San Jose

I spent the last 6 out of 8 days in the most amazing location and having the most wonderful time.


Was I basking on the beaches of the Bay Islands you ask? Or perhaps visiting the magnificent Mayan ruins in Copan?


Nope...I was simply in San Jose, an aldea about 30 minutes away from El Negrito...a community of about 1,000 people where there is no electricity or cell phone service...and I had the time of my life. I stayed with my good friend and co-worker Zolia with her 4 daughters and her mother. Each morning we woke up, had coffee and sweet bread and then hiked an hour and a half up a mountain to arrive in Cerro Prieto, where we are implementing the Olla Comun project. We gave the training to the mothers last week and after the blood and stool exams are done, we will start cooking. Hopefully I can go back and help Zolia for a few days during the 12 day process.

When we weren't working, we played cards and danced and cooked and watched soccer games in the field in town. I never thought it was possible to feel so at peace and relaxed. I ended up heading back up there on Friday to give a workshop on respiratory infections and then stayed the weekend to go to a cultural night thrown by a youth group that does theatre [the guys who head the group are brothers and 2 of the coolest, most down to earth people I've ever met.] Sunday I spent the whole day in the kitchen, making tortillas and all sorts of other delicious things. I finally headed down the mountain last night and was teased by my neighbors about being "perdida" [lost.]

All in all, another great week. Life is -so- beautiful.

Ah, y quien me escribio el mensaje en mi ultimo post? No dejo su nombre!!!

7.21.2009 Where did July go?

I know people have been concerned about me given the political situation that is going on here but most of you know by now that everything is fine and tranquil in my little town. Honestly, if you came to El Negrito, one wouldn’t even know that there was any “crisis” going on in other parts of the country. Other than that, I can’t really comment on what is going on, at least not on my public blog. Just know that I am safe and that as of now, PC has no plans of evacuating us, which is a good thing. I would be absolutely devastated if I had to leave here.

So…the feria has come and gone, which is partially the reason for my lack of updating. Also, the fact that we’ve been Internet-less at WorldVision for the past week which is very inconvenient. I’ve been completely spoiled these past 8 months by having wireless at the office, the thought of trekking to the Internet café was just too much to bare…but I finally caved.

As always, I enjoyed myself to the fullest during the fair…the HIV committee put together an awesome float for the parade [much better than last year’s] and I got to ride on top of the tractor that was pulling said float. There was lots of dancing, riding the ferris wheel, eating greasy food, and generally way too much fun, which is exactly how things should be during the feria. I hosted a couple of bbq’s at my house which resulted in more eating and dancing and overall great company. The other volunteers in Yoro came on Saturday and it was great to see all of them.

Not to say that I haven’t been working, because I have. We finished up the Olla Comun project in 4 of the 6 communities and it has been a success in all of them. The mothers have really enjoyed learning the new recipes and cooking together and all the children have gained weight during the process. I am hoping that the continued visits and monitoring will keep them motivated. I am working with other groups of families in various aldeas giving nutrition workshops that are 2 days in length. The first day we cover topics such as hygiene, balanced diet, and vitamins. The second day is hands on and we cook 3 different nutritious meals. I recently compiled a booklet full of recipes that we have been using in the Olla Comun project and Doris is looking into getting it bound. :) I still have my youth group that I work with which is always motivating and fun.

Emelina and I are talking about going to Guatemala in August which I am looking forward to. I haven’t been anywhere since Shawn and I went to Ceiba in May! I have to keep reminding myself that I only have 9 months left here because otherwise I will keep putting trips like this off.

Madrina

Despite the fact that I was working for most of it...I had a fantastic weekend.

Friday night the power went out after I huge thunderblot struck so I spent most of the evening at my neighbor's house, gossiping, and eating and just hanging out with her family. Saturday morning I woke up and headed to Las Brisas and Jocomico [the 2 communities where we are working in the Olla Comun project] and spent the morning cooking with the mothers which is always fun. I washed some clothes at home and then spent the rest of the evening at Shawn's mom's house which was so fun...his entire family was there so it was quite a full house. I adore all of them so much...between them and Reina's family, I feel so blessed to know all these people who treat me like family :)

Then yesterday I spent the entire day helping with the fundraiser for the Nutritional Center which was such a great time...I got to hang out with Los Rebeldes and all the girls that work at the Center...we raised a lot of money, ate yummy food and just goofed off which was so fun.

Today I went to the communities for Olla Comun again and I was asked to be the godmother [madrina] for 2 different women's daughters. I was so touched by them asking...that I said yes right away. I never knew it would be so possible to feel so at home in another country where I have a completely different culture and background from everyone else.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...life is so beautiful and I am so blessed and happy to be here.

reconnect

I have -so- much to write about...I don't even know where to start.


Life is good...life is beautiful and wonderful and I am so blessed to be here and be having this experience and to have people cross my path and influence my life.


Work is busy busy and I am completely enjoying the projects that I am working on right now...mainly I am working with my youth group who is slowly but surely preparing to give HIV charlas in the high school and also I am working on a project called Olla Comun [Common Pot basically] where we are teaching groups of mothers with children who are underweight how to cook more nutricious.


[That last sentence was probably awful English...I swear the longer I am here, the worse my English gets. Haha.]


Last week when I went up to Santa Lucia to weigh kids under 5 for the monthly AIN-C meeting [basically its monitoring kids under 2 years old in communities but in SL there are a lot of problems so we weigh all kids under 5] and where the mothers recieve a nutricious snack and nutrition counseling. In May, one of the girls had lost weight because she had been sick and I gave the mom some tips for nutrition and foods to give the girl. Well this month the girl put on weight and was in the appropiate category again for her age and the mom told me that she started giving the girl eggs to eat because I had told her that they were good for her. And she thanked me for the advice and said it was so helpful.


I can honestly say that that one experience is more than enough to have me be completely satisfied with my service. :)


I think for a bit of time I allowed myself to get really consumed with minute issues and was so concerned with things that, in the big picture, don't matter at all. I forgot -why- I am here and sort of lost my way. I feel competely on track now and refocused which is a great feeling. I am genuinely happy...despite all the frustrations and everything else, I absoutely -love- my job and I couldn't be happier about my decision to join PC.

Earthquake!

So no worries everyone...I was in Tegus when the earthquake hit and I slept right through it. Thanks to everyone that called to make sure I am okay, it is much appreciated!

Last week was spent traveling. Shawn and I went up to La Ceiba for Carnaval [their fair which is quite famous and well-known for being crazy fun.] He has some siblings that live up there so we stayed with his brother which was a lot of fun. It's always better when you stay at a house as opposed to a hotel. We saw the parade on Saturday and then went out to dinner and dancing with some volunteers that night. Shopping, trips to the beach, and playing with Shawn's nieces filled the rest of my trip, which was much needed.

Then I headed to Tegus for Midterm Meds aka trip to the doctor for all the health volunteers in my group. I am happy to say that I am 100% healthy...no parasites, cavitives, etc. Yay! It was good to see other volunteers and some Honduran friends that live in Tegus. I got to do some shopping which is always fun, even on my PC budget!

Today is my first day back at work in a week, so it feels good but I also feel lost, so much happened while I was gone [like usual.] Doris is starting a nutrition recuperation project in 6 different communities and I told her that I am more than available and willing to help so I am looking forward to that. I also have my youth group that meets every Tuesday, we are slowly but surely working to give an HIV charla in the high school. My PC boss also asked me to help with 2 big projects while I was in Tegus.

1] I am now the point person for the HIV training that takes place with each group of volunteers during training. This means I will be responsible for coordinating the logistics for training as well as working on editing and improving the manual.

2] I have been asked to assist on a new project called "Quality of Life" which will basically cover a variety of topics related to Maternal/Child Health such as Hygiene, Family Gardens, Nutrition, Weighing Children, etc. The PC Health project wants to put together a workshop in the end of September so I will be helping with that.

I am really excited about both projects because I think given my experience here, I have a lot of offer and contribute. It's nice when your skills are recognized!

Today is JUNE 1st which I almost can't believe. I -know- I still have a year left [less now, 11 months!!] but I always think about my service only being til the end of 2009 because really the last 4 months in 2010 are going to -fly- by.

Who ever knew 2 years could flash before your eyes?

4.27.09 Catching an iguana

This afternoon I was experimenting in my kitchen (using my home-grown squash and cilantro!) when I heard Shawn call my name from the backyard.

I went outside and he pointed up in my avocado tree and said "Want to have iguana for dinner?" I look up towards the tree and while squinting, try to make out the supposed iguana that he is talking about. I can't see a darn thing and while I continue searching, he goes into the house and comes back with his slingshot (I bought it for him while in Ojojona last week giving an HIV training...definitely never thought he'd actually use it. Haha.)

I head back inside to check on lunch and while stirring my squash/onion/cilantro/sausage experiment, I watch Shawn sling rocks into the avocado tree. I yell at him that he is crazy but am definitely enjoying the entertainment.

A few minutes later, I hear the destinctive sound of an animal falling out of a tree. I rush outside to see an iguana trapped under Shawn's foot. He grabs it by the tail as I run back inside to retrieve my camera. I then snap some pictures as he ties it up to wooden chair on my patio.

I'm not sure if we are going to eat if for dinner or what...but it certainly made for an eventful Monday afternoon.

3.24.08 More pictures

1. My cat Joaquin (isn't he so photogenic?)
2. The volunteers in Yoro (we had a goodbye party for 2 that are leaving in May)
3. Myself giving a workshop on measuring and weighing children to the health volunteers
4. Dead snake we found on the way to Las Crusitas
5. Laughing with my women in El Pate
6. The awesome bookshelf Shawn and I made