Marianna Castiaux In Paraguay

I wrote a long email in response to the questions asked from me by the girl scout troop in San Diego, CA. I thought I would share. Please excuse the grammer and spelling mistakes. My time is limited on the computer. Hi, I am going to try and answer your questions. My answers apply to my community. 1) Understanding that many people live on $1/day. How far would $1 go in Paraguay? What kinds of things might $1 buy? $1 hmmm. My community doesnt starve. each family has mandioca ( the potato like root) and so they all eat enough carbs. the average sugar cane worker, which is really hard work and is only available every once in a while, makes 25,000 Guaranis or $5 a day. this is from sun up to sun down with many many breaks. The men in my community also make money cutting grass with weed wackers. My brother recently cut grass at the school. I am not sure what he makes but i know for 10 guaranis or 2 dollars he cuts peoples front yards. he uses this money to buy chocolate cookies ( 50 cen...

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 i...

Day Off Today is my half day off in CAACUPE! took the 6am bus here, got here at 730, atm, visited the basillica or Cathedral and looked at view,brought veges and stuff for my kitchen ( i saw a teflon pan but am going to wait to buy that when i am out of my house and my family cant see that i spent $10 on a pan, i love teflon pans ! i am a nut but what could be better than not having to use oil or butter!) then went to my favorite switz cafe had cafe and a ham cheese sandwitch as always. the man that owns it knows me, and is a very attractive, sweet, older swiss. i love it there. this is my fourth time and the first time i felt a little out of place. After ordering i excused myself to wash up. My white shirt (advise: white shirts should NEVER be brought out in the campo) that i had ¨cleaned¨ still had dirt spots on it. Hand washing shirts only gets out so much. During our training I found it funny that they had recommend that everyone has ¨city¨ wear. i understand now the necessity. T...