In Caacupe till 2pm again, same rutine.
Things have been crazy in site. I moved into my house Sunday night. My house isnt complete but its ready enough...lets just say Ive experienced the passionate latin side of paraguyans.. they are ruthless when it comes to fighting with their family, hmm i have that too..
I am soo happy to be in my own house. Right now i am experiencing the flu with the rest of my community. this idea of sharing terere with everyone out of one straw = epidemic. But this hasnt stop the unstopable peace corps volunteer.. ME :) ... I am learning what is a development worker and how personal our roles are. I had my ears and eyes open to the young women in my community and with the help of my sister we decided to form a Commitee of young women. This committe will also have a soccer team ( i had questioned weather the community had a women´s team and my sister said we did but it fell apart and WAM... another project)
I am honestly overwhelmed with the amount to be done in the next few months. i never imagined Peace Corps to be so demanding, but every country and site is different. My site is ready for someone to cause change, and i must have that confidence to be that person that I have to be. The community is ready for a volunteer who is committed and unstoppable. Ill try my best.
First stop, the women´s commitee´s president: Na Rubita. After the ok for me to announce at our next women´s meeting the idea of starting a young females committe, i was told that i have to go to each house in the community that has a female over 15 and talk to their parents. Ive gotten a lot of great feedback but do not want to invest myself into this project yet. not till i really see that they are willing to show up. It is hard to be distant for my own benefit with a project and yet enthusiastic. I am afraid of being let down, but want to show that i am committed to this idea.
I also have my boss coming out on the 23rd of this month to speak to the community about the role of a volunteer, etc.. This includes a speach from me, and cooking empanadas with soy meat. This is my idea as soy meat is super cheap and a great substitute for expensive meat. we will see how well they like it. Plus, making empanadas is fun!
The women´s commite is starting to think about planting their gardens and needs seeds
and the newly formed men´s commitee wants to plant trees to sell....
and then there is my house, my backyard of weeds, my unpainted walls.....
Sylvia bought you some skittles but I ate them by accident.
ReplyDeletehey mar,
ReplyDeletei totally love reading your writing. I think this project sounds amazing. I dont think you should hold back on such an amazing project! You would likely make a difference even if no one showed up. Just the thought that there existed some place to go, often helps people get through tough experiences. Just knowing there is support out there can help lift the weight of loneliness and fear.
When I interned in Chile at the women's collective, it was a freakin' disaster. I didn't know what I was doing, I wasnt given the tools to get it done by the organization that was supposed to be providing the things I was supposed to be offering to the women, my Spanish was mediocre at best and the women really needed a knowledgeable local, not a philanthropic foreigner. BUT, i was floored at how appreciative the women were on the last day of the internship. I completed the internship after six months (once a week) and I really didnt get anything done. NOTHING happened that I was supposed to do, despite my efforts. But the women really thanked me, genuinely. And the biggest take-away that I had, was that it was helpful that I showed up consistently. These women had had so many people come in and out, but the fact that I came back every week despite the obstacles really resonated with then. I still felt like I didnt do nearly as much as I wanted to, but it was enlightening to know that it made a difference that I continued to show up.
Obviously, you have much more time and investment in your community to do much more, but I think starting a womens group, or safe space for women, would be helpful on many levels, most of which you will not be able to see. But know that you are making a difference, you are helping... even if you dont see it.
love you lots,
tom1