I returned from my site visit on Sunday around 7pm. I was
incredibly happy to be home where I was welcomed with a delicious meal of
freshly cut fruit, 5 pieces of fried cheese (my host mom saw that the last time
she gave me this I ate all 3 so now she gives me more), a plateful of fried patacon, and sliced avocado. O! and of
course, as with any meal she gives me, a glass of fresh juice ! Anyway, I
couldn’t wait to unpack, shower and get some solid sleep after spending the
last 3 nights sleeping next to what I can only describe as a dog pound/ rooster
ring bark off. Every night until about midnight and every morning starting at
4:30, the dogs and roosters would get into a match of who could do their
bark/call the loudest. The bed I slept in is in a wooden house and the head of
my bed was next to the tree where the dogs were tied….
During my visit I was able to jump right in and give a charla to a women’s group regarding
obesity and its relation to diabetes. I really enjoyed being up there and
seeing how easy it was to lead the group. The women were interested and all
participated. It was cool to finally see what
we are learning in training in the field. I was also able to attend a
conference where the health promoters from both groups; Escojo mi Vida (I choose my life) and Hogares Saludables (Healthy Homes). These adolescent and women’s
group, respectively, are the two main projects that I will be working on as a
volunteer. The project plan consists of conducting a community diagnostic
during the first three months at site and then using and developing these
groups within the community as I see fit. The groups cover topics from HIV/AIDS
education, to decreasing malnutrition in children, learning the benefits of
balanced meals, giving detailed descriptions of the female and male
reproductive system/organs (yay awkwardness!)
The rest of the visit was nothing too exciting. We really just
sat around – a bit disappointing but at least I learned transportation and experienced
the natural beauty of this country!
I head out to CBT tomorrow and am very excited! I get to
bond with 14 other health volunteers in a Batey for 5.5 weeks while we train
under trees and figure out the proper logistics of using a latrine. This is the
experience we have all been waiting for; being in the field, experiencing what
some work would be like and living in true PCV conditions. I believe our
community has about 100 homes all within close distance – makes for some great
Wednesday night television show following on one of our laptops! I
More to come soon – I know this one is short but not too
much exciting stuff going on!
I will post about my new host family, at CBT, and hopefully
upload some pictures!
Love and miss you all!
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