Quotables
The purpose of being in Moldova right now is to lead a group of businessmen as they learn more about the microfinance program with which we work. We hope to use trips like this to facilitate the growth of the agency and to find people who are willing to help to create jobs in this country. We've had a series of meetings and 4 visits to clients and lots of informal discussions. It's been good! Prior to the guys arriving, we've had a number of talks with others as well, to help us understand Moldova better.
Here are some of my favorite quotes from these times:
The silly:
"Couple of cherries" (The fruit of the Romanian lesson Dan set up for the guys. It's the easiest way to remember how to say 'You're welcome" in Romanian.)
"I should have prepared the devotional in Romanian after hearing how well you speak the language." (A pastor to the guys after hearing them say 'Couple of cherries' and various Romanian greetings.)
"Don't fall off the porch!" (Us to a client. There were no guardrails on this particular porch.)
"I should sell my stupid apartment in this stupid country and buy a nice house in Huntsville." (A teacher from Chisinau (who had been to Huntsville) who is wondering what keeps him in this country, the poorest in Europe and unhappiest in the world.)
(There is a better link out there somewhere, but I can't find it at the moment...)
The serious:
"The government sets the price of bread at 60 cents per loaf. Our cost is 80 cents per loaf. When the government saw we take a loss, they say we give a donation to the state at 20 cents per loaf and that we must pay tax on the 'donation'." (Interviewing the management at bakery in the village outside of Hincesti.)
"This house will be one of the only aftercare homes in the country for women recovering from being trafficked. We'll take 12 women and they can live here for about 1 year to get back on their feet." (The husband of the home's director, who is planning for the opening of their home this month.)
"At my former school, the principal tells me that 100 of the 150 students do not have parents looking after them. 100 out of 150 students have parents who have left Moldova without them." (A board member to the group after being asked how the emigration of Moldovans is impacting the family unit.)
Here are some of my favorite quotes from these times:
The silly:
"Couple of cherries" (The fruit of the Romanian lesson Dan set up for the guys. It's the easiest way to remember how to say 'You're welcome" in Romanian.)
"I should have prepared the devotional in Romanian after hearing how well you speak the language." (A pastor to the guys after hearing them say 'Couple of cherries' and various Romanian greetings.)
"Don't fall off the porch!" (Us to a client. There were no guardrails on this particular porch.)
"I should sell my stupid apartment in this stupid country and buy a nice house in Huntsville." (A teacher from Chisinau (who had been to Huntsville) who is wondering what keeps him in this country, the poorest in Europe and unhappiest in the world.)
(There is a better link out there somewhere, but I can't find it at the moment...)
The serious:
"The government sets the price of bread at 60 cents per loaf. Our cost is 80 cents per loaf. When the government saw we take a loss, they say we give a donation to the state at 20 cents per loaf and that we must pay tax on the 'donation'." (Interviewing the management at bakery in the village outside of Hincesti.)
"This house will be one of the only aftercare homes in the country for women recovering from being trafficked. We'll take 12 women and they can live here for about 1 year to get back on their feet." (The husband of the home's director, who is planning for the opening of their home this month.)
"At my former school, the principal tells me that 100 of the 150 students do not have parents looking after them. 100 out of 150 students have parents who have left Moldova without them." (A board member to the group after being asked how the emigration of Moldovans is impacting the family unit.)
posted by Beth at 10:45 PM
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