Sunday, February 27, 2011

50th Anniversary Kick-off Event!

As some of you probably already know, this is the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps being signed into Executive Order. A very exciting time for all of us past, present, and future volunteers and staff of Peace Corps, and I think for many other Americans as well. So, every post (country) is being encouraged to do something to celebrate. So, in El Salvador, we had the kick-off event this Friday! It was at the American Embassy with the Ambassador. I was invited to go with two women who make jewerly from my community because they are a successful, sustainable, Peace Corps-started project. They had three volunteers work with them in the past and then didn't have any help for three years. Now I'm there, but in reality they teach me more than I have helped them so far. I hope I can do something to help them, but we'll see. At any rate, we went to the embassy to speak about their experience with Peace Corps. I was really nervous that they weren't going to be able to speak in front of a large, important crowd, so I had a back-up speech ready. At any rate - they did great! They brought a few people to tears and a few others close to tears. It was wonderful, and I was so proud of them for speaking in front of that many people and that many important people without ever really speaking in front of a group before.

After everyone spoke, we had light refreshments, which, I think was a little weird for them because it was American food and there weren't any tortillas. However, they ate it and I LOVED it - there was brie cheese! Overall, it was a great night, and I was so happy that my community was invited to go and talk about their experience!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Attempting to Stay Healthy

So, I have recently been in the capital trying to stay healthy and clean. I have seen more doctors and had more doctors' visits here than I have in my entire life I think. It's crazy how differently my body reacts to being in a different place. I do think some of it is because I'm in a dirty place covered in dust this time of year, part of it is because I sweat so much, and some of it might be due to stress. I don't know what it is, but it is frustrating. I have to come in to the capital fairly regularly to seek medical attention, which is a long ways a way and expensive. However, I'm very grateful that Peace Corps pays for my medications! So, I've had some dental problems and I had to have a minor surgery on my toe nail. However, since my site is dusty and there is no guarantee how clean it is, I've had to stay here for a bit. Also, I've had many more chronic health problems, mostly on my skin, which I have never had in the States. It's just so difficult to stay healthy all the time here! However, I get great medical care essentially whenever I need it so that's great! Thanks Peace Corps/American taxpayers!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Traveling Time

So, I went to visit someone else´s site for the first time this weekend! First, we went on a coffee tour in Ataco, which was really cool and interesting. Then, we headed back to her site for the night with another friend. Her site is SOOOO different from mine and it´s relatively close, it´s amazing. Her site is really spread out and only has school rooms for up to 6th grade. She lives more in the mountains and on a small highway, so there is no dust, which was wonderful! Also, it was so much cooler at night, which was a refreshing change. It was so nice seeing another site, I want to see them all!

In regards to my site, things have changed quite a lot. I am not doing as much as I thought because my counterpart changed his mind on somethings, so I´m sort of starting at square one again. We´ll see what happens, but I think I´m going to start on English club and maybe we´ll make shampoo together! I hope it works out, and I´ll know next week sometime what I´ll be doing. Also, the bee women are keeping me really busy, and they will continue to, which is great. I feel like that is most of my work right now. I hope to work with some youth at some point though, so that, I´m hoping will be the English classes! Well, that´s all for now!