Marianna Castiaux In Paraguay

There are moments here in Paraguay where I become overwhelmed with hope. It is an emotion that hits hard and I start to tear. Today after receiving a notice in my mail box that i had to go to the post office to pick up a package (that means its big or they decided to keep it to make you charge $ for it), i found myself questioning What package could this be? After being lost and luckily finding yet another overly helpful paraguayan that basically WALKED me to the front door of the post office, I found a package waiting for me with many boxes of girl scout cookies. I thought to myself, why am i becoming emotional over cookies????? this is ridiculous! i could of done something better with the money, orrrrrrrr could i?? i thought what better way to show support for a brand new girls soccer team then to send them cookies ALL the way from the states. someone in the states, and in fact a whole group of girls, cares about a small team, still without their own soccerball in paraguay (we have s...

A real quick update: Our first reunion 10 girls showed up between the ages of 12 and 18. Many more girls than i thought! A few others also want to join. I thought the meeting would last only an hour but the girls were there for 2.5 hours. My sister reminded me that they have all been in the house all day, and just getting together and talking is fun. I feel like as volunteers we dont really see the full picture Our name SUPER GIRLS ( in english) is for our team, Super Chicas is for our comite. i presented my ideas of the last saturday of every month is a day where a different activity that i will lead will occur : Environmental Education, Nutrition and American Cuisine (aka how to cook with vegetables), English Classes, and Auto Esteem. My boss really likes my idea and is giving me resources for different organizations that can help me out. The girls want to have 7 shirts for our team ( we can switch skirts when one goes in to the game) that are neon pink. our aunt can make them. They...

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...

Intro It is the five month mark here in Paraguay for me and my views of paraguay, paraguyans and myself in paraguay have adapted. I feel very lucky to be so close to my host sister Deisy. I have been sharing a room with her since coming to site in december (and sometimes a bed with my other sis) and each of my days are filled with laugher - not to mention my spanish has improved greaty. I made a friend so fast and through her gossip i have learned more than i could and wanted to know about my community. She proves to me that i really do not have the capability yet to understand this culture. but more importantly she has taught me to laugh at silly things and to open my mind to "odd" beliefs in the community. I have gained an 18 yr old friend and without her my experience and happiness in the community would be very different. My House Almost every day Deisy and i go to my house to clean it, ask uncles, neighbors and brothers to help me out or talk with the dueno ( tid bit: w...

I think you will all enjoy, find funny and informative this blog by Natalia. It is probably the best blog out there on paraguay. http://www.guidetoparaguay.com/blog.html