Proof TikTok Can Be A Good Thing

 Hi everyone! I know it's been more than a long time since I last updated, but I wanted to come on here and share this story with y'all:

For anyone who knows me in real life, they can confirm that I wouldn't be who I am without social media. If you scroll these blog posts you'll see countless references to my Peace Corps Instagram (@emilyinkgz) and various other media platforms. Since coming to Kyrgyzstan, in addition to this blog and my accompanying Instagram, I have posted several videos/pictures on my TikTok about Peace Corps and everything that comes with it, from days in the life to pictures my students have drawn and some of the traveling I've done. You'll also notice that most of my TikToks are not PC-related and more about music and concerts, but every once in a while I remember being a fangirl isn't my job and I post about PC. Through posting these I have been able to connect with other volunteers around the world, answer questions from prospective PC applicants, and received the occasional hate comments (my favorite - any publicity is good publicity as they say!)

A couple of months ago I posted a TikTok documenting a day in my life in the village, one part of it being a picture of the little library I started in my school's new English Resource Center (see last blog post for more on this) with the help of Darien Book Aid. A few days after posting, I had a stranger send me a private message saying they would love to donate books to the library. I had no idea who this person was and had never spoken/interacted with them before, but after going back and forth on logistics and me constantly reassuring them that they absolutely did not have to do this, a package was sent from the USA to Kyrgyzstan full of English books.

Two months later these books arrived in my village! After a trip to the post office, my counterpart and I opened the box to find roughly 50 children's books for all ages!! Although I knew this package was coming, I had no idea how many books were sent. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I also kept this a secret from my counterpart until it arrived, so she was even more surprised. Since adding the books to our library, students have been constantly streaming in and out of the classroom to check out the new additions, choose a book to take home, and returning the ones they've already read. 

Anyways the whole reason I wrote this blog post was because it has been a difficult past few months around the world, in the USA, and in Peace Corps. Back in January all grant projects were halted when USAID was disbanded and it brought to a halt my school's second project, along with hundreds of others around the world. Additionally, the past few weeks have been a time of anxious waiting to see if Peace Corps will soon receive cuts and significant changes stemming from the current administration's policies against foreign aid. To have a random stranger who saw one of my videos on the Internet (TikTok of all places too) and be compelled to ship books all the way to Kyrgyzstan is something I don't think I will ever be able to fully comprehend or express an adequate amount of gratitude to. It's proof that there are still good people out there even when other areas of life can seem bleak. It also is probably the closest I'll ever feel to being an influencer receiving PR packages (my ultimate life goal). To Karina from Texas, I will never be able to thank you enough for your kindness and I hope it is something I can repay to others in the future. 

Enough of the sappy stuff, here are some pictures of my 3rd grade babies checking out the new books. Not pictured: the ensuing fight over who would get to take home "The Very Hungry Caterpillar First." 

Also to any of my family reading this: No, you still cannot follow me on TikTok and I will continue to block you!! XOXO