teaching at 4:00 p.m. What days shall we expect you?”

“I will not be teaching at your center. Thank you for coming.” I stood and shook his hand. He stood and left.

I’m surprised at my boldness. I’m surprised I don’t feel ashamed of myself. I’m surprised I turned down a chance to do something. I’m surprised I wasn’t ruder considering I have not at all felt welcome or appreciated here neither by my school nor my community.

I suppose I should get out my suitcases and check for mold.