My tummy has realized where i am

4 de julio 2010

To celebrate the 4th of July in Honduras, I washed my clothes in the pila for the first time! It was quite a process, but I think I was successful… we will see how much soap residue is left on my polo shirts once they are all dry…. (UPDATE: FOR THE MOST PART, IT WAS A SUCCESS! but please, when you are using your washing machines, think of my tired arms that spent an hour scrubbing my shirts on a pila).I also took a fun paseo with some of my host aunts and their sister in laws and nieces and nephews… its hard to keep track of who everyone is, and how they are part of the family, but the bottom line is that they are all family. I am beginning to feel like I am as well… I can’t believe I will have to leave them in just 2 weeks! We played an intense game of soccer (with a small, plastic ball, like a wiffle ball but bigger- you use whatever you have here) last night, mujeres verses hombres, of course the women won! Not much thanks to me hahaha but my little chicas here are pretty good!

I am also beginning to understand the lapse in the education system here. As I mentioned before, part of the Youth Development work will be collaborating with host teachers to help find a way to better teach math… I have been helping one of my host cousins with her division homework almost every night… we will make some progress, but then she will go to school, come home, sit down to do her math homework, and be more confused than ever.

My new favorite desert, the chocobanano. Its exactly what it sounds like, a banana dipped in chocolate, frozen and on a stick! Its amazing, absolutely amazing. I am going to start that trend in the States when I come back!

Also, in this picture here is a pair of flower hair clips! One of my trainee, Margaret, has a crafty little host sister, and she makes and sells hair clips! She’s only 12 and has a business, so I bought a pair of pink flowers for 15 lempira!
Its quite common for people to sell things from their house as well… we have neighbors that sell little ice creams, others who sell tortillas, and others who sell distinctly-cooked corn on the cobs! They make a simple sign on paper, saying what they sell and for how much, and you just knock on their door!

Oh, some sad news, Rosita the parrot passed away a few days ago, may she rest in peace.

8 de julio 2010
so my stomach is starting to wonder where i am, finally. it took about 3 weeeks. everythings fine, i talked to the medical officers and everything. not a parasite. hopefully it will pass.

on sunday we leave for our ´volunteer visits´ where we go spend 3 days visiting another volunteer! im slightly skeptical about traveling (we have been getting some intense safety and security sessions), butttt im super excited to shadow a youth development volunteer. stay tuned for an update on that!
we are suppose to come back wendesday, and then wrap up the last week here in Zarabanda before we leave on sunday for Field Based Training for the next 7 weeks.

some project ideas we´ve been talking about for youth development are:

-Yo Merezco, a sex ed program (most host country teachers know it has to be taught but dont want to do it, hence why many volunteers end up implementing this program.. the PC has a manual and everything)
-A colgate dental hygene program
-story hour
-tutoring
-a world map mural project
There is a lot of flexibility within this sector. and we will be getting to site right as the school year is ending, so instead of teacher trainings, we will probably be starting off trying to launch our own projects within the community.

oh, if you think of any light weight, easy and not too expensive to send craft materials... that be awesome! not just yet though! i wont get to my site until september. and a few other things i may add to that wishlist... febreaze, and old navy flip flops for the bucket shower. i may be able to find suitable alternatives so dont buy anything just yet (this last paragraph is mostly for you mom! ;) ...)