TIM KIRBY, of Plymouth Township, who has been living in Kazakhstan and volunteering in the Peace Corps, has come home with many memories. Kirby was interested in the Kazakhstan and Russian region because of his Eastern Eurpean decent. DANIEL KRAUS / The Star Beacon
Published July 09, 2006 07:23 am -
Local man returns from Kazakhstan
Star Beacon
By STACY MILLBERG
Staff Writer
smillberg@starbeacon.com
PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP - - Tim Kirby is a lot closer to being a man now, than he was when he left for Kazakhstan two years ago, to volunteer with the Peace Corps.
He came back mentally stronger and physically lighter, but with a deep understanding and appreciation of a much different culture. The 24-year-old joined the Peace Corps after graduating from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. He always expressed an interest in Russian culture and had a desire to travel, he said.
Kirby said he lost a lot of weight and his personality changed in the two years he was gone. He admits his reasons for joining the Peace Corps were a little selfish, in that he sought to improve himself. The personal growth he experienced has taught him a lot and improved his life, he said.
"I feel very balanced and a lot less afraid of life," he said. "I feel so much more true to myself. I dont have to hide anything anymore."
When he arrived in Kazakhstan two years ago, Kirby was taught how to speak Russian and trained on being a Peace Corps volunteer. He was then sent to the village of Fyodorovka where he taught English at a local school.
After some time, Kirby was able to make connections in the city of Uralsk, where he worked on the weekends for a business incubator, providing job training to residents. While working at the incubator, Kirby was able to put his graphics design background to good use, as he worked in an Internet division providing bare minimum cost Web sites, he said.
After living with a host family for a while, Kirby decided he just wanted to move out on his own, so he got an apartment in the village. His little apartment left much to be desired, though, with no running water, no pipes of any kind, not even a toilet, he said.
"You have to go to the bathroom in a bucket and get water from a well," he said. "I did have electricity and Internet access, figure that out. Life was very extreme."
City life was very different, though. During his time in the city, Kirby said he took advantage of all the modern conveniences.
Loneliness was the most challenging aspect for Kirby. He had a difficult time making friends in the village, the place he was the most, he said. Fyodorovka has a population of about 5,000, he said.
CLERICAL Collections $12-15/hr Customer Service $10-15/hr Office Asst $10-1...>MORE
Part time Medical Equipment Delivery/Service Technician nician Cleveland to Erie area. Customer service skills required, clean driving record a must. Send resume to PO Box...>MORE
BARTENDER 5 years exp. required. Part time fill in for weekends. Send resume to 17 Wall St., Jefferson, Ohio 44047...>MORE
SEASONED FIREWOOD FOR SALE Mixed Hardwoods. Cut & split approx 16” $225.00 cord (+) or Slab wood, cut $150.00 cord(+). Delivered within 15 miles of...>MORE
WANTED TO BUY Immediate Cash for unwanted items. Call for details 440-319-4274...>MORE
BUYING JUNK VEHICLES WE PAY SCRAP OR BETTER Budget Auto Parts, 6015 Woodman Ave. 992-1111...>MORE
Hayward pump (1-1/2 hp) & D.E. Filter for swimming pool, misc. pool access. $300 obo. 576-1585...>MORE
Tools Top & Bottom box full of mechanics tools, impacts, air ratchets, grinder, sander, board file etc. If interested bring 4 ...>MORE
"WE NEED LAND!" Paying top prices for farms or acreage in OH, W. Virginia and PA. Call Bruner Land Co. at (740) 685-8138....>MORE
Remodeled Apartment in Ashtabula Ash. Remodeled 2BR/1.5bath laundry $350 +dep. Some utils.pd. OPEN: 1-4 Fri./Sat. 519 W. 38th or call for an appt. (440)...>MORE
House for Rent in Ashtabula Ash 3BR W. 8th, $675+sec. lease no pets, gas incl. (440)964-5797...>MORE
GOTL Apartment for Rent Near to Twp Park 1 & 2 BR, util. pd, sec. no pets. 466-3332...>MORE
Apartments for Rent Nice 1 or 2BR apt. Buckeye or Lakeside, carpet, refrig/stove, pay only electric. No pets. $435/mo-$505+sec. 998-2332 or ...>MORE
PLEASANT VIEW ESTATES, CONNEAUT 1BR suite Maple Ave, Conn, nicely decor, priv patio, quiet area near hospital, on site laundry, spacious parking, stove/...>MORE
Jefferson Manor Apartments Jeff Manor 1-2BR part utils, enrgy eff. wndws/appls 275-2011 x 132...>MORE
House for Rent Ashtabula 3BR 1923 W. 5th St. $600. Avail. Dec. 1st. Sec. 8 ok. 440-554-7518...>MORE
Print this story
Post to del.icio.us
