Monday, November 22, 2010

I guess I can’t even try to write about all the things that have happened since I last wrote.

One of the big things that has happened is that we finished the Yo Merezco abstinence project! With a lot of success, I would say. We carried out the project in 5 schools, with over 85 girls and 10 boys (received 2 of the sessions). What was great and unexpected is that an NGO in town wanted to get involved, so our closing ceremony also featured presentations on children’s rights, women’s rights, and the right to healthy food. With the money this NGO (Care International) gave us, we were able to invite the mothers of the girls and several key figures in town. In total, 140 people came. There were a few minor issues that came up during the event, like starting 2 and a half hours late, BUT all in all, I was very pleased. It was nice to finally get recognition for my work in Camasca, and I really feel its changed the way the people here see and respect me. One thing I didn’t foresee with this project was the relationship I developed with the high school students carrying out the project. They are 11 really special teenagers that became close friends of mine, inviting me to other activities, coming over to my house for dinner, playing basketball, etc. I’m really going to miss them when they graduate next week, especially since the majority are not from Camasca and will go back to their communities.

San Juan de Dios, one of the 5 communities where we implemented the project

 

I am working on a latrine and floors project in a community of Camasca called San Juan de Dios. It is such a special community, I really like working there and feel very inspired to do projects with them. They are well organized and really want change in their community, as opposed to other communities I’ve tried to work in and felt like I was the only one pushing for change. They received a huge grant from COSUDE, a Swiss NGO, the mayor’s office is paying part, and I am submitting a proposal for $5,000 to have floors put in 21 more houses. The community is one of Camasca’s largest, with 150 houses but more than 800 habitants. Crazy, right? (I found out there is a woman who lives there with 20 kids!). I’ve been visiting the community frequently, meeting with the local committees there to organize the project, and also helping with the municipal workers in town to design and monitor the project.

Also, Michelle came and visited me! She came for about 2 weeks, which is a good amount of time, but we saw a lot, and she also saw my site which was really special for me. We spent time at Copan Ruins, where there was a big Halloween weekend for Peace Corps volunteers, and also a bird park where I had 4 macaws on me! Also saw Gracias, Lempira, a colonial town with a cool fortress and hot springs. We spent several days in Camasca and in a neighboring town where there was a medical brigade. We saw La Esperanza, as well as Lake Yajoa, and Omoa. Michelle got to see the wonders of Honduran transportation, the weather that went from warm to very chilly within a few days, ate lots of “bread”/cake, tried baleadas and pupusas, and probably met half the kids in Honduras. So who is next to visit me…? J

Michelle and I in Copan Ruins, Honduras

Going to a friend’s site for Thanksgiving and I’m fairly certain there will be turkey, very excited. Then there will only be a couple weeks until I’m home for Christine’s wedding and CHRISTMAS! And I get to hold Baby Violet!