Getting Busy

Well the countdown has begun. The last group before mine is already on their way out and we are now the oldest group. (There are a few stragglers from previous groups, but as far as groups go now we're the oldest.) I've got less than 6 months and while recently I've been bored and sick of being here, this milestone has gotten me in shape to make the most of my remaining time.

I've got a lot of stuff to look forward to logistically - I've got regional Peace Corps meetings, an annual training for everyone in my program, a few other optional trainings that I can go to with counterparts from my community, a short trip to Washington, D.C., a friend coming down to visit, a 50th Peace Corps anniversary celebration on the 4th of July, and my Close of Service conference. Whew. So that leaves me realizing that I want to get going finishing stuff and doing some other last minute fun stuff around home.

So what am I up to? Well, I'm still working with my youth group. We're getting a garden going in order to have some veggies to sell and we're hoping to start doing some HIV/AIDS training for classes since my health promoter and I received a good training. My stove project is finally coming to a close. Just a few of the 65 stoves are left and I'm hoping that in the next couple of weeks they'll be done (especially with rainy season looming ahead, I don't want the constructors getting poured on during the chimney-placing step). This project has been a little bit of a headache, but I feel successful and I know that people are really benefitting from it. I've also helped push my women's group to try new things. They just started experimenting with making laundry soap, which is a widely used product in homes with lots and lots of kids and dirty clothes. The first time was a little bit of a flop, but little by little they are learning and changing the recipe so that they have a solid product. This skill is uncommon here, so it is nice to see them developing and changing.

In terms of new stuff, I've got some little stuff going on. I've finally pushed the town council a little bit to get them filling out an application for an Engineers Without Borders grant for a rec. center/health office/meeting space. This community could really use one. So I'm going to help them out and see if we can get the process rolling. I have also started facilitating regular craft workshops. I'm pretty craftsy and can have a little fun with this; plus there are lots of people in this town who can do stuff and teach others. There has just been a lack of a facilitator. So I have people over to my house and we hang out learning a different craft. I hope to sneak in some environmental techniques also like reusing materials or turning something old into something new. Since being here I have refused to teach English classes, but I have started to review English with the English teacher in the school. I don't do this a lot, but I think even the little bit helps him out and if he continues to teach English, hopefully a few more kids will learn how to say "hello" properly.

A common thing for Peace Corps volunteers here in El Salvador is collaboration with other Peace Corps volunteers. Being a little isolated, a little lazy, happy in my site, and a little frugal, I haven't had the chance/desire/opportunity to work with anyone else. Lots of volunteers to camps (the thought of which terrifies me due to various cultural aspects), or will do plays, activities, info. sessions...you name it. Well, I have finally decided to collaborate with a couple other volunteers sticking to my "site rat" style. I am putting together a coloring/activity book for young kids with an environmental focus and El Salvador specific. There are lots of activities we can do with kids to teach them about the environment but a lot of them are just a little too sophisticated for the wee ones. So hopefully this book will be able to reach a younger audience. So what's the collaboration? Well, another volunteer (who is quite talented artistically) has been writing and drawing storybooks based on the environmental lessons we give in the school. And Carol is working on the grant side of things and good editing. The project is coming along and is quite exciting.

Otherwise, I'm trying to see other places in the country that I haven't gotten a chance to go out and see yet. And of course I'm hanging out here doing the things that I won't always be able to do...like spend all day reading at the river (on a weekday). Or going to the sugar mill to hang out with everyone from my community. Or eating pupusas or any of the other typical foods. Gotta take advantage while I can!